1. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) assists Global Affairs Canada (GAC) with the administration of the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA), including the import requirements for the importation of goods included on the Import Control List (ICL).
2. General Import Permits (GIP) allow for the importation of certain eligible goods included on the ICL, subject to the terms and conditions described in the permit, without having to obtain a specific import permit. The applicable GIP constitutes the permit authorizing the importation of goods.
3. Earlier this year, GAC proposed to amend General Import Permit No. 83 — Aluminum Products (GIP 83), as announced in the Canada Gazette, Part 1, Volume 160, Number 14: Order Amending the General Import Permit No. 83 Aluminum Products. Proposed new requirements for the importation of aluminum include the following:
- at the time of importation, specify the following in the form and manner determined by the Canada Border Services Agency:
- in the case of goods that contain primary aluminum, the country of largest smelt (CLS) and, if any, the country of second-largest smelt (C2S), and
- the country of most recent cast (CRC) for all goods covered by GIP 83
Note: These new requirements do not apply:
- to a CSA importer, as defined in section 2 of the Accounting for Imported Goods and Payment of Duties Regulations, in respect of goods released under paragraph 32(2)(b) of the Customs Act
- if the total value for duty of the imported goods is $5,000 or less
4. In anticipation of the upcoming regulatory amendments to GIP 83, the CBSA made changes to the Single Window Initiative (SWI) Integrated Import Declaration (IID) to implement these new requirements and notified importers by means of Technical Commercial Client Unit (TCCU) bulletin on May 29, 2026.
5. The new requirements will apply to all aluminum HS Codes included in GAC’s Single Window Initiative, Integrated Import Declaration (IID) – Regulated Commodities – Data Element Matching Criteria Table – Open Government Portal..
6. When the Order Amending the General Import Permit No. 83 — Aluminum Products comes into force on October 1, 2026, it will be mandatory to submit the CLS, C2S and CRC information to the CBSA via SWI. Until then, it is optional for importers to submit the CLS, C2S and CRC information to the CBSA via SWI IID.
7. The Single Window Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document (Appendix B5.1.2) v5.0 has been updated to include all new components of this declaration. To obtain a copy, contact TCCU by email at tccu-ustcc@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca or Hotline1-888-957-7224.
8. Please note that the Memorandum D19-10-2: Administration of the Export and Import Permits Act (Importations) will be updated to include additional details on submitting IID and accounting information to the CBSA for aluminum products, when the Order Amending the General Import Permit No. 83 — Aluminum Products comes into effect.
9. For information on the terms and conditions of GIP 83 and the administration of the aluminum import monitoring program, please contact the Trade Remedies Division of Global Affairs Canada via e-mail: aluminum-aluminium@international.gc.ca. The Aluminum import controls website will also be updated to include a new Notice to importers upon the entry into force of the Order Amending the General Import Permit No. 83 – Aluminum Products.
10. For more information regarding the CBSA’s programs and services, please contact the Border Information Service (BIS) line. Within Canada, you can call BIS toll-free at 1-800-461-9999. From outside Canada, please call 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 (long-distance charges will apply). Agents are available Monday to Friday (8 am to 4 pm local time, except holidays). TTY is also available within Canada at 1-866-335-3237.
