Importing and exporting

• Quebec International — International recruiting 

  Québec International
  Access a network of experts to help you hire international talent for your business. Attend workshops, networking events and recruiting missions.

• Canada Consumer Product Safety Act 

  ​Government of Canada
  ​If you manufacture, import, distribute or sell products, find out what you need to do to ensure that your products are safe.

• International trade and investment 

  ​Business and industry Canada
  ​Find resources to help support your trade activities, especially if you are new to importing or exporting.

• Business immigration programs 

  Immigration and citizenship
  ​Interested in moving to Canada to start a business? Find out if you can immigrate as a self-employed individual or receive a start-up visa.

• Exporters of Processing Services Program 

  Department of Finance Canada
  Your Canadian manufacturing service company may qualify to import certain goods without paying GST or HST if those goods are later exported.

• Customs Self Assessment Program 

  Canada Border Services Agency
  Importers, carriers and registered drivers may be able to reduce the time and cost of doing business with the Canada Border Services Agency.

• Free and Secure Trade 

  Canada Border Services Agency
  Get pre-approved to move low-risk goods faster through the Canada-U.S. border.

• Advance rulings for tariff classification 

  ​Canada Border Services Agency
  Get confirmation on the rate of duty that will apply to goods you plan to import.

• CANPASS 

  ​Canada Border Services Agency
  ​If you are a frequent and low-risk traveller, you can apply for access to speedier and easier entry into Canada.

• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card 

  ​Canada Border Services Agency
  ​You can use this card to help you cross the border faster when you travel for business to participating countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

• NEXUS 

  ​Canada Border Services Agency
  You can use this card to help you cross the Canada-U.S. border faster when you travel for business.

• Trade Accelerator Program 

  World Trade Centre Toronto
  Access to Canada’s top exporting advisors, resources and contacts, as well as the opportunity to work with industry leaders to build and implement a comprehensive export plan.

• Hungarian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce  514 932-5188

  Services offered:  Networking - Trade Missions - Support for the development of trade relations between Canada and Hungary

• Chambre de Commerce Canado-Suisse (Québec)  514 937-5822

  Services offered:  Networking - Support for commercial, industrial and financial exchanges between Switzerland and Canada

• Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie Canada-Liban  514 495-8000

  Services offered:  Networking – Support to promote trade between Lebanon and Canada

• Canadian-Tunisian Chamber of Commerce  514 847-1281

  Services offered:  Consulting services on exporting - Networking - Support to promote trade between Tunisia and Canada

• Montreal's Irish Canadian business community 

  Services offered:  Networking - Support for trade between Ireland and Québec

• Canadian Chamber of Commerce  613 238-4000

  Services offered:  ATA Carnet - Document Certification - Business Data Lab - Internationalization Assistance - Professional Services -Canadian Business Resilience

• Global Affairs Canada  1 800 267-8376

  Services offered:  Permits and licences - Trade mission - Consulting services - Document authentication

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)  1 800 442-2342

  Services offered:  Domestic and import permits - Food safety (Food inspection) - Animal health - Plant protection - International market access

• GS1 Canada  514 355-8929, 416 510-8039, 1 800 567-7084

  Services offered:  Implementation of e-commerce supply chain standards (Bar Codes - Products images)

• Chambre de commerce Québec & Amérique Latine (QUÉtAL)  514 400-8969

  Services offered:  Coaching - Networking - Training in French phonetics for Spanish speakers - Trade missions - International cooperation

• Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada  514 844-4249

  Services offered:  Networking - Coaching - Consulting services for companies interested in doing business or investing in Italy or Canada - Market research

• Entreprises Québec  418 644-0075, 1 800 644-0075

  Services offered:  Information on Government Programs and Services - Laws and obligations - Financial Assistance - Starting a Business - Human Resources - Foreign Trade - Innovation

• Canada Border Services Agency - CBSA  1 800 461-9999

  Services offered:  Import - Export - Technical and commercial support - Support programs - Border information service

• List of references - import/export 

  Find contact information for organizations that can help you achieve your import or export project.

• International trade workshops 

  Learn about international trade topics such as transportation, letters of credit and cargo insurance. These workshops are available online.

• Step-by-Step Guide to Importing Commercial Goods into Canada 

  Learn the basics of the commercial importing process.

• Manage foreign suppliers 

  Learn about the key steps you may need to take to find and pick a foreign supplier, including the methods of payment to consider and drawing up a contract.

• Directory – Key import and export resources 

  Consult this directory to find financing programs, support organizations and practical resources to carry out your import or export project.

• Trade agreements — Government procurement 

  Learn about Canada's main trade agreements and how their procurement provisions may affect your procurement contract.

• Canadian Importers Database 

  Find out which companies are importing goods into Canada by product, by city and by country of origin.

• Niagara — Foreign Trade Zone 

  Do you move or trade goods for international trade? This designated FTZ provides access to programs that may reduce or eliminate tariffs, taxes or duties.

• eManifest Portal 

  Electronically transmit to the Canada Border Services Agency pre-arrival data for low-risk commercial shipments.

• Foreign Trade Zone program (Manitoba) 

  Do you move or trade goods internationally? FTZ provides access to programs that may reduce or eliminate the tariffs, taxes or duties.

• Windsor-Essex — Foreign Trade Zone 

  Do you move or trade goods for international trade? This designated FTZ provides access to programs that may reduce or eliminate tariffs, taxes or duties.

• Vancouver Island — Foreign Trade Zone 

  Do you move or trade goods for international trade? This designated FTZ provides access to programs that may reduce or eliminate tariffs, taxes or duties.

• Country information — Export Development Canada 

  Find profiles of foreign countries, as well as information on EDC resources available for each country.

• Country and market info 

  Get cultural, demographic, and political information on countries with whom you would like to conduct business.

• Finance your exports 

  See what are the main financing programs available to support your export projects.

• Hypercroissance Québec 

  ​Startup Montréal
  Develop your innovative, fast-growing Quebec company by increasing your exports and accelerating your growth.

• Agreement for construction sector labour mobility Ontario - Québec 

  Ministère du Travail
  Under this agreement, you are ensured equal treatment when bidding or working on construction projects in Ontario and Quebec.

• CGLCC- Global 

  Canadian LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce ( CGLCC )
  Get connected with LGBT+ chambers of commerce and partnership opportunities around the world and leverage their expertise to help you do business abroad.

• EDC — Export Help Hub 

  Export Development Canada
  Find the trade information you need from export advisors, in order to grow your business in new markets such as the U.S., European Union and Mexico. Get answers to questions about customs, financing, paying taxes and more.

• BDC Advisory Services — Sales and marketing 

  ​Business Development Bank of Canada
  Get advice on action oriented approaches focused on developing and implementing a strategy plan to increase your sales through knowledge sharing, coaching and support.

• Canada Consumer Product Safety Act 

  ​Government of Canada
  ​If you manufacture, import, distribute or sell products, find out what you need to do to ensure that your products are safe.

• International trade and investment 

  ​Business and industry Canada
  ​Find resources to help support your trade activities, especially if you are new to importing or exporting.

• Business immigration programs 

  Immigration and citizenship
  ​Interested in moving to Canada to start a business? Find out if you can immigrate as a self-employed individual or receive a start-up visa.

• Exporters of Processing Services Program 

  Department of Finance Canada
  Your Canadian manufacturing service company may qualify to import certain goods without paying GST or HST if those goods are later exported.

• Export Distribution Centre Program 

  ​Canada Revenue Agency
  ​If your non-manufacturing business adds limited value to goods destined for export, you could be exempt from paying GST/HST on certain imports.

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Access more resources in the electronic version of this document

• DPME International  418-839-8786

  Services offered:  Coaching - Export consulting services - Market research - International business plan - Training

• Accelerated Growth Center  514 873-6708

  Services offered:  Coaching - Growth - Business plan - Export - Financing - Marketng and sales - business plan - Consulting services

• First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC)  418 843-1488

  Services offered:  Coaching - Growth - Startup - Sustainable development - Busines plan - Training - Managing - Marketing and sales - Mentoring - Business plan - Networking

• Commerce international Côte-Nord  418 589-5028

  Services offered:  Coaching - Export consulting services - Market research - International business plan - Training

• Hungarian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce  514 932-5188

  Services offered:  Networking - Trade Missions - Support for the development of trade relations between Canada and Hungary

• Chambre de Commerce Canado-Suisse (Québec)  514 937-5822

  Services offered:  Networking - Support for commercial, industrial and financial exchanges between Switzerland and Canada

• Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie Canada-Liban  514 495-8000

  Services offered:  Networking – Support to promote trade between Lebanon and Canada

• Canadian-Tunisian Chamber of Commerce  514 847-1281

  Services offered:  Consulting services on exporting - Networking - Support to promote trade between Tunisia and Canada

• Montreal's Irish Canadian business community 

  Services offered:  Networking - Support for trade between Ireland and Québec

• Canadian Chamber of Commerce  613 238-4000

  Services offered:  ATA Carnet - Document Certification - Business Data Lab - Internationalization Assistance - Professional Services -Canadian Business Resilience

See more documents

Access more resources in the electronic version of this document

• List of references - import/export 

  Find contact information for organizations that can help you achieve your import or export project.

• Points to consider before exporting 

  Before you make the decision to export, think about the resources and knowledge necessary for your project.

• Tariff information by country 

  Find out about the tariffs that apply to each country's imports to determine how much duty your foreign customers need to pay.

• International trade workshops 

  Learn about international trade topics such as transportation, letters of credit and cargo insurance. These workshops are available online.

• Guide des organismes de soutien à l'exportation au Québec [PDF](in French only)

  This practical guide presents the services offered by the main export support organizations that can help you expand your business into foreign markets. [PDF]

• Doing business with NASA 

  Learn how to find opportunities and understand the procurement process of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

• Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting 

  Find out what you need to know about exporting, including international market research, export planning, marketing, finances, logistics and legal aspects.

• ATA Carnet — A Passport for goods 

  Simplify customs procedures for the temporary and duty-free admission of your commercial samples, professional equipment, and goods for use at events.

• Directory – Key import and export resources 

  Consult this directory to find financing programs, support organizations and practical resources to carry out your import or export project.

• SIMAP — European public procurement 

  Find information on European public procurement and opportunities to do business with the European Union and its member states.

• Trade agreements — Government procurement 

  Learn about Canada's main trade agreements and how their procurement provisions may affect your procurement contract.

• SAM.gov  

  Find opportunities to sell your goods or services to the United States government.

• AusTender 

  Find Australian Government procurement opportunities.

• Niagara — Foreign Trade Zone 

  Do you move or trade goods for international trade? This designated FTZ provides access to programs that may reduce or eliminate tariffs, taxes or duties.

• Foreign Trade Zone program (Manitoba) 

  Do you move or trade goods internationally? FTZ provides access to programs that may reduce or eliminate the tariffs, taxes or duties.

• Windsor-Essex — Foreign Trade Zone 

  Do you move or trade goods for international trade? This designated FTZ provides access to programs that may reduce or eliminate tariffs, taxes or duties.

• Vancouver Island — Foreign Trade Zone 

  Do you move or trade goods for international trade? This designated FTZ provides access to programs that may reduce or eliminate tariffs, taxes or duties.

• Business Women in International Trade 

  Find key contacts, trade events, market opportunities and export advice from experienced businesswomen.

• U.S. government procurement 

  Learn about the U.S. government procurement process, market evaluations and contracting opportunities at all levels of government.

• U.S. General Services Administration 

  Do business with the acquisition and procurement arm of the US federal government.

• Government procurement: international trade agreements 

  Get details on all the free trade agreements covering government procurement that Canada has signed, as well as agreements under negotiation.

• Country information — Export Development Canada 

  Find profiles of foreign countries, as well as information on EDC resources available for each country.

• Country and market info 

  Get cultural, demographic, and political information on countries with whom you would like to conduct business.