What this Canada estimate includes
ImportSmart separates the parts of the import calculation so you can inspect the rate, tax base, government fees and other shipment costs instead of receiving one unexplained total.
- Customs value converted into the destination currency using the entered exchange rate.
- A supported simple duty rate from the selected Canadian tariff item.
- Origin eligibility for MFN, General Tariff or another published treatment exposed by the official data.
- Mandatory screening against the versioned SIMA measures-in-force list and active Canadian surtax and safeguard schedules.
- Federal GST at the calculator’s standard supported path, currently 5%, applied to duty-inclusive value.
- Freight, insurance, brokerage inputs and the resulting landed-cost estimate.
The result is a planning estimate, not a binding customs decision, classification ruling or guarantee of the amount assessed at import.
What you need before calculating
Commodity code: Use an 8-digit Canadian tariff item or the exact 10-digit tariff item plus statistical suffix when 8 digits do not resolve to one rate.
- Country of origin, because tariff-treatment eligibility is origin dependent.
- An 8-digit tariff item or exact 10-digit code when statistical suffixes differ.
- Goods value, freight, insurance and the applicable exchange rate.
- A verified treatment selection if you choose something other than the automatic eligible path.
Start in Simple mode. Open Advanced only for a verified exception, preference, customs-valuation choice or manual tariff rate.
How the automatic tariff check works
Country eligibility is checked. The selected treatment must appear for the origin in the official CBSA country-treatment list and for the tariff item itself.
Statistical suffixes are respected. When multiple 10-digit rows under one 8-digit item do not share one simple rate, the calculator asks for the exact code.
SIMA and surtaxes are screened before a number is released. An ordinary item receives a numeric result only after both mandatory screens clear. A possible match returns the specific measure or order and the missing scope, remission, quota or origin facts for review.
GST remains visible. Federal GST is calculated as its own component on the supported duty-inclusive base. Provincial tax, HST and excise remain separate factual checks.
When ImportSmart stops instead of guessing
A visible stop is safer than a plausible-looking but unsupported duty figure. The automatic path asks for review when:
- The origin cannot be matched to an official eligible tariff treatment.
- An 8-digit item has different rates across its statistical suffixes.
- The tariff publishes a specific or compound rate requiring quantity or another unit.
- A SIMA measure-in-force match needs product-scope, exporter or normal-value information.
- A surtax or safeguard schedule match needs Chapter 98/99, remission, quota, melt-and-pour, end-use or other shipment facts.
- The requested accounting date is outside the certified mandatory-layer source window.
Official tariff source
ImportSmart identifies the source used by the supported calculation path. For classification and final entry decisions, check Canada Border Services Agency — Customs Tariff 2026 directly.
Tariffs and trade measures can change. Confirm the commodity code, effective date, origin and any special treatment before relying on an estimate for a customs declaration or commercial commitment.
Canada calculator questions
Why can Canada require a 10-digit code?
An 8-digit tariff item can contain multiple statistical suffixes. If those rows do not resolve to one identical simple rate, the exact 10-digit item is necessary to avoid choosing the wrong duty or special-measure scope.
Does the estimate screen SIMA and Canadian surtaxes?
Yes. Every supported numeric Canada result records successful SIMA and surtax screening. A possible measure match stops with the measure identifier and required facts instead of returning an unsupported additional-duty number.
Does the estimate include HST or provincial sales tax?
The supported standard path shows federal GST. Provincial tax, HST and excise depend on additional destination or product facts and remain separate checks.
Will ImportSmart automatically claim a preferential treatment?
No. The origin must be eligible in the official list, the treatment must be published for the item, and any rules-of-origin requirements remain yours to verify.