Implementation of the Canada–Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA)
Customs Notice 14-030

Ottawa, December 5, 2014

Implementation

1. This customs notice is to inform you that the Canada–Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) will be implemented on January 1, 2015. With the exception of a few agricultural goods, the CKFTA will essentially eliminate the customs duties on all imports from Korea, either immediately upon implementation of the agreement, or through a tariff phase-out.
2. Information regarding the CKFTA and the text of the agreement can be found on the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada Web site.
3. The CKFTA implementing legislation, Bill C-41, received Royal Assent on November 26, 2014, and is scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2015.
4. Proposed regulatory amendments and a new regulation under the Customs Act related to the CKFTA will be announced in a separate customs notice at a later date.

Tariff Provisions

5. Pursuant to the CKFTA, a new preferential tariff treatment is being introduced, namely the Korea Tariff. The newly assigned tariff treatment code is: Korea Tariff (KRT) – Code 30.
6. Entitlement to the Korea Tariff treatment is determined in accordance with the rules of origin set out in Chapter Three of the CKFTA.

Proof of Origin

7. The required proof of origin is the Canada–Korea Certificate of Origin, available in English, French and Korean. In order to claim the preferential tariff treatment accorded under the CKFTA, importers must have in their possession the Canada–Korea Certificate of Origin completed by the exporter in Korea.
8. The Canada–Korea Certificate of Origin and the instructions for completing it will be made available prior to January 1, 2015, in English, French and Korean.

Shipping Requirements

9. Goods may be shipped from Korea, with or without transshipment, to Canada.
10. The transshipment conditions are contained in Article 3.16 of Chapter Three of the CKFTA.

Refunds

11. An application for a refund under paragraph 74(1)(c.11) of the Customs Act may be made within four years from the date the goods were accounted for under subsections 32(1), (3), or (5), in respect of goods that were imported on or after January 1, 2015.

Updates

12. This customs notice is intended as an overview only, highlighting the future changes to the Customs Tariff and the Customs Act and summarizing the requirements to take advantage of the CKFTA preferential rates of duty. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the CKFTA, it is advised that importers review the agreement in its entirety and consult Bill C-41 prior to importing goods that may benefit from this agreement.

Additional Information

13. For more information, within Canada call the Border Information Service at 1-800-461-9999. From outside Canada call 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064. Long distance charges will apply. Agents are available Monday to Friday (08:00 – 16:00 local time / except holidays). TTY is also available within Canada: 1-866-335-3237.

Date modified: