Beef and veal
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/CAN/24
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 13/10/2025
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
Effective 1 January 1995, beef and veal were placed on the Import Control List established under the Export and Import Permits Act; and the existing import control measures for these products provided for under the Meat Import Act were replaced with a tariff rate quota (TRQ).
Effective 21 September 2017, the date of the entry into force of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union, import controls for beef and veal were amended to remove controls for such products originating from an EU country or other CETA beneficiaries.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
In order to implement Canada's WTO commitments, beef and veal were placed on the Import Control List. This action was taken under the authority of Paragraph 5(1)(a) and Section 5.3 of the Export and Import Permits Act.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
An import permit is required for each shipment of these products originating in and imported from all countries except the United States; Mexico; Chile; an EU country or other CETA beneficiary, or a beneficiary of the Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement. A shipment-specific import permit is not required when importing goods using the rules of origin under the CPTPP.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
This licensing system is used to implement TRQs for beef and veal in accordance with Canada's commitments under the WTO.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Import controls and licensing for agricultural products are established/maintained via the Export and Import Permits Act.
Individual products are not designated in the Act.
Products subject to control are identified on the Import Control List, a regulation established under the authority of the Governor-in-Council.
Once an item has been placed on the Import Control List, an import permit, either specific or general, is required by the Act to lawfully import such goods into Canada.
Licensing requirements may be abolished by the Governor-in-Council by removing an item from the Import Control List. Only Parliament can alter or amend the Export and Import Permits Act.
Procedures
Q6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
Information on the TRQ, including related policies and procedures is published on the Global Affairs Canada website.
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
TRQ size is determined on a yearly basis. There is no case where licenses are issued for import on a quarterly basis.
Q6.III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate.)
Allocations and permits are issued to active importers of beef and veal. An allocation not used in one quota year will not be available for carryover to the next quota year. The names of allocation holders are available on our website: https://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/prod/agri/beef-boeuf/index.aspx?lang=eng. If an allocation holder uses less than 90% of its allocation, the allocation in the next year may be reduced by the percentage of the allocation not utilized in the previous year. More information about allocation and administration policies can be found on the Global Affairs Canada website.
Q6.IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Applications for allocations under the TRQ are accepted between 1 October and 15 November each year. Once a party has been issued an allocation, they may apply for permits any time throughout the year until their quota has been exhausted.
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Permit applications input directly into the control system, with no errors, are issued immediately. Applications which require further information, or data entry at Global Affairs Canada are issued within 48 hours. Applications with complex issues may take longer.
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Allocation advances are usually issued two weeks before the opening of the period of importation. Full allocations are issued shortly after the period of importation opens. Permits are only available once the allocation advance has been issued.
Q6.VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Consideration of permits applications is effected by a single administrative organ.
Q6.VIII. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
Allocations are determined based on market If an allocation holder requires additional allocation, they can request this once they have reached 80% utilization of their current allocation. Additional allocation is granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q6.IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Yes.
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
Q7.d. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Permit applications that are complete and meet the general requirements are not normally refused. If eligibility criteria have not been met (e.g., no quota entitlement) or the application contains errors, the applicant will be informed; in such event the applicant may correct the application or request reconsideration, or the applicant may choose to pay the over-access tariff. Import permits are not normally refused if the criteria relating to issuance are met. If a permit is refused, for example, because of incomplete information on the application, the applicant is advised and given the opportunity to correct the anomaly.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
All residents of Canada are eligible to apply for an allocation. In order to qualify for an allocation applicants must have been actively importing or processing beef and veal from eligible non-FTA countries during the 12-month period ending on 30 September immediately preceding the new quota year and permits are only granted to allocation holders.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
The applicant is required to provide the information requested on the application for an import permit, including HS codes and descriptions of the product being imported, where the product is coming from, which port it is being shipped to, and date of arrival. Instructions and the information required to complete an import permit application and the form can be found here.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Import permits and normal customs entry forms are required in addition to health certificates as required by the Canada Food Inspection Agency.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
Any applicant may apply directly to Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa for a permit, for which the associated fee ranges from CAD 15.00 to CAD 31.00, according to the value of the goods. An applicant may also use the services of a customs brokers equipped with authorized computer terminals to apply for a permit. Permit fees range from CAD 10.00 to CAD 26.00, according to the value of the goods. This fee does not cover the cost of any additional services provided by such issuers.
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
No.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
Import permits normally have a validity of 30 days. Requests for extension of the validity period submitted prior to the original expiry date are considered on their merits, e.g., supporting documentation outlining extraordinary circumstances that prevented the importation of goods within the time frame of the permit. If a permit has not been used, the importer may apply for the cancellation.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for non-utilization of import permits that are returned for cancellation.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Permits are not transferable between importers.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
No.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No.