CANADA CUSTOMS DELAYS IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW PENALTY SYSTEM

CANADA CUSTOMS DELAYS IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW PENALTY SYSTEM

   Canada Customs and Revenue Agency announced that it would delay full implementation of a new penalty system for import violations until Oct. 7.

   The penalty system, Administrative Monetary Penalty System or AMPS, was partially implemented on Dec. 3, 2001, for five penalties related to Customs Self-Assessment violations. The remaining AMPS penalties would be fully introduced by April 1.

   Under the program, Canadian importers that commit violations would be liable for civil penalties ranging from $100 to $25,000.

   “A thorough review of the state of readiness of both the importing community and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency has concluded that a longer period is required,” the agency said.

   “We strongly encourage the importing community to use this additional time to improve its compliance before the remaining penalties are put into place,” the agency said. “Customs will continue to work with clients to achieve this end.”