Used or Second-hand Mattresses and Materials Therefrom This document is also available in PDF (259 Kb) [help with PDF files] This memorandum has been revised to provide more detailed guidelines and general information to both commercial and casual importers of used and second-hand mattresses and materials therefrom. Additionally, it has been updated to include changes to the Customs Tariff. This memorandum outlines and explains the provisions of tariff item No. 9897.00.00 in the List of Tariff Provisions set out in the schedule to the Customs Tariff which prohibits importation into Canada of used or second-hand mattresses and materials therefrom. Tariff item No. 9897.00.00 reads: Used or second-hand mattresses or materials therefrom, other than: Regulations Respecting the Importation of Materials From Used or Second-hand Mattresses These Regulations may be cited as the Used Mattress Materials Regulations. 2. Materials from used or second-hand mattresses may be imported only if they
1. Tariff Item No. 9897.00.00 prohibits the importation of used or second-hand mattresses or materials therefrom, other than mattresses imported under tariff item No. 9805.00.00 (former residents of Canada absent from Canada for at least one year), 9806.00.00 (bequests), 9807.00.00 (settlers), 9808.00.00 (representatives of foreign governments), 9809.00.00 (the Governor General), or 9810.00.00 (foreign military services), or materials from used or second-hand mattresses cleaned and fumigated in accordance with the regulations. 2. For the purposes of this tariff item mattresses are items classified under tariff item No. 9404.21.00 (of cellular rubber or plastics, whether or not covered) and 9404.29.00 (of other materials). 3. For greater certainty, items not classified as mattresses under tariff item No. 9404.21.00 or 9404.29.00, for the purposes of Tariff Item 9897.00.00, include camping equipment (such as bed rolls, inflatable mattresses, sleeping bags), hospital beds, foam mattresses, mattress pads, and beds that are part of vehicles, including the beds of sleeping cabins of trucks and recreation vehicles.
4. While tariff item No. 9897.00.00 prohibits the importation of used or second-hand mattresses into Canada, part (b) of this tariff item provides for the authorization to import cleaned and fumigated materials from used or second-hand mattresses when accompanied by a certificate showing they have been cleaned and fumigated. A letter or any other document which clearly demonstrates that the above requirements have been met, is acceptable if it is signed by a person having knowledge of the cleaning and fumigating. 5. Commercial shipments of used and second-hand mattresses are prohibited under tariff item No. 9897.00.00. 6. Commercial importers of used or second-hand mattresses may import used and second-hand mattresses that have been reduced to materials for disposal provided that: 7. Section 136 of the Customs Tariff states that the importation into Canada of any goods of tariff item No. 9897.00.00 is prohibited. 8. The attention of importers/owners is drawn to sections 36, 99, 101, 102, and 142 of the Customs Act, respecting abandonment, detention, and exportation of goods which are prohibited by virtue of the provisions of section 136 of the Customs Tariff.
9. For more information, within Canada call the Border Information Service at 1-800-461-9999. From outside Canada call 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064. Long distance charges will apply. Agents are available Monday to Friday (08:00 – 16:00 local time/except holidays). TTY is also available within Canada: 1-866-335-3237. Customs Tariff, section 136 Customs Act, sections 36, 99, 101, 102, and 142Leave those feather boas behind when crossing the border The sign may read “Welcome to Canada,” but the Canadian Border Services Agency doesn’t mean it for everyone and everything. A very abbreviated list of items you may not bring into Canada: 1. Feather boas: Animals and animal products can expose Canadians to life-threatening diseases, such as avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease. 2. Sand: If you are returning from a beach vacation, you can bring back seashells (clean and free of sea life, soil and sand), but you are not allowed to import sand. 3. Used mattresses: Moving back to Canada from abroad?
Thinking of bringing your mattress? Bed rolls, inflatable mattresses and sleeping bags are fine, but a used mattress will only be admitted if accompanied by a certificate guaranteeing the item has been cleaned and fumigated. 4. Toy guns: Replica firearms are banned from import. These include toy guns, starter pistols and certain types of paintball guns that “resemble with near precision” a firearm. 5. Spiked wristbands: A broad range of “weapons” are banned under Canada’s Criminal Code. These include spiked wristbands, a “Constant Companion” (belt-buckle knife), blowguns, brass knuckles, bladed finger rings and “any device with incapacitating electric charge shorter than 480 mm.” 6. Baby walkers: These are banned from import because they are among the consumer products that cannot be sold in Canada. Other banned items include lawn darts (with elongated tips), infant self-feeding devices and kite strings made of any material that conducts electricity.
7. Goods manufactured or produced wholly or in part by prison labour: According to the Canada Border Services Agency, the most common examples of goods manufactured by prison labour include bicycles, garbage bags, recordings, souvenirs, leather goods and wood products. 8. A Nobel Prize: Well, the prize itself isn’t prohibited, but the associated prize money must be declared and taxes paid. “Prizes can be declared as part of your personal exemption,” notes the Canadian government. “And duty must be paid on any excess amount.” Source: Canadian Border Services Agency and Health Canada Canadian Border Services AgencySkip to main content Exclusive deals, sales, coupons & tips Local offers across the border from your city Save on clothing, electronics, groceries, hotels & more… Your Closest U.S. Shopping Destination is: Not the shopping destination your were looking for? Choose from over 35 shopping destinations on our website. We keep your e-mail safe.