Global Affairs Canada · Import Control List
Clothing and textiles under tariff preference levels and origin quotas
Clothing and textiles that don't meet a trade agreement's usual rules of origin can still get its lower rate, up to a yearly limit: a tariff preference level under CUSMA (and Canada's agreements with Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras), or an origin quota under CETA and the Canada–UK agreement. Each shipment needs a GAC permit; under CUSMA and CETA, permits are issued first come, first served until the limit is used. Goods that meet the usual rules of origin need no permit.
To claim the lower rate on clothing and textiles
Once, before your first shipment
- Get an EIPA number. GAC's importer number for permits. One form, sent once.
On every shipment
- A permit for that shipment. Only to claim a trade agreement's rate for goods that don't meet its usual rules of origin. Any Canadian resident can apply.
- From the EU: the exporter's origin declaration. For goods claiming the CETA origin quota. It must refer to Annex 5-A, on the commercial invoice or another commercial document, or the goods don't count against the quota.
- From Mexico, under the tariff preference level: a certificate of eligibility. Issued by the Government of Mexico. GAC needs its number with the permit application.
- Under a tariff preference level: the exporter's certification of non-originating textile goods. It must be in your possession when the goods are released.
Documents you may need
| Document | When you need it | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Shipment-specific permitIssued by GAC for one shipment | Goods that don't meet the agreement's usual rules of origin, claiming its rate under a tariff preference level or an origin quota | If it applies |
| Certificate of eligibilityIssued by the Government of Mexico | Goods from Mexico claiming the CUSMA rate under the tariff preference level | If it applies |
| Exporter's certification of non-originating textile goodsFrom the exporter | Goods claiming a tariff preference level; in your possession at release | If it applies |
What stops goods at the border
| Stops it when | What to know |
|---|---|
| Claiming the agreement's rate with a permit that doesn't match the shipment | If the permit isn't valid yet or has expired, or the importer, goods, quantity or country of origin differ from it, CBSA holds the goods and won't release them. |
Without a permit, the goods still enter. They pay the regular rate, not the agreement's. Under CUSMA and CETA, GAC issues permits first come, first served until the yearly limit is used.
Questions
Do I need a permit to import clothing?
Only to claim a trade agreement's lower rate for goods that don't meet its usual rules of origin, up to a yearly limit. Goods that meet the rules of origin need no permit, and goods without one still enter at the regular rate.
Sources: CBSA, Global Affairs Canada, Justice Laws
- Memorandum D19-10-2: Administration of the Export and Import Permits Act (importations), CBSA, modified 2026-10-22
- Memorandum D11-4-22: Tariff preference levels, CBSA, modified 2023-02-14
- Notice to importers 1000: tariff preference level imports of apparel, fabrics, made-up goods and yarn from the US and Mexico under CUSMA, Global Affairs Canada, modified 2026-06-12
- Notice to importers 1069: textiles and apparel from the European Union under CETA, Global Affairs Canada, modified 2022-02-16
- Import Control List, C.R.C., c. 604, Justice Laws, current to 2026-10-19
- Import permits, Global Affairs Canada, modified 2025-12-04
Reviewed November 10, 2026.
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