19 September 2002

Request regarding Duty-Free Status of Certain Hemp Fabrics

The CSCB has received a request for members’ input on continuing the temporary duty-free status of certain hemp fabrics. The Department of Finance are proposing to extend duty-free treatment for another three years.

Tariff item No. 5311.00.10 provides duty relief on woven fabrics containing 50% or more by weight of hemp fibres mixed solely with cotton or silk for use in the manufacture of apparel.

The applicant has requested that tariff relief be extended claiming that these hemp fabrics are still not manufactured in Canada, despite the fact that it is now legal to grow industrial hemp. As well, the applicant claims that continued tariff relief is necessary to enable it to compete with imported hemp clothing.

Members with an interest in this request are asked to contact Shezara Ali in Domestic Tariff Affairs by October 7, 2002; Ms. Ali’s telephone number is 613-992-4418 and her fax number is 613-992-6771.