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Annual report to parliament on the administration of the Export and Import Permits Act - 2024

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1.0 Introduction

This Annual Report to Parliament, on the administration of the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA) for the year 2024, is submitted pursuant to section 27 of the EIPA, Chapter E-19 of the 1985 Revised Statutes of Canada, as amended, which provides that:

"No later than May 31 of each year, the Minister shall prepare and cause to be laid before each House of Parliament a report of the operations under this Act for the preceding year and a report in respect of arms, ammunition, implements and munitions of war, that were exported in the preceding year under the authority of and in accordance with an export permit issued under subsection 7(1)."

1.1 Purpose of the Export and Import Permits Act

The authority to control the import and export of goods and technologies is derived from the EIPA. It finds its origin in the War Measures Act and was first introduced as an act of Parliament in 1947. It has subsequently been amended on a number of occasions.

The EIPA provides that the Governor in Council may establish lists known as the Import Control List (ICL), the Export Control List (ECL), the Area Control List (ACL), the Automatic Firearms Country Control List (AFCCL) and the Brokering Control List (BCL). For each respective list, the EIPA sets out criteria that govern the inclusion of items or countries and provides that the Governor in Council may revoke, amend, vary, or re-establish any of the lists. Control over the flow of goods and technology contained in these lists or to the specified destinations is implemented through the issuance of import, export or brokering permits.

By order-in-council, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the EIPA, and the Minister has the authority to grant or deny applications for permits under the Act, giving the Minister broad powers to control the trade of items contained in the lists mentioned above. The Minister also has broad authority, under subsection 10(1) of the EIPA, to "amend, suspend, cancel or reinstate any permit".

While the Minister of Foreign Affairs maintains overall authority for decisions under the EIPA, the Minister of International Trade can assist the Minister of Foreign Affairs in carrying out responsibilities under the Act that are related to import and export controls implemented for economic and trade-related reasons. These include:

Import controls on:

Export controls on:

For export and brokering controls over military, dual-use and strategic goods and technology and import controls over munitions, the Minister of Foreign Affairs retained direct decision-making authority.

The operations carried out under the EIPA include:

  1. Import and export controls implemented for economic reasons, including obligations in Canada’s international trade agreements. The aim is to find a balance between ensuring that Canadians and Canadian businesses can benefit from predictable rules-based trade, while also supporting vulnerable Canadian industries and ensuring the viability of important Canadian policies, such as supply management.
  2. Export and brokering controls over dual-use, military and strategic goods and technology, which are designed to ensure that our exports are consistent with Canadian foreign and defence policies and security interests. A key priority of Canada’s foreign policy is the protection and promotion of international human rights, peace and security.
  3. Munitions items controlled for import for the purpose set out in section 5, para (c.1) of the EIPA, which restricts, “the importation of arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war, army, naval or air stores, or any articles deemed capable of being converted thereinto or made useful in the production thereof”.

2.0 Key developments in 2024

2.1 Export controls policy

Policy reviews

Russia and Belarus

Throughout 2024, ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ (GAC) maintained its presumptive denial policy on the export and brokering of any controlled goods and technology to Russia, as well as its suspension on the issuance of new permits to Belarus as set out in Notice to Exporters and Brokers No. 1071 and Notice to Exporters and Brokers No. 1033. In addition to export controls, Canada also imposed sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. More information on Canada’s sanctions is available on the Canadian Sanctions website.

Türkiye

Since 2021, Canada and Türkiye have been engaged in a regular dialogue on export controls with a view to build mutual confidence and greater cooperation. During the course of this dialogue, GAC has re-established a clear understanding of the requirements of Canada’s export control regime, and Türkiye has committed to inform Canada of its intent to re-export or transfer any military, dual-use, and strategic goods or technology exported from Canada to a third-party when destined for a Turkish military or a government end-user.  As a result, and as of January 29, 2024, the presumptive denial policy for applications to export military items from Canada to Türkiye is no longer in place, as indicated in the Notice to Exporters No. 1108.

Israel

¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ’s approach since January 8, 2024, has been to not issue permits and to suspend a limited number of export permits for military items destined for Israel. These suspensions allow for further review into whether the authorized items could be used in the ongoing conflict in a manner inconsistent with Canada’s foreign policy objectives.

Guide to Canada’s Export Control List update

Further to a streamlining amendment to the Export Control List (ECL) on June 3, 2021, commitments made at the four key multilateral export control regimes (the Australia Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the Wassenaar Arrangement) are automatically incorporated into Canadian regulations 30 days after publication of an updated Guide to Canada’s Export Control List by ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ, as opposed to via a regulatory amendment.

Publication of the January 2024 edition of the Guide to Canada’s Export Control List occurred on April 2, 2024, providing industry with 30 days to familiarize themselves with the new controls that came into effect on May 2, 2024. The amendments added, clarified and removed controls over specific items as agreed upon in the various regimes up to January 1, 2024.

In addition to the commitments made at the four key multilateral export control regimes, on May 31, 2024, ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ amended the ECL to add new controls under Item 5506 of the ECL with respect to quantum computing and advanced semiconductors.  These controls came into force on July 20, 2024. More information can be found in the Notice to Exporters No. 1129 – Amendment to the Export Control List: Quantum computing and advanced semiconductors and at the .

On December 21, 2024, ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ launched public consultations on the potential addition of additional controls under Item 5506 related to semiconductor manufacturing, quantum computing, temperature coating, and metal additive manufacturing machines (advanced 3D printers) technologies. This proposal was approved on March 7, 2025 ( These controls came into force on April 25, 2025. More information on this amendment will be provided in Canada’s Annual Report on Strategic Goods and Technologies Pursuant to Section 27 of the Export and Import Permits Act.

Other control lists: Area Control List, Automatic Firearms Country Control List and Brokering Control List

There were no amendments to the Area Control List (ACL), Automatic Firearms Country Control List (AFCCL) or Brokering Control List (BCL) in 2024.

On November 4, 2024, ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ launched public consultations on the potential additions of Montenegro and Brazil to the AFCCL. This proposal was approved and came into force on February 26, 2025 (). More information on this amendment will be provided in Canada’s 2025 Annual Report on Strategic Goods and Technologies Pursuant to Section 27 of the Export and Import Permits Act.

Inclusion of a country on the AFCCL allows Canadian residents to apply for permits to export prohibited firearms, weapons and devices to that destination. Each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

2.2 Import controls policy

Collection of country of melt and pour information for steel imports

Following public consultations in 2022, General Import Permit (GIP) No. 80 – Carbon Steel and General Import Permit No. 81 – Specialty Steel were amended to require that, as a term and condition of using the GIPs, importers provide country of melt and pour (COM) information when submitting their customs declarations through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Single Window Initiative Integrated Import Declaration. This requirement came into effect on November 5, 2024 and is described in Notice to importers No. 1133. This policy aims to improve transparency in the steel supply chain and enable government and external users to identify potential import trends.

2.3 Export and Import Permits Act litigation  

Hammam Farah et al v. Minister of Foreign Affairs et al.

One judicial review, filed on March 5, 2024, challenges export or brokering permits issued for military goods and technology destined to Israel issued on or after October 9, 2023, or prior to that date but that remain valid.

This is the first judicial review related to military exports in which directly affected companies/permit holders have been added as Respondents.

This judicial review was ongoing as of December 31, 2024.

Hany El Batnigi and Tamer Jarada v. Attorney General of Canada

An action was filed, in November 2024, in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice alleging that Canada failed to take all reasonable measures to prevent genocide by Israel against the Palestinian people of Gaza, and alleging that Canada violated both international and domestic legal obligations by issuing permits under the Export and Import Permits Act authorizing the export of arms to Israel.

6358403 Canada Inc. and 9026-6446 Québec v. ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ

On December 6, 2022, 6358403 Canada Inc. and 9026-6446 Québec Inc. filed an application for judicial review concerning ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ's decision that only one of the applicants could receive 2022 TRQ allocations for Chicken and Chicken Products, on the basis that the applicants are related persons, as per Notice to Importers no. 986, 987 and 988.

On January 19, 2024, the plaintiffs (6358403 Canada Inc. and 9026-6446 Québec) filed a Notice of Discontinuance with the Federal Court, which was accepted by the defendant (GAC). The application for judicial review was closed.

3.0 Export and brokering controls

3.1 Export Control List

Section 3 of the EIPA provides that the Governor in Council may establish a list of goods and technology, to be called the Export Control List, including therein any article the export of which the Governor in Council deems necessary to control for purposes specified in the EIPA. A complete list of goods and technology that are subject to export controls may be found on the Export Controls webpage.

The Export Control List is comprised of nine groups, of which one has been repealed, as follows:

GroupGoods and technology
1Dual-use
2Munitions
3Nuclear Non-proliferation
4Nuclear-related Dual-use
5Miscellaneous Goods and Technology
6Missile Technology Control Regime
7Chemical and Biological Weapons Non-proliferation
8Repealed, SOR/2006-16, s. 11
9Arms Trade Treaty

Groups 1 and 2 contain Canada's multilateral commitments made under the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies (WA), founded in 1996. As set out in its “Initial Elements”, the objectives of the Wassenaar Arrangement include: “to contribute to regional and international security and stability, by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, thus preventing destabilising accumulation.”

The 2024 Annual Report on Strategic Goods and Technologies Pursuant to Section 27 of the Export and Import Permits Act contains extensive detail and break down of information on Group 2 exports.

Through national policies, the WA participating states seek to ensure that transfers of items covered by the common control lists do not contribute to the development or enhancement of military capabilities that have the potential to undermine regional and global security and stability. Participating states also commit to take every precaution to ensure that such items are not diverted to illegitimate end-uses.

Groups 3, 4, 6 and 7 represent Canada’s multilateral commitments under the various non-proliferation regimes (the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Australia Group, and the Missile Technology Control Regime) designed to control the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological and nuclear weapons) as well as their delivery systems.

Group 5 is comprised of various strategic and non-strategic goods and technology controlled for other purposes, as provided in the EIPA. This category includes:  forest products (logs, softwood lumber), agricultural products (skim milk powder, milk protein concentrate, infant formula containing more than 10% cow’s milk, peanut butter, sugars, syrups and molasses and sugar-containing products), Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) origin quotas (high-sugar containing products, sugar confectionery and chocolate preparations, processed foods, dog and cat food, vehicles and certain apparel products) and the Canada-U.K. Trade Continuity Agreement (TCA) origin quota for vehicles.

In addition, Group 5 places export controls on non-regime listed strategic items, including all U.S. origin goods and technology not otherwise controlled on the ECL, blinding laser weapons, anti-personnel mines, nuclear fusion reactors and contains an end-use provision to control the export of items that may be destined for use in a weapons of mass destruction activity or facility.

In accordance with its legislative authority in the EIPA to implement an international agreement, textile and clothing exports to certain countries with which Canada has free trade agreements (FTAs) (U.S., Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras) are regulated under the EIPA. Section 9.1 of the EIPA also authorizes the Minister responsible for the EIPA to issue export certificates of eligibility. Group 5 includes these items as well.

Group 9 is a subset of Group 2 and includes the full-system conventional arms listed in Article 2 of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), namely:

Canada is required to report annually on exports of Group 9 items to the United Nations ATT Secretariat and has been voluntarily reporting to the United Nations since 1992.

3.2 Military, strategic and dual-use items

In 2024*, for military, dual-use and strategic goods exports, there were:

* Between January 1 and December 31, 2024 (data based on submission of application).

The EIPA requires any resident who wishes to export from Canada any items included on the ECL to obtain, prior to export, an export permit issued by ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ. The exporter may be a non-resident of Canada however the applicant must always be a resident of Canada. In the case of a non-resident exporter, the applicant accepts legal responsibility for the use of the export permit if issued and is responsible for the export and potential violations.

An export permit describes, among other things, the quantity, technical description and nature of the items to be exported, as well as the final destination country and consignee. Unless otherwise stated, an export permit may authorize multiple shipments, up to the expiry of the permit and as long as the cumulative total of the quantity and value of items exported does not exceed the quantity and value stated on the permit. An export permit constitutes a legal authorization to export controlled goods or technology as described.

A key priority of Canada’s foreign policy is the maintenance of international peace and security. In line with its foreign policy objectives, the Government of Canada strives to ensure that goods and technology exported from Canada are not used in a manner that is prejudicial to human rights, peace, security or stability.

Furthermore, the Minister is legally required to take into account the assessment criteria referred to in Article 7 of the ATT for export and brokering permit applications for arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war.

Specifically, the Minister is required to consider whether the goods or technology specified in the application:   

The legislation also stipulates that the Minister cannot issue an export or brokering permit for “arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war” if, after taking into account the relevant considerations described above, including available mitigating measures, the Minister determines that there is a substantial risk that the proposed transaction would result in any of the negative consequences referred to in the ATT assessment criteria.

Additional information about the assessment process for export and brokering permits for military, strategic and dual-use items is available in the 2024 Report Annual Report on Strategic Goods and Technologies Pursuant to Section 27 of the Export and Import Permits Act.

Table 1: Export Control List groups and permit status summary for 2024*

GroupsSubmitted applicationsIssuedDeniedReturned without actionWithdrawnCancelled or suspendedUnder review or under assessment
*Strategic goods only. Non-strategic goods are covered in section 3.3.
**This category includes applications that were not assigned to an ECL Group either because they were withdrawn or returned without action prior to a technical assessment being conducted or because the item in question required a permit for export to a destination listed on the Area Control List.
Group 1: Wassenaar dual-use list1,121858045342182
Group 2: Wassenaar munitions list2,9532,43811986821227
Group 3: Nuclear non-proliferation list123810113028
Group 4: Nuclear-related dual-use list907703118
Group 5: Miscellaneous goods and technology*11374042708
Group 6: Missile technology control regime list141121060113
Group 7: Chemical and biological weapons non-proliferation list140100009130
Group 9: Arms Trade Treaty121001010
Others**34000102210126
Totals5,0333,759137035228522

Notes:

Table 2: Top 12 destinations for military, dual-use and strategic export permits issued in 2024*

DestinationNumber of permits issued
*Between January 1 and December 31, 2024 (data based on submission of applications).
Australia153
France213
Germany377
Italy108
Republic of Korea133
Netherlands120
Norway100
South Africa89
Spain88
Switzerland101
United Kingdom537
United States182

Note: Export permits are only required for a small number of items controlled for strategic purposes on the ECL when exported to the U.S. This chart reflects the top 12 destinations by number of permits issued in 2024 for all military, dual use and strategic items on the ECL. The 2024 Annual Report on Strategic Goods and Technologies Pursuant to Section 27 of the Export and Import Permits Act has a similar table but is a listing of Canada’s top destinations excluding the U.S. for military items (Group 2 and its subset Group 9) outside of the U.S. for permits utilized in 2024.

3.2.1 Brokering controls and Brokering Control List

Article 10 of the ATT requires State Parties to take measures to regulate the brokering of arms taking place under its jurisdiction. Canada controls the brokering activities of persons and organizations in Canada, as well as the activities of Canadians abroad (Canadian citizens, permanent residents and organizations).

Brokering is defined in the EIPA as “arranging or negotiating a transaction that relates to the movement of goods or technology included in a Brokering Control List from a foreign country to another foreign country.”

General Brokering Permit 1 (GBP1) streamlines the authorization of brokering activities involving certain low-risk transactions. Similar to a General Export Permit, a General Brokering Permit is a type of permit that is issued generally to all persons and organizations in Canada as a way to reduce administrative burden, provided that users follow all applicable terms and conditions.

For more information about Canada’s brokering controls, please consult the brokering regulations online or the Annual Report on Strategic Goods and Technologies Pursuant to Section 27 of the Export and Import Permits Act.

Brokering Control List

Section 4.11 of the EIPA provides that the Governor in Council may establish a list of goods and technology, to be called a Brokering Control List, including in it any article that is included in the Export Control List the brokering of which the Governor in Council considers it necessary to control. The BCL includes full-system conventional arms listed in the ATT (as defined in Group 9 of the ECL), all items listed in Group 2 of the ECL, as well as any ECL item – including dual-use items – that are likely to be used to produce or develop a weapon of mass destruction, or in any facility used for such activities.

3.2.2 Area Control List

Section 4 of the EIPA provides for the control of “any goods or technology to any country included in an ACL”. Currently the only country listed on the ACL is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). In 2024, no export permits were issued for North Korea. Notice to Exporters No. 172 provides context on the treatment of permit applications to this destination.

3.2.3 Automatic Firearms Country Control List

Further to sections 4.1 and 7(2) of the EIPA, certain prohibited firearms, weapons, or devices, and components and parts thereof, that are included on the Export Control List, may be exported only to destinations listed on the Automatic Firearms Country Control List (and only to consignees that are government or authorized by government).

As of December 31, 2024, the following 46 countries were listed on the AFCCL (as noted above, Montenegro and Brazil were added after that date):

3.3 Non-strategic exports

In 2024, for non-strategic exports*, ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ:

Table 3: Number of non-strategic export permits issued by sector in 2024*

SectorNumber of permits issued
*Between January 1 and December 31, 2024 (data based on submission of applications).
Softwood lumber195,821
TPL clothing and textiles19,538
Sugar, syrups and molasses and sugar-containing products5,197
Logs5,039
Peanut butter1,098
CETA apparel712
Dairy export thresholds (CUSMA)649
Vehicles0
Dog and cat food0
Processed food0
Total228,054

3.3.1 Softwood lumber products to the United States

Based on the definitions specific to the 2006 Canada-United States Softwood Lumber Agreement, exports of softwood lumber totalled 12,002,998,044 board feet in 2024. ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ continues to require export permits for shipments to the U.S., having implemented a monitoring program that took effect October 13, 2015.

Table 4: Softwood lumber exports to the United States in 2024*

MonthNumber of permits issued
*Between January 1 and December 31, 2024 (data based on submission of applications and can be subject to corrections).
January15,786
February16,502
March17,356
April16,263
May17,789
June16,207
July16,488
August16,776
September15,904
October17,788
November16,055
December12,907
Total195,821

3.3.2 Log exports

A federal export permit issued by ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ is required for the export of all logs from any type of land in Canada (e.g. provincial Crown land, federal Crown land, private lands, parks and reserves) to all destinations outside of Canada. In 2024, ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ issued 5,039 permits for logs.

Table 5: Log permits issued in 2024*

MonthNumber of permits issued
*Between January 1 and December 31, 2024 (data based on submission of applications and can be subject to corrections).
January460
February401
March320
April542
May453
June389
July508
August418
September315
October296
November548
December389
Total5,039

3.3.3 Agri-food products to the United States

As part of its implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) commitments, the U.S. established Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs) for imports of peanut butter, certain sugar-containing products and refined sugar. Within these TRQs, the U.S. has established a country-specific reserve for Canada.

The U.S. government administers these TRQs on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to facilitate the orderly export of these products against Canada’s country-specific reserves, Canada added these products to the ECL.

Accordingly, in order to comply with the EIPA and to benefit from the U.S. in-quota tariff rate, Canadian exports of peanut butter, certain sugar-containing products and refined sugar to the U.S. require an export permit issued by ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ. There are no quantitative restrictions for Canadian exports of these products to destinations outside of the U.S.

Under its WTO commitments, the U.S. established a TRQ for imports of peanut butter, with a country reserve of 14,500,000 kilograms for Canada, in 1995. Peanut butter was placed on the ECL the same year. As such, export permits are required for access to the TRQ. Peanut butter is found on the ECL under item 5201. The quota year extends from January 1 to December 31.

Sugar-containing products were placed on the ECL on February 1, 1995. The WTO global TRQ for U.S. sugar-containing products is 64,709,000 kilograms and applies to imports of certain sugar-containing products falling under Chapters 17, 18, 19 and 21 of its Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The quota year for sugar containing products is from October 1 to September 30. In September 1997, Canada obtained a WTO country-specific reserve within the U.S. sugar-containing products TRQ of 59,250,000 kilograms.

Refined sugar was placed on the ECL on October 1, 1995. The WTO global TRQ for U.S. refined sugar is 22,000,000 kilograms. The quota year for refined sugar is from October 1 to September 30. In September 1997, Canada obtained a 10,300,000 kilograms WTO country-specific reserve.

With the coming into force of CUSMA, these commitments for both sugar-containing products and refined sugar were incorporated into CUSMA.

Under CUSMA, Canada obtained additional market access through two new TRQs for refined sugar (9,600,000 kilograms) and sugar-containing products (9,600,000 kilograms) for export to the United States. The quota year for the new TRQs runs from January 1 to December 31. Furthermore, an additional quantity for refined sugar may be determined by the United States, in any given year, in times of domestic shortage. This additional quantity is based on the U.S. decision to increase in-quota imports under its WTO commitments and is equivalent to 20% of the total increase.

Since the premature closing of the CUSMA-sugar containing products TRQ in the U.S. in 2022, ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ has been monitoring discrepancies between Canadian and U.S. utilization data for the CUSMA and WTO sugar containing products TRQs. These discrepancies are believed to be caused primarily by exports of sugar-containing products (SCPs) from Canada without an export permit. The department has reached out to the U.S. Customs and Borders Protection (CBP) and has been adopting several measures to ensure the correct utilization of both SCP TRQs. The department is working with CBP on the necessary steps to join the U.S. E-Certification program, which will allow for the direct sharing of export documents between the two governments, thus addressing any irregular utilization of the SCPs TRQs. CBP has launched several inspections of SCP shipments into the U.S. and found that some of these were not accompanied by a valid export permit, even though the importers had claimed CUSMA-SCP or WTO-SCP treatment. As a result, these irregular shipments were reassessed, and the relevant quantity of recuperated quota was reinstated.

Table 6: Controlled agri-food exports to the United States in 2024

Controlled Agri-FoodQuotaUtilization
*Canadian exit date between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024.
**Canadian exit date between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
Peanut butter**14,500,00014,323,990
Refined sugar under the WTO commitment raw equivalent*10,300,00010,280,497
Sugar-containing products under the WTO commitment*59,250,00051,018,286
CUSMA refined sugar**9,600,0009,599,952
CUSMA sugar-containing products**9,600,0009,376,970

3.3.4 Dairy export thresholds

Canada administers export controls on various dairy products via two export thresholds. The first threshold covers exports of skim milk powder (SMP) and milk protein concentrate (MPC), while the second covers exports of certain infant formula (i.e. containing more than 10% on a dry weight basis of cow milk solids). These thresholds apply to all exports of SMP, MPC, and infant formula to any destination. Both export thresholds are administered on the dairy year, which runs from August 1 to July 31.

Each export threshold includes a volume of exports that is “below-threshold quantity” (BTQ) not subject to a charge. In order to lawfully export from Canada, any export of SMP, MPC, and infant formula must be done so under the authority of an export permit issued by ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ.

Table 7: Dairy export threshold exports under CUSMA in 2024*

Kilograms (KG)Below-threshold quantityUtilization
*Canadian exit date between August 1, 2023 and July 31, 2024.
SMP/MPC36,275,18030,360,239
Infant formula41,457,3490

3.3.5 Textiles and clothing – Tariff preference levels

Tariff preference level (TPL) exports to the U.S. and Mexico must be accompanied by a certificate of eligibility. All CUSMA TPL exports to the U.S., except for yarn, are allocated on a historical use basis, based on previous year utilization. CUSMA exports not allocated, including yarn to the U.S. and all TPL to Mexico, are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Other TPL exports, such as those to Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras, are not subject to Canadian controls and do not require a certificate of eligibility.

For CUSMA TPL clothing and textile exports, ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ issued 19,538 permits, rejected 31 permit applications and cancelled 335 issued permits to the U.S and Mexico.

Table 8: Textiles and clothing: CUSMA tariff preference levels and utilization for exports from Canada in 2024*

Textiles and ClothingUnited StatesMexico
Square metre equivalents (unless otherwise indicated)Access levelUtilizationAccess levelUtilization
*Canadian exit date between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
**Exports of cotton or man-made fibre spun yarn are reported in Kilograms.
Wool apparel4,000,0001,997,207250,00057
Cotton or man-made fibre apparel40,000,0008,168,1136,000,000716,894
Cotton or man-made fibre fabrics and made-up goods71,765,25244,086,0177,000,000263,739
Cotton or man-made fibre spun yarn**6,000,0001,039,7291,000,0000

3.3.6 CETA origin quotas

Certain exports from Canada that are eligible under the CETA origin quotas are subject to export controls under the EIPA. Accordingly, an export permit is required for shipments of these products from Canada to the European Union (EU) in order to use a more liberal set of rules of origin, to qualify for preferential tariffs under CETA. These goods are high-sugar containing products, sugar confectionery and chocolate preparations, processed foods, dog and cat food, vehicles and certain apparel products.

Origin quota access is made available on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of the origin quotas for high-sugar containing products and vehicles for which allocation policies have been established. With the exception of the origin quota for vehicles, CETA contains growth factors for origin quotas that provide for an increase in the volume of the origin quotas if certain conditions are met.

Table 9: CETA origin quotas 2024*

SectorHarmonized System (HS) classificationAccess level
U = Units
T = Tonnes
KG = Kilograms
Utilization
*Canadian exit date between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
High-sugar containing products 30,000 (T)0
Sugar confectionery and chocolate preparations 10,000,000 (KG)0
Processed foods 35,000,000 (KG)0
Dog and cat food 60,000,000 (KG)0
ApparelApparel 61.04 – Women's or girls' suits, ensembles, suit-type jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, etc. (no swimwear), knitted or crocheted535,000 (U)79,325
Apparel 61.14 – Garments not elsewhere specified or included, knitted or crocheted90,000 (KG)6,656
Apparel 62.01 – Men's or boys' overcoats car coats, capes, cloaks, anoraks (including ski-jackets), windcheaters, wind-jackets and similar articles, not knitted or crocheted, other than those of heading 6203111,291 (U)66,165
Apparel 6102.30 – Women's or girls' overcoats, car coats, capes, cloaks, anoraks, ski-jackets and similar articles of manmade fibres, knitted or crocheted17,000 (U)1,397
Apparel 6108.92 – Women's or girls' negligees, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles of manmade fibres, knitted or crocheted39,000 (U)0
Apparel 62.05 – Men's or boys' shirts, not knitted or crocheted15,000 (U)0
Vehicles 100,000 (U)0

3.3.7 Canada-U.K. TCA origin quotas

With the coming into force of the Canada-U.K. Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-U.K. TCA) on April 1, 2021, exports of vehicles from Canada that are eligible under the Canada-U.K. TCA origin quota for vehicles are subject to export controls under the EIPA. Accordingly, an export permit is required for shipments of these products from Canada to the U.K. in order to use a more liberal set of rules of origin, in order to qualify for preferential tariffs under the Canada-U.K. TCA.

Other products that are eligible for the preferential tariff under the origin quotas will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis upon arrival in the U.K., until the applicable origin quota is fully utilized. No allocation policies have been established for origin quotas under the Canada-U.K. TCA.

There was no utilization under the Canada-U.K. TCA export origin quotas in 2024. As articulated in paragraph 3 of Annex 5-A to the Protocol on Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures, the cessation of these annual quotas is scheduled to occur three years subsequent to the entry into force of the Canada-U.K. TCA (i.e., April 1, 2021). As such, the ability to utilize these Canada-U.K. TCA origin quotas ceased as of April 1, 2024. This decision reflects the culmination of transitional provisions for these origin quotas, as delineated within the Canada-U.K. TCA.

3.4 General export permits

The EIPA provides for the issuance of general permits authorizing the export of certain designated goods or technology to specified destinations. Exporters may use these general permits without seeking prior approval from ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ as long as all conditions set out in these regulatory permits are met. General Export Permits (GEPs) are intended to facilitate exports by enabling exporters to export certain items without the need to obtain individual permits.

The following GEPs were in effect during 2024:

4.0 Import controls

Section 3 of the EIPA provides that the Governor in Council may establish a list of goods, the ICL, including therein any article the import of which the Governor in Council deems necessary to control for purposes specified in the EIPA.

Figure 1: Number of import permits for controlled goods in*

Figure 1: Number of import permits for controlled goods in*
Text version- Figure 1

Applications rejected: 1,532
Permits issued: 38,717
Permits cancelled: 2,598

*Between January 1 and December 31, 2024 (data based on submission of applications).

Figure 2: Number of import permits issued by sector in 2024*

Figure 2: Number of import permits issued by sector in 2024*
Text version- Figure 2

CUKTCA Textile and Apparel: 2
Wheat & Barley: 138
Poultry - Turkey: 249
Arms & Ammunition: 374
Beef & Veal: 2,619
CETA Textile and Apparel: 2,749
Eggs: 4,532
Poultry-Chicken: 5,499
Clothing & Textile: 5,863
Dairy: 6,683
Cheese: 10,009
Total issued: 38,717

*Between January 1 and December 31, 2024 (data based on submission of applications).

4.1 Textiles and clothing - Tariff preference levels

Textile and clothing imports are controlled by various free trade agreements. These include CUSMA and FTAs with Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras. The agreements provide for preferential access for certain non-originating products through TPLs. 

All TPLs, for imports, are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the specified annual quantity under a FTA has been fully utilized, non-originating apparel, textiles and made-up goods are subject to the Most Favored Nation tariff rate for the remainder of that TPL year.

Canadian importers require a shipment-specific import permit for all TPL imports into Canada within the negotiated quantity. TPL-eligible shipments entering Canada under a shipment-specific import permit can receive the same preferential tariff treatment as originating products, up to a negotiated quantity, as long as they are both cut (or knit to shape) and sewn or otherwise assembled in the territory of a Party from fabric or yarn produced or obtained outside the territories of the Parties.

Table 10: Textiles and clothing: CUSMA tariff preference levels and utilization for imports to Canada in 2024*

Textile and ClothingUnited StatesMexicoHondurasCosta Rica
Square meter equivalents (SME) or Kilograms (KG)Access levelUtilizationAccess levelUtilizationAccess levelUtilizationAccess levelUtilization
*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2024 for CUSMA, Honduras and Costa Rica imports.
There were no TPL imports from Chile in 2024.
Wool apparel (SME)700,000288,752250,000NANANANANA
Cotton or man-made fibre apparel (SME)20,000,0002,207,6476,000,0001,114,098NANANANA
Cotton or man-made fibre fabrics and made-up goods (SME)15,000,0004,5607,000,0000NANA1,000,0000
Cotton or man-made fibre spun yarn (SME)1,000,00027,3041,000,0000NANA150,0000
Wool fabrics and made-up goods (KG)NANANANANANA250,0000
Fabrics and made-up goods (KG)NANANANA1,000,0000NANA
Apparel (SME)NANANANA4,000,0002,632,8901,379,570351

CETA textiles and apparel

Imports of textiles and apparel from the EU and its Member States to Canada that are eligible under CETA origin quotas are subject to import controls under the EIPA. Accordingly, import permits are required for imports of these products in order to obtain the preferential tariff rate under CETA. The origin quotas specify the annual quantity of a product that can qualify as originating and receive preferential CETA tariff treatment. In order to receive this treatment, the product must meet the product description and undergo sufficient production to satisfy the applicable product-specific rule of origin associated with that origin quota. CETA contains growth factors for the textiles and apparel origin quotas that provide for an increase in the volume of the origin quotas if certain conditions are met.

Table 11: CETA origin quotas: textiles and apparel 2024*

HS classification
U = Units / KG = Kilograms / DZN = Dozens
Access levelUtilization
*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Origin quotas with utilization of zero for the year 2024 are not included in the table.
CETA origin textiles & apparelApparel 61.06 (U) – Blouses, shirts and shirt blouses, knitted or crocheted (excluding T-shirts and vests.)126,0001,595
Apparel 61.09 (U) – T-Shirts, singlets and other vests knitted or crocheted722,00037,721
Apparel 61.10 (U) – Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles knitted or crocheted (excluding wadded waistcoats)537,00077,088
Apparel 6105.10 (U) – Men’s or boys’ shirts of cotton knitted or crocheted (excluding nightshirts, t-shirts, singlets and other vests)46,0008,968
Apparel 62.04 (U) – Women’s or girls’ suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, dresses etc. (excluding knitted or crocheted and swimwear)569,704473,597
Apparel 6202.11 (U) – Women’s or girls’ overcoats, raincoats, car coats, capes, cloaks and similar articles of wool or fine animal hair, not knitted or crocheted.15,000757
Apparel 6202.40 (U) – Women's or girls' anoraks, windcheaters, wind jackets and similar articles, of man-made fibres (not knitted or crocheted)17,48517,475
Apparel 6203.11 (U) – Men’s or boys’ suits of wool or fine animal hair.39,0008
Apparel 6205.20 (U) – Men’s or boys’ shirts of cotton, not knitted or crocheted182,000398
Apparel 61.14 (KG) – Other garments not elsewhere specified or included, knitted or crocheted58,0009,091
Apparel 62.10 (U) – Garments made up of fabrics of heading 56.02, 56.03, 59.03, 59.06 or 59.07 (excluding knitted or crocheted and babies' garments)19,00012,235
Apparel 62.11 (KG) – Tracksuits, ski suits, swimwear and other garments, not elsewhere specified or included (excluding knitted or crocheted)85,00054,197
Textiles 6302.31 (KG) – Bed linen (other than printed) of cotton, not knitted or crocheted216,000150,338
Apparel 61.15 (Pairs) – Pantyhose, tights, stockings, socks and other hosiery, including graduated compression hosiery (for example, stockings for varicose veins) and footwear without applied soles, knitted or crocheted (excluding for babies)1,691,00048
Apparel 6203.12-6203.49 (U) – Men's or boys' suits (excluding wool or fine animal hair), ensembles, jackets, blazers, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (excluding knitted or crocheted, and swimwear)281,00012,651

Canada-U.K. TCA textiles and apparel

Imports of textiles and apparel from the U.K. to Canada that are eligible under the Canada-U.K. TCA origin quotas are subject to import controls under the EIPA. Accordingly, import permits are required for imports of these products in order to obtain the preferential tariff rate under the Canada-U.K. TCA. The origin quotas specify the annual quantity of a product that can qualify as originating and receive preferential tariff treatment. In order to receive this treatment, the product must meet the product description and undergo sufficient production to satisfy the applicable product-specific rule of origin associated with that origin quota. The Canada-U.K. TCA contains growth factors for the textiles and apparel origin quotas that provide for an increase in the volume of the origin quotas if certain conditions are met.

As articulated in paragraph 3 of Annex 5-A to the Protocol on Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures, the cessation of these annual quotas was scheduled to occur three years subsequent to the entry into force of the CUKTCA Agreement (i.e., April 1, 2021). As such, the ability to utilize these Canada-U.K. TCA origin quotas ceased as of April 1, 2024. This decision reflects the culmination of transitional provisions for these origin quotas, as delineated within the Canada-U.K. TCA.

Table 12: Canada-U.K. TCA apparel imports 2024*

ImportUnit of MeasureUtilization
*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
U.K. – Total textile and apparel importsUnits313

Table 13: Canada-U.K. TCA apparel imports breakdown 2024*

ApparelAccess LevelUtilization
*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Origin quotas with utilization of zero for the year 2024 are not included in the table.
Apparel 62.04537,000136
Apparel 62.1185,000118
Apparel 6202.9316,00059

4.2 Supply-managed products

Dairy, poultry and egg imports to Canada are subject to import controls under the EIPA. Preferential access is provided for imports of these products through TRQs.

Under these TRQs, imports are subject to zero or low within-access rates of duty up to a predetermined limit (i.e. until the import access quantity has been reached), while imports over this limit are subject to higher over-access rates of duty. Only eligible applicants who apply to receive an import quota allocation are able to obtain shipment-specific permits to import goods at the within-access rates of duty.

In 2024, there were no changes in allocation policies for the TRQs under CETA, CUSMA and WTO; however, some changes were implemented to Canada’s CPTPP dairy TRQ policies.

WTO TRQs

In 1995, Canada converted its existing quantitative agricultural import controls to a system of TRQs, with the coming into effect of the WTO.

All TRQs are based on Customs Tariff item numbers. When the TRQs came into effect in 1995, the ICL was amended to replace named products (e.g. turkey and turkey products) with tariff item numbers. For ease of understanding, the older product descriptions continue to be used in this report.

Poultry and eggs

Effective January 1, 1995, Canada's chicken, turkey, broiler hatching eggs and chicks, shell egg and egg product quantitative restrictions were converted to TRQs and were maintained on the ICL in order to support supply management under the Farm Products Marketing Act and to support action taken under the WTO Agreement Implementation Act.

Chicken and chicken products: The WTO Chicken and Chicken Products TRQ import access level is set at 39,843,700 kilograms.

Turkey and turkey products: Pursuant to CUSMA, the WTO Turkey and Turkey Products TRQ import access level is set at the higher of:

  1. 3.5% of the previous year’s domestic production or 3.5% of the current year’s domestic production quota + 1,000 tonnes, whichever is lower; and
  2. The WTO level of 5,588,000 kilograms, expressed in EE weight.

Eggs and egg products: The WTO Egg and Egg Products TRQ access level is set at 21,370,000 dozen on an egg equivalent basis. The access level is set in accordance with the following breakdown: 11,779,247 dozen for shell eggs; 5,106,486 dozen for liquid, frozen or further-processed egg products; and 4,484,265 dozen for egg powder.

Broiler hatching eggs and chicks: Pursuant to CUSMA, the combined import access level for the WTO broiler hatching eggs and chicks TRQ is 21.1% of the estimated domestic production of broiler hatching eggs for the calendar year to which the TRQ applies. The combined annual import access level is divided into separate levels of 17.4% for broiler hatching eggs and 3.7% for egg-equivalent chicks.

Table 14: Poultry and eggs: WTO TRQs*

ProductUnit of measureAccess levelWithin-access imports
*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
Chicken and chicken productsEviscerated equivalent kilograms39,843,70039,094,690
Broiler hatching eggs and chicksEgg equivalent176,544,304153,771,661
Turkey and turkey productsEviscerated equivalent kilograms5,588,0003,550,775
Eggs and egg productsDozens21,370,00018,224,309
Shell eggsDozens11,779,24711,757,705
Shell eggs for breakingDozens00
Egg powderDozens4,484,2652,039,238
Egg products (Liquid, frozen or further processed egg products)Dozens5,106,4864,427,365

Dairy products

Quantitative restrictions in 12 categories of dairy products were converted to TRQs in support of supply management under the Canadian Dairy Commission Act.

Table 15: WTO TRQs*

ProductUnit of measureDescription/tariff item numberAccess levelWithin-access imports
*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2024 unless otherwise stated.
**Reserved for cross-border shopping and it is considered to be fully used.
***Milk Protein Substances, that do not originate in the U.S., Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, an EU country or other CETA beneficiary, or Israel.
Butter (Aug. 1 - Jul. 31)KilogramsTRQ allocated to Canadian Dairy Commission with 2,000,000 reserved for New Zealand3,274,0003,271,780
Cheeses of all typesKilograms 20,411,86619,372,615
Concentrated or condensed milk/creamKilogramsTRQ reserved for imports from Australia11,7000
Ice cream and ice cream noveltiesKilograms 484,000447,716
Milk (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms 64,500,0000**
Milk protein substances*** (Apr. 1 – Mar. 31)Kilograms 10,000,0003,253,715
Other dairy (food preparations)Kilograms 70,00058,833
Powdered buttermilkKilogramsReserved for imports from New Zealand908,0000
Powdered whey (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms 3,198,000331,168
Products of natural milk constituentsKilograms 4,345,0003,426,937
Specialty creams (Aug. 1 - Jul. 31)KilogramsTRQ reserved for cream that is sterilized, minimum 23% butterfat and sold in cans with volume less than 200 millilitres394,000356,223
YogurtKilograms 332,000176,996

CETA TRQs

As a result of the provisional application of CETA, Canada established two TRQs in 2017 for cheese originating from an EU country or other CETA beneficiary.

Table 16: CETA TRQs*

ProductUnit of measureAccess levelWithin-access imports
*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
Cheese of all typesKilograms16,000,00015,132,120
Industrial cheeseKilograms1,700,0001,344,344

CPTPP TRQs

As a result of the coming into force of the CPTPP, Canada established 20 TRQs for various supply-managed products (dairy, poultry and eggs) originating from a CPTPP member state. In accordance with CPTPP, certain TRQs are administered on different TRQ years, with some being based on a calendar year and others on a dairy or marketing year.

Table 17: CPTPP TRQs*

ProductUnit of measureAccess levelWithin-access imports
*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2024 unless otherwise stated.
Broiler hatching eggs and chicksDozen eggs equivalent1,010,0000
ChickenEviscerated equivalent kilograms23,735,00019,412,655
EggsDozen eggs equivalent16,867,0000
Turkey (May 1 – Apr. 30)Eviscerated equivalent kilograms3,500,000961,254
Butter (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms4,500,0004,437,050
Cheeses of all typesKilograms3,661,0003,586,504
Concentrated milkKilograms2,040,0000
Cream (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms580,0000
Cream powders (Aug.1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms105,0000
Ice cream and mixesKilograms1,062,00098,087
Industrial cheeseKilograms8,055,00042,964
Milk (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms50,000,00037,391
Milk powders (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms1,051,000114,800
Mozzarella and prepared cheeseKilograms2,929,0001,343,600
Other dairyKilograms1,062,0000
Powdered buttermilkKilograms845,0000
Products consisting of natural milk constituentsKilograms4,040,00095,525
Skim milk powder (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms7,500,000144,225
Whey powder (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms6,000,0000
Yogurt and buttermilkKilograms6,120,0000

CUSMA TRQs

As a result of the coming into force of CUSMA, Canada established 16 TRQs in 2020 for various supply-managed products (dairy, poultry and eggs) originating from the U.S. In accordance with CUSMA, certain TRQs are administered on different TRQ years, with some being based on a calendar year and others on a dairy year.

Table 18: CUSMA TRQs*

ProductUnit of measureAccess levelWithin-access imports
*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2024 unless otherwise stated.
ChickenEviscerated equivalent kilograms55,000,00054,212,097
Eggs and egg productsDozen eggs equivalent8,333,3338,320,308
Butter and cream powders (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms3,750,0003,047,640
Cheeses of all typesKilograms5,208,0005,163,713
Concentrated or condensed milkKilograms1,150,0000
Cream (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms8,750,0004,465,333
Ice cream and ice cream mixesKilograms575,000174,182
Industrial cheesesKilograms5,208,0003,086,031
Milk (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms41,667,00013,696,912
Milk powders (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms575,000327,195
Products consisting of natural milk constituentsKilograms2,300,000174,343
Other dairyKilograms575,00013,168
Powdered buttermilkKilograms433,00015,446
Skim milk powders (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms6,250,000208,729
Whey powder (Aug. 1 – Jul. 31)Kilograms3,446,000713,286
Yogurt and buttermilkKilograms3,446,000399,290

Supplemental imports

Under the EIPA, the Minister may exercise discretion to authorize imports of products subject to TRQs apart from the import access quantity, if the Minister determines that the importation of these products is required to meet Canadian market needs. Supplemental import permits are normally issued for the following specified purposes:

Policies governing supplemental import permits for each commodity along with any updates are published under the “Notices to Importers” link on the supply-managed tariff rate quotas (TRQs) page that may be found on the ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ website.

Table 19: Poultry and eggs: supplemental imports*

ProductUnit of measureIREPImport-to-competeMarket shortageOther
*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2024
Broiler hatching eggs and chicksEgg equivalent0000
Hatching eggs, other than for broilersEgg equivalent000264,656
Chicken and chicken productsEviscerated equivalent kilograms16,129,9931,558,768020,808
Turkey and turkey productsEviscerated equivalent kilograms0000
Eggs and egg productsDozens531,166031,387,6760
Shell eggsDozens001,812,0580
Shell eggs for breakingDozens387,900029,213,4080
Egg powderKilograms0000
Egg products (liquid, frozen or further processed egg products)Kilograms82,3780208,2710
Import permits are required for importing inedible egg products into Canada, for monitoring purposes only. Permits were issued for 1,607,372 kilograms of this type of product in 2024.

Table 20: Dairy - supplemental imports*

ProductUnit of measureIREPOther
*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2024 unless otherwise stated.
ButterKilograms26,865,3746
Buttermilk (other than powdered buttermilk), curdled milk and cream, kephir and other fermented or acidified milk and creamKilograms37,71612
CheeseKilograms7,347,607113,539
Concentrated/condensed milk/creamKilograms323,80321
CreamKilograms879,67886,367
Dairy products, other than food preparations, not subject to TRQs, including, skimmed and whole milk powder, cream powder, other milk powder, other cream powder, animal feed, non-alcoholic beverages containing milk, all ice cream mix and ice milk mixKilograms3,442,7591,608
Dry wheyKilograms872,3750
Fluid milkKilograms58,671,8480
Food preparationsKilograms120,2173,695 
Products of milk constituentsKilograms1,233,0040
YogurtKilograms149,4620

Imports in excess of TRQ access limits are permitted under General Import Permit No. 100 - Eligible Agricultural Goods, which allows unrestricted imports at the higher rate of duty.

4.3 Non-supply managed products

Other agriculture products subject to import controls are:

The WTO Margarine TRQ was introduced on January 1, 1995. The TRQ is administered on a first-come, first-served basis using a calendar year TRQ period. Shipment specific import permits are issued on demand for each shipment, until the access quantity is fully utilized or to the end of the TRQ year, whichever occurs first.

As part of Canada’s WTO commitments, the restrictions imposed on imports of wheat, barley and their products under the Canadian Wheat Board Act were converted to TRQs on August 1, 1995. These TRQs are administered by ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on a first-come, first-served basis using an August 1 to July 30 TRQ period. Importers may cite General Import Permit No. 20 - Wheat and Wheat Products, Barley and Barley Products to import goods at the lower rate of duty. Once the access levels are filled, importers must cite General Import Permit No. 100 - Eligible Agricultural Goods on customs entry documents to import goods at the higher rate of duty. Administrative measures are established to ensure full usage of quota, which sometimes results in imports at the within-access rate over the TRQ limit.

Also, as part of Canada’s WTO implementation commitments, the restrictions on imports of non-FTA beef and veal established under the Meat Import Act were converted to a TRQ on January 1, 1995. The TRQ applies to all imports of fresh, chilled and frozen beef and veal that do not originate in Chile, a CUSMA country, an EU member state, or the UK.

Table 21: Other agricultural product imports in 2024*

Tonnes (T)
kilograms (KG)
Description/tariff item numberTariff rate quotasSupplemental imports
Access levelWithin-access importsOver-access importsIREPImport-to-competeMarket shortageOther
*Canadian entry date between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
**Rounded to nearest whole amount.
***Canadian entry date between August 1, 2023 and July 31, 2024 and rounded to the nearest whole amount.
Margarine(KG)7,558,0003,274,2160N/AN/A00
Wheat, barley and their productsWheat (T)226,88368,518***0N/A000
Wheat products (T – grain equivalent123,557184,331***56,859***N/A000
Barley (T)399,000109,310***0N/A000
Barley products (T- Grain equivalent)19,13121,343***4,543***N/A000**
Beef and veal (non-NAFTA except Chile)Imports from Australia (T)35,00012,6120N/AN/A03,759
Imports from New Zealand (T)29,60013,0170
Imports from all countries certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) (T)11,80911,7810

4.4 Steel monitoring

Carbon steel products were initially added to the ICL, effective September 1, 1986, following a report by the Canadian Import Tribunal recommending the collection of information on goods of this type entering Canada. The carbon steel products are found in item 80 of the ICL and include semi-finished products (ingots, blooms, billets, slabs and sheet bars), plate, sheet and strip, wire rods, wire and wire products, railway-type products, bars, structural shapes and units, and pipes and tubes but excluding the specialty steel products referred to in item 81 of the ICL.

Specialty steel products were initially added to the ICL, effective June 1, 1987, pursuant to an amendment to the EIPA providing for import monitoring of steel products under certain conditions. These products are found in item 81 of the ICL and include stainless steel flat-rolled products (sheet, strip and plate), stainless steel bar, stainless steel pipe and tube, stainless steel wire and wire products, stainless steel in ingots or other primary forms, semi-finished products of stainless steel, alloy tool steel, mold steel and high-speed steel.

The Steel Import Monitoring Program provides more timely steel import data than data available via the regular import reports produced by Statistics Canada. The online reports are available on the Steel import monitoring reports webpage. Steel products covered by these items must be imported under the authority of GIP No. 80 - Carbon Steel or GIP No. 81 - Specialty Steel Products. There are no quantitative restrictions for imports of these products and there are no fees for using the GIPs.

The steel GIPs were amended on August 23, 2019, to include reporting and recordkeeping conditions. These amendments require importers to provide, upon request, documents and records to enable the verification of import data. ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ analyzes the information found on the customs declarations and shipping documents to identify inconsistencies in the declared information and facilitate the correction of potential errors.

Further to the Joint Statement by Canada and the United States on Section 232 Duties on Steel and Aluminum, issued on May 17, 2019, carbon and specialty steel products were re-added to the ICL on November 2, 2020, pursuant to paragraph 5(1)(e) of the EIPA. This eliminated the need for these products to be re-added to the ICL every three years for the program to continue and for an annual statistical summary to be tabled in Parliament. The information contained in the annual statistical summary is publicly available through the above mentioned online reports. 

Regulatory changes to GIPs No. 80 and No. 81 came into effect on November 5, 2024, and importers are required to provide country of melt and pour (COM) information as a term and condition of using the GIPs when submitting their customs declarations through the CBSA Single Window Initiative Integrated Import Declaration. Public reports containing COM information will be available when sufficient data has been collected, analyzed, and aggregated to protect business proprietary information.

4.5 Aluminum monitoring

Further to the Joint Statement by Canada and the United States on Section 232 Duties on Steel and Aluminum, issued on May 17, 2019, aluminum products were added to the ICL, under item 83, on September 1, 2019, pursuant to paragraph 5(1)(e). GIP No. 83 – Aluminum Products, applicable to products under item 83, was also issued on September 1, 2019. Item 83 includes the aluminum products listed below:

The addition of aluminum products to the ICL enabled the implementation of the Aluminum Import Monitoring Program. The above products must be imported under the authority of the GIP No. 83 – Aluminum Products. There is no limit to the quantity of aluminum products covered under item 83 that may be imported into Canada and there are no fees for using the GIP.

The GIP allows ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ to have access to import data and make it publicly available in an expedited manner. The online reports are available on the Aluminum import monitoring reports webpage.

The GIP is also equipped with reporting and recordkeeping conditions, which require importers to provide, upon request, documents and records to enable the verification of import data. ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ analyzes the information found on the customs declarations and shipping documents to identify inconsistencies in the declared information and facilitate the correction of potential errors.

¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ held public consultations on the potential collection of country of smelt and cast (CSC) information for aluminum imports from May 21 to June 28, 2024. Stakeholder feedback was compiled and published online in a , which summarizes the proposed policy, implementation details, and compliance challenges. An approach to collect CSC information through CBSA customs declarations, similar to the method for steel, would require amendments to GIP No. 83.

4.6 Weapons, munitions and chemicals

Pursuant to items 70 to 73 and 91 of the ICL, a permit is required to import into Canada all small- and large-calibre weapons, ammunition, bombs, pyrotechnics, tanks and self-propelled guns. As well, all components and parts specifically designed for these items require import permits. Firearms legally classified as non-restricted, and their parts, are exempted from the import permit requirement. Manufacturers and businesses licensed by the Provincial Chief Firearms Officers may import prohibited weapons, prohibited firearms and prohibited devices under strictly controlled conditions.

Since 2013, broad-based Import Permit Letters were introduced for low-risk, high-volume commercial importers of firearms and related goods, leading to a significant reduction of import permit applications for weapons, munitions and chemicals issued annually.

Figure 3: Number of import permits for weapons, munitions and chemicals in 2024*

Figure 3: Number of import permits for weapons, munitions and chemicals in 2024*
Text version- Figure 3

Applications rejected: 111
Permits issued: 374
Permits cancelled: 8

*Between January 1 and December 31, 2024 (data based on submission of applications).

4.7 International Import Certificates and Delivery Verification Certificates

The issuance of International Import Certificates (IICs) and Delivery Verification Certificates (DVCs) is provided for under section 9 of the EIPA and under the Import Certificate Regulations (C.R.C., c. 603). IICs enable an importer to describe goods in detail and to certify that they will not assist in their disposal or diversion during transit. Such assurances may be required by the country of export before permitting the shipment of certain goods, most notably munitions and strategic goods. An IIC is not an import permit and does not entitle the holder to import the goods described on the certificate into Canada. DVCs may be issued following arrival of the goods in Canada to enable an exporter of goods to Canada to comply with requirements of the exporting country. 

In 2024, ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ issued 1,205 International Import Certificates and 140 Delivery Verification Certificates.

Since 2011, IIC letters have been issued to trusted high-volume importers, and this has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of individual certificates issued.

4.8 General import permits

The EIPA provides for the issuance of general permits authorizing the import of certain designated goods to all destinations or to specified destinations. GIPs are intended to facilitate imports by enabling importers to import selected goods without applying for individual permits.

The following GIPs were in effect during 2024:

5.0 Offences under the Export and Import Permits Act

There were no convictions for offences under the EIPA during the 2024 calendar year.

Penalties are listed in subsection 19 of the EIPA as follows:

  1. Every person or organization that contravenes any provision of this Act or of the regulations is guilty of
    1. an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine not exceeding $250,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both; or
    2. an indictable offence and liable to a fine in an amount that is in the discretion of the court or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, or to both.
  2. A prosecution under paragraph [19](1)(a) may be instituted at any time within but not later than three years after the time when the subject-matter of the complaint arose.

Section 25 of the EIPA delegates responsibility for the enforcement of the EIPA to all officers as defined in the Customs Act (subsection 2(1)). The CBSA and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) enforce the provisions of the EIPA.

The Minister responsible for the EIPA has the authority to designate inspectors, who for any purpose related to the administration or enforcement of the EIPA may inspect, audit or examine the records of any person who has applied for an authorization under the EIPA. Such activities are conducted to ensure compliance with the EIPA, its associated regulations and established policies, including eligibility criteria associated with various TRQs.

¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ has verification teams deployed to four major metropolitan areas to support the administration of import and export permits: Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Between 150 and 200 verification inspections are conducted annually.

Export control enforcement continued to be a key element in Canada's export control system in 2024. GAC works closely with enforcement agencies, in particular the CBSA and the RCMP. Upon receipt of information relating to an unauthorized export, brokering or import of controlled items, GAC may, depending on the circumstances of the case, refer the matter to the RCMP or CBSA for investigation and decision as to whether to proceed with administrative measures and/or penalties or criminal charges. GAC also routinely provides assistance, expert advice and investigative support to the CBSA, RCMP and other investigative agencies.

In 2024, ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ responded to 7 formal requests for investigation support related to strategic and/or military goods and technology.

Alleged violations may come to the attention of GAC directly (e.g. a Canadian exporter or importer may bring forward a suspected violation) or indirectly, as a result of an inspection and/or audit.

Potential violations may also be identified in the course of CBSA operations at border control locations and major ports of entry and exit. CBSA may detain a shipment, referring to GAC to verify that legislative and regulatory requirements controlling exports (e.g. export controls under the EIPA and sanctions). Additionally, CBSA can enforce non-compliance penalties under the Customs Act, such as seizures, returns of goods seized, forfeitures, as well as Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) penalties.

In 2024, the CBSA referred 282 detention files to ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ related to strategic and/or military goods and technology. Of these, 78 were import detentions and 204 were export detentions.

GAC recognizes that, on occasion, responsible exporters and importers inadvertently fail to comply with the EIPA. Exporters and importers finding themselves in such a situation are encouraged to disclose any incidents of non-compliance to GAC as soon as possible.

In 2024, ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ received 44 voluntary disclosures from Canadian exporters regarding the export of strategic and/or military goods and technology.

If, after considering the information provided, GAC is satisfied that the exporter has fully cooperated, no further action may be warranted. Depending on the gravity or overall circumstances of a case, GAC may nonetheless refer disclosures to the CBSA or RCMP for further review.

6.0 Performance standards

¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ is committed to providing clients with prompt and reliable service based on Canadian export and import controls statutes, regulations and policies.

Our aims are to:

Please consult the ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ website for more information on our Service Pledge.

In order to fulfill our responsibilities under the EIPA, ¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ has established service standards. In 2024, these were:

In 2024, a total of 285,347 permit applications were processed within NEICS and NEXCOL (data based on permits processed between January 1 and December 31, 2024), of which approximately 99.33%Footnote 1 (284,105) were processed within the allotted service periods. Further detail on the specific service standards for military, dual-use and strategic permits may be found in the 2024 Report Annual Report on Strategic Goods and Technologies Pursuant to Section 27 of the Export and Import Permits Act.  Additional details concerning service standards and historical performance, by fiscal year, can also be found on our Service Standards Report in the context of its reporting on high-volume regulatory authorizations.

7.0 References

7.1 General data notes

Data discrepancies: There may be discrepancies with other published data given that permits may be subsequently amended or cancelled, or issued retroactively. This results in changes to numbers pulled at different points in time.

Quota utilization: There are certain instances when quota utilization is zero. This can occur for a number of commercial reasons, including: challenging competitive market dynamics negatively impacting the commercial viability of exports/imports; more favorable business conditions in other markets; high transport costs (especially for perishable goods such as dairy); and a potential lack of awareness by Canadian exporters/importers of the opportunities presented by the quotas, especially where FTAs are relatively new.

7.2 Definitions

Applicable to non-strategic export permits and import permits only:

Applicable to military, dual-use and strategic export permits only:

7.3 Glossary

ACL
Area Control List
AFCCL
Automatic Firearms Country Control List
ATT
Arms Trade Treaty
BCL
Brokering Control List
BTQ
Below-threshold quantity
CBP
U.S. Customs and Borders Protection
CBSA
Canada Border Services Agency
Canada-U.K. TCA
Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement
CETA
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
CITT
Canadian International Trade Tribunal
CPTPP
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
CUSMA
Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement
DVC
Delivery verification certificate
ECL
Export Control List
EE
Eviscerated equivalent
EIPA
Export and Import Permits Act
EU
European Union
FTA
Free trade agreement
GAC
¶¶ÒùÊÓÆµ
GBP1
General brokering permit No. 1
GEP
General export permit
GIP
General import permit
HS
Harmonized System
ICL
Import Control List
IIC
International Import Certificate
IREP
Import for Re-Export Program
MPC
Milk protein concentrate
NAFTA
North America Free Trade Agreement
NEICS 
New Export and Import Controls System
NEXCOL
New Export Controls System Online
RCMP
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
SCPs
Sugar-containing products
SME
Square meter equivalents
SMP
Skim milk powder
TPL
Tariff preference level
TRQs
Tariff rate quotas
U.K.
United Kingdom
U.S.
United States
WA
Wassenaar Arrangement
WTO
 
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