Market access procedures

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation
Member of OECD
Party to the Kyoto protocol
Party to the Washington convention on International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora
Party to the Basel convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal
Party to the Montreal protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer
Wassenaar arrangement on export controls for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies

Main International economic cooperation

Member of the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)
Member of the NACC (North American Competitiveness Council)
Full member of the OAS (Organization of American States)
Member of the Commonwealth
Participates in the forums of the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation)
Free Trade Agreement with Jordan

Non tariff barriers

The Canada Customs Act which regulates the Canadian import system, corresponds to a free trade model in which most imports do not need any authorization. There are however what are known as tariff quotas, especially for wheat, barley, beef and cheese. To be granted this quota you must request a General Import Permit, for which you must produce a pro forma invoice at the Export and Import Controls Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Trade.
Some goods are prohibited, especially importing second hand motorized vehicles, except for vehicles coming from the USA (the rules are becoming more flexible for Mexico)
The rules of origin allowing reduction of duties, especially for textiles, have been draconian since the agreements within the NAFTA (annexe 401 on the original rules, incorporated afterwards in national legislation). These rules are considerably favorable to products which have proof of their origin in the USA.
Moreover, Canada is one of the big users of anti-dumping measures, with more than 85 products concerned (SIMA, Special Import Measures Act). These measures affect 35 countries or Customs areas (including the EU, for example). More than 50% of the products concerned are metallurgical.
For further information about import regulations and procedures in Canada, please consult the article Importing Goods into Canada produced by the Canada Border Services Agency.

Customs duties and taxes on imports

The average rate is about 4.8%.

 

To know the 2008 Customs tariff in Canada, please consult the article Customs Tariff produced by the Canada Border Services Agency.

Customs classification

Yes

Import procedures

To know what to do to import a product into Canada, consult the Guide to Importing of the Canada Border Services Agency.
For imported goods to clear Customs the following documents are needed: release with full accounting and payment (paper option); release on minimum documentation (RMD) (paper or EDI option); G7 Import One Step Release on Full Documentation (RFD) (EDI option).
For further information, consult the Canada Border Services Agency website.

Importing samples

For import, export and re-export of commercial samples the ATA carnet is generally used. It must be written on the product that it is a free sample and that it may not be sold. A maximum quantity or value may however be applied.
For further information, consult the Canada Business website.

For further information

Canada Border Services Agency
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

We can find you the entry requirements applying to your product (paying service).

Nous pouvons vous proposer de chercher pour vous les droits de douanes qui s'appliquent à votre produit (payant).

We can find you the local taxes that apply to your product for you.

Standards

National standards organizations

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) 
Underwriter's Laboratory of Canada
Canadian Standards Association

Integration in the international standards network

Member of ISO, 381 sectors, products.
Member of IEC.
Member of the International Communication Union
Consult the WSSN website

Classification of standards

CSA marking
ULC marking

Online consultation of standards

StandardsStore of the Standards Council of Canada (SCC)
CSA bookstore
ISO Catalog

Certification organizations

Canadian General Standards Board
Underwriter's Laboratory of Canada
Canadian Standards Association

We can obtain for you the standard applying to your product (paying service).

We can obtain for you the labelling requirements applying to your product (paying service).

Intellectual Property

National organizations

The organization responsible for intellectual property in Canada is the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).
The Copyright Policy Branch for copyright
The Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC)

Regional organizations

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

International membership

Member of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Intellectual Property
Membership to the TRIPS agreement - Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)