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January 2010
Media Coming to Canada for the 2010 Winter Games
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A simple process exists for broadcasters and media crew bringing commercial camera and media equipment into Canada for use during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is working closely with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), 2010 corporate sponsors and other importers of Olympic Games goods to ensure that goods, like camera equipment intended for capturing the 2010 Winter Games, will be processed expeditiously when they arrive in Canada.
To facilitate this process the CBSA established the 2010 Import Logistics Field Team to provide guidance and awareness to 2010 Winter Games stakeholders about the CBSA's visitor and goods admissibility requirements. The Import Logistics Field Team serves as a single-window information service for stakeholders, providing them with up-to-date, accurate information regarding commercial import and export procedures for the 2010 Winter Games.
Documentation
The CBSA requires proper identification for admissibility into Canada. Citizens of the United States do not need a passport to enter Canada. However, they should carry proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, as well as photo identification. Permanent residents of the United States are required to present a Permanent Resident Card (i.e., green card) when entering Canada. Foreign nationals from other countries entering Canada are required to present a passport and a valid visa if one is required.
In addition to personal identification, media coming to Canada for the 2010 Winter Games will require proof that they are part of a media crew whether accredited or not, however a work permit is not required.
All media and camera equipment must be declared at point of arrival as they are deemed to be commercial goods. The border services officer must be satisfied that the equipment will stay with the non-resident importer and will be exported from Canada at the end of the Games. The equipment qualifies for duty- and tax-free importation as long as the equipment is not leased, rented or sold while in Canada.
To be fully prepared, the media company's head office should draft a letter on their official letterhead that identifies those personnel coming into Canada for the Games and generate a separate list of the equipment they are bringing with them. The equipment should be listed on the media company's own inventory control document (in English language) that identifies the goods by their full description, origin and value.
To ensure this same media equipment coming into Canada for the 2010 Winter Games has no difficulties returning to the United States, it is advisable that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security be contacted as to their export requirements for goods valued over $2000.00 leaving the United States.
Additional information:
For additional information, please contact:
The CBSA 2010 Import Logistics Field Team
Telephone: 604-666-4504
E-mail: CBSA2010FieldOperations.PAC-Vancouver-333Dunsmuir@cra-arc.gc.ca
