Fees for Dangerous-Goods Container Registrations

Summary#

This is a notice about the Order Fixing Fees for Registrations Related to Dangerous Goods Means of Containment. It would make people and companies that register with Transport Canada to design, make, inspect, repair or requalify containers for dangerous goods pay fees for initial registration and for renewals. The government estimates it would recover about $3.01 million from users over 2024–2033.

What it does#

• Creates fees for three groups that must register with Transport Canada under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992:
  • Operators of container facilities (design, manufacture, repair, requalification).
  • Service providers (inspectors, trainers, validators).
  • Design engineers (who design standardized containers).
• Charges apply only for:
  • Initial registration.
  • Renewal of a certificate (most renewals happen every five years).
  • No fee for routine administrative changes or amendments to an existing registration.
• Final (full) fees (per application or renewal):
  • Operators and service providers: $1,700.
  • Design engineers: $808.
• Fees are phased in over five years. For operators/service providers the phased fees are:
  • Until March 31, 2025: $1,020 (60%).
  • April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026: $1,190 (70%).
  • April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027: $1,360 (80%).
  • April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2028: $1,530 (90%).
  • From April 1, 2028 onward: $1,700 (100%).
• Phased fees for design engineers:
  • Until March 31, 2025: $485.
  • April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026: $565.
  • April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027: $646.
  • April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2028: $727.
  • From April 1, 2028 onward: $808.
• Fees are payable at the time of application, even if a certificate is not issued. The fee is non‑refundable.
• Foreign facility inspections: travel and related costs (transportation, lodging, meals, incidental expenses) would continue to be recovered from the operator.
• Service and delivery changes:
  • A new online application system is planned.
  • A service standard would require action within 45 business days.
  • A remission rule would return 25% of the fee if the service standard is missed by 25% (i.e. 12 days or more).

Who's affected#

• Directly affected:
  • Operators of container facilities who design, manufacture, repair or requalify means of containment.
  • Service providers who inspect containers or provide related training.
  • Design engineers who design standardized means of containment.
• Numbers and scale:
  • About 1,670 active domestic certificates and 215 foreign certificates (total 1,885 active certificates before the new fees).
  • Transport Canada estimates 80% of domestic affected entities are small businesses.
• Estimated money impacts:
  • Total fees payable by stakeholders estimated at $3.01 million (present value) between 2024 and 2033.
  • Domestic share about $2.66 million; foreign share about $0.35 million.
  • Estimated cost to small businesses about $2.13 million over the same period.
• Possible knock-on effects:
  • Some small or low-volume providers — especially in rural areas — might stop offering MOC services, which could make inspections or requalification less convenient or more expensive for local businesses.

Why it matters#

• Cost shift: The order moves part of the cost of running the registration program from taxpayers to the businesses that use the service. Transport Canada says the fees would recover about 17% of program costs.
• Predictability and service: Users would get an online system, clearer timelines and a service standard of 45 business days, which aims to make application processing more predictable.
• Practical effects for businesses:
  • Fees are due before processing, and they are non‑refundable if the application is refused.
  • A phased rollout eases the immediate cash burden.
  • If Transport Canada misses its service standard by 12 days or more, applicants get 25% of the fee back.
• Timing: The order would take effect on the 180th day after publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
• Public safety context: These registrations relate to the containers used to move dangerous goods. Keeping companies registered and inspected is intended to help ensure safer transport of hazardous materials.