Aluminum Import Smelt and Cast Reporting

Summary#

The Order Amending the General Import Permit No. 83 — Aluminum Products requires importers to report where imported aluminum was smelted and most recently cast when they clear goods. The change takes effect on October 1, 2026 and will be collected by the Canada Border Services Agency as part of import declarations.

What it does#

• Adds clear definitions for:
  • country of largest smelt,
  • country of second-largest smelt, and
  • country of most recent cast.
• Requires importers to include the statement “GIP83” or “LGI83” on customs accounting documents when applicable.
• Requires importers to provide, when asked by the department, documents showing:
  • country of origin,
  • whether the aluminum is primary or secondary,
  • for primary aluminum, the country of largest smelt and, if applicable, the country of second-largest smelt,
  • the country of most recent cast,
  • value for duty, and
  • quantity.
• At the time of importation, importers must enter the smelt and cast countries in the form and manner determined by the Canada Border Services Agency (collected through the Single Window Integrated Import Declaration).
• Sets a record-keeping requirement to keep supporting documents for six years after the year of importation.
• Provides exemptions:
  • a Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) importer is exempt from some reporting when goods are released under certain customs rules, and
  • the at-time-of-importation reporting does not apply to shipments with a total value for duty of $5,000 or less.
• Technical note: the Canada Border Services Agency added three new fields to its Single Window form to collect this data.
• Effective date: comes into force on October 1, 2026 (or on registration if registered later).

Who's affected#

• Aluminum importers — especially those who bring in monitored aluminum products.
• Customs brokers — they typically enter customs declaration data for importers.
• Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) participants — some reporting rules do not apply to them for certain releases.
• Canada Border Services Agency — will collect the new data and pass it to Global Affairs Canada.
• Global Affairs Canada — will use the data to monitor and publish aggregate information.
• Most importers already use the Single Window system; about 93% of aluminum importers clear goods that way, so the change mainly adds three new data fields to existing processes.

Why it matters#

• It gives a clearer picture of where Canadian aluminum imports are coming from by adding smelt-and-cast details.
• The information supports supply-chain transparency and helps identify trade patterns or unfair practices.
• It aligns Canada’s monitoring with steps already taken for surtax enforcement: since July 31, 2025 a 25% surtax can apply to goods containing aluminum smelted or cast in certain countries, and importers already need documentation to avoid that surtax.
• Small or low-value shipments (under $5,000) are exempt from the at-entry reporting, so many small businesses see little new burden.
• Failure to follow reporting rules can lead to penalties (up to $25,000) or other enforcement action.
• The government will publish aggregated data, so the public and industry can track trends in aluminum imports.