Developing Your Importing Plan

Every business needs a solid business plan. The following resources will assist you in knowing the process, regulations and resources available to you to refine your importing success plan.

Planning and Knowing the Process

• Canada Border Services Agency – SME's Web Site
  The Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) information centre has many tools to assist small businesses and infrequent importers. The site includes: a free step-by-step guide to importing, a daily exchange rate converter, on-line registration to information seminars, "SME Newsflash", links to relevant government departments, and much more. This site puts practical information within easy reach of SMEs and offers access to CBSA client-services officers for in-depth enquiries.
• Importing Regulations and Publications
  The Canada Border Services Agency’s site provides information on the rules, regulations and processes required to import commercial goods. The site also includes publications, as well as the documentation required to manage shipments, tariffs, and forms.
• Import Trade Data
  Statistics Canada provides import trade data such as import quantity, import value and characteristics of importing firms.
• Interactive Business Planner
  The IBP uses the capabilities of the Internet to assist entrepreneurs prepare a 3 year business plan for their new or existing business.
• Market Research Handbook 2005 (MRH)
  The Market Research Handbook 2005 (MRH) brings you the most current and extensive demographic indicators and data on Canadian markets.
• TradeMap Canada
  TradeMap Canada is an innovative tool created by the International Trade Centre (UNCTAD/WTO) in Geneva to allow exporters/importers and trade professionals to easily access key international trade data.

Customs Brokers

• Licensed Customs Brokers
  Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) maintains a list of licensed Customs Brokers organized by province.

Finding a Customs Broker

• Canadian Company Capabilities
  Find names of Canadian customs brokers using the Canadian Company Capabilities database, an on-line tool on Strategis, Industry Canada’s business and consumer information site.
• Licensed Customs Brokers
  Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) maintains a list of licensed Customs Brokers organized by province.
• List of Foreign Customs Brokers
  The List of Licensed Customs brokers with on-line computer system access are found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on the Export and Import Controls site.