Canadian Olympic Committee Named Certifier for Sports Imports

Summary#

The Order Amending the List of Tariff Provisions Set Out in the Schedule to the Customs Tariff (Tariff Item No. 9984.00.00) changes who can certify certain duty-free sports imports. It replaces the True Sport Foundation with the Canadian Olympic Committee as the named certifying body for Tariff item No. 9984.00.00. The order came into force on October 11, 2023.

What it does#

• Replaces the reference to the True Sport Foundation with the Canadian Olympic Committee in the description of goods for Tariff item No. 9984.00.00.
• Leaves all other rules of the tariff item unchanged. The goods still must meet international competition standards and be required by an athlete for training or competing at an international-calibre amateur event.
• Keeps certification on a cost-recovery basis (the certifying body charges to cover its costs).
• Notes that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will continue to administer the tariff and will inform importers about the change.

Who's affected#

• Importers who bring in sporting goods that qualify under Tariff item No. 9984.00.00 (equipment used in high-level amateur international competitions).
• Athletes, teams, and organizers who rely on duty-free import of competition or training equipment.
• The certifying organizations: the True Sport Foundation (previous certifier) and the Canadian Olympic Committee (new certifier).
• The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which oversees customs administration and communication with importers.

Why it matters#

• Practically, importers who use this duty-free tariff will now need certification from the Canadian Olympic Committee instead of the True Sport Foundation. That means they may have to send certification requests to a different office or follow a different internal process.
• The government describes this as a technical change with no policy or financial impact. Both organizations agreed the Canadian Olympic Committee is better placed to handle certification.
• If you import qualifying equipment or support athletes who do, check with the Canadian Olympic Committee or the CBSA for updated instructions on how to get the required certification.