As part of Red Tape Awareness Week, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has awarded the Canada Border Services Agency with the 2024 Paper Weight Award.

Imported themed costumes offered by the Costume Shoppe in Calgary are now subject to around 100-thousand dollars in import duty fees because the CBSA changed the classification on the costumes from “festive wear” to “fancy dress.”

CFIB director Julie Kwiecinski said the CBSA should be able to differentiate between Santa suits and clown costumes and every day clothing.

The shop’s owner, who has over 25-hundred costumes, must refile previous inventory, even if those items are no longer being imported, and he can’t appeal the CBSA’s decision unless he pays first.

Two other finalists for the award are Health Canada for paperwork challenges and excessive fees for natural health products, and Finance Canada, for making payroll services subject to the Proceeds of Crime and Terrorist Financing Act, basically duplicating the existing controls used by banks.