The OCS Export Academy – The New Country of Origin Import Rules

Global trade regulations are shifting rapidly this September. These recent updates directly affect Canadian duty calculations, global air freight acceptance standards and upcoming EU customs data mandates.

Canada Imposes Surtaxes on US-Origin Goods

Effective 8 September 2026, Canada introduced additional surtaxes of 15%, 25% or 50% on targeted goods originating from USA. Liability is determined strictly by the country of manufacture, not the country of dispatch.

Commercial impacts for international dispatch:

• Parcels shipped from the UK or EU containing US-manufactured stock (e.g., footwear, cosmetics, electrical items) are subject to these new surtaxes.
• The charges apply across standard customs declarations as well as the Courier Low Value Shipment (CLVS) programme.
• Goods already in transit prior to 8 September may qualify for an exception, provided airway bills or carrier transit documentation are retained.

CPTPP Tariff Relief for UK Goods

The UK’s inclusion in the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) agreement with Canada officially took effect on 1 September 2026. This has created significant duty-saving opportunities for British manufacturers. Qualifying UK-origin products imported into Canada can now claim lower or zero-rated customs duties using Canadian Tariff Treatment Code 35.

Rules of origin apply:

• Merely dispatching, repacking, or sorting goods from a UK warehouse does not grant UK origin status.
• Products must satisfy CPTPP product-specific origin rules to qualify for the preferential rates.

Stricter IATA Air Cargo Rules for Batteries

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published its 2027 cargo standards, introducing tighter acceptance and labelling controls for eCommerce air exports.

Critical dangerous goods updates:

• Explicit declarations: Standalone batteries, replacement cells, and power banks must be specifically named on documentation.
• Rejected descriptions: Ground handlers and airlines will flag and reject parcels where power banks or lithium items are vaguely described as “accessories,” “chargers,” or “gadgets.”
• Label placement: Battery marks must now appear on the same surface of the package as other applicable hazard warning labels.
• Emerging tech: New packaging rules now cover sodium-ion and hybrid cell products.

Upcoming Compliance Deadlines

1 Oct 2026:  United States — New adjustments to US Customs user fees begin.

22 Oct 2026:  United States — Stricter postal informal entry enforcements take effect.

1 Nov 2026:  European Union — Mandatory Product Identifier (PID) requirements take effect. Customs data flows must incorporate valid merchant or manufacturer PIDs.

Presently, it is essential to have accurate catalogue data that specifically details the true Country of Origin separately from the dispatch location. This will also help control your landed costs and prevent border delays.

For any queries about Canadian surtax schedules and CPTPP criteria, please get in touch with your OCS Account Manager or our OCS customs advisory desk.