Memorandum D11-4-25

Commonwealth Developing Countries Orders in Council

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Last modified: 1999-05-10

Summary

Effective January 1, 1998, the British Preferential Tariff (BPT) treatment was revoked. The Uruguay Round Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariff rate reductions have eliminated the margins of preference for most BPT tariff items of key trade importance with the exception of 171 tariff lines. These tariff lines will continue to receive tariff preferences equivalent to the former BPT rates by way of Orders in Council (OIC). These Orders are: OIC P.C. 1997-2001, Remission Order Respecting Imports of Goods Originating in Commonwealth Developing Countries, OIC P.C. 1997-2002, Order Respecting the Remission of a Portion of the Customs Duties and Excise Taxes on Imports of Certain Woollen Fabrics, and OIC P.C. 1997-2003, Regulations Respecting the Customs Duty Payable on Woollen Fabrics Originating in Commonwealth Countries.

Furthermore, the BPT was Canada’s only preferential tariff that required direct shipment without transhipment (with certain limited exceptions). The Orders also maintained the restrictive shipping requirements that existed under the former BPT. Effective June 4, 1998, these Orders have been amended to permit direct shipment with transhipment in accordance with sections 17 and 18 of the Customs Tariff.

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