Tariff Hearing: Pokémon Trading-Card Tins

Summary#

• The Canadian International Trade Tribunal will hold a public videoconference hearing on October 6, 2020 in an appeal by Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. about how a 3‑pack of Pokémon trading card tins should be classified for customs (tariff items 9504.40.00 versus 9504.90.00).
• The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission published a batch of applications, decisions and deadlines (including an interventions deadline of September 25, 2020 for one application).
• The Public Service Commission gave permission to Lawrence Gregory Dauphinee to be a candidate in the Municipality of Victoria County election on October 17, 2020.

What it does#

• Canadian International Trade Tribunal
  • Schedules a public hearing (by videoconference) to decide whether the Pokémon tins are classified as "playing cards" (tariff item 9504.40.00) or as other gaming/entertainment articles (tariff item 9504.90.00).
  • Invites interested people to register a couple of business days before the hearing.
• Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
  • Posts original decisions, consultation notices and applications on its website and lists shorter notices in the Gazette.
  • Announces specific items from the week of August 21–27, 2020, including an application with an interventions deadline of September 25, 2020.
• Public Service Commission
  • Grants permission for a public servant to be a candidate in a municipal election (permission under the Public Service Employment Act).

Who's affected#

• For the trade hearing:
  • Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd., importers and customs brokers who handle similar packaged trading-card products, and possibly retailers if duties change the cost.
• For the CRTC postings:
  • Broadcasters, radio and TV licensees, applicants and local listeners/viewers where licence changes or decisions are listed.
• For the public service permission:
  • Lawrence Gregory Dauphinee, his employer (Parks Canada) and voters in the Municipality of Victoria County.
• If it is unclear who will be affected by a specific CRTC decision in the Gazette excerpt, the Commission’s online notices typically give the detailed lists and locations.

Why it matters#

• The tariff classification in the Tribunal hearing can change the customs duty or import rules for the Pokémon tins. That can affect import costs and retail prices for similar products.
• The CRTC notices and decisions can affect what radio and TV services are available in specific communities, who can operate them, and the timeline for public comment.
• The Public Service Commission permission shows how federal rules allow some federal employees to run in local elections, which matters to voters and to workplace ethics/availability for that employee.