Step-by-step guide to importing commercial goods into Canada - Step 2: Gather information

1. [Canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en.html)

2. [CBSA](/menu-eng.html)

3. [Import commercial goods](/import/menu-eng.html)

4. [Guide to importing commercial goods into Canada](/import/guide-eng.html) # Gather information about the goods you want to import # Sections - [Who should use this guide](/import/guide-1-eng.html) - [Gather information about the goods you want to import](/import/guide-2-eng.html) - [Select the duties and taxes that apply](/import/guide-3-eng.html) - [Set up your business to import](/import/guide-4-eng.html) - [Ship and report goods](/import/guide-5-eng.html) - [Release, account and pay duties and taxes](/import/guide-6-eng.html) - [Make changes after accounting for goods](/import/guide-7-eng.html) - [Checklist](/import/guide-8-eng.html) - [Compliance matters](/import/guide-9-eng.html) Before importing, learn as much as you can about your goods. Make sure they are admissible, that is, allowed into Canada and check if you need permits or special documents. Gather details like product descriptions, composition information and, whenever possible, physical samples. ## On this page - [Confirm the country of origin](#s01) - [Make sure the goods are permitted into Canada](#s02) - [Permits, restrictions or regulations](#s03) - [Alcohol and tobacco](#s03_1) - [Special import measures](#s03_2) - [Controlled goods](#s03_3) - [Ban on forced labour](#s03_4) ## Confirm the country of origin The country of origin is where your goods are made (manufactured), produced or grown. It may not always be the same as the country they’re shipped from. You must provide proof of country of origin when you import goods into Canada and, in some cases, your goods must also be clearly marked. Always check if your country of origin has a free trade agreement or other preferential tariff treatment with Canada. These agreements can lower the amount of duty you have to pay. If you are not sure of your country of origin, you can request an advance ruling or a national customs ruling and the CBSA will confirm the country of origin for you. Rulings can be requested through the CARM Client Portal. ### More information - [Memorandum D11-4-2: Proof of Origin](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d11/d11-4-2-eng.html) - [Memorandum D11-3-1: Marking of Imported Goods](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d11/d11-3-1-eng.html) - [Request an advance ruling or national customs ruling](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/ar-da/menu-eng.html) - [Origin of goods](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/origin-origine-eng.html) (contains a list of free trade agreement countries and what form proof of origin should take) - [Canadian Customs Tariff](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/menu-eng.html) (contains preferential tariff treatments) ## Make sure the goods are permitted into Canada Certain goods are not allowed to be imported into Canada. They are prohibited. Some examples of prohibited goods are obvious, such as child sexual abuse and exploitation material, hate propaganda, and obscenity. Others are less obvious, such as used mattresses and some used automobiles. ### More information [Memoranda Series D9: Prohibited Importations](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d9-eng.html) ## Permits, restrictions or regulations Importers must meet requirements set by government departments and agencies. This means some goods may need permits, certificates or inspections from other departments or agencies, in addition to meeting the CBSA’s requirements, before the goods can be released. The CBSA applies these requirements on their behalf. You should consult those departments and government agencies directly if you have questions. ### Alcohol and tobacco If you're importing alcohol or tobacco products, check with the applicable authority in your province or territory. #### Provincial authorities - Alberta: [Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission (AGLC)](https://aglc.ca/) \[in English only\] - British Columbia: [BC Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch (BCLCRB)](https://bcvqa.ca/information/bc-liquor-control-licensing-branch/) \[in English only\] - Manitoba: [Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA)](https://lgcamb.ca/) \[in English only\] - New Brunswick: [New Brunswick Justice and Public Safety](https://www.gnb.ca/en/org/justice-public-safety.html) (oversees New Brunswick Liquor Corporation) - Newfoundland and Labrador: [Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC)](https://nlliquor.com/) \[in English only\] - Nova Scotia: [Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC)](https://www.mynslc.com/) \[in English only\] - Ontario: [Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO)](https://www.pas.gov.on.ca/Home/Agency/237) for sales, and the [Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)](https://www.agco.ca/en) for licensing and regulation - Prince Edward Island: [PEI Liquor Control Commission](https://liquorpei.com/) \[in English only\] - Québec: [Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)](https://www.saq.com/en/about-saq/importing-beverage-alcohol) - Saskatchewan: [Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA)](https://www.slga.com/) \[in English only\] #### Territorial authorities - Northwest Territories: [Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NTLCC)](https://www.ntlcc.ca/) - Nunavut: [Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NULC)](https://nulc.ca/Default.aspx) - Yukon: [Yukon Liquor Corporation (YLC)](https://yukon.ca/en/yukon-liquor-corporation) ### Special import measures The Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) is a law that protects Canadian industry from significant harm (material injury) caused by the dumping and subsidizing of imported goods. The CBSA and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal are jointly responsible for administering SIMA. Under SIMA, some goods have additional duties applied, such as anti-dumping and countervailing duties, to offset the harmful effects of unfair trade practices. You can find more information about accounting for SIMA goods under [Release, account and pay duties and taxes](guide-6-eng.html). #### More information - [Investigating unfair trade to protect Canadian jobs and industry](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/unfair-deloyal-eng.html) - [Overview of Canada's anti-dumping and countervailing investigative processes](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/brochure-eng.html) - Goods subject to SIMA duties: [Measures in force](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/mif-mev/menu-eng.html) - [Memoranda Series D14: Special Imports Measures Act](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d14-eng.html) - [Special Import Measures Act (SIMA)](http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/S-15) ### Controlled goods Goods with military or national security significance, including components and technical data, are controlled by the Government of Canada and defined in the Defence Production Act. <span class="label label-info">Note:</span> It is essential to consult the CBSA and Global Affairs Canada before attempting to import controlled goods. #### More information - [What are controlled goods](https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/industrial-security/controlled-goods/what-are-controlled-goods.html) - [Controlled goods: Examining, possessing or transferring](https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/industrial-security/controlled-goods.html) ### Ban on forced labour Goods manufactured or produced wholly or in part by forced or prison labour are prohibited from entering Canada. Importers are responsible for conducting due diligence and ensuring that all goods they import comply with Canadian law. #### More information - [Memorandum D9-1-6: Goods manufactured or produced by prison or forced labour](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d9/d9-1-6-eng.html) - [Forced labour in Canadian supply chains](https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/cntrng-crm/frcd-lbr-cndn-spply-chns/index-en.aspx) ## Related links - [List of commodities that may require permits and responsible departments](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/reflist-listeref-eng.html) - [Memoranda Series D19: Acts and Regulations of Other Government Departments](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d19-eng.html) ### Document navigation - [<span class="wb-inv">Next: </span>Select the duties and taxes that apply](/import/guide-3-eng.html) ## Page details - Date modified: 2026-09-17 ## About this site ### Canada Border Services Agency - [Contact us](/contact/menu-eng.html) - [Publications and forms](/publications/menu-eng.html) - [CBSA Glossary](/sme-pme/glossary-glossaire-eng.html) ### Government of Canada - [All contacts](https://www.canada.ca/en/contact.html) - [Departments and agencies](https://www.canada.ca/en/government/dept.html) - [About government](https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system.html) #### <span class="wb-inv">Themes and topics</span> - [Jobs](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs.html) - [Immigration and citizenship](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html) - [Travel and tourism](https://travel.gc.ca/) - [Business](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business.html) - [Benefits](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits.html) - [Health](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health.html) - [Taxes](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/taxes.html) - [Environment and natural resources](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment.html) - [National security and defence](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence.html) - [Culture, history and sport](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture.html) - [Policing, justice and emergencies](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing.html) - [Transport and infrastructure](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/transport.html) - [Canada and the world](https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/index.aspx?lang=eng) - [Money and finances](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/finance.html) - [Science and innovation](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/science.html) - [Indigenous Peoples](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/indigenous-peoples.html) - [Veterans and military](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/veterans-military.html) - [Youth](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/youth.html) - [Manage life events](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/life-events.html) ### Government of Canada Corporate - [Social media](https://www.canada.ca/en/social.html) - [Mobile applications](https://www.canada.ca/en/mobile.html) - [About Canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/government/about.html) - [Terms and conditions](/help-aide/in-ai-eng.html) - [Privacy](https://www.canada.ca/en/transparency/privacy.html)