Category Archives: Supply Chain

Canada NHP Market-Entry Series · Part 12 of 13

Build a distribution model around your customers

Selling NHPs across Canada requires a distribution model that reflects where customers are located, which channels you serve and how quickly orders need to arrive. A single national approach may work for some brands, while others may need a mix of direct-to-retailer, distributor and e-commerce fulfilment.

Centralized or regional inventory?

A centralized warehouse can simplify inventory control and provide a single point of coordination. Regional inventory may improve delivery times for certain markets but can increase complexity and the risk of holding excess or slow-moving stock. The decision should be based on demand patterns, product shelf life, service expectations and total logistics costs.

Transportation and product requirements

Transportation arrangements should reflect the product’s storage and handling requirements. For temperature-sensitive NHPs, confirm whether the shipping solution can maintain the required conditions and provide appropriate records. For all products, consider carrier performance, delivery confirmation, damage handling and procedures for delays or exceptions.

Support each sales channel

Retail and wholesale distribution can require planned deliveries, retailer-specific instructions and consolidated orders. E-commerce often requires parcel-level fulfilment and a responsive returns process. Your logistics partner should be able to support the channels you intend to serve and provide visibility into order status and inventory.

Plan for growth, not just the first shipment

A distribution model should be scalable as demand develops. Review forecast assumptions, replenishment lead times, seasonal demand, inventory buffers and reporting needs. Aligning these elements early can help avoid repeated changes to the supply chain as your Canadian business expands.

Talk to Globyz

Expanding NHP distribution across Canada? Speak with Globyz about warehousing, fulfilment and nationwide logistics support.

Contact Globyz or email info@globyz.com.

Official Resources

Health Canada: Good manufacturing practices guide for natural health products (GUI-0158)

Continue the Canada NHP Market-Entry Series

Previous: NHP Fulfillment in Canada: From Warehouse to Customer

Next in this series: Selling NHPs Through Retail and E-commerce in Canada

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Canada NHP Market-Entry Series · Part 11 of 13

Fulfilment connects inventory to the market

For an NHP brand, fulfilment is the operational link between imported inventory and the customer. Whether products are sold through retailers, distributors, pharmacies or e-commerce, orders must be processed accurately and dispatched in a way that protects product quality and supports customer expectations.

What a fulfilment process should cover

A typical process includes receiving and reconciling inventory, recording lot and expiry information, maintaining stock status, receiving orders, picking and packing products, dispatching shipments and updating inventory records. Defined procedures help ensure that the correct product and quantity are shipped and that the order can be traced after dispatch.

Retail and e-commerce have different needs

Retail orders may involve larger quantities, scheduled deliveries, retailer-specific routing or labelling instructions and electronic data interchange (EDI). E-commerce fulfilment typically requires individual order processing, parcel shipping, returns handling and responsive customer service. A provider should understand the channels you serve and the service levels each channel requires.

Visibility, accuracy and scalability

Before selecting a fulfilment partner, clarify order cut-off times, dispatch timelines, inventory reporting, lot-level traceability, returns procedures and how exceptions are managed. Confirm that systems can support your expected order volume and provide the information your team needs to manage replenishment and customer commitments.

Connect fulfilment to your wider Canadian operation

Fulfilment works best when it is connected to importation, quality oversight, warehousing and distribution. A coordinated operating model can reduce manual hand-offs and help your business maintain better control as sales grow across Canada.

Talk to Globyz

Planning Canadian retail or e-commerce fulfilment for your NHP brand? Connect with Globyz to discuss an integrated warehousing and order-management solution.

Contact Globyz or email info@globyz.com.

Official Resources

Health Canada: Good manufacturing practices guide for natural health products (GUI-0158)

Continue the Canada NHP Market-Entry Series

Previous: Canadian NHP Warehousing: Storage and Quality Considerations

Next in this series: How to Distribute Natural Health Products Across Canada

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Canada NHP Market-Entry Series · Part 10 of 13

Warehousing is a quality activity

Once NHPs arrive in Canada, appropriate storage is essential to maintaining product quality and supporting reliable supply. A warehouse should be selected based on the product’s requirements and the controls it can demonstrate—not simply its location or available pallet positions.

Storage conditions and product protection

Products should be stored under conditions that maintain their quality and safety, in line with approved specifications and label requirements. Consider temperature and humidity needs, protection from contamination, pest control, segregation where appropriate and procedures for handling damaged or returned goods. Temperature-sensitive products may require qualified equipment, monitoring and a defined response to excursions.

Inventory controls and traceability

A warehouse should maintain accurate inventory records and be able to identify stock by relevant details such as product, lot or batch, expiry date and status. Clear procedures for receiving, quarantine, release, stock rotation, picking and dispatch help reduce errors and support effective investigations or recalls. Ask how quickly the provider can identify affected inventory and produce distribution records.

GMP expectations apply

Storage and distribution alone are not generally licensable activities under the NHP site-licensing framework. However, applicable GMP requirements still apply to NHP storage and distribution. The level of oversight and documentation should be appropriate to the activities performed and the responsibilities assigned among the importer, product licence holder and logistics provider.

A practical Canadian warehousing model

Brands should assess whether they need ambient or temperature-controlled storage, whether inventory will be held centrally or across multiple locations, and how orders will be fulfilled. The best model balances product protection, service levels, inventory visibility and the ability to expand as Canadian demand develops.

Talk to Globyz

Looking for GMP-conscious NHP warehousing and distribution in Canada? Globyz can help assess the storage and logistics model for your products.

Contact Globyz or email info@globyz.com.

Official Resources

Health Canada: Good manufacturing practices guide for natural health products (GUI-0158)

Continue the Canada NHP Market-Entry Series

Previous: Choosing a 3PL for Natural Health Products in Canada

Next in this series: NHP Fulfillment in Canada: From Warehouse to Customer

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Canada NHP Market-Entry Series · Part 9 of 13

A 3PL is part of your product’s Canadian supply chain

Selecting a third-party logistics provider (3PL) is an important decision for any NHP brand entering Canada. Your logistics partner will help protect product quality after importation and support the movement of inventory to retailers, distributors, pharmacies and e-commerce customers. The right provider should understand the operational and quality expectations associated with NHPs—not just the cost of storing cartons or pallets.

Look beyond warehouse space

Assess whether the provider can accommodate your product’s storage conditions, packaging formats, inventory profile and expected order volumes. Ask how receiving, put-away, stock rotation, order picking, packing and dispatch are controlled. If your products require temperature-controlled storage, confirm how conditions are monitored, excursions are escalated and records are retained.

Quality systems and traceability

NHP storage and distribution activities are subject to applicable GMP expectations, even though storage and distribution alone do not generally require an NHP site licence. A suitable 3PL should have documented procedures, trained personnel, appropriate premises, inventory controls and the ability to support product traceability and recall activities. Understand how deviations, complaints, damaged goods and returns are handled.

Technology, reporting and service flexibility

Your 3PL should provide inventory visibility and reliable order information. Discuss system integration, EDI requirements, reporting frequency, lot and expiry tracking, service levels and the process for managing urgent orders. Also confirm whether the provider can scale as volumes grow or support multiple sales channels without introducing unnecessary complexity.

One partner from import to distribution

Where possible, evaluate the complete service model: import coordination, quality and batch documentation, warehousing, order fulfilment and distribution. A fragmented model can create hand-offs and make accountability harder to manage. A coordinated provider can help simplify communications and give your team a clearer view of inventory as products move through the Canadian market.

Talk to Globyz

Evaluating Canadian 3PL partners for your NHP portfolio? Discuss your storage, quality and distribution requirements with Globyz.

Contact Globyz or email info@globyz.com.

Official Resources

Health Canada: Good manufacturing practices guide for natural health products (GUI-0158)

Continue the Canada NHP Market-Entry Series

Previous: Canadian Importer Requirements for Natural Health Products

Next in this series: Canadian NHP Warehousing: Storage and Quality Considerations

Return to the Canadian NHP Market-Entry Guide