Your preferred partner for access information and ressources related to foreign trade programs. The Montreal foreign trade centre is an initiative of CargoM, the Logistics and Transportation Metropolitan cluster of Montreal, and its partners.
Exemption / Deferral / Refund of duties and taxes
You can transform your premises into a foreign trade zone (FTZ) type space
In Canada, businesses can benefit from FTZ-type incentives nationwide. This is why Canada designates FTZ Points to assist and support businesses that wish to take advantage of the programs.
The benefits of the Canadian Foreign Trade Zone programs include:
A Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) is a specific location in a given country where the purchase or import of raw materials, components or finished products is officially eligible for exemption from tariffs and taxes. Such materials and goods can generally be stored, processed or assembled in the FTZ for re-export (in which case taxes and duties generally would not apply) or for sale on the domestic market (in which case taxes and duties are deferred until they enter the market). (Source: Department of Finance Canada).
Foreign Trade Zones and international agreements
A few things to know:
In the absence of a free trade agreement with the country of origin of your goods, FTZ programs are a sure value.
If your business imports raw materials into Canada and then exports the raw material (processed or unprocessed), you may be interested in the Duty Drawback Program (DDP).
Even if duties have already been paid on imported goods that will be exported later, the refund can be obtained. The DDP makes it possible to apply for a refund of duties paid on imported goods that are subsequently exported. The application must be submitted within four years of the date of import.
A DDP application may be made if the goods are in the same condition at the time of their export as when they were imported, or if they are used to manufacture other goods that are then exported.
Through the Duties Relief Program (DRP), a business does not have to pay duties on imported goods that are stored, processed or used in the manufacture of other products, as long as these goods or products are subsequently exported. The DRP offers other advantages, such as:
Please note that the CBSA may occasionally check to ensure that these requirements are met.
In the e-commerce era, the Customs Bonded Warehouse Program (CBW) could provide significant support to businesses that import and export.
A customs bonded warehouse is a storage facility operated under the authority of the CBSA. It does not have to be a conventional warehouse. It can be part of an office building or even a conference room in a hotel, depending on the needs at the time. This formula provides considerable flexibility in how goods are stored, handled and transported, which can be a valuable competitive advantage.
Benefits of a customs bonded warehouse:
The EOPS program, which is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), in the province of Québec by Revenu Québec, relieves participants of the obligation to pay GST/HST on imports of goods belonging to non-residents, provided that these goods are imported for processing, distribution or storage and are subsequently exported. Participants benefit from higher cash flow and lower operating expenses.
The EDCP is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency, in the province of québec by Revenu Québec. The program is for export-oriented businesses that import goods and/or acquire goods in Canada, process them to add limited value and then export them. The “limited value” criterion is a key factor here, since the EDCP is not intended for companies that manufacture or produce new products for export.
We serve the entire Montreal metropolitan community. Our service offer is integrated into the existing support networks for importing and exporting businesses. On the map you will find, depending on the location of your business, the export assistance services commonly known as ORPEX (export promotion organizations) as well as economic development teams.
Partners
Baie D’Urfé
Beaconsfield
Beauharnois
Beloeil
Blainville
Bois-des-Filion
Boisbriand
Boucherville
Brossard
Calixa-Lavallée
Candiac
Carignan
Chambly
Charlemagne
Châteauguay
Contrecoeur
Côte-Saint-Luc
Delson
Deux-Montagnes
Dollard-Des Ormeaux
Dorval
Hampstead
Hudson
Kirkland
L’Assomption
L’Île-Cadieux
L’Île-Dorval
L’Île-Perrot
La Prairie
Laval
Léry
Les Cèdres
Longueuil
Lorraine
Mascouche
McMasterville
Mercier
Mirabel
Mont-Royal
Mont-Saint-Hilaire
Montréal
Montréal-Est
Montréal-Ouest
Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot
Oka
Otterburn Park
Pincourt
Pointe-Calumet
Pointe-Claire
Pointe-des-Cascades
Repentigny
Richelieu
Rosemère
Saint-Amable
Saint-Basile-le-Grand
Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
Saint-Constant
Saint-Eustache
Saint-Isidore
Saint-Jean-Baptiste
Saint-Joseph-du-Lac
Saint-Lambert
Saint-Lazare
Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu
Saint-Mathieu
Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil
Saint-Philippe
Saint-Sulpice
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines
Sainte-Catherine
Sainte-Julie
Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac
Sainte-Thérèse
Senneville
Sorel-Tracy
Terrasse-Vaudreuil
Terrebonne
Varennes
Vaudreuil-Dorion
Vaudreuil-sur-le-Lac
Verchères
Westmount
Industrial and Commercial Sites and building Selection tool ZoomMtl
CargoM, the Logistics and Transportation Metropolitan Cluster of Montreal, as part of its mission to support the development of Greater Montreal’s transportation and logistics sector, and backed by its partners, is proud to have obtained the designated of Foreign Trade Zone Point for the territory of the Metropolitan Montreal Community. Through this dedicated information center, you will have access to all the information concerning FTZ-type programs.
Information sessions
Practical training workshops for businesses
All of the programs have an impact on your business operations. You have up to four years before you lose the right to apply for a customs duty refund if you meet all the criteria.
We offer hands-on workshops to enable you use the knowledge you learned to:
The Montreal FTZ Center has privileged access to the various federal agencies involved in the import-export process of a business. This access will enable us to make our companies more competitive and ensure their growth by maximizing the use of the incentives available for their activities.
Please fill out a basic online form or contact the trade zone center coordinator if you have any questions or wish to assess your eligibility for one or more of the programs.
Then, once your eligibility has been established, we can guide you through the various steps, from the initial application to the final response from the government agency requested. For more information on our services, click on the Contact tab.
CargoM and the Montreal Foreign Trade Zone Center offers certification to companies participating in one of our service provider programs. To find out more, contact us by filling in the form.
The cluster that brings together all Greater Montreal freight transport and logistics stakeholders whose activities promote Montreal as an industry hub around common goals and concerted actions to increase its cohesion, competitiveness, growth and reach.
How to benefit from the programs
Check to see if your business qualifies for an FTZ-type program.
For all inquiries, please use the dedicated information line at the Montreal Foreign Trade Zone Center or fill out the form below.
2100 Pierre-Dupuy Avenue
Wing 2, Suite 2100
Montréal (Québec) H3C 3R5
Designated foreign trade zone centre for Greater Montreal
