Everything Canadian businesses need to know about importing from China — from CBSA registration and required documents to duties, GST/HST, and choosing the right sourcing partner.
Importing from China is one of the most powerful ways Canadian businesses can reduce product costs, access a wider range of goods, and build a competitive supply chain. But the process involves more steps than most first-time importers expect — from registering with the Canada Revenue Agency to clearing customs with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
This guide walks you through every step, so you know exactly what to expect before your first shipment lands on Canadian soil.
China remains the world's largest manufacturing hub. For Canadian small and medium businesses (SMEs), sourcing from China offers several clear advantages:
- Lower per-unit costs compared to domestic or North American manufacturing
- Access to a huge range of product categories, from electronics to apparel to furniture
- Established manufacturing expertise across most industries
- Faster turnaround on large production runs
For Canadian importers specifically, China-Canada trade has seen significant developments. Canada's efforts to diversify trade relationships beyond the US have made Asia-Pacific supply chains increasingly attractive for businesses across British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and beyond.
Before you can import commercial goods into Canada, you need to register for a Business Number (BN) with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This is your import/export account identifier and the CBSA requires it for all commercial shipments.
Registering is free and can be done online through the CRA Business Registration Online portal in minutes. Once you have your BN, you'll also want to register for GST/HST if your business will have revenue over $30,000 CAD.
Every product imported into Canada must be assigned a Harmonized System (HS) code. This 10-digit number determines the customs duty rate that applies to your goods.
The CBSA uses these codes to calculate duties and ensure compliance with Canadian import regulations. Using the wrong HS code can result in incorrect duty payments, delays, or CBSA audits going back up to four years.
Your sourcing agent or customs broker can help you classify products correctly. You can also search the CBSA's Customs Tariff portal at the Canada Border Services Agency website.
For every commercial shipment from China to Canada, you'll need to prepare the following documents:
- Commercial Invoice: details the goods, their value, seller, and buyer
- Packing List: itemizes the contents, weights, and dimensions of each package
- Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air): the contract of carriage with your shipping carrier
- Certificate of Origin: confirms where the goods were manufactured, which may affect tariff rates
- Import Permits: required for certain regulated goods (food, cosmetics, electronics, children's products)
Missing or incorrect documentation is the #1 cause of shipment delays at Canadian ports. Your sourcing agent and customs broker can help ensure your paperwork is complete before your goods ship.
When your goods arrive in Canada, the CBSA calculates duties and taxes based on three things: the HS code classification, the declared value of the goods (transaction value), and the country of origin.
For most consumer goods imported from China, you'll pay:
- Customs duty: varies by product (typically 0–20%, with some products duty-free)
- Goods and Services Tax (GST): 5% on the duty-paid value
- Provincial Sales Tax (PST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST): depends on the destination province
Note: Canada has reduced tariffs on Chinese EVs but standard consumer goods tariff rates remain largely unchanged. Your customs broker can provide an accurate duty estimate before you order.
The main shipping options from China to Canada are:
Sea Freight (FCL or LCL): the most cost-effective option for large or heavy shipments. Transit time is typically 18–25 days to Vancouver or 25–35 days to Toronto via trans-Pacific shipping routes.
Air Freight: faster (5–7 days) but significantly more expensive. Best for high-value, low-weight goods or urgent restocks.
Express Courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS): ideal for samples or small parcels. Customs clearance is typically handled by the courier.
For most Canadian SMEs starting out, sea freight LCL (Less than Container Load) is the most practical option — you share a container with other importers and only pay for the space you use.
A licensed Canadian customs broker acts on your behalf with the CBSA. They:
- File the customs entry (B3 form) electronically
- Calculate and pay duties and taxes
- Ensure your goods comply with Canadian regulations
- Resolve any CBSA queries or holds on your shipment
While it's technically possible to self-clear goods for some shipments, most Canadian importers working with Chinese suppliers use a licensed broker. The CBSA mandatory importer bond requirements introduced in 2025 have made this even more important for regular importers.
For Canadian businesses importing from China, one of the most valuable investments you can make is partnering with a local sourcing agent who has teams on the ground in China.
A Canada-based sourcing agent like Epic Sourcing provides:
- Supplier verification and factory audits before you commit
- Sample coordination and quality inspections during production
- Negotiation on your behalf for better pricing and contract terms
- Ongoing quality control so problems are caught before shipment
- Coordination with your customs broker and freight forwarder
- A single point of contact managing the entire process from Canada
This is the most important step most first-time importers skip. The risks of dealing directly with unverified Chinese suppliers — especially via Alibaba — include receiving poor-quality goods, losing deposits, or facing compliance issues at the Canadian border.
For most commercial shipments, yes. A licensed customs broker handles the CBSA entry process, ensures compliance, and releases your goods from port. With the 2025 mandatory importer bond requirements now in effect, having a broker is especially important for regular importers.
The total landed cost includes product cost, freight charges, insurance, customs duties (based on HS code), 5% GST, and applicable provincial tax. The duty rate varies widely by product category. Your sourcing agent can prepare a landed cost estimate before you place your order.
Sea freight takes approximately 18–25 days to Vancouver or 25–35 days to Toronto. Air freight takes 5–7 days. DHL/FedEx express typically takes 3–5 business days for small packages.
Regulated categories include food and beverages (CFIA), health products and cosmetics (Health Canada), electronics and children's products (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada), and textiles (labelling requirements). Your sourcing agent and customs broker can confirm permit requirements before you order.
Importing from China to Canada is a proven path to building a cost-effective, resilient supply chain — but it works best when you have the right team in your corner.
At Epic Sourcing, we work exclusively with Canadian businesses to find verified suppliers, manage quality control, and handle every step of the sourcing process from our Vancouver base. We eliminate the guesswork so you can focus on growing your business.
Book a free discovery call with our team today and tell us what you're looking to source. We'll put together a plan that works for your budget, your products, and your timeline.
Related Articles in This Series
Canadian Import Duties and Taxes Explained
How to Verify Chinese Suppliers for Canadian Importers
Alibaba vs Sourcing Agent: Which Is Better for Canadian Businesses?
