Appeals/Reviews
Requesting a Review
Requesting a third-party review
Requesting an extension of time review
Related Information
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Overview
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) administers and enforces more than 90 laws governing travel, trade and international conventions. At 1,200 service points in Canada and 39 locations abroad, CBSA personnel ensure that the nearly 100 million people — as well as some 14 million commercial shipments — entering our country annually meet the requirements of these laws.
With this volume of activity, it is not unexpected that some people may not agree with a decision taken by Agency personnel. For example, last year, there were some 3,500 such requests for a review of an enforcement action or trade decision.
To expedite the initiation of your appeal, we encourage you to submit your request using the Online Appeal Form and complete each field accordingly!
Processing times
The current estimated processing time in calendar days.
Last updated: 2019-12-31
Last updated: 2019-12-31
What if I disagree with the CBSA decision
If you — as an individual or business — disagree with a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) enforcement action or trade decision, you may want it reviewed. You have that right, the First Steps including various forms and letters will guide you through the process.
Connecting with the CBSA
Whether providing feedback or requesting a review, you can now do it online.
- The Feedback Form provides you with the opportunity to make a compliment, comment or complaint to the CBSA and its employees.
- The E-Appeals form allows you to ask for a review of an enforcement action online.
Where else can I find information
If the CBSA did not take any formal action, you still may have some border services questions you would like answered — or matters on which you wish to provide feedback to the CBSA.
You can begin your search for clarification of your questions by making use of the various resources on the CBSA Web site that provide information for travellers and traders alike.
These include:
- About the CBSA
- Serving our clients
- I declare: A guide for residents of Canada returning to Canada
- A-Z Index
- General Enquiries
Service Standards
Fiscal year April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019
Enforcement, Trusted Traveller and Trade Appeals
Service Standard 1: Enforcement and Trusted Traveller Appeals - Acknowledgement Letter
Service Description: Initial contact with a person requesting a review of an enforcement action and/or a trusted traveller membership decision.
Service Standard: The CBSA will aim to acknowledge receipt of a new request for review of an enforcement action and/or trusted traveller membership decision within 10 calendar days.
Performance Target: 85%
Performance Result: The CBSA acknowledged 3,300 enforcement and Trusted Traveller appeals and met the service standard 90% of the time.
Service Standard 2: Enforcement and Trusted Traveller Appeals - Decision
Service Description: Issue the ministerial decision with respect to an appeal of an enforcement action and/or a trusted traveller membership decision.
Service Standard: It is intended the ministerial decision will be issued no later than 180 calendar days from the date the request for review is received.
Performance Target: 80%
Performance Result: The CBSA reviewed 3,312 Enforcement and Trusted Traveller appeals and met the service standard 75% of the time.
Service Standard 3: Trade Appeals - Acknowledgement Letter
Service Description: Initial contact with a person requesting review of a trade decision.
Service Standard: The CBSA will aim to acknowledge receipt of a new request for review of a trade decision within 10 calendar days.
Performance Target: 85%
Performance Result: The CBSA acknowledged 591 trade appeals and met the service standard 81% of the time.
Service Standard 4: Trade Appeals - Decisions concerning the Tariff Classification of Goods
Service Description: Issue the decision of the CBSA President with respect to an appeal of a trade decision concerning the tariff classification of goods.
Service Standard: It is intended that the decision of the CBSA President will be issued no later than 365 calendar days from the date the request for review is received. Please note that this service standard does not apply to appeals that are or were held in abeyance.
Performance Target: 85%
Performance Result: The CBSA rendered 184 decisions concerning the Tariff Classification of Goods and met the service standard 79% of the time.
Service Standard 5: Trade Appeals - Decisions concerning the Value for Duty of Goods
Service Description: Issue the decision of the CBSA President with respect to an appeal of a trade decision concerning the value for duty of goods.
Service Standard: It is intended that the decision of the CBSA President will be issued no later than 365 calendar days from the date the request for review is received. Please note that this service standard does not apply to appeals that are or were held in abeyance.
Performance Target: 85%
Performance Result: The CBSA rendered 5 decisions concerning the Value for Duty of Goods and met the service standard 20% of the time.
Service Standard 6: Trade Appeals - Decisions concerning the Origin of Goods
Service Description: Issue the decision of the CBSA President with respect to an appeal of a trade decision concerning the origin of goods.
Service Standard: It is intended that the decision of the CBSA President will be issued no later than 180 calendar days from the date the request for review is received. Please note that this service standard will not apply to appeals that are or were held in abeyance.
Performance Target: 85%
Performance Result: The CBSA rendered 6 decisions concerning the Origin of Goods and met the service standard 33% of the time.
Service Standard 7: Trade Appeals - Decisions concerning Casual Refunds
Service Description: Issue the decision of the CBSA President with respect to an appeal of a casual refund decision.
Service Standard: It is intended that the decision of the CBSA President will be issued no later than 180 calendar days from the date the request for review is received. Please note that this service standard does not apply to appeals that are or were held in abeyance.
Performance Target: 85%
Performance Result: The CBSA rendered 38 decisions concerning Casual Refunds and met the service standard 89% of the time.
Service Standard 8: Trade Appeals - Decisions concerning the Tariff Classification of Prohibited Weapons
Service Description: Issue the decision of the CBSA President with respect to an appeal of a trade decision concerning the tariff classification of a prohibited weapon.
Service Standard: It is intended that the decision of the CBSA President will be issued no later than 90 calendar days from the date the request for review is received. Please note that this service standard does not apply for appeals that are or were held in abeyance.
Performance Target: 85%
Performance Result: The CBSA rendered 116 decisions concerning the Tariff Classification of Prohibited Weapons and met the service standard 90% of the time.
Service Standard 9: Decisions concerning Requests for an Extension of Time to File a Trade Appeal
Service Description: Issue the decision of the CBSA President with respect to a request for an extension of time to file a trade appeal.
Service Standard: It is intended that the decision of the CBSA President will be issued no later than 90 calendar days form the date the request for an extension of time is received. Please note that this service standard does not apply for request that are or were held in abeyance.
Performance Target: 85%
Performance Result: The CBSA rendered 9 decisions concerning Requests for an Extension of Time to File a Trade Appeal and met the service standard 78% of the time.
For more information on all service standards and performance results for previous years, consult the CBSA Service Standards.
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