Canada Member profile
Status of notification in the reporting periods
2010-2012
2012-2014
2014-2016
2016-2018
2018-2020
2020-2022
2022-2024
2024-2026
Notification information
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Canada
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30/09/2024
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2024-2026
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Canada
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30/09/2022
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2020-2022
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Canada
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01/04/2022
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2020-2022
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Canada
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13/12/2021
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2020-2022
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Canada
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15/12/2020
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2020-2022
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Canada
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30/09/2020
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2018-2020, 2020-2022
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Canada
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30/09/2016
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2016-2018
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Canada
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23/10/2014
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2014-2016
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Canada
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07/11/2012
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2012-2014
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Types of restrictions
All biennial periods and all notifications
Top 10 HS chapters notified
All biennial periods and all notifications
Top 10 WTO justifications notified
All biennial periods and all notifications
Top 10 Non-WTO commitments notified
All biennial periods and all notifications
QR details
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Trade policy review
Latest Trade Policy Review (Report by the WTO Secretariat): WT/TPR/S/455/Rev.1
A. Import prohibitions and restrictions and import licensing
3.79.
Canada prohibits imports of certain goods for reasons of public health, safety, the environment, and public morals. The list of products prohibited from entering Canada is contained in Chapter 98 of Canada's Customs Tariff. The CBSA provides further information on prohibited imports in its D9 Memoranda series.[186]
3.80.
Imports of used or second-hand motor vehicles, except from Mexico or the United States, are prohibited. According to the authorities, vehicles manufactured outside of Canada are not manufactured in conformity with Canadian safety and environmental standards, except for vehicles manufactured in the United States or Mexico, reflecting the fact that North American motor vehicle standards are quite aligned. The authorities further note that used or second-hand motor vehicles imported from the United States or Mexico must still meet safety and environmental requirements set out in other Canadian laws, which could require some modifications and may not always be possible. Vehicles that are 15 years or older are allowed, provided they meet all applicable import requirements.[187] The authorities note that this measure provides flexibility for collectors to import classic and antique cars while continuing to encourage the purchase of everyday-use cars that are government- and manufacturer-assured to be safe to drive in Canada.
3.81.
During the period under review, Canada adopted the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations, which prohibit imports (as well as the manufacture and sale in Canada) of six categories of "single-use" plastic products in support of Canada's Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste, which was approved in November 2018 by federal, provincial, and territorial governments.[188] For single-use plastic checkout bags, cutlery, and straws, the Regulations use performance standards to define the scope of the prohibition and differentiate the prohibited products from reusable items made of plastics, which can continue to be imported into, and manufactured in, Canada. Single-use plastic flexible straws can also continue to be imported into, and manufactured in, Canada, but their sale is subject to special rules to ensure that they are available for people who need them. Plastic items that are waste or that are transiting through Canada are not covered by the Regulations.
3.82.
The single-use plastic import and manufacturing prohibition came into force on 20 December 2022 for checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, stir sticks, and straws; and on 20 June 2023 for ring carriers. The sale of these products in Canada will be prohibited starting one year after these dates, that is, on 20 December 2023 for checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, stir sticks, and straws, and on 20 June 2024 for ring carriers. Until 20 December 2025, Canada will continue to allow the manufacture, import, and sale of the six categories of single-use plastic product covered by the Regulations for the purposes of export. After that date, manufacture, import, and sale of the six categories of single-use plastic product covered by the Regulations for the purposes of export will be prohibited.
3.83.
According to the cost-benefit analysis conducted as part of the regulatory process related to the Single-use Plastic Prohibition Regulations, the full implementation of the Regulations would reduce plastic waste by approximately 1.3 million tonnes by 2032, roughly 3% of the total estimated plastic waste generated in Canada each year, and plastic pollution by 22,000 tonnes (around 5% of the total).[189] On the cost side, the cost-benefit analysis estimates that the Regulations would result in present value costs by 2032 of around CAD 5 per person in Canada per year. In addition, the prohibition to manufacture single-use plastics would result in CAD 176 million in costs to Canadian manufacturers by 2032, while for the estimated 128 businesses that imported at least one of the six categories of banned single-use plastics in 2019, the authorities consider that the impact of the Regulation would be minimal, as these businesses could easily switch supply lines to import single-use (or reusable) substitutes that comply with the Regulations.
3.84.
Canada applies import control measures under several laws to achieve a wide range of economic and non-economic policy goals or meet its international obligations (Table 3.11 and Table 3.12). These import controls involve licensing or permit requirements, which Canada regularly notifies to the WTO. Canada's latest reply to the WTO questionnaire on import licensing procedures was submitted in September 2023.[190]
3.85.
The product categories subject to Canada's import controls for economic and trade-related reasons are contained in the Import Control List.[191] The goods affected are dairy products and margarine; chicken, turkey, and eggs; beef and veal; wheat, barley, and their products; and textiles and clothing. The permit requirements applied on these products serve mostly to implement tariff quotas (TQs), tariff preference levels (TPLs), or origin quotas in accordance with Canada's commitments under the WTO and FTAs (Table 3.12). Global Affairs Canada is responsible for issuing import permits in accordance with the Import Permit Regulations. Import permit applications can be submitted through the New Export-Import Controls System (NEICs) and the New Export Controls Online System (NEXCOL) for import permit applications specifically related to arms and munitions.
3.86.
During the period under review, Canada adopted the Canadian Energy Regulator Act[192], which repealed the National Energy Board Act. As a result, imports of natural gas are no longer subject to authorization requirements from 28 August 2022. Prior to that date, an authorization was required to import natural gas (in gaseous or liquid state) by pipeline, railway tank cars, and tank trucks or tankers into Canada. According to the authorities, the purpose of the authorization requirement was to ensure that "long-term imports of gas are in the public interest".[193]
B. Export prohibitions and restrictions
3.127.
Canada prohibits the export, sale, supply, or shipment of arms and related materials to countries under United Nations decisions. Such prohibitions are adopted through regulations under the United Nations Act.[238] Canada also has autonomous sanctions against certain countries, adopted through regulations under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA).[239] Sanctions prohibit certain activities, including exports of specific goods and technology, to sanctioned countries, to any person in those countries, and to specific individuals and entities subject to a ban on Canadians dealing with those individuals and entities. According to the authorities, the following are subject to export bans under SEMA: Belarus, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation, Syria, Ukraine (certain areas), and Zimbabwe.
3.128.
Canada applies export controls for non-economic and economic reasons, mainly under the Exports and Imports Permits Act (EIPA), which authorizes the Government to establish several "lists", including an Export Control List (ECL) and an Area Control List (ACL).[240] Export controls for non-economic reasons are primarily intended to implement Canada's commitments under intergovernmental export control and non-proliferation regimes, including the Wassenaar Arrangement, Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group, and Arms Trade Treaty. The goods and technologies subject to export controls comprise arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war, and dual-use items, and other strategic items as specified in the ECL and its Guide.[241] According to Global Affairs Canada, export controls of military and strategic goods and technology seek to ensure that "Canadian goods and technologies are not used in a manner that is prejudicial to human rights, peace, security, or stability", in line with Canada's foreign and defence policies.[242]
3.129.
The export or transfer of any good or technology to countries listed in the ACL established under the EIPA are subject to controls, irrespective of whether the good or technology is contained in the ECL.[243] The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the only country listed in the ACL (September 2023). During the period 2019-22, Canada issued three export permits for that country based on humanitarian considerations.[244]
3.130.
Other products besides military and strategic goods and technology may also be subject to export controls for non-economic reasons. Such controls, which are mostly derived from inter‑governmental agreements, apply to endangered species, cultural property, certain hazardous products (including waste, chemicals, and pesticides), ozone-depleting substances, certain drugs, rough diamonds, and unprocessed logs, among others.
3.131.
Canada also applies export controls for economic and trade-related reasons. The goods subject to such export controls are listed in the ECL and comprise softwood lumber products; logs; agri-food products; dairy; sugar, syrups, molasses, and sugar-containing products; peanut butter; dog and cat food; textiles and clothing; and vehicles (Table 3.14). Source: WTO Secretariat, based on Global Affairs Canada (2022), Annual Report to Parliament on the Administration of the Export and Import Permits Act. Viewed at: https://www.international.gc.ca/transparency-transparence/assets/pdfs/controls-controles/reports-rapports/eipa-2022-llei_eng.pdf.
3.132.
In most cases, exporters must obtain a permit before they can export an item included in the ECL. Exports to any destination other than the United States are subject to this requirement, with some exceptions, including nuclear material and equipment, prohibited firearms, and conventional weapons, which require a permit when exported to the United States. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is responsible for issuing export permits for military and strategic items on the ECL. For export controls applied for economic and trade-related reasons, the Minister for International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business, and Economic Development may assist the Minister of Foreign Affairs in issuing export permits.
3.133.
The Export Permits Regulations set out the information requirements that exporters must fulfil when applying for a permit, and the procedures governing the issuance and use of exports permits for strategic and military goods and technology, and for certain forest products listed in the ECL.[245] Separate regulations address other items on the ECL, including the Export Permits Regulations (Non-strategic Products).
3.134.
The latest Export Permit Regulations amendments entered into force in June 2023[246] and are intended to align the Regulations with existing permit application processes, including those related to the New Export Controls Online System (NEXCOL). NEXCOL is a web‑based application that allows users to submit applications online for export permits, make changes to them, submit reports on the use of military goods, and print selected permits.
WTO's environmental database (EDB)
The EDB contains environment-related measures that may qualify as QRs and therefore should be notified under the QR Decision.