Single Window Initiative – Data Element Rationales
Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada - Data Element Rationales
PGA Term Rationale Source
Permit Application Required to indicate the importer is using the Integrated Import Declaration (IID) to apply for a shipment-specific permit or a general import permit.
Commodity Import Control List
Agricultural Products Items 94 to 191 of the Import Control List
Clothing and Textile Goods Items 85 to 86.99 of the Import Control List
Carbon and Speciality Steel Products Items 80 to 81 of the Import Control List
Steel goods and Aluminum Products Items 82 to 83 of the Import Control List
SWI
Permit Type

Required for all commodities processed through the IID. Importers must indicate on their application one or more of the following permit types:

  • Clothing & textiles shipment-specific permit
  • Agriculture products shipment specific permit
  • Agriculture products general import permit
  • Steel general import permit
  • Documented alternative quantity license

Note: Documented alternative quantities apply only to two (2) commodities: 1- Chicken, 2- Clothing & Textile. In the case of chicken products the importer must include GAC/CFIA recipes with their application (see Supporting Document below).

 Applicant/Broker (Importer)
License Type Required for EU cheese (WTO quota only) as well as for clothing and textile goods imported to Canada from Mexico. The importer must provide the reference number indicated on the Foreign Export License that was delivered by the issuing body (i.e. AGREX form field no. 23). Exporter
Reference Number

Required for all licenses and permits referenced in the application. For every license or permit provided at declaration, an associated reference number identifying the issuance of that document must be provided. For example:

Document type Reference number
Clothing and textiles shipment specific permit Permit number (EICS reference number)
Agriculture products shipment-specific permit Permit number (EICS reference number)
Agriculture General Import Permit GIP name (i.e. GIP 20, GIP100)
Steel general import permit GIP name (i.e. GIP80, GIP81) or GIP83
Documented alternative quantity Applicable CFI or GAC product number (also known as recipe or label approval) to obtain shipment-specific permit.
Foreign export license Foreign export license number

 

 

 

 

EICS

 

EICS

Applicant/Broker (Importer)

 

Applicant/Broker (Importer)

Applicant/Broker (Importer) /Exporter

Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Supporting Document Required to support permit requests. If an export licence is required, the original must be attached to the permit application (applies to WTO textiles and clothing imported from Mexico only). Exporter
Foreign License End Use Description

Required when a Foreign Export License is referenced. The importer must specify the end use of product imported.

If an export licence is required, the original must be attached to the permit application (WTO textiles and clothing imported from Mexico only).

 Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Foreign License Issue Date If a Foreign Export Licence is referenced, the importer must indicate the date the license was issued (applies to textiles and clothing only). Only current year issuance dates may be supplied. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Documented Alternative Quantity Required when a Documented Alternative Quantity License is specified (See Permit Type). The importer must provide, when applicable, the alternate quantity of the good they are importing. The "Alternate Quantity" unit of measure is to be entered in accordance with the information provided in the Handbook of Export and Import Commodity Codes. This includes certain Clothing and Textiles commodities covered under Chapters 61-63 as well as certain agriculture codes (chicken). Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Applicant Business Number Required for all shipment-specific permits. The applicant or broker must provide their Canadian business number issued by the Canada Revenue Agency. Import permits are only issued to Canadian businesses. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Applicant Contact Name Required for all shipment-specific permits. An applicant or broker contact name is required in the event an issue with the shipment is pending. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Importer Required for all shipment-specific permits. Only IID certified importers may submit requests via the IID. Only importers with proper documentation may apply. This is used to ensure the applicant is an Importer on record. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Importer Contact Name Required for all shipment-specific permits. A contact name is required in the event an issue with the permit is pending. The name of the importer must be the same as on the customs documents. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Date of Direct Shipment The departure date of the last port of call is required. Permits may be issued up to 30 days prior to import. The date of direct shipment is required for verification purposes. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Quantity Unit Size The number of units per commodity must be provided. A size (MEA) must be provided for this commodity to be valid. The Unit of Measure provided must align to the HS tariff expectations for this commodity. The unit of measure for this commodity can be found in the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA) Commodity Code Handbook. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Quantity Unit Count A count (CNT) must be provided for the number of units for each commodity to be valid. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
GAC Annex Code For all shipment-specific permit types, the full 14-digit EIPA Commodity Code must be provided to identify precisely its purpose. EIPA Commodity Codes can be obtained on the GAC website: http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles under the Guides and Publications section. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Unit Price The commercial value of each commodity must be provided per unit in Canadian dollars. The unit price of each commodity in the shipment is required for verification purposes. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Total Value The total value of the shipments (including all commodities) is required for verification purposes.
The total commercial value in Canadian dollars for each commodity must be provided.		 Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Free Trade Agreement Processing Code

Required for clothing and textile goods. The applicable free trade agreement category must be provided:

  • Textile preference level
  • Short supply
  • De Minimis
  • 50% debit.

The qualifier should be the code for the Free Trade Agreement.

 Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Country of Origin Required for the application of the Customs tariff or quantitative restrictions or any measure related to trade. The applicant is required to identify the country in which the goods have been grown, produced or manufactured. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Resident Importer Certification Required for all shipment-specific permits. Permits can only be issued to residents of Canada. Applicant certifies that all information is true and correct and that they are a resident of Canada. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Fibre Country of Origin Required for the application of the Customs tariff or quantitative restrictions or any measure related to trade. Required for clothing and textile commodities. Use only for North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), Canadian Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA), Canadian Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (CCRFTA) and Canadian Honduras Free Trade Agreement (CHFTA) imports. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Yarn Country of Origin Required for the application of the Customs tariff or quantitative restrictions or any measure related to trade. Required for clothing and textile commodities. Use only for North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), Canadian Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA), Canadian Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (CCRFTA) and Canadian Honduras Free Trade Agreement (CHFTA) imports. Applicant/Broker (Importer)
Fabric Country of Origin Required for the application of the Customs tariff or quantitative restrictions or any measure related to trade. Required for clothing and textile commodities. Use only for North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), Canadian Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA), Canadian Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (CCRFTA) and Canadian Honduras Free Trade Agreement (CHFTA) imports. Applicant/Broker (Importer)

Note: The above noted data was collected previously using a paper form but can now be submitted electronically through the Single Window Integrated Import Declaration (Service Option 911)

Date modified: