Canada’s main export commodities include aluminium, automobiles,
cereals, agricultural chemicals, crude oil, farm produce, fish, fuel, natural
gas as well as lumber and sawmills products. Imports include in automobiles,
chemical products, computer equipment, construction equipment, consumer goods
and crude oil.
Terms of import vary according to the nature of the product involved and the
standing of the Canadian importer. The majority of importer’s seek credit
of up to 90 days for consumer goods according to the custom of the trade. The
manufacturing activity is concentrated in Ontario and Quebec, including the
entire vehicle production industry. Most imports into Canada are free from
restrictions and the Canadian Customs Tariff regulations prohibit the import of
certain goods and these include oleomargarine, reprints of Canadian copy
righted work and some game birds. The customs tariff is based on the harmonised
system.
The elimination of duties applies only to goods actually produced in Canada,
the United States and Mexico; cross border trade of imported goods from outside
either country are still subject to import duties, and a few protected items
such as sugar, dairy products and textiles also face import duties. NAFTA
preferential tariffs apply only to goods meeting the NAFTA rules of origin.
Many special products are subject to certification and inspection
requirements.
