Valuation

A "value for duty" must be declared for all goods imported to Canada. The value for duty is the base figure on which you calculate the duty you may owe on your goods. Even if you don't owe duty, you still need to identify this base figure to calculate the goods and services tax, provincial sales tax or harmonized sales tax you may owe.

Methods of valuation

Value for duty must be established using one of the six methods of customs valuation identified in sections 48 to 53 of Canada's Customs Act. The requirements of each of these methods are based on the rules in the World Trade Organization's valuation agreement on customs valuation. These rules ensure imported goods are valued in accordance with commercial reality, and they prohibit the use of arbitrary or fictitious customs values. Most of Canada's trading partners also value imported goods with consideration to these rules.

For an introduction to the individual methods of valuation, please refer to the CBSA's Importer's Valuation Guide. It explains each of the six methods and provides templates that you can use to calculate the value for duty.

Reference

For more information on valuation legislation, policy and procedures, please refer to the customs administrative guidelines, known as the D13 series of memoranda, or visit your local CBSA office.

Customs notices are issued periodically to clarify importer obligations or to introduce amendments to program requirements or procedures. You can refer to the CBSA's Web site for a list of customs notices or contact your regional CBSA client services office for more information. At this time, there are no customs notices on specific valuation policies or procedures.