Proposal to Eliminate Some MFN Duty Rates – Deadline Tuesday

(IE Canada)

The Government of Canada’s Department of Finance has proposed that Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) duty rates on almost 240 items in the machinery and equipment sector be eliminated. In proposing this change, the government’s stated goal is to help Canadian manufacturers remain competitive in the global economy.

The items selected for possible tariff elimination were chosen based on the following criteria: (1) whether the goods covered by these tariff items are used in the production of other goods; (2) whether tariff elimination could reduce the cost of imported machinery and equipment; and (3) whether the proposed tariff eliminations could impact Canadian businesses producing similar or substitutable goods.

The government is soliciting feedback – in writing – on its proposal from interested parties, and the submission deadline is September 30, 2008.