CBSA Verification Priorities January Update
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) targets specific industries and products for extra attention at the border to ensure importers are compliant with requirements for tariff classification, product valuation and country of origin.
Are your goods on the list?
CBSA’s list of targeted verification priorities is updated on an ongoing basis. The current list, published January 2025, is now available on the CBSA website.
It contains nine types of goods targeted to ensure correct tariff classification, and one type (apparel) that's identified for valuation. Bedding and drapery are targeted for origin verifications at this time.
New compliance priorities announced include:
- Verifications on the classification of frozen desserts containing 5% of dairy products
- Third round of verifications on gloves classified under headings 39.26 and 42.03
- GST and excise duties and taxes, including GST exemption codes and vaping products
- Import origin verifications under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (CUKTCA)
- Under the duties relief program (DRP), verifications of licensees importing supply managed goods
- Goods originating from Russia and Belarus, such as fertilizer, petroleum, non-ferrous metals, tires, and iron or steel
- Electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum, according to the China Surtax Order (2024)
Items on the verification priorities list are:
- Bags (Verification priority released in July 2023, results available)
- Bicycle parts (Verification priority released in June 2021, results available)
- Disposable and protective gloves (Verification priority released in November 2022, results available)
- Freezers and other freezing equipment (Verification priority released in May 2023, results available)
- Furniture for non-domestic purposes (Verification priority released in April 2022, results available)
- Gloves (Verification priority released in May 2024, results not available)
- LED lamps (Verification priority released in October 2022, results available)
- Spent fowl (Verification priority released in September 2023, results available)
- Washers and dryers (Verification priority released in May 2023, results available)
Please review the 2025 Verification Priorities list carefully to see if your goods are on it.
If you’re importing any of the targeted items, pay extra attention to your import practices and customs paperwork. Any errors or inconsistencies can result in extra duty and penalties, disruptions to your supply chain, border delays and loss of good importer status with the CBSA.
If it’s time to tighten up your systems for better customs compliance, connect with our experienced team of professionals today.
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