Basic information
Outline of the system
Carbon and specialty steel products are found in items 80, 81 and 82 of the Import Control List, established under the Export and Import Permits Act. Products under items 80 and 81 are subject to general import permits with reporting and record keeping requirements (i.e., under General Import Permits 80 and 81).
Product coverage
Carbon steel products were placed on the Import Control List under the authority of subsection 5(3) of the Export and Import Permits Act with effect 1 September 1986, for the purpose of monitoring their entry into Canada following a reference to the Canadian Import Tribunal pursuant to section 48 of the Special Import Measures Act. The Tribunal concluded that carbon steel products were being and likely to be imported into Canada at such prices, in such quantities and under such conditions as to make it advisable to collect information with respect to the importation of such goods. Carbon steel products, under item 80 of the Import Control List, are defined as semi-finished steel products (ingots, blooms, billets, slabs and sheet bars), plate, sheet and strip, wire rods, wire and wire products, railway-type products, bars, structural shapes and units, and pipes and tubes.
Specialty steel products were added to the Import Control List on 1 June 1987, following an amendment to the Export and Import Permits Act, in order for the monitoring system for steel to be comprehensive. Specialty steel products, under item 81 of the Import Control List, are defined as stainless steel flat-rolled products (sheet, strip and plate), stainless steel bar, stainless steel pipe and tube, stainless steel wire and wire products, stainless steel in ingots or other primary forms, semi-finished products of stainless steel, alloy tool steel, mold steel and high-speed steel.
Carbon and specialty steel products were re-added to the Import Control List on 2 November 2020 under the authority of subsection 5(1)(e) and section 6 of the Export and Import Permits Act for the purpose of implementing an intergovernmental arrangement or commitment, specifically, the Joint Statement by Canada and the United States on Section 232 Duties on Steel and Aluminum issued on 17 May 2019.
Products subject to General Import Permits No. 80 and 81 are subject to reporting and record keeping requirements as a term and condition of their applicable general import permit (effective 26 August 2019).
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The General Import Permits No. 80 and 81 are not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, but to monitor the volume and the origin of carbon and specialty steel products.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The import monitoring program applies to carbon and specialty steel imports from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The action of placing carbon and specialty steel products on the Import Control List was taken under the authority of section 5.1 and section 6 of the Export and Import Permits Act.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Whether a product meets the description found in the Surtax Order (i.e., applicable to goods subject to final safeguards) is determined by the importer and may be subject to confirmation by the Canada Border Services Agency.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The Governor in Council may repeal or amend the Import Control List.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Any resident of Canada may use the General Import Permits No.80 and 81.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Not applicable.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Not applicable.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Not applicable.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
Not applicable.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Not applicable.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Not applicable.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Not applicable.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Not applicable.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
For General Import Permits No. 80 and 81, the applicable general import permit number (80 or 81) must simply be stated on the customs entry document. However, the permits are equipped with reporting and record keeping requirements. Detailed information on the steel general import permits and their terms and conditions is available in the Notice to Importers No. 1032: Steel General Import Permits No. 80 and 81 – Carbon and Specialty Steel Products, published on the website of Global Affairs Canada.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Not applicable.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Not applicable.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
Not applicable.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Not applicable.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Not applicable.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Not applicable.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
Not applicable.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Customs entry forms
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
For individual permits issued with respect to the steel safeguards: the period of validity is 30 days. Detailed information regarding the individual permits for the steel safeguard measures is available in the Notice to Importers No. 983: Steel Goods (Item 82 on the Import Control List), published on the website of Global Affairs Canada.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
For individual permits issued with respect to the steel safeguards: the period of validity is 30 days. Detailed information regarding the individual permits for the steel safeguard measures is available in the Notice to Importers No. 983: Steel Goods (Item 82 on the Import Control List), published on the website of Global Affairs Canada.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
For individual permits issued with respect to the steel safeguards: the period of validity is 30 days. Detailed information regarding the individual permits for the steel safeguard measures is available in the Notice to Importers No. 983: Steel Goods (Item 82 on the Import Control List), published on the website of Global Affairs Canada.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Not applicable.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
Not applicable.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
Not applicable.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
Not applicable.