Duty Relief for Russian Cobalt-60 Imports

Summary#

The Canada Gazette published the Certain Russian Goods Remission Order: SOR/2023-160, which temporarily waives customs duties on certain imports of the isotope Cobalt‑60 from Russia. The order took effect on registration (July 7, 2023) and covers goods imported from May 6, 2023 through a five‑year window after the order comes into force.

What it does#

• Remits customs duties under the Customs Tariff for goods classified under tariff item No. 2844.43.00 that originate in Russia and are imported during the covered period.
• The start date for covered imports is May 6, 2023, and the duty relief lasts for five years after the order comes into force.
• To get the remission, an importer must make a claim to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness within two years after the goods are imported.
• The order will be repealed on the seventh anniversary of its coming into force.
• The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will process claims and monitor compliance.

Who's affected#

• Importers of goods under tariff item No. 2844.43.00, especially those bringing in Cobalt‑60 used for medical sterilization.
• Companies and services that rely on sterilized medical supplies and equipment (for example, sterilization service providers, manufacturers of sterile medical products, hospitals and clinics) may see lower input costs.
• The CBSA and the importer who is the main supplier of Cobalt‑60 to Canada (not named in the order) will be the agencies and businesses handling the paperwork and claims.

Why it matters#

• Cobalt‑60 is a key input for sterilizing medical products. The order prevents a sudden increase in costs or supply disruption by keeping imports from Russia duty‑free for a limited time.
• The government estimates importers will save about $3.43 million per year because of this measure. That saving is treated as a transfer rather than a net economic gain.
• The relief is temporary (five years), so it keeps pressure on suppliers to find alternative sources over the medium term while avoiding immediate harm to health‑care supply chains.
• If you imported Cobalt‑60 between May 6, 2023 and the registration date, you can ask the CBSA for a refund, but you must file that claim within two years of each import. The administrative cost of doing that is expected to be negligible (under $10 annually).