Potential Markets

Canada

Canada is one of the fastest growing export markets for Nepali products. Nepali goods are eligible to apply the GSP facility provided by Canada, under which goods originating from Nepal get duty-free access to Canada. The biggest exports of Nepal to Canada are carpets, pashmina, readymade garments, and so on.

Exporting to Canada

The exporter in Nepal needs to find an importing partner in Canada. In Canada, only the businesses and individuals who have obtained a Business Number (BN) issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for an import/export account are allowed to undertake import of commercial goods. The importer will carry out the necessary formalities either on their own or via the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) approved customs agent.

The following documents are required for customs clearance;

• Packing List 
• Bill of Lading 
• Commercial Invoice 
• Canada Customs Invoice  (CI1 - Canada Customs Invoice).
• Certificates of Origin 

Find information on prohibited imports to Canada here.

Importing food and plant products to Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is Canada's national plant protection organization. The CFIA regulates the import of plants and plant products under several different acts, including the Plant Protection Act and Regulations, and the relevant sections of the Seeds Act and Regulations.

The CFIA's Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) is a searchable database on the Agency's website that you can use to view the import requirements that apply to the plant or plant product you want to import.

For entry into Canada, plant products need to ensure these conditions are fulfilled,

• a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country's national plant protection organization indicating that the plant or plant product meets Canada's phytosanitary import requirements
• an import permit, issued by the CFIA, which authorizes the importer to import a commodity under specific conditions of entry and use
• a seed analysis certificate for seed imports showing freedom from prohibited noxious weed seeds
• a certificate of origin where materials may originate only from pre-approved sources

Food Labelling

All foods packaged for consumer use and imported into Canada must comply with basic food labeling requirements specified by the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations.

Labeling requirements include the common name of the food, a list of ingredients and components, the name and address of the responsible party, a net quantity declaration in metric and a best before the date when required. The Nutrition Facts table is mandatory for most prepackaged foods with some exceptions and exemptions. The format and information provided must comply with the Guidelines on Nutritional Labelling developed by Health Canada and also with the Food and Drug Regulations. Agricultural and fish products for which standards exist under the Meat Inspection Act, Canadian Agricultural Products Act and associated Regulations, and the Fish Inspection Act may have additional labeling requirements (e.g. grade or country of origin). For more information click here.

Details regarding importing food to Canada could be accessed through the Automated Import Reference System, which is a comprehensive reference system that provides detailed information on import requirements for all Canadian Food Inspection Agency commodities.

For more information on doing business with Canada, you can contact Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters