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Engineering, Development Work, etc., Undertaken Elsewhere Than in Canada
Memorandum D13-3-7

Ottawa, August 22, 2013

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In Brief

  • The editing revisions made in this memorandum do not affect or change any of the existing policies or procedures.

This memorandum explains the meaning and application of the term "undertaken elsewhere than in Canada" as it relates to certain goods and services provided by the purchaser free of charge, at a reduced cost, or paid to the vendor in connection with the production and sale for export of imported goods.

Legislation

Sections 45 to 53 of the Customs Act.

Guidelines and General Information

1. The term "undertaken elsewhere than in Canada" is introduced in subparagraph 48(5)(a)(iii) of the Customs Act, which provides for the treatment of "assists". Refer to Memorandum D13-3-12, Treatment of Assists in the Determination of the Value for Duty.

2. Clause (D) of subparagraph 48(5)(a)(iii) states that the value of engineering, development work, art work, design work, plans and sketches "undertaken elsewhere than in Canada" and necessary for the production of the imported goods is to be added to the price paid or payable in determining the value for duty.

3. The implication in paragraph 2 is that the value of engineering, development work, etc., "undertaken in Canada" is not to be added to the price paid or payable in determining the value for duty under the transaction value method even when the conditions of subparagraph 48(5)(a)(iii) are met.

4. Payments for engineering, development work, art work, design work, plans and sketches that are made to the vendor are "in respect of the goods" pursuant to the definition of the price paid or payable in subsection 45(1). Such activities for which payment is made to the vendor by a purchaser, regardless of the stage of design or production at which they occur, are considered necessary for the production of imported goods and cannot be excluded in whole or in part from the price paid or payable for the goods. Such payments are not assists pursuant to paragraph 48(5)(a).

5. "Undertaken in Canada" means that the above goods and services must be carried out within the geographical boundaries of Canada.

6. Subsection 45(1) in defining "identical goods" and "similar goods" states that imported goods for which engineering, development work, art work, design work, plans and sketches undertaken in Canada were supplied by the purchaser free of charge or at a reduced cost for use in connection with the production of the imported goods cannot be considered "identical" or "similar" goods to other imported goods. Therefore such goods cannot be used in applying the following provisions:

7. Paragraph 52(3)(c) states that only the costs, charges, or expenses actually incurred by the producer for engineering, development work, etc., undertaken in Canada and supplied for use in the production of the goods being appraised is to be included in the value for duty determined under the computed value method (section 52). Refer to Memorandum D13-8-1, Computed Value Method.

Additional Information

8. For more information, call contact the CBSA Border Information Service (BIS):
Calls within Canada & the United States (toll free): 1-800-461-9999
Calls outside Canada & the United States (long distance charges apply):
1-204-983-3550 or 1-506-636-5064

TTY: 1-866-335-3237

Contact Us online (webform)
Contact Us at the CBSA website

References

Issuing office:
Trade Programs Directorate
Headquarters file:
79070-4-3
Legislative references:
Customs Act
Other references:
D13-3-12, D13-4-5 D13-5-1, D13-7-1, D13-8-1
Superseded memorandum D:
D13-3-7, March 27, 2001
Date modified: