Service Standard for Issuance of Import/Export Permits for Controlled Substances

The Office of Controlled Substances (OCS) commits to a service standard of 30 business days from the date an application is deemed complete by the OCS to the date a decision is issued to the applicant (permit sent/application refused).

Performance Target

The target to meet this standard is set at 90%

Performance Information

Performance will be measured by the percentage of permits issued within the required timeframe set out in the service standard. Departments are required to report on performance on an annual basis. The OCS will reassess and refine the service standard over time.

Applying for an Import/Export Permit for a Controlled Substance

Context

The  Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) provides for the control of substances that can alter mental processes and that may produce harm to health and to society when diverted or misused. Under the CDSA, all activities, for example, possession, trafficking, importation, exportation and production are prohibited unless authorized by regulation. At present, the  Narcotic Control Regulations,  Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substance Regulations, and Parts G and J of the  Food and Drug Regulations set out detailed requirements for persons involved in carrying out activities with controlled substances, including the requirement for licensed dealers to obtain an import or export permit from Health Canada for each shipment of controlled substances being transported into or out of Canada.

Permit Application Process

Applicants must ensure that they have a valid licence authorizing them to import/export the substance(s) in question prior to requesting a permit. Permits are shipment-specific and are valid for 90 days excluding the month of issuance.

To apply for an import permit, the applicant is required to complete the form entitled "Application for Permit to Import Controlled Drugs/Substances". This form requires that the licensed dealer provide information including, but not limited to: company name, name and address of exporter, name and quantity of substance being imported, and the means of conveyance, e.g., air, rail, sea.

To apply for an export permit, the applicant is required to complete the form entitled "Application for Permit to Export Controlled Drugs/Substances" which requires similar information as that required for an import permit, as well as proof that the export is authorized by the laws of the receiving country.

Applications for import and export permits received by the OCS are screened for completeness, and if necessary, a licensed dealer may be contacted for additional information. Once an application is deemed complete, it is reviewed in detail and either a permit is issued or the application is refused.

Examples of reasons for why a permit application may be refused include:

1. The applicant does not have an active and valid dealer's licence that lists the substance for which the import/export permit is requested;
2. The substance is not regulated as a controlled substance in Canada and thus an export permit is not required;
3. Information received from a competent authority of a foreign country raises a reasonable belief that the applicant has contravened an international obligation;
4. Issuing the import permit would likely increase risk to health or public safety, including the risk of the controlled substance being diverted to illicit markets; or
5. The shipment would contravene the laws of the country of export.

Cost Recovery

There is currently no fee associated with the application for an import or export permit for controlled substances.

Additional Information

•  Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
•  Narcotic Control Regulations (NCR)
•  Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substance Regulations (BOTSR)
•  Food and Drug Regulations (FDR)

Please contact the OCS to request a permit application form or to make any general inquiries or comments.

Service Feedback

Please contact the OCS to make any comments or complaints about service delivery.

For More Information

•  Government-Wide Forward Regulatory Plans
• The  Cabinet Directive on Regulatory Management
• The  Red Tape Reduction Action Plan
• The  Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the   Canada Gazette and   Consulting with Canadians websites.