The Canadian government has announced the duty relief on imports of personal protective equipment (PPE) will end soon. Certain Goods Remission Order (COVID-19), SOR-2020-101, allowed for the relief of customs duty for eligible goods which were imported on or after May 5, 2020 at the time of importation or within two years of the date of importation. This update is important to importers who import PPE goods and medical devices/equipment for COVID 19 use.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Customs Notice 22-08 provides details of the Order Repealing Certain Goods Remission Order (COVID-19). The relief of customs duties at time of importation, under special authorization remission code 20-304 expires May 7th, 2022 as the two-year timeline ends. Goods imported after May 7th, 2022 will no longer be eligible for OIC 20-304.
Review Customs Notice 20-19 Certain Goods Remission Order for the list of goods that were eligible for the relief such as face masks, gloves, protected garments, disinfectants/sterilization products, wipes, medical consumables, and other products such as soaps etc. These PPE goods that will no longer be duty free and the applicable customs duty rate will apply accordingly.
The Order in Council SOR/2022-0078, Order Repealing the Certain Goods Remission Order (COVID-19), registered on April 7, 2022, which sets a date limit to the entitlement to the relief of customs duties on imported goods provided by SOR/2020-101, will be published in Canada Gazette Part II.