Global Affairs Canada published a joint statement marking one year since six UN Security Council resolutions — 1696 (2006), 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008), 1835 (2008) and 1929 (2010) — returned into force on September 27, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. EDT through the snapback process initiated by France, Germany and the United Kingdom over Iran's non-performance under the JCPOA.
CBSA states that, as of November 5, 2024, importers using GIP Number 80 – Carbon Steel and GIP Number 81 – Specialty Steel Products must provide country of melt and pour (COM) information in the form and manner determined by CBSA when completing customs declarations through the Single Window Integrated Import Declaration. The requirement is a term and condition of using the GIPs, and CBSA notes the conditional COM rules are not expected to be implemented in the SW IID on November 5, though the COM field has been available on an optional basis since February 2024.
Why it matters: Importers of carbon and specialty steel under GIPs 80 and 81 must report country of melt and pour information in the SW IID as of November 5, 2024, unless they qualify for the CSA, $5,000 value or finished-product exemptions.
The Canada Border Services Agency states in Customs Notice 24-40 that, following the Government of Canada's March 7, 2025 update to the amendment to the Classification Regulations for firearms, additional firearms and their variants previously classified as non-restricted or restricted are now reclassified as prohibited, and CBSA will immediately begin prohibiting their importation by individuals or businesses unless an exemption is met. This is in addition to the May 2020 and December 2024 regulatory amendments that reclassified certain firearms as prohibited.
CBSA states that, effective March 1, 2025, an export licence and a possession licence are required for American eel elvers (Anguilla rostrata), with no exemptions from the export licence and limited exemptions from the possession licence, such as commercial transporters and airport personnel. Elvers are a restricted good under section 5 of the Reporting of Exported Goods Regulations, and shipments for export must be reported electronically to the CBSA, with the licence number, DFO shipment identification number, scientific name, common name and life stage on the export declaration.
The Canada Border Services Agency states in Customs Notice 25-24 that the Order Imposing a Surtax on the Importation of Certain Steel Goods (SOR/2025-148), as amended by SOR/2025-155, SOR/2025-266 and SOR/2026-0119, applies a 50% surtax on the value for duty of certain steel goods originating outside Canada, the United States and Mexico, with the SOR/2026-0119 amendments effective June 27, 2026 extending the tariff rate quota surtax until June 27, 2027 and changing Schedules 1 and 2.
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice to Importers Serial No. 1170 that, effective October 1, 2026, importers of aluminum products under General Import Permit No. 83 must report and keep records of the country of largest smelt, country of second-largest smelt (if any) and country of most recent cast.
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice to Importers Serial No. 1168 that imports of electric vehicles originating in China under Import Control List items 195(1) to (3), classified in tariff items 8702.20.10 through 8704.90.00 or a Chapter 99 tariff item, require a shipment-specific import permit and are administered under a first-come, first-served quota, with 24,500 vehicles available for the second period of Quota Year 1 from September 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027, plus unused volumes from the first period. Eligible EVs enter at a most-favoured-nation rate of 6.1%, and importers must be Canadian residents that are EV original equipment manufacturers or their appointed Canadian-resident agents.
CBSA states in Customs Notice 26-20 that goods subject to tariff rate quotas entered into a customs bonded warehouse must have a valid shipment-specific import permit issued by Global Affairs Canada to be accounted for at the "within access" rate of duty, and that the permit's validity period must cover the date the goods exit the warehouse. The notice says this is a clarification of existing application, not a change in policy, and applies to all goods subject to TRQs.
Why it matters: Importers using a customs bonded warehouse must hold a shipment-specific import permit valid through the date goods exit the warehouse, and must amend the Type 10 CAD before filing an ex-warehouse movement at the "within access" rate.
Global Affairs Canada states in a message to industry that the 2026-2027 tariff rate quotas for wheat, barley, wheat products and barley products covered by Items 161 to 191 of the Import Control List become accessible on August 1, 2026, administered on a first-come, first-served basis. The annual levels applying from August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027 are 226,883 tonnes of wheat, 399,000 tonnes of barley, 123,557 tonnes (grain equivalent) of wheat products and 19,131 tonnes (grain equivalent) of barley products.
Global Affairs Canada's Notice to Importers Serial No. 1164 sets out the policies and practices for administering Canada's tariff rate quota for imports of beef and veal under the CPTPP, covering fresh, chilled or frozen beef and veal under headings 02.01 and 02.02, and remains in effect until further notice. The notice states that over-access tariffs on CPTPP-originating beef and veal were fully eliminated on January 1, 2023, and that such goods meeting CPTPP rules of origin are now duty-free.
The Canada Border Services Agency states in Customs Notice 26-15 that, when the Order Amending the General Import Permit No. 83 — Aluminum Products comes into force on October 1, 2026, importers must submit the country of largest smelt (CLS), country of second-largest smelt (C2S) and country of most recent cast (CRC) to the CBSA via the Single Window Initiative Integrated Import Declaration; until then submission is optional. The requirements apply to all aluminum HS codes in Global Affairs Canada's SWI IID Regulated Commodities Data Element Matching Criteria Table, and cover goods containing primary aluminum for CLS and C2S and all goods covered by GIP 83 for CRC.
Global Affairs Canada's Notice to Importers Serial No. 1163, effective June 13, 2026, replaces Serial No. 1160 and sets out the policies and procedures for administering the tariff-rate quotas on certain steel goods in item 82 of the Import Control List, above which a 50% surtax applies. The Third Amending Surtax Order, effective June 28, 2026, adjusts TRQ volumes for the Hot-Rolled Sheet, Cold-Rolled Sheet, Hot-Rolled Bar, Structural Steel and Stainless Steel Billets and Blooms classes from non-FTA partners and the Hot-Rolled Sheet, Steel Plate and Cold-Rolled Sheet classes from non-CUSMA FTA partners, and reassigns certain tariff classification numbers from the Hot-Rolled Sheet to the Cold-Rolled Sheet class.
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice Serial No. 1162 that, from March 1, 2026, imports of electric vehicles originating in China under Import Control List items 195 (1) to (3) require a shipment-specific import permit and are administered under a quota, with 24,500 vehicles available on a first-come, first-served basis for March 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026. Eligible EVs are assessed at a most-favoured-nation tariff rate of 6.1%, and the 100% surtax under the China Surtax Order (2024) has been repealed.
Global Affairs Canada's Notice to Exporters No. 1159 states that storing controlled technology in the cloud can constitute a transfer under the Export and Import Permits Act, requiring an export permit, where there is a reasonable possibility that a person outside Canada could examine the technology. GAC interprets a transfer as occurring when controlled technology is sent from Canada and stored abroad in a way that creates more than a remote possibility of foreign access, including through decryption keys or access rights. Safeguards consistent with the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security's Guidance on cloud security assessment and authorization will generally mean no permit is required.
Global Affairs Canada states that the 2025-2026 tariff rate quotas for wheat, barley, wheat products and barley products covered by Items 161 to 191 of the Import Control List become accessible on August 1, 2025, administered on a first-come, first-served basis. The annual TRQ levels applying from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026 are 226,883 tonnes for wheat, 399,000 tonnes for barley, 123,557 tonnes (grain equivalent) for wheat products and 19,131 tonnes (grain equivalent) for barley products. Questions are directed to wheat.barley-ble.orge@international.gc.ca.
Global Affairs Canada states that, starting February 16, 2025, applicants for export permits for products exported to the United States under the WTO and CUSMA Sugar-Containing Product Tariff Rate Quotas must provide Manufacturer (MID) and Importer of Record (IOR) information. For shipments with multiple MIDs, applicants must designate the primary MID, the manufacturer who performed the most work, and it must match the MID on the import documents submitted to CBP. The IOR must be entered as an IRS number (NN-NNNNNNNXX), a CBP assigned number (NNNNNN-NNNNN) or a Social Security Number (NNN-NN-NNNN).
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice to Importers SER 1133 that, effective November 5, 2024, importers using General Import Permit No. 80 – Carbon Steel and General Import Permit No. 81 – Specialty Steel Products must provide country of melt and pour information at the time of importation as a term and condition of the permits. The requirement covers carbon steel under HS headings 7206-7217, 7225-7229, 7301-7302, 7304-7306 and 7308, and specialty steel under HS headings 7218-7224, 7312-7313 and 7317.
Why it matters: Importers of carbon and specialty steel under GIP No. 80 or GIP No. 81 must report country of melt and pour at the time of importation, for example through the Single Window Integrated Import Declaration, unless an exemption applies.
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice to exporters No. 1129 that an Order Amending the Export Control List, approved on May 31, 2024, adds five new controls under Item 5506 covering quantum computers able to process quantum information in 34 or more physical qubits, circuits and devices specially designed for them, CryoCMOS integrated circuits operating at 4.5 Kelvin or below, technology for semiconductor devices using GAAFET structures, equipment for isotropic and anisotropic dry etching, and advanced Scanning Electron Microscope equipment. As of July 20, 2024, a permit is required to export these items from Canada, except to the United States.
Why it matters: From July 20, 2024, exporters of the five items added under Item 5506 need a permit to ship them from Canada, except to the United States.
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice to Importers No. 1106, issued under the Export and Import Permits Act, that importation of restricted handguns into Canada is limited to police, military, movie and theatrical purposes; training, competing or coaching in an Olympic or Paralympic handgun shooting discipline; and re-importation of lawfully registered handguns by individuals holding a possession and acquisition licence (PAL) and registration certificate. Import permits are required for the first two categories, and applications for other purposes will normally be denied. Notice to Importers No. 1090 is no longer in place, and Notice 1106 remains in place until further notice.
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice to Exporters No. 194 that, effective September 1, 2023, General Export Permit No. 41 (GEP-41) was amended to add a category to the "unauthorized goods and technology" list under paragraph 3(2)(e), prohibiting its use for the export or transfer of goods or technology intended for the development, production or use of rocket systems or unmanned aerial vehicles with a range of 300 km or greater. GEP-41 continues to cover most goods and technology in Group 1 and ECL item 5504 to the 32 eligible destinations listed in the permit, which include Australia, Japan, South Korea, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Global Affairs Canada states that the 2023-2024 tariff rate quotas for wheat, barley, wheat products and barley products covered by Items 161 to 191 of the Import Control List become accessible on August 1, 2023, administered on a first-come, first-served basis. The annual levels applying from August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024 are 226,883 tonnes for wheat, 399,000 tonnes for barley, 123,557 tonnes (grain equivalent) for wheat products and 19,131 tonnes (grain equivalent) for barley products. Questions are directed to wheat.barley-ble.orge@international.gc.ca.
Global Affairs Canada states that the amended Export Permits Regulations, which set the information export permit applicants must provide for Strategic and Military Goods and Technology and Certain Forest Products, came into force on June 1, 2023 and were published in the Canada Gazette on June 21, 2023. The amendments cover Export Control List Groups 1-4, 6, 7, 9 and Items 5101 to 5103, 5400, 5401 and 5501-5505, create separate sections for strategic and military goods and for certain forest products, and add email addresses for applicants and consignees plus a fax number "if any".
Global Affairs Canada states that, after the CUSMA sugar-containing products tariff rate quota filled and closed on November 2, 2022, it is continuing efforts to re-open the quota before the end of the year, though it is still unclear whether the TRQ will reopen before December 31, 2022 or what quantities may become available if it does. Because many allocation holders may not be able to fully use their 2022 quota allocation, the underutilization policy will not be applied when Global Affairs Canada calculates allocations for the 2023 quota year.
Global Affairs Canada states that the list of NEICS codes for sugar-containing products exported to the United States under the WTO sugar-containing products quota has been updated to reflect the unification of the former "Retail" and "Bulk" pools. The notice covers products classified under HTSUS (2020) subheadings 1701.91.54, 1704.90.74, 1806.20.75, 1806.20.95, 1806.90.55, 1901.10.74, 1901.90.69, 2101.12.54, 2101.20.54, 2106.90.78 and 2106.90.95, for export within Canada's allocated share of the in-quota quantity under CUSMA Annex 3-A, Chapter 3, Article 3.A.5, subparagraph 2(b).
Global Affairs Canada's Notice to Importers and Exporters Serial No. 1093 sets out the administration of the CETA origin quota for High-Sugar Containing Products, defined as goods in Item 5205 on the Export Control List, namely Table A.1 of Annex 5-A of CETA between Canada and the EU and its Member States, and remains in effect until further notice. Allocations go 75% in Pool 1 on an equal share basis to eligible sugar refiners that apply by the prescribed deadline and 25% in Pool 2 first-come, first-served to eligible food processors and sugar refiners.
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice to Importers No. 1090 that, from August 19, 2022 until the proposed amendments to the Firearms Act under Bill C-21 come into force, imports of restricted handguns into Canada require an individual import permit. Restricted handguns are controlled by paragraph 70(1) of the Import Control List, and a permit is not required for antique firearms as defined in section 84(1) of the Criminal Code or as prescribed in the Regulations Prescribing Antique Firearms.
Global Affairs Canada's Notice to Importers and Exporters Serial No. 1091 sets out the policies and practices for administering the WTO sugar-containing products (SCP) tariff-rate quota for exports to the United States under subparagraph 2(b) of Article 3.A.5. of Annex 3-A of Chapter 3 of CUSMA, pursuant to the Export and Import Permits Act. For 2022, existing allocation holders receive an allocation equal to their 2021-2022 utilization pro-rated to 99% of the total quantity, with a minimum allocation of 197,500 kg; from 2023-2024 onward, allocations equal the previous year's utilization as adjusted for penalties.
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice to importers No. 1087 that an Order amending the Import Control List was approved on June 24, 2022, adding one toxic chemical and three families of toxic chemicals recently added to Schedule 1A of the Chemical Weapons Convention Schedule, and addressing editorial issues raised by the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations. Import permits are now required to import these chemicals into Canada. Specific details are published in the Canada Gazette Part II, and importers should also be aware of related obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act.
Global Affairs Canada's Notice to Importers Serial No. 1072, dated April 14, 2022, replaces Serial No. 791 of August 9, 2011 and sets out the rules and procedures for administering the tariff rate quotas for wheat, barley and their products, defined as items 161 to 191 of the Import Control List. The notice clarifies access under certain free-trade agreements and distinguishes the over access/within access classification from the applicable rate of duty for certain retail form products, and removes references to Supplementary Feed Grain Imports and the Canadian Wheat Board Act.
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice to Importers and Exporters Serial 1071 that, effective immediately, Canada will stop issuing new permits for the export and brokering of controlled goods and technology to Russia, and that valid permits held by exporters for such exports or brokering prior to February 24, 2022 are immediately cancelled. Only permits and applications related to specific end-uses such as medical supply and humanitarian needs may be considered for exception, on a case-by-case basis. Global Affairs Canada says it will continue to monitor the situation and may reassess the decision.
Why it matters: Exporters and brokers holding permits for controlled goods and technology to Russia have those permits cancelled immediately, and only medical supply and humanitarian end-uses may be considered for exception on a case-by-case basis.
Global Affairs Canada states that certain Export and Import Controls System (EICS) commodity codes change effective January 1, 2022, following World Customs Organization HS code updates and related Customs Tariff updates, and that permit and certificate applications with an entry or exit date after December 31, 2021 for the affected goods must use the new commodity codes.
Global Affairs Canada's Notice to Importers Serial No. 1066 sets out the policies and practices for administering the additional refined sugar tariff rate quota under subparagraph (c) of TRQ - US 9 of CUSMA, covering refined sugar included in Item 5204(b) of the Export Control List that is wholly obtained from raw sugar beets produced in Canada or refined in Canada from non-originating raw sugar.
Global Affairs Canada's Notice to Exporters Serial No. 1063, dated November 1, 2021, replaces Notice to Exporters No. 199 of September 30, 2016 and sets out the administration of the tariff rate quota for exports of peanut butter to the United States under U.S. WTO commitments, covering peanut butter classified under tariff item No. 2008.11.10 for export to the U.S. and U.S. HTS item 2008.11.05, with only goods that are a product of Canada eligible to enter the U.S. under Canada's country-specific reserve.
Global Affairs Canada's Notice to Importers and Exporters Serial No. 1059 sets out the policies and practices for administering the refined sugar tariff rate quota referred to in subparagraph 2(a) of Article 3.A.5 of Annex 3-A of Chapter 3 of CUSMA, under the authority of the Export and Import Permits Act, and remains in effect until further notice. Eligibility for an allocation is limited to residents of Canada and sugar refiners actively involved in refining Originating Sugar in Canada for at least three years, with allocations based on Domestic Market Production Share.
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice to Importers/Exporters Serial No. 1058 that Legacy EICS will be decommissioned on August 15, 2021, at 11:59pm ET, and that brokers must obtain new individual sign-in credentials and begin using New EICS before that time to avoid interruptions to their access to the permit system. Company PKI certificates used for Legacy EICS will no longer be valid as of that date and are replaced by individual user log-in credentials and a new web user interface.
Global Affairs Canada's Notice to Importers and Exporters SER 1034 sets out the allocation policy for sugar-containing products exported to the United States under TRQ - US 10 of CUSMA, covering goods in Item 5203(b) of the Export Control List. For 2021, 80% of the total quantity is allocated equally to applicants that used at least 1,000,000 kg under the 2018-19 WTO SCP TRQ, 17% to smaller users, new entrants and 2020 CUSMA SCP TRQ users, and 3% to new entrants; from 2022, 97% is allocated on prior-year utilization and 3% to new entrants.
Global Affairs Canada's Notice to Importers and Exporters SER 1035 sets out the policies and practices for administering Originating Sugar under subparagraph (a) of TRQ-US 09 of CUSMA, pursuant to the Export and Import Permits Act and its regulations, and remains in effect until further notice. Originating Sugar is defined as sugar included in Item 5204(b) of the Export Control List that is wholly obtained from raw sugar beets produced in Canada.
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice to Importers and Exporters Serial No. 1033 that, effective immediately, Canada temporarily suspends the issuance of all new permits for the export and brokering of controlled goods and technology to Belarus. Permits issued before November 9, 2020 remain valid, and exporters may continue to export against those permits during their period of validity. Global Affairs Canada says it will continue to monitor the situation and may reassess the decision.
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice to Importers No. 1032 that, effective November 2, 2020, item 80 (Carbon Steel Products) and item 81 (Specialty Steel Products) of the Import Control List have been re-added following their deemed removal on November 1, 2020, and the associated HS codes amended. Carbon steel covers HS headings 7206-7217, 7225-7229, 7302 and 7304-7306; specialty steel covers HS headings 7218-7224, 7301, 7308, 7312-7313 and 7317. The changes do not limit the quantity of carbon or specialty steel that may be imported into Canada, and the new items have no deemed removal date.
Why it matters: Importers and customs brokers using GIP No. 80 or GIP No. 81 must state the applicable permit on the customs documentation for shipments under HS headings 7206-7302, 7304-7306, 7308, 7312-13 and 7317, and retain the prescribed records for six years.
Global Affairs Canada states in Notice to Exporters No. 1003 that, effective July 3, 2020, Canada treats exports of sensitive goods to Hong Kong the same as those destined for China and will not permit the export of sensitive military items to Hong Kong. GAC will closely scrutinize all export permit applications for items to Hong Kong and deny permits not in line with Canada's domestic and international legal obligations, foreign policy or security interests. The notice says GAC may reassess the decision in light of changes on the ground.