• No local entity required: You do not need to incorporate in Canada or maintain a physical office. 

• Business Number (BN): You’ll obtain a 9-digit BN, which serves as your importer identification for all dealings with the CRA and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). 

• GST/HST account: Registration also includes a Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax account to allow proper collection and remittance on sales made in Canada. 

• Timeline: Registration typically takes about 30 days and has no cost. For step-by-step instructions, visit CRA: Non-Resident Business Registration. 

• Commercial Invoice – lists values, HS codes, and country of origin. 

• Packing List – confirms quantities and packaging details. 

• Bill of Lading – transport document from carrier. 

• Canada Customs Invoice (CCI) – required for shipments valued over CAD $2,500. 

• Importer Number – derived from your Business Number for customs clearance. 

Proper classification of goods under the Canadian Customs Tariff and accurate declaration of value for duty are essential. Partnering with a licensed Canadian customs broker simplifies this process.  For guidance: CBSA: Guide for Importers 

• Textile Labelling Act 

• Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act 

Key requirements include: 

• Fibre content: All textile products must disclose fibre composition by generic name and percentage (e.g., “100% cotton”). 

• Country of origin: Must state the country where the product was manufactured or last substantially transformed. 

• Dealer identity: The label must include either: 

• The name and address of the business responsible for the product in Canada (often the brand’s headquarters address), or 

• A CA identification number issued by the Canadian government. 

⚠️ Note: Only Canadian entities can apply for a CA number through the Competition Bureau. For foreign brands operating as Non-Resident Importers, this presents a challenge — but NRI’s existing registered CA number can be used on labeling for any brand we fulfill on behalf of, satisfying the Canadian dealer identity requirement without requiring local incorporation.  Labels must also be bilingual (English and French) for mandatory information such as fibre content and country of origin. Marketing or optional text may appear in English only unless the brand specifically targets Quebec consumers. 

• Ingredient declaration: Must follow INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) format. 

• Bilingual labeling: Mandatory for ingredient lists, warnings, and required statements. 

• Product notification: All cosmetics must be registered with Health Canada through the Cosmetic Notification Form before being sold in Canada. 

• Products with therapeutic claims (e.g., sunscreens, acne treatments, medicated shampoos) are classified as drugs, not cosmetics, and follow separate regulations under the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD). 

• Apparel and footwear labels must display bilingual fibre content, country of origin, and either a business address or CA identification number. 

• Only Canadian companies can hold a CA number — but brands fulfilled by NRI may use ours to meet this requirement. 

• Cosmetics and personal care products must comply with Health Canada’s Cosmetic Regulations and bilingual ingredient listings. 

• Therapeutic-use products are classified separately and not typically handled in standard 3PL environments. 

• Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF): Advocacy, labeling guidance, and import policy updates for apparel and footwear. apparel.ca 

• CHFA (Canadian Health Food Association): Canada’s largest trade association for natural health and beauty products. chfa.ca 

• Retail Council of Canada (RCC): Research, networking, and compliance updates for retailers and e-commerce brands. retailcouncil.org 

• Invest in Canada: National agency supporting international companies with guidance on regulations, taxation, and incentives. investcanada.ca 

• Trade Commissioner Service (TCS): Provides market intelligence and introductions to local distributors and partners. tradecommissioner.gc.ca 

• Provincial Programs: Regions like Ontario and British Columbia offer additional tools and business concierge programs for importers and e-commerce brands. 

• Import goods directly into Canada under their own name. 

• Sell to Canadian retailers, e-commerce customers, or through fulfillment partners like NRI. 

• Remain fully compliant without forming a Canadian entity. 

This model keeps market entry streamlined and cost-effective, allowing brands to scale confidently into Canada while maintaining global control of their operations.