Appeals/Reviews

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) administers and enforces more than 90 laws governing travel, trade and international conventions. At 1,200 service points in Canada and 39 locations abroad, CBSA personnel ensure that the nearly 100 million people — as well as some 14 million commercial shipments — entering our country annually meet the requirements of these laws.

With this volume of activity, it is not unexpected that some people may not agree with a decision taken by Agency personnel. For example, last year, there were some 3,500 such requests for a review of an enforcement action or trade decision.

To expedite the initiation of your appeal, we encourage you to submit your request using the Online Appeal Form and complete each field accordingly!

Processing times


The current estimated processing time in calendar days.

Enforcement and Trusted Traveller appeals
116 workable days

Last updated: 2023-01-15

Trade appeals
Tariff classification
355 workable days
Origin of goods
498 workable days
Value for duty
431 workable days
Tariff classification of prohibited weapons
81 workable days
Request for extension of time
174 workable days
Casual refund
137 workable days

Last updated: 2024-01-15

 If you disagree with the CBSA decision

If you, as an individual or business, disagree with a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) enforcement action or trade decision, you may want it reviewed. You have that right, the First Steps including various forms and letters will guide you through the process.

More information

If the CBSA did not take any formal action, but you have additional questions or feedback, consult:

Fiscal year to

Enforcement, trusted traveller and trade appeals

1. Enforcement and trusted traveller appeals: acknowledgement letter

Service description: Initial contact with a person requesting a review of an enforcement action and/or a trusted traveller membership decision.

Service standard: The CBSA will aim to acknowledge receipt of a new request for review of an enforcement action and/or trusted traveller membership decision within 10 calendar days.

Performance target: 85%

Performance result: To be reported on , for fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

2. Enforcement and trusted traveller appeals: decision

Service description: Issue the ministerial decision with respect to an appeal of an enforcement action and/or a trusted traveller membership decision.

Service standard: It is intended the ministerial decision will be issued no later than 180 workableFootnote 1 days from the date the request for review is received.

Performance target: 70%

Performance result: To be reported on , for fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

3. Trade appeals: acknowledgement letter

Service description: Initial contact with a person requesting review of a trade decision.

Service standard: The CBSA will aim to acknowledge receipt of a new request for review of a trade decision within 10 calendar days.

Performance target: 85%

Performance result: To be reported on , for fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

4. Trade appeals: decisions concerning the tariff classification of goods

Service description: Issue the decision of the CBSA President with respect to an appeal of a trade decision concerning the tariff classification of goods.

Service standard: It is intended that the decision of the CBSA President will be issued no later than 365 workableFootnote 1 days from the date the request for review is received.

Performance target: 70%

Performance result: To be reported on , for fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

5. Trade appeals: decisions concerning the value for duty of goods

Service description: Issue the decision of the CBSA President with respect to an appeal of a trade decision concerning the value for duty of goods.

Service standard: It is intended that the decision of the CBSA President will be issued no later than 365 workableFootnote 1 days from the date the request for review is received.

Performance target: 70%

Performance result: To be reported on , for fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

6. Trade appeals: decisions concerning the origin of goods

Service description: Issue the decision of the CBSA President with respect to an appeal of a trade decision concerning the origin of goods.

Service standard: It is intended that the decision of the CBSA President will be issued no later than 365 workableFootnote 1 days from the date the request for review is received.

Performance target: 70%

Performance result: To be reported on , for fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

7. Trade appeals: decisions concerning casual refunds

Service description: Issue the decision of the CBSA President with respect to an appeal of a casual refund decision.

Service standard: It is intended that the decision of the CBSA President will be issued no later than 180 workableFootnote 1 days from the date the request for review is received.

Performance target: 70%

Performance result: To be reported on , for fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

8. Trade appeals: decisions concerning the tariff classification of prohibited weapons

Service description: Issue the decision of the CBSA President with respect to an appeal of a trade decision concerning the tariff classification of a prohibited weapon.

Service standard: It is intended that the decision of the CBSA President will be issued no later than 90 workableFootnote 1 days from the date the request for review is received.

Performance target: 70%

Performance result: To be reported on , for fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

9. Decisions concerning requests for an extension of time to file a trade appeal

Service description: Issue the decision of the CBSA President with respect to a request for an extension of time to file a trade appeal.

Service standard: It is intended that the decision of the CBSA President will be issued no later than 90 workableFootnote 1 days form the date the request for an extension of time is received.

Performance target: 70%

Performance result: To be reported on , for fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

For more information on all service standards and performance results for previous years, consult the CBSA service standards.

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