September 16, 2019 – Global Affairs Canada issued a notice advising exporters that pursuant to the Export and Import Permits Act, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has issued a General Export Permit (GEP) relating to exports to the United States of Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Items identified in Group 9 of the Export Control List (ECL) and certain firearms and ammunition referred to in items 2-1 and 2-3 of the Guide to Canada’s Export Controls. Notice to Exporters GEP 47 – Export of Arms Treaty items to United States.
GEPs are intended to facilitate trade in defined circumstances, and are issued generally to all residents of Canada to allow the export or transfer of specified goods and technology to designated destinations, subject to certain terms and conditions. GEPs do not require an individual application to be submitted to Global Affairs Canada for the proposed export or transfer.
Through a recent amendment to the ECL (see: Order Amending the Export Control List (Arms Trade Treaty)), an export permit requirement has been put in place for the export of ATT items, listed in Group 9 of the Guide, to the United States. The objective of GEP 47 is to provide a streamlined permitting process for the export of most ATT items to the United States. The reporting requirements in GEP 47 enable the Government of Canada to increase transparency by reporting on the permanent export of ATT items to the United States.
Publication of General Export Permit No. 47 — Export of Arms Trade Treaty Items to the United States: was published in Canada Gazette Part 11 Volume 153 SOR/2019-230.
The current version of “A Guide to Canada’s Export Controls”, is also available on Global Affairs website.
Bill C-47, that amends the Export and Import Permits Act to accede to the Arms Trade Treaty, and the related regulatory changes that establish controls over the brokering of military items and strategic and dual-use goods with a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) end-use are now in effect as of 1 September 2019. Brokering controls apply both within Canada and for Canadian citizens abroad.
There is also a new pre-notification and reporting requirement for the export of full-system conventional arms to the United States.
The following information will help you understand and comply with these new rules:
- Notice to Brokers No. 216 – Canada’s Brokering Controls
- New Brokering Controls Webpage
- Notice to Exporters No. 217 – Export of Arms Trade Treaty Items to the United States
- Updated Export and Brokering Controls Handbook
If you have any questions, please contact us via our dedicated Brokering Hotline at 343-203-6978 or via e-mail at tie.reception@international.gc.ca.
For further information, exporters may contact:
Export Controls Operations Division (TIE)
Telephone: 343-203-4331
Facsimile: 613-996-9933
Email: tie.reception@international.gc.ca