This Web page has been archived on the Web

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.

Notices to Exporters

Softwood Lumber Exports to the United States: Applications for an Export Allocation

Serial No. 146
Date: November 21, 2006

Table of Contents

1.0 Background

1.1 On October 12, 2006, the Canada-United States Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) entered into force. Under the Agreement, shipments of softwood lumber from Canada to the United States will be subject to certain Canadian border measures. In particular, under SLA "Option A", an export charge is payable on the export price of softwood lumber; and, under SLA "Option B", an export charge on the export price is payable at a lower rate, with an export allocation.

1.2 Softwood lumber first manufactured in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan will be subject to Option B, an export charge on the export price at a lower rate with an export allocation.

1.3 Regulations with effect from October 12, 2006 will govern eligibility for an export allocation and application procedures.

2.0 Purpose

2.1 The purpose of this Notice is to advise exporters of the opportunity and procedure for making applications for export allocations.

3.0 Application Procedure

3.1 Export allocations for shipments of certain softwood lumber first produced in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan to the United States will be issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. For each year covered by the SLA, commencing January 2007, export allocations for 12 monthly quantities will be issued to eligible applicants.

3.2 An exporter with an export allocation will require an export permit to authorize an export of softwood lumber to the United States.

3.3 In order to qualify for an export allocation, exporters are required to make application for the allocation. The procedure for applying for an export allocation will be established in the Softwood Lumber Products Export Allocation Regulations.

3.4 An exporter wishing to obtain an export allocation should complete the attached application form and submit it to the Department by November 28, 2006. Completed applications are to be sent to:

Softwood Lumber - Export and Import Controls Bureau
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2
Facsimile 613-944-8950

3.5 Taking into consideration the advice received from the respective provincial governments, the Minister will establish Allocation Method Orders that will govern eligibility criteria for export allocations that will govern exports from each respective region. It is expected that an important eligibility criterion will be exports of certain softwood lumber products to the United States during the qualifying period commencing April 1, 2001, for which export permits were issued by the Department under the National Lumber Export Monitoring Program.

4.0 Further Information

4.1 For further information with respect to the Agreement, please contact:

Softwood Lumber Division (TNS)
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2

Hot Line 613-944-2167
Facsimile 613-944-1452
Email address: softwood.boisdoeuvre@international.gc.ca
Web Page: http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/softwood-bois_oeuvre/index.aspx?lang=eng

4.2 For further information with respect to the export controls on shipments of softwood lumber to the United States, please contact:

Export and Import Controls Bureau
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2

Hot Line 613-944-2168 or 1-877-808-8838
Facsimile 613-995-5137
Email address: softwood.boisdoeuvre@international.gc.ca
Web Page: http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/softwood-bois_oeuvre/index.aspx?lang=eng