Tariff Classification of Limestone of a Kind Used in Animal Feed
Memorandum D10-14-33

Ottawa, April 24, 2014

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In Brief

The editing revisions made in this memorandum do not affect or change any of the existing policies or procedures.

This memorandum explains the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) rationale for classifying limestone, of a kind suitable for use in animal feed, in heading 25.21 of the Customs Tariff.

Legislation

Customs Tariff

25.21 Limestone flux; limestone and other calcareous stone, of a kind used for the manufacture of lime or cement.

Legal Notes to Chapter 25

Note 1:

1. Except where their context or Note 4 to this Chapter otherwise requires, the headings of this Chapter cover only products which are in the crude state or which have been washed (even with chemical substances eliminating the impurities without changing the structure of the product), crushed, ground, powdered, levigated, sifted, screened, concentrated by flotation, magnetic separation, or other mechanical or physical processes (except crystallisation), but not products which have been roasted, calcined, obtained by mixing, or subjected to processing beyond that mentioned in each heading.

The products of this Chapter may contain an added anti-dusting agent, provided that such addition does not render the product particularly suitable for specific use rather than for general use.

Guidelines and General Information

1. Imported limestone, in granule or powder form, suitable for use in animal feed, is classified in heading 25.21, in accordance with Legal Note 1 to Chapter 25. This classification is not applicable to dolomitic limestone (dolomite) which is classified in its own heading (25.18).

2. According to the Materials Handbook, 15th edition, limestone is a general name for a variety of calcite rocks, and in its purest form is 100% calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It often contains small quantities of impurities such as magnesium, iron, zinc, lead, manganese, etc. Limestone is used in numerous applications such as for making lime and cement, for agricultural purposes, or for use in animal feed.

3. According to ASTM Standard C706-02 (reapproved 2008) regarding the Standard Specification for Limestone for Animal Feed Use, limestone with a minimum content of 95% calcium carbonate and a maximum content of 5% magnesium carbonate is suitable for use in animal feed (feed-grade). Feed-grade limestone is used to increase the calcium intake of animals.

4. Feed-grade limestone is also desirable for making lime, or for agricultural purposes (soil improvement), because of the high calcium carbonate content. It is also suitable for use in cement making even though high calcium carbonate content is not required for this purpose.

5. In Appeal AP-93-359, Ballarat Corporation Ltd. v. the Deputy Minister of National Revenue, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal found “of a kind used” to mean that the goods at issue must be capable of or suitable for the specified use but do not actually need to be used for such purposes.

6. Therefore, limestone with a high calcium carbonate content (95% or more) used in animal feed (feed-grade) can be considered of a kind suitable for soil improvement, or, of a kind used for the manufacture of lime or cement, and is therefore classified in HS heading 25.21.

7. Under the authority of the Feeds Act, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency administers a program to verify that livestock feeds manufactured and sold in Canada or imported into Canada are safe, effective, and are labeled appropriately. According to the Feed Regulations, 1983, (SOR/83-593), Schedule IV, Part 1, item 6.41, ground limestone (or pulverized limestone) shall be labeled with guarantees for minimum percent of calcium and maximum percent of magnesium.

Additional Information

8. For certainty regarding the tariff classification of a particular good, importers may request an advance ruling. Details on how to make such a request are found in Memorandum D11-11-3, Advance Rulings for Tariff Classification.

9. For more information, call contact the CBSA Border Information Service (BIS):
Calls within Canada & the United States (toll free): 1-800-461-9999
Calls outside Canada & the United States (long distance charges apply):
1-204-983-3550 or 1-506-636-5064

TTY: 1-866-335-3237

Contact Us online (webform)
Contact Us at the CBSA website

References

Issuing office:

Trade and Anti-dumping Programs Directorate

Headquarters file:

HS 2521.00

Legislative references:

Feeds Act
Feed Regulations, 1983
Customs Tariff
General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System

Other references:

D11-11-3
CITT AP-93-359,Ballarat Corporation Ltd. v. the Deputy Minister of National Revenue
ASTM C706-02 (reapproved 2008) Standard Specification for Limestone for Animal Feed Use

Superseded memorandum D:

D10-14-33 dated February 25, 2004