HS Code 9809.00 : Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries
MODULE 2: EXTRACTABLE ANSWER (AEO / SPEAKABLE)
EN (Official WCO)
FR (Pending)
ES (Pending)
The 6-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries is 9809.00. Under the 2026 Canada (CBSA), the representative MFN general duty rate is Free [CBSA Tariff 2026].
MODULE 3: SIGNATURE A: HS DECODE VISUAL HIERARCHY
Chapter 98
Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries
Heading 9809
Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries
Subheading .00
.00
Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries
MODULE 4: SIGNATURE B: TARIFF MATRIX
Import Duty Rates by Destination
Canada (CBSA Customs Tariff 2026)
9809.00.00.00
MODULE 5: CANADIAN IMPORT DUTY & GST/HST BREAKDOWN
🇨🇦 CUSMA / USMCA DUTY-FREE PREFERENCE ELIGIBILITY
Goods originating in the United States or Mexico satisfying CUSMA Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff shift rules enter Canada duty-free under the MUST (United States Tariff) preferential SPI.
Official CBSA Rulings: Request a Canada Border Services Agency [CBSA Advance Ruling ↗]
Notice: Canadian customs entry, duty assessment, and excise taxes are governed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Always verify 10-digit tariff items with a licensed Canadian customs broker.
TRACK THIS HS CODE
Get Real-Time Tariff & Trade Remedy Change Alerts for HS 9809.00
Receive an automated email notification whenever the CBSA publishes duty rate adjustments or customs notices for 9809.00.
MODULE 6: Mandatory Customs Entry Document Matrix
Rule-Derived Customs Entry Package Checklist
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Commercial Invoice
Itemized description, currency, Incoterms, seller/buyer details, and country of origin.
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Packing List & Bill of Lading
Gross/net weight, container/seal numbers, piece count, and transport B/L or Air Waybill.
PREFERENTIAL RULE
Certificate of Origin (If Claiming FTA)
Required only when claiming zero-duty preference under USMCA, KORUS, or GSP.
MODULE 7: Regulatory Compliance & Partner Government Agency (PGA) Flags
Standard Entry
This commodity does not carry mandatory PGA pre-clearance flags under the ACE message set.
MODULE 8: Canadian Trade Remedies (SIMA) & CITT Safeguards
CITT SIMA Anti-Dumping Status
Standard CBSA MFN Tariff
Canadian Steel Safeguards
Exempt (Non-Steel Commodity)
CFIA / Health Canada Control
Standard Statutory Clearance
MODULE 9: Free Trade Agreements (FTA) & Rules of Origin (RoO)
| Agreement Code | Trade Agreement / Program | Preferential Rate | Rules of Origin (RoO) Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUST | Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) | Free | Must meet CUSMA Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff shift rules. |
| CEUT | Canada-European Union CETA Agreement | Free | CETA Origin Declaration issued by EU exporter. |
| CPTP | Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) | Free | CPTPP Certificate of Origin and value-add threshold. |
MODULE 10: Logistics, Freight & Transport Specifications
Standard 20ft Container
~28 CBM / 28,000 kg Payload
Standard 40ft High-Cube
~68 CBM / 28,600 kg Payload
Stowage Factor & Handling
Standard commercial packaging for Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries
MODULE 11: CBSA Advance Rulings for Tariff Classification
Legally binding tariff classification advance rulings issued by Canada Border Services Agency for HS 9809.00.
Query official CBSA Advance Rulings (Memorandum D11-11-1):
Search Official CBSA Advance Rulings for 9809.00 →CBSA Canadian 10-Digit Tariff Items (9809.00)
| HTS Code | Description | General Rate | Special (FTA) Rate | Column 2 Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9809.00.10 | Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries | Free | Free | Free | — |
| 9809.00.20 | Upon the request of the Department of State, office supplies and equipment and other articles for the official use of representatives of foreign governments or of personnel of public international organizations, on duty in the United States | Free | Free | Free | — |
| 9809.00.30 | Articles for the official use of members of the armed forces of any foreign country on duty in the United States | Free | Free | Free | — |
| 9809.00.40 | Articles which, while in the United States, will remain the property of such government or of such organization and will be used only in connection with noncommercial functions of such government or of such organization, including exhibitions which are sponsored by or participated in by such government or such organization and which are not commercial in character or connected with commercial undertakings | Free | Free | Free | — |
| 9809.00.50 | Prosthetic appliances furnished by a foreign government to former members of its armed forces who reside in the United States | Free | Free | Free | — |
| 9809.00.60 | Headstones furnished by a foreign government for graves of its war veterans buried in the United States | Free | Free | Free | — |
| 9809.00.70 | Articles for presentation as gifts to the United States Government, to any State or local government or to any public institution organized in the United States | Free | Free | Free | — |
| 9809.00.80 | Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries, Printed matter, not containing advertising matter, for free distribution | Free | Free | Free | — |
MODULE 12: Candidate Subheadings & Related Codes
| Related HS Code | Heading Category | Action |
|---|
Official Primary Sources & Authority References
CBSA Customs Tariff (Departmental Consolidation) ↗
Official Canadian 10-digit tariff items and MFN duty rates.
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Import GST/HST ↗
Federal GST and provincial HST tax administration.
MODULE 14: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Operational Guide
What is the 6-digit WCO tariff classification and Canada (CBSA) general duty for Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries?
Under WCO Harmonized System 2022 and Canada (CBSA), Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries is classified under HS 9809.00 (Heading 9809, Chapter 98). The representative CA MFN general duty rate is Free.
How is HS 9809.00 distinguished within Heading 9809 (Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries)?
Heading 9809 covers Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries. Subheading 9809.00 specifically isolates Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries. Importers must verify whether physical characteristics, processing state, or composition require alternative subheadings under Heading 9809.
What are the primary candidate subheadings related to HS 9809.00?
Related subheadings under Heading 9809 include . Classification depends on processing stage, decaffeination, purity, or material form.
What mandatory commercial entry documents are required to import Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries into Canada?
Importers require a CBSA B3 Canada Customs Coding Form, CARM Client Portal registration, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Cargo Control Document (CCD), and CUSMA Certificate of Origin if claiming preferential tariffs.
Can goods under HS 9809.00 enter duty-free under CUSMA / USMCA into Canada?
Yes. Eligible goods originating in the United States or Mexico satisfying Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff-shift rules enter Canada duty-free under the MUST preferential SPI.
What are the Canadian Low Value Shipment (LVS) de minimis thresholds for Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries?
Under CUSMA LTA rules, courier shipments from the US or Mexico valued up to C$150 enter Canada duty-free, and shipments up to C$40 enter tax-free.
How can an importer obtain a CBSA Advance Ruling for HS 9809.00?
Importers or foreign exporters may submit a written application to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) under Memorandum D11-11-1 to receive a legally binding Advance Ruling on tariff classification.
What sales tax (GST/HST) applies to imports of HS 9809.00 into Canada?
Imports into Canada incur 5.00% federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). Participating provinces assess Harmonized Sales Tax (HST): 13.00% in Ontario and 15.00% in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
What is the CARM Client Portal and Business Number (BN15) requirement for Canada?
Importers must register in the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) Client Portal and obtain a 15-digit CRA Import/Export Business Number (BN15) for commercial declarations.
How does Canadian GST/HST payment and deferral work for imports under HS 9809.00?
Import GST/HST is payable at the time of clearance unless the importer participates in the CBSA Option 2 GST Deferral Program via CARM.
What Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) trade remedies apply to HS 9809.00?
Importers must verify whether Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) anti-dumping or countervailing duties determined by the CITT apply to their product origin.
What CFIA or Health Canada regulatory import permits are required for HS 9809.00?
Commercial imports under HS 9809.00 may require pre-market approval, licenses, or automated declarations via the CBSA Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).
Are there entry processing fees or harbor taxes in Canada?
No. Canada does not charge additional entry processing fees or harbor taxes beyond standard CBSA customs duties and applicable GST/HST sales taxes.