
Do you plan to offer your products and services globally or need international partners to help you enter new markets? Before doing business abroad, it is important to understand the basics of the import and export process.
Our advisors can help you prepare effectively by informing you about the steps and the laws and regulations in effect before starting your import and export activities.
» Contact us today to quickly get answers to your questions and receive a free assessment in order to establish a solid foundation for all your international projects.
By phone
Online: Fill out the form
Free online resources
QUICKLY FIND THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO START IMPORTING AND EXPORTING
Consult our guides and these free, practical resources to help you understand import and export mechanisms and find the financing programs available to you.
IMPORTING – SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Free and Secure Trade
Canada Border Services Agency
Get pre-approved to move low-risk goods faster through the Canada-U.S. border.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
IMPORTING – SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS
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Global Affairs Canada
1 800 267-8376
Services offered:
Permits and licences - Trade mission - Consulting services
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Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
1-800-442-2342, 613-773-2342
Services offered:
Domestic and import related permissions
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Canadian Chamber of Commerce
613 238-4000
Services offered:
ATA Carnet - Document Certification - Business Data Lab - Internationalization Assistance - Professional Services -Canadian Business Resilience
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Canada Border Services Agency - CBSA
1 800 461-9999
Services offered:
Import - Export
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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
IMPORTING – OTHER RESOURCES
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List of references - import/export
Find contact information for organizations that can help you achieve your import or export project.
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International trade workshops
Learn about international trade topics such as transportation, letters of credit and cargo insurance. These workshops are available online.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Importing Commercial Goods into Canada
Learn the basics of the commercial importing process.
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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.
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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.
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Canadian Importers Database
Find out which companies are importing goods into Canada by product, by city and by country of origin.
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Trade agreements — Government procurement
Learn about Canada's main trade agreements and how their procurement provisions may affect your procurement contract.
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Calgary Region Inland Port — Foreign Trade Zone (Calgary)
Do you move or trade goods internationally? This designated FTZ provides access to programs that may reduce or eliminate the tariffs, taxes or duties.
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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.
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eManifest Portal
Electronically transmit to the Canada Border Services Agency pre-arrival data for low-risk commercial shipments.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Country and market info
Get cultural, demographic, and political information on countries with whom you would like to conduct business.
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Country information — Export Development Canada
Find profiles of foreign countries, as well as information on EDC resources available for each country.
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Finance your exports
See what are the main financing programs available to support your export projects.
EXPORTING – SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
You could benefit from non-financial resources to succeed in your business venture.
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Hypercroissance Québec
Startup Montréal
Develop your innovative, fast-growing Quebec company by increasing your exports and accelerating your growth.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
EXPORTING – SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS
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DPME International
418-839-8786
Services offered:
Coaching - Export consulting services - Market research - International business plan - Training
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Acclr - Business information (Info Entrepreneurs)
1 888-576-4444 | 514 496-4636
Services offered:
Referral - Consulting services - Market intelligence - Training - Referencing - Expert advice - Export certification
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Global Affairs Canada
1 800 267-8376
Services offered:
Permits and licences - Trade mission - Consulting services
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Business centre RezoMont
+1 438 408-1144
Services offered:
Office space and meeting room rental - Virtual offices and business address - International business support - V.I.E Coaching - FDI consulting (national and international)
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Accelerated Growth Center
514 873-6708
Services offered:
Coaching - Growth - Business plan - Export - Financing - Marketng and sales - business plan - Consulting services
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Canadian Chamber of Commerce
613 238-4000
Services offered:
ATA Carnet - Document Certification - Business Data Lab - Internationalization Assistance - Professional Services -Canadian Business Resilience
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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
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Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)
1 800 363-0401, 514 841-2200
Services offered:
Financing - Export support
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Commerce international Côte-Nord
418 589-5028
Services offered:
Coaching - Export consulting services - Market research - International business plan - Training
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Centrale Agricole
Services offered:
Coaching – Training - Rental of production space - Acceleration program for urban agriculture businesses – Networking - International matchmaking opportunities
EXPORTING – DOCUMENTARY RESOURCES
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List of references - import/export
Find contact information for organizations that can help you achieve your import or export project.
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Points to consider before exporting
Before you make the decision to export, think about the resources and knowledge necessary for your project.
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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.
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International trade workshops
Learn about international trade topics such as transportation, letters of credit and cargo insurance. These workshops are available online.
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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]
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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.
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Doing business with NASA
Learn how to find opportunities and understand the procurement process of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
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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.
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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.
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SAM.gov
Find opportunities to sell your goods or services to the United States government.
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Trade agreements — Government procurement
Learn about Canada's main trade agreements and how their procurement provisions may affect your procurement contract.
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SIMAP — European public procurement
Find information on European public procurement and opportunities to do business with the European Union and its member states.
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AusTender
Find Australian Government procurement opportunities.
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Calgary Region Inland Port — Foreign Trade Zone (Calgary)
Do you move or trade goods internationally? This designated FTZ provides access to programs that may reduce or eliminate the tariffs, taxes or duties.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Business Women in International Trade
Find key contacts, trade events, market opportunities and export advice from experienced businesswomen.
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U.S. government procurement
Learn about the U.S. government procurement process, market evaluations and contracting opportunities at all levels of government.
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U.S. General Services Administration
Do business with the acquisition and procurement arm of the US federal government.
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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.
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Country and market info
Get cultural, demographic, and political information on countries with whom you would like to conduct business.
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Country information — Export Development Canada
Find profiles of foreign countries, as well as information on EDC resources available for each country.