8 February 2001

Request for Removal of Customs Duty on Certain Electrical Insulating or Conductive Materials

The Department of Finance is reviewing a request for the removal of customs duty on certain electrical insulating or conductive materials for use in the manufacture or refurbishing of electrical generators. These materials are classified and dutiable under the MFN tariff as follow:

Tariff Item Number MFN Tariff

polyester mastic 3214.10.90 9%
resin hardener 3911.90.90 6.5%
ripple spring or reinforced resin
3916.90.99 9.5%
plastic sheeting 3921.90.99 9.5%
insulating felts 5602.21.90 14%
non-woven polyester fleece
5603.92.90 16%
5603.93.90 16%
polyester ribbon 5806.32.90 16%
polyester braided cordage (<25.4 mm diam) 5607.50.20 11%
polyester braided cordage (>25.4 mm diam) 5607.50.90 14%
mica tape 6814.10.00 2.5%
glass tape 7019.39.90 6.5%

The request is made on the grounds that these products are not available from Canadian production and that the Canadian electrical generator refurbisher is experiencing significant competitive difficulties.

Members with an interest in this matter should forward them to Ms. Megan Clifford in the International Trade Policy Division at 613-992-6890.