Manufacturers who want to export food and cosmetic products to Canada need to comply not only with FDA expectations but also with Canada's own food and health authorities. Just as the FDA registration process is well known in the United States, working in line with Health Canada, the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) and other regulators is required in Canada.
In this article, we explain the regulations that apply to food and cosmetic exports to Canada, pre-import permits, logistics preparation, documents specific to sellers on platforms such as Amazon and Shopify, and the differences between the U.S. and Canada. Our article How to Obtain an FWS Import / Export License When Exporting to the U.S. covers a related topic.
CFIA Processes for Food and Cosmetic Exports to Canada
For companies exporting food to Canada, the first step is meeting the import requirements set by the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency). Food products shipped to Canada generally need to be covered under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR).
Required steps:
- Obtaining a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) license through the Canadian importer
- Preparing labels in both English and French
- Presenting nutrition facts tables in the Canada-specific format
- Aligning food classification and product descriptions with the CFIA database
Cosmetic Product Notification in Canada (Health Canada)
In Canada, cosmetic products are overseen by Health Canada rather than the FDA. A Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) should be filed for each product, and label ingredients should meet the criteria of Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.
What needs to be done:
- Submitting the CNF (Cosmetic Notification Form) through the online system
- Preparing an INCI-compliant ingredient list
- Making sure product labels are bilingual and consistent with any claims made
- Placing packaging safety warnings in the appropriate positions
Canadian Customs: Practical Support for Perfume, Food and Cosmetics
Like our solution partner in the U.S., our logistics partner in Canada can organize imports of products that fall under the HAZMAT class or need special handling at customs (for example perfume, deodorant, sprays and medical creams). If you would like support with this process, see our U.S. and Canada Customs Service.
This way:
- Canadian customs clearance is handled within Canada, which can remove the need for complex shipping arrangements from the country of origin
- Products become ready for sale on Amazon.ca or Shopify
- MSDS, labeling and formulation checks are carried out in line with Canadian standards
Compliance for Amazon.ca and Shopify
Exporters selling through Amazon or Shopify in Canada need their products to be compliant both commercially and from a regulatory standpoint. In the food and cosmetics categories in particular, Amazon Canada looks for Health Canada compliance.
- Our services for Amazon.ca and Shopify:
- Canada-specific label design
- Category eligibility assessment for cosmetic and food products
- Submitting regulatory documents during the product listing process
Frequently Asked Questions
Which agencies take the place of the FDA in Canada?
The CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) is responsible for food, and Health Canada is responsible for cosmetics and health products.
What is the CNF?
The Cosmetic Notification Form is the notification submitted to Health Canada for cosmetic products to be sold in Canada.
Are English-only labels enough?
No. In Canada, labels are required to be in both English and French.
Does Amazon Canada check my product's compliance?
Yes, Amazon.ca reviews Health Canada and CFIA compliance, particularly for food and cosmetic products.
How does your logistics partner handle Canadian customs clearance?
After the products are shipped to Canada, import and customs clearance are completed through our representative in Canada.
Is an MSDS required?
Yes, an MSDS should be provided for products classified as HAZMAT.
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