🇨🇦 Everything you need to sell in Canada
Canada is a major ecommerce market with high internet penetration and strong cross-border shopping habits. Canadian consumers often buy from US sellers. Amazon.ca is the dominant marketplace. Canada has a complex tax system with federal GST/HST and provincial sales taxes. Bilingual requirements (English/French) apply in Quebec.
🛃 Customs Notes
CAD 20 duty-free threshold for customs duty. CUSMA/USMCA preferential rates for qualifying US/Mexico goods. Bilingual labeling (English/French) mandatory. CSA or cUL certification required for electrical products.
Compliance Topics
📊 GST/HST/PST (Sales Tax)
Canada has a federal GST at 5% and combined HST at 13-15% in participating provinces. Non-participating provinces have separate PST (0-10%). Foreign digital services and marketplace sellers must register for GST/HST if supplying to Canadian consumers. CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) administers the federal tax. Quarterly or annual filing.
- •Federal GST: 5% on taxable supplies
- •HST (Harmonized Sales Tax): 13% (Ontario) to 15% (Nova Scotia, etc.)
- •Provincial PST: BC (7%), Manitoba (7%), Saskatchewan (6%), Quebec (QST 9.975%)
- •Foreign sellers threshold: CAD 30,000 in 12-month period for GST/HST registration
- •Marketplace facilitator rules: Amazon/eBay collect GST/HST for third-party sellers
- •GST/HST registration and filing via CRA
🚢 Customs & Import Duties
Canada's duty-free threshold is CAD 20 for customs duty and CAD 40 for taxes on personal mail imports (low-value shipments). Import duties based on commodity code and country of origin. GST at 5% plus any applicable duties on imports. CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) manages customs. CUSMA/USMCA provides preferential rates for US/Mexico goods.
- •Duty-free threshold: CAD 20 (customs duty), CAD 40 (taxes) for personal imports
- •Import duties vary by commodity code and country of origin
- •GST: 5% on customs value + duties
- •CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) manages customs
- •CUSMA/USMCA: preferential tariff treatment for qualifying US/Mexico goods
- •SIMA (Special Import Measures Act) anti-dumping duties on certain goods
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🛡️ Product Safety & Labeling
Canada has mandatory safety requirements under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA). Health Canada oversees product safety. Bilingual labeling (English and French) is mandatory for most consumer products sold in Canada. Specific requirements exist for children's products, cosmetics, and electronics.
- •CCPSA (Canada Consumer Product Safety Act) governs product safety
- •Health Canada oversees enforcement of product safety standards
- •Bilingual labeling (English/French) mandatory for consumer products
- •Specific standards for children's products, electronics, cosmetics
- •Electrical products require CSA or cUL certification mark
- •Product recall requirements under CCPSA
🔒 Data Privacy
Canada's federal privacy law is PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act), being replaced by CPPA (Consumer Privacy Protection Act). The OPC (Office of the Privacy Commissioner) oversees compliance. Quebec has its own privacy law (Law 25). Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) governs marketing communications.
- •PIPEDA governs personal data handling by commercial organizations
- •CPPA (Bill C-27) will replace PIPEDA with stricter requirements
- •Quebec Law 25 (Loi 25): Quebec-specific privacy requirements
- •OPC (Office of the Privacy Commissioner) oversees compliance
- •CASL: strict opt-in requirements for marketing emails and texts
- •Bilingual privacy policy recommended (required in Quebec)
🛒 Marketplace Rules
Amazon.ca is the dominant marketplace in Canada. eBay.ca, Walmart.ca, and Best Buy Canada are other significant platforms. Canadian marketplace facilitator rules require platforms to collect GST/HST. Strong consumer protection varies by province. Bilingual product listings recommended.
- •Amazon.ca: dominant marketplace, marketplace facilitator rules apply
- •eBay.ca, Walmart.ca, Best Buy Canada: significant platforms
- •Marketplace facilitator GST/HST collection rules
- •Provincial consumer protection laws apply
- •Bilingual listings (English/French) recommended
- •Fulfillment options: FBA Canada, Canadian 3PL providers
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Official Sources
This information is for general reference only and does not constitute legal, tax, or compliance advice. Consult a qualified professional and check official sources before making decisions.