--- title: "Global Affairs Canada: import programs · Adhoc" description: "Steel, aluminum, farm goods under quota and electric vehicles made in China are on Canada's Import Control List and need a permit on every line of the declaration. Clothing and textiles need one only to get a trade agreement's lower rate for goods that don't meet its usual rules of origin, up to a yearly limit." canonical: "https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/global-affairs-canada" last_updated: 2026-11-11 --- # Global Affairs Canada import permits and quotas Government agency · Import controls Steel, aluminum, farm goods under quota and electric vehicles made in China are on Canada's Import Control List and need a permit on every line of the declaration. Clothing and textiles need one only to get a trade agreement's lower rate for goods that don't meet its usual rules of origin, up to a yearly limit. ## To import goods Global Affairs Canada controls ### Once, before your first shipment - **If GAC must issue you a permit for a shipment: get an EIPA number.** GAC's importer number for permits. One form, sent once. ### On every shipment - **A permit on every line of controlled goods.** A general import permit number, or a permit GAC issued for that shipment. Clothing and textiles need one only for a trade agreement's lower rate on goods that don't meet its usual rules of origin. ### Every year - **Dairy, poultry and eggs: apply for the year's quota allocations.** Only Canadian residents hold allocations, and permits within the quota draw on them. A few quotas, such as margarine, are first come, first served and need none. Without a permit, the goods enter under General Import Permit 100, at the higher duty. ## What each program asks for - **Steel: [General Import Permit 80 or 81.](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/global-affairs-canada/steel)** On every line, with the country where the steel was melted and poured. Goods under the steel quota need a quota permit to avoid a 50% surtax. - **Aluminum: [General Import Permit 83.](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/global-affairs-canada/aluminum)** On every line. Since 1 October 2026, also the countries of smelt and cast, unless the aluminum goods are worth $5,000 or less for duty. - **Farm goods: [A permit that depends on the quota.](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/global-affairs-canada/farm-goods)** Within the quota: a permit for that shipment (dairy, poultry, eggs, and beef from countries without a trade agreement that covers it) or General Import Permit 20 (wheat, barley). Over the quota: General Import Permit 100, at the over-access rate unless a preferential rate removes it. - **Electric vehicles from China: [A permit for every commercial shipment.](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/global-affairs-canada/electric-vehicles-from-china)** Within the quota. Apply up to 30 days ahead; the permit is valid for up to 60 days. - **Clothing and textiles: [A permit only to claim a lower rate.](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/global-affairs-canada/clothing-and-textiles)** Needed when goods that don't meet a trade agreement's usual rules of origin claim its lower rate, up to a yearly limit: a tariff preference level under CUSMA and some other agreements, or an origin quota under CETA and the Canada–UK agreement. ## Documents you may need Each goes on the declaration by its number. | Document | When you need it | Status | | --- | --- | --- | | General Import Permit 80, 81 or 83, Published by GAC; no application | Steel (80 carbon, 81 specialty) and aluminum (83), every line | Every line | | General Import Permit 20 or 100, Published by GAC; no application | Wheat and barley within the quota (20); farm goods over the quota (100) | If it applies | | Shipment-specific permit, Issued by GAC for one shipment | Farm goods within the quota, electric vehicles from China, textiles claiming a tariff preference level or an origin quota | If it applies | ## What stops goods at the border - **Goods that need a permit GAC issues arrive without one**: Except farm goods, steel and textiles: farm goods enter under General Import Permit 100 at the over-access rate unless a preferential rate removes it, steel under General Import Permit 80 or 81 with the surtax, and textiles without the lower duty rate. For everything else, GAC normally doesn't issue a permit after the goods arrive, and importing without one is an offence. Get the permit before the goods ship. - **Electric vehicles made in China arrive without GAC's permit**: Commercial imports without the permit are prohibited. Permits are issued first come, first served until the period's quota is used: 24,500 vehicles, plus any left from the first period, to 28 February 2027. **Farm goods and steel under a quota still enter without a quota permit.** Farm goods come in under General Import Permit 100 and pay the over-access duty, unless a preferential rate removes it; steel comes in under General Import Permit 80 or 81 and pays the 50% surtax. ## Other goods GAC controls These are on the Import Control List too and need a GAC import permit. They have no page here. | Also check | Who | Where it applies | | --- | --- | --- | | A GAC import permit | Global Affairs Canada | Small arms, large-calibre weapons, tanks, bombs and missiles, and their ammunition | | A GAC import permit | Global Affairs Canada | Prohibited firearms and prohibited devices, as the Criminal Code defines them | | A GAC import permit, or General Import Permit 108 for Canadian residents | Global Affairs Canada | Toxic chemicals and their precursors on Schedules 1, 2 and 3 of the Chemical Weapons Convention, and mixtures containing them. Schedule 2 and 3 chemicals in consumer goods packaged for retail sale for personal use are exempt. | ## Recent changes - Oct 1, 2026 Aluminum: countries of smelt and cast required, Notice to importers 1170 - Sep 1, 2026 Electric vehicles from China: quota period two opens, Notice to importers 1168 - Jul 3, 2026 Beef and veal: a UK-only quota under CPTPP from 1 September, Notice to importers 1164 - Jun 28, 2026 Steel: quarterly quotas for year two, Notice to importers 1163 Other government agencies: [Canadian Food Inspection Agency](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/canadian-food-inspection-agency) · [Health Canada](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/health-canada) · [Environment and Climate Change Canada](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/environment-and-climate-change-canada) · [Transport Canada](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/transport-canada) · [Natural Resources Canada](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/natural-resources-canada) · [Fisheries and Oceans Canada](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/fisheries-and-oceans-canada) · [Public Health Agency of Canada](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/public-health-agency-of-canada) ## Questions ### Do I apply for a General Import Permit? No. GAC publishes general permits; you put the permit's number on each line. Goods a general permit doesn't cover need a permit for that shipment, applied for in advance. ### Can a permit be issued after the goods arrive? Normally not. Importing controlled goods without a permit is an offence, so apply before the goods ship. A steel quota permit is the exception: GAC can still issue it after the goods were accounted for, while quota remains, and you can then ask CBSA to refund the surtax. ### Does a permit replace a surtax? For steel under a quota, yes: a valid quota permit for the shipment keeps the 50% surtax off; without one the surtax applies. No permit removes other surtaxes, such as the 25% surtax on steel melted and poured in China. ## Sources - [Import permits](https://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/about-a_propos/impor/permits-licences.aspx?lang=eng), Global Affairs Canada, modified 2025-12-04 - [Import Control List, C.R.C., c. 604](https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/c.r.c.,_c._604/index.html), Justice Laws, current to 2026-10-19 - [Notice to importers 1133: steel general import permits No. 80 and No. 81](https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/controls-controles/notices-avis/1133.aspx?lang=eng), Global Affairs Canada, modified 2025-01-23 - [Notice to importers 1163: item 82, steel goods](https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/controls-controles/notices-avis/1163.aspx?lang=eng), Global Affairs Canada, modified 2026-06-25 - [Notice to importers 1164: CPTPP beef and veal](https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/controls-controles/notices-avis/1164.aspx?lang=eng), Global Affairs Canada, modified 2026-07-03 - [Notice to importers 1168: electric vehicles from the People's Republic of China](https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/controls-controles/notices-avis/1168.aspx?lang=eng), Global Affairs Canada, modified 2026-08-28 - [Notice to importers 1170: general import permit No. 83, aluminum products](https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/controls-controles/notices-avis/1170.aspx?lang=eng), Global Affairs Canada, modified 2026-09-14 - [Memorandum D19-10-2: Administration of the Export and Import Permits Act (importations)](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d19/d19-10-2-eng.html), CBSA, modified 2026-10-22 - [Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document, chapter 23: Integrated Import Declaration](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/eservices/eccrd-eng.html), CBSA, modified 2026-08-25 - [Export and import permits and certificates fees](https://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/notices_avis/exp/list_liste/fees-droits.aspx?lang=eng), Global Affairs Canada, modified 2014-02-06 - [Customs Tariff 2026, chapter 10: cereals](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2026/html/00/ch10-eng.html), CBSA, modified 2026-01-01 - [Customs Tariff 2026, chapter 11: products of the milling industry](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2026/html/00/ch11-eng.html), CBSA, modified 2026-01-01 - [Customs Tariff 2026, chapter 2: meat and edible meat offal](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2026/html/00/ch02-eng.html), CBSA, modified 2026-01-01 - [General information on the administration of TRQs for supply-managed products](https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/controls-controles/notices-avis/trq_info_ct.aspx?lang=eng), Global Affairs Canada, modified 2026-07-30 - [Notice to importers 1000: tariff preference level imports of apparel, fabrics, made-up goods and yarn from the US and Mexico under CUSMA](https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/controls-controles/notices-avis/1000.aspx?lang=eng), Global Affairs Canada, modified 2026-06-12 - [Notice to importers 1069: textiles and apparel from the European Union under CETA](https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/controls-controles/notices-avis/1069.aspx?lang=eng), Global Affairs Canada, modified 2022-02-16 - [Customs Notice 25-24: Order Imposing a Surtax on the Importation of Certain Steel Goods](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn25-24-eng.html), CBSA, modified 2026-06-27 - [Memorandum D11-4-22: Tariff preference levels](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d11/d11-4-22-eng.html), CBSA, modified 2023-02-14 - [Customs Notice 26-05: Permit requirement to import Chinese-made electric vehicles to Canada](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn26-05-eng.html), CBSA, modified 2026-05-14 - [General Import Permit No. 108: CWC toxic chemicals and precursors, SOR/98-266](https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-98-266/index.html), Justice Laws, current to 2026-10-19 - [Message to industry: new notice to importers for CPTPP beef and veal](https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/controls-controles/messages/2026-07-02-message_industry-industrie.aspx?lang=eng), Global Affairs Canada, modified 2026-07-14 - [Customs Notice 25-28: Steel Goods and Aluminum Goods Surtax Order](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn25-28-eng.html), CBSA, modified 2025-11-07 Reviewed November 10, 2026. Adhoc is not affiliated with Global Affairs Canada or CBSA.