We understand that buying and importing products from international brands can be challenging, rules and documentation requirements vary, depending on:
- Your country, its laws and regulations
- The products you are importing
- The country of origin of these products
As a retailer on Faire, you are the importer of record, and are responsible for ensuring you have the right to resell the products you purchase on Faire, in compliance with Canadian laws and regulation.
We want to help you feel confident buying from international brands.
This guide consists of tips and advice for Canadian retailers buying and importing international products into Canada.
Please note, this resource is non-exhaustive and purely indicative.
To learn about general international guidance (not Canada specific), visit How to buy internationally on Faire
Important: Register for CARM
If you currently purchase products from international brands on Faire or intend to shop from international brands in the future, you must follow the new requirements set by the CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency).
Please visit : Import requirement changes for Canadian retailers (CARM) and follow the step by step guidance provided.
If you do not take the following steps, imported shipments may be delayed or deemed undeliverable and returned to sender.
As the importer, it is your reponsability to ensure you are compliant before placing international orders. Faire will not assume financial liability for undeliverable shipments due to failure to register for CARM.
We strongly recommend you get your business set up earlier than later, to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for your international imports.
*Note that the date has been pushed back by the CBSA as of April 19th, from May 13, 2024 to October 2024 (Specific date to be confirmed by the CBSA)
How to determine if you can buy, import and resell international products in Canada
To determine if you can import and resell products purchased internationally into Canada, we recommend:
- Consulting governmental websites to check if there are any restrictions or specific requirements for importing the products you wish to purchase internationally :
- Look into any license requirements, or permit you may need as an importer when purchasing certain products. To learn more, visit Importing goods into Canada
- Looking into potential restrictions enforced by your country, based on the country of manufacturing/origin of the products.
To learn more, visit the Step-by-step guide to importing
- Consulting legal counsel and/or a customs broker to determine your readiness to import given products from a given country. To learn more, visit Licensed Customs Brokers
Documentation and compliance requirements for the import of international products into Canada
Upon import of products, as the importer, you may be required to provide some information and/or documentation to support customs clearance of your order.
You will find non-exhaustive guidance below, to help understand what falls under your responsibility as the importer, if requested by Canadian customs :
| Document type | Retailer responsibility | Brand responsibility |
| Documentation specific to your company (if applicable and required) | ✔️ | |
| License or permit to import specific controlled products | ✔️ | |
| Proof of right to resell | ✔️ | |
| Tax related identification for your company (GST) |
✔️ |
|
| Importing registration number | ✔️ | |
| Completion and Signature of forms for import |
✔️ |
|
|
POA letter (Power of Attorney) if applicable, Customs broker information |
✔️ | |
|
------------------------------------------- Packing slip |
✔️ | |
| Commercial invoice | ✔️ | |
| Documentation or information specific to manufacturing practices or information (if applicable) |
✔️ |
|
| Product specific documentation (if applicable) | ✔️ |
Faire does not possess or provide documentation or information specific to your company, your right to trade, purchase and import products into your country. This type of documentation has to be provided by yourself as the importer of record.
Customs broker
As a retailer buying internationally, you may contract a customs broker to help you with import regulations and compliance. If you have a customs broker, we recommend notifying the brand via Faire Messenger when you place your order, so they can include this on the commercial invoice prior to shipping your order. To learn more about recommended customs brokers, visit Licensed Customs Brokers
If your customs brokerage information is included on the commercial invoice, they will be contacted at the time of import to clear the package on your behalf.
If your customs brokerage information is not provided on the commercial invoice, you will be contacted directly by the carrier to clear the package.
If you do not have a customs broker and want to authorize carriers to clear customs on your behalf, you will need to draft a POA (Power of Attorney) letter, and share it with the carrier upon request. Please note, this applies to tightly controlled product categories.
Tightly regulated product categories in Canada
When importing into Canada, you are required to comply with any import regulations as set out by your Government, including, but not limited to, regulations for controlled goods. Importing controlled goods into your country/region may require additional authorization or clearance.
Below, we have listed some common controlled goods categories for which additional requirements may apply:
- Controlled goods: products that require licenses or permits for import, or additional documentation from the importer.
- Dangerous goods (DG): Substances that when transported are a risk to health, safety, property or the environment. Certain dangerous goods that pose risks even when not being transported are known as hazardous materials.
- Food products Food product means any substance, other than a substance used primarily for the purpose of imparting flavor, intended to be consumed by humans or animals. To learn more about importing food to Canada, visit the following government resources :
- For more information on license requirements when importing food, visit: Food licenses.
- For more information on food labelling requirements, visit Food labelling for industry
- For more information on Pet food requirements, visit Import policies: pet food, treats and chews containing animal products and by-products
- Animal products An animal product is any material derived from the body of an animal, products containing animal substances
- Cosmetics and skin products : Any substance or mixture intended to be placed in contact with the external parts of the human body. Fore more information on importing cosmetics into Canada, visit Importing, exporting or transhipping consumer products and cosmetics: Guide
- Plant and seed products: For information on permits, policies, directives, and guidance for importing plants and plant products, visit Plant and plant product imports
- Metal, Gemstones, and jewelry products: Please visit Mineral and metal imports
- Kids and baby products: Please consult Importing goods into Canada
- Toys: For more information on Toys Regulations, please visit the following resources:
- Textile and clothing: More information can be found in Textile and clothing imports
Please note, this list is non-exhaustive and purely indicative. Faire takes no responsibility in updating these websites, the resources linked are governmental pages only.
How do import duties work?
As the importer, you're responsible for any import duties or taxes charged on international shipments.
Import duties are based on the type and origin of the goods, as determined by tariff codes provided by the brand.
For more information on how import duties work, visit How do import duties work?
For more information on how recent tariff changes may affect you, visit 2025 US and Canada Tariffs Updates, impact to Retailers.
Trade agreements granting free import duties
The government of Canada has some trade agreements with other countries around the world that may allow for reduced or free duties. For more details on specific trade agreements available, please visit the Government of Canada website.
Canada—United States—Mexico Agreement (CUSMA – formerly NAFTA) may be applicable for products being imported into Canada that were entirely made in the USA, Mexico, or Canada. If a brand’s products are eligible for free duties under CUSMA, the brand is responsible for providing the appropriate Certification of Origin paperwork with the shipment. If the paperwork has been provided, the order may qualify for free duties under CUSMA. If you are not sure if the products you’re ordering qualify for CUSMA, you can contact the brand via Faire messenger to confirm.
How will duty estimates be calculated for USMCA products?
If a brand marks a product as USMCA compliant, we will not display duty estimates for that product. When you add it to your cart or proceed to checkout, no duty cost will be shown—since these items should be duty-free according to the brand’s certification.
Duties estimates are provided on a product level, so if brands have a mix of USMCA compliant and non-compliant products, you may see duty estimates in your cart for that brand and at checkout for the products that are not exempt from duty fees by USMCA.
What happens if a brand doesn’t include the right documentation?
Brands must provide documentation in all shipments containing USMCA duty-free products which certifies the products’ origin. Depending on the value of the shipment, you may be required to submit the certification to Canadian Border Services:
- For all shipments over $2,500 USD, the importer (usually the retailer) is required to provide the certification of origin.
- For shipments under $2,500 USD, the importer will not be routinely required to provide the certification, but if Canadian Border Services asks for it, the importer must provide it within 30 days.
If this documentation is missing or inaccurate, customs may apply duties.
Who is responsible for providing the certificate of origin?
If Canadian Border Services asks for the certification of origin, the importer of record is responsible for providing it within 30 days. In most cases, the retailer is the importer of record, and is therefore responsible for providing it. Under Faire's process, the brand will create the certification and provide it to the retailer in the shipment. You should make sure to keep the certification in your records in case Canadian Border Services asks for it.
If you receive a request from Canadian Border Services for the certification of origin and you do not have it, contact the brand right away—they have the product details needed to complete the certification. If you encounter any issues obtaining the certification, please reach out to us and we will help.
Why do I see a warning about other fees if the products are USMCA-compliant?
USMCA compliance means your order will be exempt from duties, but international orders may still incur other fees when crossing the border. These additional fees are separate from duties and may include disbursement fees, merchandising process fees, and storage fees. This is not a complete list of possible charges.
What should I do if I am charged duties for products market as USMCA-compliant?
If you suspect that you were charged duties on a product listed as USMCA-compliant, it may mean the brand did not provide the correct documentation. We recommend first asking your carrier for a detailed invoice with line-item charges to confirm whether the fees are related to tariff rates or other administrative costs. You should also ask your carrier to verify whether acceptable certification of origin was included with the shipment.
If both the invoice and carrier confirm that duties were charged on products marked as USMCA compliant, please contact us and include a copy of the invoice so we can help resolve the issue.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or customs compliance advice. Brands and retailers remain responsible for ensuring shipments comply with applicable laws and regulations. In particular, it is the responsibility of brands and retailers to confirm that all goods for which you claim preferential tariff treatment under the USMCA meet all of the applicable USMCA rules of origin for those goods and any other applicable USMCA requirements.
What happens if customs agencies or carriers require additional information to import my order?
If you order products internationally, and additional information or documentation is required for customs clearance, upon entrance of the products into the EU or into your country : you might be contacted by a customs agent, carrier, Faire, or the brand you ordered from to provide the necessary information to help clear customs.
Here are a few things to keep in mind :
- You are the importer, the brand is the exporter.
- The customs agent and/or carrier may reach out to you via phone, or via Faire support on an email thread. The brand would most likely reach out via Faire Messenger.
- Faire cannot provide : documentation or information specific to your company, your right to trade, purchase and import products into your country. (i.e.: license, permit, certification, import declarations, etc.) This has to be provided by yourself as the importer.
- Orders can typically be “stalled” at a border for a limited time, (this tends to vary between 3 and 5 days maximum)
- As the importer, it is your responsibility to accept the order, and to facilitate import, providing any information required.
If you are unresponsive, or fail to provide the required information/documentation/license, the customs agency may decide to return the shipment. (Return to Sender). This decision is outside of Faire’s control.
Please note, Faire keeps record of failures to import international orders, as well as the cost associated with shipping these products back to the brands. Faire reserves the right to review your account as well as ability to order on the platform in accordance with our Terms of Service.