CANADA CUSTOMS AND REVENUE AGENCY
In December 2001, AMPS was implemented for commercial operations. This new penalty system is designed to address non-compliance with Canada Customs’ legislative, regulatory and program requirements. AMPS penalizes dealers if they fail to provide necessary documentation required at the time of release as stipulated in Section 7.1 of the Customs Act.
Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Recommendations:
- Better determine known audit-related impacts upon importers, as audits can incorrectly place difficulties on importers in a “presumed guilty” concept.
- Accurately correlate the severity of all penalties. Currently, penalties do not necessarily correspond appropriately with the AMPS-related infraction.
- Judge faults to corporations objectively. Some entities are fined, although the error may not be their fault.
- Ensure that information on the CCRA Web site, as the primary source of information on compliance issues, is updated at least once every 24 hours.
- Improve training standards for all CCRA officers to ensure AMPS enforcement is consistent, effective and appropriate.
- Improve route for transparency, accountability and recourse for CCRA errors.
- Empower local CCRA offices with the ability to revoke incorrect AMPS.
- Review security relationship to national enforcement of AMPS.
- Better relay agreements between FAST (Free and Secure Trade) and AMPS.
Adopted by The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce board of directors, March 2003