As noted last week, changes recently implemented by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (FAITC) eliminated the requirement for importers of steel and steel products to obtain individual permits.
Aside from expediting the import process, this change also provides steel importers with the opportunity to participate in the CBSA’s Customs Self Ass
essment (CSA) program. The CSA program gives approved importers that have invested in compliance the benefits of a streamlined accounting and payment process for all imported goods. The streamlined accounting and payment process ends the need for importers to maintain separate and costly customs processes, allowing them to use their own business systems to fully self assess and meet their customs obligations.
The CSA program also gives approved importers, approved carriers, and registered drivers the benefits of a streamlined clearance option for CSA eligible goods. CSA-eligible goods include commercial goods that are shipped directly from the United States or Mexico and delivered to an authorized importer, owner or consignee. Goods that are subject to other government department or provincial regulations and therefore require a permit, licence or other similar document to be provided to the CBSA before the goods can be released are not eligible under the CSA program. Because of this stipulation, until the FAITC change to the import permit regime, steel and steel products were not considered CSA eligible goods.
Currently, almost 70 percent of steel imports into Canada valued at more than $5.6 billion originate in the United States.
