The Ultimate Guide to Exporting Supplements, Cosmetics, and Food to Canada
- Altamash Janjua
- Dec 17, 2025
- 4 min read
Are you ready to expand your brand into the Great White North? Canada represents a massive opportunity for global brands, but crossing the border involves more than just logistics—it requires navigating a complex web of compliance.
In a recent expert webinar by the Consulate General of Pakistan at Toronto, Andrew Pashad (President & CEO of Quality Smart Solutions) and Kadi Scosia (Senior Regulatory Solution Specialist) broke down exactly what you need to know to get your Natural Health Products (NHPs), cosmetics, and foods onto Canadian shelves.
Whether you are selling vitamins or mangoes, here is your roadmap to compliance.
1. Natural Health Products (NHPs): The Heavy Hitters
In Canada, dietary supplements are called Natural Health Products (NHPs). These are defined as naturally occurring substances used to maintain or restore health, including vitamins, probiotics, homeopathics, and even sunscreens.
The Golden Rule: You cannot sell an NHP in Canada without a Natural Product Number (NPN) on the label.
The Three Pathways to an NPN
Getting approved depends on your ingredients and claims. Kadi Scosia breaks it down into three classes:
Class 1 (The Express Lane): Single ingredient products that match a Health Canada monograph (pre-established safety/quality data). Timeline: ~60 days.
Class 2 (The Middle Ground): Multi-ingredient products where all ingredients have monographs and fall within specific parameters. Timeline: ~90 days.
Class 3 (The Deep Dive): Products with ingredients that lack a Canadian monograph or require safety/efficacy evidence (often requiring two randomized clinical trials). Timeline: Targeted at 210 days, but realistically taking 300 to 400 days.
Warning: To sell an NHP, you must have a Canadian site license. If you manufacture abroad, you need a Canadian importer of record and must prove your foreign site meets Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), often requiring finished product testing that isn't required in the US.
2. Cosmetics: Beauty with Strings Attached
Cosmetics are defined as products used to cleanse, improve, or alter the complexion, skin, or hair. While less strict than NHPs, the rules are changing.
Notification is Key: You must file a Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) with Health Canada within 10 days of your first sale.
New Requirement (2024): You now need a designated "Notifier"—a manufacturer, importer, or authorized representative located in Canada who can act as the primary contact for Health Canada.
The "Claim" Trap: Be careful! A moisturizer is a cosmetic, but a moisturizer with SPF is an NHP. A toothpaste is a cosmetic, but a toothpaste with fluoride is an NHP. If you make a therapeutic claim (e.g., "relieves pain"), you cross the line into NHP territory.
3. Foods: Safety First
The food sector is regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada. Importers must hold a valid Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) license and have a preventive control plan or HACCP plan in place.
What You Need to Watch Out For:
Front-of-Package (FOP) Symbols: Starting January 1st, foods high in sodium, sugar, or saturated fat must display a specific "magnifying glass" symbol on the front of the package. CFIA will begin enforcing this soon.
Allergens: Canada lists 12 priority allergens (including milk, eggs, peanuts, and sulfites). Missing an allergen on the label is the fastest way to get a mandatory public recall.
Organic Rules: To say "Certified Organic," your product must be 95% organic ingredients and certified by a recognized body like the USDA.
4. The "Must-Dos" Before You Ship
Andrew Pashad highlighted several critical factors that can make or break your entry into Canada:
Bilingual Labeling is Non-Negotiable: English and French have equal status. The French text must be the same font size as the English text. Crucially, it must be Québécois French, not Parisian or "Google Translate" French, or you risk alienating buyers in Quebec.
The Amazon Factor: If you plan to sell on Amazon.ca, be aware that their bots are aggressive. They will not list a supplement without a valid NPN, and they sometimes misclassify cosmetics as NHPs.
Timelines: If you are launching a supplement, budget for the long haul. Between getting your NPN and setting up your importer site license, the process can take anywhere from a few months to a full year.
The Bottom Line
Exporting to Canada is a lucrative move, but you cannot cut corners. Whether you are dealing with the lengthy testing requirements for NHPs or the new "magnifying glass" labels for food, preparation is everything. As Andrew advised, ensure you have your NPN, compliant labels, and a licensed Canadian importer lined up before your goods get on a boat or plane to avoid costly holds at the border.
Analogy to solidify understanding: Think of entering the Canadian market like getting a driver’s license.
Cosmetics are like a Learner’s Permit: You just need to notify the authorities you are there (notification) and have a supervising adult in the car (the Canadian representative).
NHPs are like a Commercial Truck License: You need to pass a written exam (monographs), prove your vehicle is safe (GMPs/Site License), and carry a specific license plate (NPN) at all times.
Foods are like Inspection Stations: You can drive through, but if your paperwork (Preventive Control Plan) isn't perfect or you're carrying dangerous cargo (undeclared allergens), you will be pulled over immediately.
Comments