Budget 2011

March 22, 2011

The CSCB attended the Stakeholder's Lock-up, prior to the presentation of Budget 2011 by the Minister of Finance.

Details from that budget that are of interest to members include the introduction of three generic HS classifications with duty rates of 0%, 8% or 20%, depending on the description of the goods.

These generic items can be used when goods are:

  • non-commercial and arriving by courier or post;
  • valued at less than $500; and
  • not relieved from any GST/HST provisions.

Other budget items affecting the Customs Tariff are:

  • a reduction in the number of tariff items to facilitate the classification of imported goods and eliminate "end-use" provisions;
  • making the Customs Tariff more user-friendly, including restructuring the List of Countries and Applicable Tariff Treatments to make the various tariff treatments more transparent; and
  • evoking obsolete provisions such as those under Part 2, Division 4 (Special Measures, Emergency Measures and Safeguards) which can no longer be used.

The CSCB is assessing the impact of these and welcomes comments from members.


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