Applying for tariff exemptions

The process re. Canadian tariffs on raw materials includes 2 slightly different requests:

1. Canadian companies may request that the government not impose 25% tariffs on your raw materials (a request for exemption)
2. Companies will be able to request a refund of duties if they are imposed on or after April 2, 2025 (request for duty remission)

We recommend companies focus on request 1.  At least until April 2, 2025.

It is better for you if these fabrics are taken off the tariff retaliation list NOW, as opposed to requesting duty remission later.

It is also clear that the Department of Finance wants to have people use their online form for tariff exemption requests:

EN

https://forms-formulaires.alpha.canada.ca/en/id/cm7upmkx9008rx268zhy9l6pj

FR

https://forms-formulaires.alpha.canada.ca/fr/id/cm7upmkx9008rx268zhy9l6pj

Some of the questions are somewhat awkward, but wherever possible applicants should stress that you support the tariff response of the Canadian government but request an exemption for your raw materials.

There is a high bar: the Canadian government will grant exemptions in very limited circumstances.  Applicants should stress that:

1. The products (your raw materials) are not available from Canadian suppliers
2. The products meet detailed specifications and performance standards (or other considerations that require you to use the US inputs)
3. And tariffs would hurt your employment and your customers.

Before you start the form, make sure that you have all of the HS #s to eight digits available. 

The form allows you to enter each of your tariff numbers separately.

Some people are emailing written comments to the Department of Finance. This just causes more work at this stage.

Contact at CAF:

Bob Kirke, Executive Director, bkirke@apparel.ca