Vol. 148, No. 6 — March 12, 2014

Registration

SOR/2014-40 February 28, 2014

CUSTOMS ACT

Regulations Amending the Tariff Classification Advance Rulings Regulations (Miscellaneous Program)

P.C. 2014-170 February 28, 2014

His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, pursuant to section 43.1 (see footnote a) of the Customs Act (see footnote b), makes the annexed Regulations Amending the Tariff Classification Advance Rulings Regulations (Miscellaneous Program).

REGULATIONS AMENDING THE TARIFF CLASSIFICATION ADVANCE RULINGS REGULATIONS (MISCELLANEOUS PROGRAM)

AMENDMENTS

1. Paragraph 10(a) of the Tariff Classification Advance Rulings Regulations (see footnote 1) is replaced by the following:

2. Paragraph 12(c) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

3. Subsection 13(1) of the French version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Marchandises visées

13. (1) Sous réserve du paragraphe (2), la modification ou l’annulation d’une décision anticipée s’applique aux marchandises qui font l’objet de la décision et qui sont importées à compter de la date de la prise d’effet de la modification ou de l’annulation.

COMING INTO FORCE

4. These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Regulations.)

Issues

The Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (REGS) has identified discrepancies in the Tariff Classification Advance Rulings Regulations (Regulations) and requested three modifications to the Regulations. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) agrees with the REGS’ position and is ready to proceed with the requested amendments.

Background

On April 4, 2013, the REGS wrote to the CBSA to identify minor issues with the Regulations. The REGS noted that there were discrepancies between the French and the English text of certain sections of the Regulations.

The objective of these Regulations is to assist the importing community to determine the proper tariff classification of goods. The Regulations assist the CBSA in providing a more effective and efficient service to the importers of goods into Canada. The purpose of advance rulings is to provide certainty, regarding tariff classification, to importers, exporters, producers or persons authorized to account for goods, in advance of goods being imported.

The ruling is binding until it is revoked or amended. The Regulations allow for modification or revocation of an advance ruling when necessary, and the postponement of the effective date of the ruling in certain circumstances.

The REGS reviews matters of legality and procedural aspects of federal regulations as set out in section 19 of the Statutory Instruments Act.

Every statutory instrument issued, made or established after December 31, 1971, other than an instrument the inspection of which and the obtaining of copies of which are precluded by any regulations made pursuant to paragraph 20(d), shall stand permanently referred to any Committee of the House of Commons, of the Senate or of both Houses of Parliament that may be established for the purpose of reviewing and scrutinizing statutory instruments.

This regulatory proposal responds to the issues raised by the REGS and represents amendments of an administrative and non-substantive nature.

Objectives

The main objectives of this proposal are to address the issues raised by the REGS to ensure that the English and French texts of the Regulations are consistent.

Description

The proposed amendments will ensure consistency between the French and the English text, as follows:

Changes to paragraph 10(a)

Existing text:

English

10. An advance ruling shall remain in effect and shall bind the Minister if:

French

10. La décision anticipée demeure en vigueur et lie le ministre tant que :

Proposed amendments:

English text

10. An advance ruling shall remain in effect and shall bind the Minister if:

French text

10. La décision anticipée demeure en vigueur et lie le ministre tant que :

Changes to paragraph 12(c)

Existing text:

English

12. An officer may modify or revoke an advance ruling given in respect of goods

French

12. L’agent peut modifier ou annuler la décision anticipée dans les cas suivants :

Proposed amendments:

English text

12. An officer may modify or revoke an advance ruling given in respect of goods

French text

12. L’agent peut modifier ou annuler la décision anticipée dans les cas suivants :

Changes to subsection 13(1)

Existing text:

English

13. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a modification or revocation of an advance ruling applies to goods that are the subject of the advance ruling and are imported on or after the effective date of the modification or revocation.

French

13. (1) Sous réserve du paragraphe (2), la modification ou l’annulation d’une décision anticipée s’applique aux marchandises qui font l’objet de la décision et qui sont importées à compter de la date de sa prise d’effet.

Proposed amendments:

English text

English text will remain unchanged.

French text

13. (1) Sous réserve du paragraphe (2), la modification ou l’annulation d’une décision anticipée s’applique aux marchandises qui font l’objet de la décision et qui sont importées à compter de la date de la prise d’effet de la modification ou de l’annulation.

“One-for-One” Rule

The “One-for-One” Rule does not apply to this proposal, as there is no change in administrative costs to business.

Small business lens

The small business lens does not apply to this proposal, as there are no costs on small businesses.

Consultation

Since the proposed changes are administrative and do not modify the function or substance of the Regulations, external consultations were not required. The CBSA has consulted internally.

There will be no additional costs to the CBSA or stakeholders as a result of these administrative amendments.

Rationale

In its review of the Tariff Classification Advance Rulings Regulations, the REGS identified differences between the French and English sections of the Regulations, which were ambiguous and unclear. The CBSA has amended these Regulations in order to alleviate the concerns of the REGS and to ensure clarity in the interpretation of the Regulations.

Contact

Grant Tebbutt
Manager
Tariff Policy Unit
150 Isabella Street, 8th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0L8
Telephone: 613-952-3655