Canada NHP Market-Entry Series · Part 8 of 13
A Canadian importer is a key part of market entry
International brands entering Canada need to establish how their products will be imported and who will take responsibility for the regulated importation activities. The Canadian importer is more than a shipping contact: its responsibilities can include licensing, quality oversight, documentation and coordination with the foreign product owner and manufacturing site.
Site licensing and foreign-site GMP evidence
A Canadian company that imports NHPs generally requires an NHP site licence. As part of the licensing framework, the importer must provide evidence that the relevant foreign and domestic sites meet applicable GMP requirements or an accepted equivalent. The precise documentation depends on the product, activities and sites involved. These requirements should be assessed before commercial shipments are planned.
Product authorization and shipment readiness
The product must have the appropriate Canadian product authorization before it is marketed in Canada. The importer and brand owner should coordinate product information, licence status, labels, specifications, batch documentation and import records. Testing or other quality activities may also be required depending on the product and its manufacturing and import circumstances. Requirements should be confirmed for the specific product rather than assumed to be identical across all NHP categories.
Choose the operating model before shipping
Some brands work with an established Canadian importer; others evaluate establishing their own Canadian entity and licensing structure. The right approach depends on the company’s commercial plans, product portfolio, expected volumes and desired control over the Canadian supply chain. It is important to distinguish the regulated importer under the NHP framework from the customs Importer of Record role: these responsibilities can overlap, but they are not automatically interchangeable.
Globyz as your Canadian import and commercialization partner
Globyz supports international brands with Canadian importation and Importer of Record planning, site-licensing and regulatory coordination, quality support, analytical testing services, 3PL warehousing and distribution solutions. We work with brands to align import responsibilities and downstream logistics within a practical Canadian operating model.
Talk to Globyz
Need a Canadian importer or a coordinated import-to-warehouse solution? Contact Globyz to discuss your product portfolio and planned launch.
Contact Globyz or email info@globyz.com.
Official Resources
Health Canada: Good manufacturing practices guide for natural health products (GUI-0158)
Health Canada: Site licensing guidance
Continue the Canada NHP Market-Entry Series
Previous: NHP Site Licence in Canada: Who Needs One and Why?
Next in this series: Choosing a 3PL for Natural Health Products in Canada