The Department of Finance is currently reviewing a request for the removal of customs duties on unfinished spectacle lenses. These lenses are processed in optical laboratories in Canada (grinding to prescription and to frame shape, polishing, tinting, etc.), and are classified under Tariff Item Nos. 9001.40.90 and 9001.50.90 of the Customs Tariff as other spectacle lenses of glass and other spectacle lenses of other materials, dutiable at 2.0% under the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) Tariff.
The applicants claim that unfinished lenses are not available from Canadian production, and that tariff relief would enhance their competitiveness in both the domestic and export markets.
If you have comments or are aware of others who will be affected by such action, please provide your input to Brad Norwood by June 5, 2015.