{"id":4669,"date":"2019-12-29T11:04:54","date_gmt":"2019-12-29T16:04:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/?p=4669"},"modified":"2019-12-29T11:04:55","modified_gmt":"2019-12-29T16:04:55","slug":"importing-clothing-into-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/importing-clothing-into-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Importing Clothing Into Canada Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Importing clothing items into Canada? It probably does not come as a surprise that clothing items are actually one of the most commonly imported items into the nation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, a key thing to consider here that the duty rates average out at 17.5%. In addition to this, it\u2019s typically one of the most legislated import types &#8212; as demonstrated by <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.international.gc.ca\/trade-commerce\/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux\/agr-acc\/nafta-alena\/fta-ale\/03_b.aspx?lang=eng\">Annex 300-B<\/a><\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of NAFTA, where a litany of stipulations are outlined.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Another interesting consideration: there are no specific permits required for textiles, apparel, or garments for importation into Canada.<\/p>\n<p>As with anything we write about: proceed with caution. Making mistakes or being careless in the arena of importing goods can be costly, waste time, and set back your business. Here\u2019s a quote from business executive and author, Seth Godin:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><strong>\u201cIf you don\u2019t have the time to do it right, what makes you think you\u2019ll have the time to do it over again?\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Any import items that can be classified as clothing, linens, textiles, leather, fur, and any other kinds of fabric, there are certainly regulations to keep in mind as you move forward. If you\u2019ve already found a vendor\/provider overseas, we\u2019ve got you covered!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2019\/12\/eva-blue-SfPOkp6-2eA-unsplash.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4672\" src=\"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2019\/12\/eva-blue-SfPOkp6-2eA-unsplash-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"textile apparel clothing\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eva-blue-SfPOkp6-2eA-unsplash-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eva-blue-SfPOkp6-2eA-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Below are a list of the main considerations for getting started and importing clothing into Canada.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Basics for First-Time Importers<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the Clearit blog, we have a huge range of super-ultra-interesting pieces (no sarcasm whatsoever) written specifically for first-time importers. We\u2019ll link a few of them below so you can stack up some reading material for later! But here\u2019s 8 quick things to note:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>1. Get a Business Number for an Import-Export account from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A customs broker can do this for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>2. Make sure the goods you\u2019d like to import are not prohibited in Canada.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This is typically not an issue for clothing items, but do make sure before you commit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><b>3. Identify which taxes, duties, and fees apply to you. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A broker will help verify if your information is correct. Of note: tax rate for clothing items is 5%.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>4. Obtain a Tariff Classification number (10-digit number assigned to imported item). <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This number will help you determine any tariffs to be paid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>5. Now is the time to place your order with the vendor. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Better be prepared before you do this! In the order, it\u2019s ideal to identify mode of shipment and the expected port of entry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>6. Be aware shipments of goods may be examined or audited by the <\/b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca\/menu-eng.html\"><b>Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)<\/b><\/a><\/span><b>. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will be responsible for any costs incurred during this process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>7. Pay duties and taxes before goods are released. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A customs broker can ensure that this is done with ease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>8. Make sure you are ready for post-shipment record keeping. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any records you have about your imported goods must be kept for a total of 6 years following their importation (paper or electronic).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u00a0<b>Pertinent blog posts:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/what-you-need-to-know-imports-exports\/\">What You Need to Know Before Working In Imports &amp; Exports<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/choosing-the-right-customs-broker\/\">5 Tips for Choosing the Right Customs Broker<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/how-much-pay-customs-duties\/\">How Much Can You Expect to Pay in Customs Duties?<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/how-long-does-it-take-to-clear-customs\/\">How Long Does It Take to Clear Customs in Canada?<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><b>Main Regulations that Apply to Clothing Shipments<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2019\/12\/matt-seymour-lxVRvBGsao-unsplash.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4673\" src=\"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2019\/12\/matt-seymour-lxVRvBGsao-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"apparel fabric\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/matt-seymour-lxVRvBGsao-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/matt-seymour-lxVRvBGsao-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Textile Labeling and Marking.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These regulations are quite specific and must be followed in order for the shipment to be released. <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.competitionbureau.gc.ca\/eic\/site\/cb-bc.nsf\/eng\/01249.html\">Click here for the Government of Canada\u2019s Guide to the Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations<\/a><\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Tariff Preference Level (TPL) for textiles &amp; clothing. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are certain fabrics and apparel items that are within particular Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that have preferential tariff rates. <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca\/publications\/dm-md\/d11\/d11-4-22-eng.html\">Check out TPL details on the CBSA website<\/a><\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>This was definitely a resource-heavy piece with a lot of links to sift through! That being said, don\u2019t be scared away from importing textiles and clothing: as long as you do your homework, get your documentation in order, and pay the required fees, you\u2019ll be in the clear.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s true that it can be an overwhelming process, especially for first-time importers, but it should be noted that most importers work with a customs broker that can help them with regulations and file documentation on their behalf. If you\u2019d like to learn more about how a broker can help you, <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/contact-us\">click here<\/a><\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get the conversation started &#8212; no commitment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Importing clothing items into Canada? It probably does not come as a surprise that clothing items are actually one of the most commonly imported items into the nation.\u00a0 However, a key thing to consider here that the duty rates average out at 17.5%. In addition to this, it\u2019s typically one of the most legislated import [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":4670,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4669"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4669"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4669\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4674,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4669\/revisions\/4674"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4670"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4669"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}