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View the Latest News - View Past News June 2008
Reminder - Full implementation of ISPM #15 becomes effective July 5, 2006. Canada is moving toward full implementation of ISPM No.15 commencing July 5, 2006. After July 5, 06, all non-compliant wood packaging (including dunnage) will be refused entry, which may result in the non-compliant material being returned to origin, disposed of, or treated - at very considerable cost to the importer. - AMPS – IMPORTING & EXPORTING AMPS – Ensure your business is in compliance! The Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) is a Canadian civil penalty regime that will secure compliance with Customs legislation through the application of monetary penalties. This applies to Canadian importers and exporters. AMPS largely replaces the use of seizure and forfeiture provisions for technical infractions. Seizure and ascertained forfeiture will only be used for the most serious offences. AMPS applies to contravention of the Customs Act, the Customs Tariff, and the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) and the regulations thereunder, as well as contravention of the terms and conditions of licensing agreements and undertakings. AMPS will impose monetary penalties in proportion to the type, frequency, and severity of the infraction. Most penalties are graduated and will take the compliance history of the client into consideration. AMPS penalties are corrective rather than punitive. AMPS will not affect businesses that continue to comply with Customs requirements and regulations. From December 2001, until October 7th 2002, a transition period will be in effect. This transition phase is intended to serve as an information period. During this period, businesses may become aware of weaknesses in their customs-related systems and processes and take corrective action before AMPS comes into affect. It is essential that importers and exporters review the documentation and implement systems to ensure compliance. A few key points to note are; - Importers must report all imports using accurate values, commodity descriptions and tariff classifications. - If claiming preferential import tariff treatment, it is essential to have in place accurate documentation - for example a valid NAFTA Certificate of Origin for USA or Mexico origin shipments. - Exporters must promptly provide accurate values, commodity descriptions and tariff classifications in order to properly complete B-13 export declarations in advance of shipping to international points (except non-regulated commodities destined to the USA). - Canadian companies must maintain a system of records that clearly distinguish between products of domestic origin and those of international origin. - In order to help maintain proper records, importers and exporters must ensure that they receive from their brokers and forwarders copies of transaction records - documents like the import B3 Canada Customs Coding Form and the B13A Export Declaration. - Importers and exporters must keep accessible records for the previous six years (paper and/or electronic) of their international transactions in the event of an audit. Please review these Canadian Government website pages for detailed information; AMPS - Overview http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/general/amps/snapshot-e.pdf AMPS - How to Get Ready http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/general/amps/howdoi-e.html AMPS - How to Contact Canada Customs http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/contact/rco-e.html AMPS - How to Read a Penalty Assessment http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/general/amps/question2-e.html AMPS - Master Penalty Document http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/general/amps/mpd-e.pdf CCRA - Customs Self Assessment Program |
