Imported Beef Levy

Previous CSCB messages have advised that Canada Beef will begin to collect a levy on imported beef. Whether or not a levy will apply is based on the tariff classification of the goods and unfortunately beef and bison share the same classification.

The CSCB discussed this issue with Agriculture Canada who advised that they have been in touch with Statistics Canada to request a distinction in the Customs Tariff between beef and bison. As a result, the tariff will be adjusted (9th and 10th digits) so that importers of bison will not be assessed the beef levy fee.

However, the tariff change will not likely take place before the levy begins to be collected. Canada Beef is planning to send an information package to affected importers (according to the current tariff classification, this would be both importers of beef and bison) and Agriculture Canada has indicated they will try to see if the information package can be amended to note the upcoming change in tariff. If the information package cannot be amended, Agriculture Canada will contact all importers of bison to make them aware that once the new tariff items are in effect, they should no longer be seeing invoices from Canada Beef.

Questions can be sent to the CSCB at cscb@cscb.ca.