The Government of Canada is geared toward helping exporters and industry in general. Only Revenue Canada - Customs deals with importers across the whole range of imported goods. We suggest, therefore, that you call your Regional Office of Revenue Canada - Customs. The general inquiry number in Ottawa is (613) 993-0534 (or toll-free at 1-800-461-9999), on which you may hear recorded messages on all sorts of import topics. Customs can help you straight away with general information, e.g. how to register with them as a commercial importer. As for becoming an importer, you might consider calling the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters at (416) 595-5333. You could also contact your local Entrepreneurship Centre about the help they can give to people setting up small business. The Ottawa-Carleton inquiry number is (613) 560-6081 or the Canada Ontario Business Service Centre toll-free number is 1-888-576-4444.

The trade offices abroad of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) might be able to offer you some support in making contacts; a list of Trade Commissioners is available from our InfoCentre service (1-800-267-8376). The local embassies or consulates of the countries from which you might be importing should also be consulted for list of suppliers.

Just about any good may be imported into Canada by anyone, subject to compliance with certain conditions imposed by the federal and, sometimes, provincial government(s). The people who actually enforce all these conditions at the border are the Customs officers. However, they will not be able to give you specific information until you tell them what kind of things you wish to import, and from what country. Here is an idea of the kind of conditions we are referring to:

• is the article prohibited entry into Canada? This covers a narrow range of goods prohibited under annex VII of the Customs Tariff, e.g. hate literature and pornography. It also covers goods that we in DFAIT keep out persuant to international sanctions.

• is the article allowed in only under the authority of an import permit? That is also when DFAIT comes in: by virtue of the Export and Import Permits Act, we control imports of textiles and clothing, steel, wheat, barley and their products, supply-managed farmproducts (dairy, chicken, eggs, turkey), firearms and suchlike, and a few miscellaneous items. These are all found on the Import Control List. If you wish to import a textile or clothing article, call (613) 996-3711 for information about how to get an import permit. If you wish to import an agricultural good on the Import Control List, call (613) 995-8104. For steel, call us to get a permit on request, or call any customs broker. For endangered species and their products, call the Canadian Wildlife Service (613) 997-1840. For information about firearms, call (613) 992-0478.

• is the article subject to some other federally-imposed condition? For example, goods for retail sale have to comply with labelling laws; motor vehicles have to meet emission control standards; food and agricultural products have to pass the necessary health and sanitary checks. Customs can usually advise you on this, but you can refer to the useful telephone numbers list below.

• is the article subject to some privately-certified standard? For example, all electrical appliances and equipment must be certified by the Canadian Standards Association International before they can be sold in Canada. Call the CSA International at (416) 747-4000 (or toll-free 1-800-463-6727) for information on electrical and other standards.

• is there a provincial rule to comply with? For example, imports of liquor, wine and beer require prior authorization from the appropriate liquor commission before Customs will clear them.

• most goods imported are subject to customs duties (imposed under the Customs Tariff) and the GST; both these are collected by Customs at the time of importation, and levied on the landed value of the goods. Customs also collect anti-dumping and countervailing duties on a few goods that have been found to be sold under unfair conditions.

As for how to go about importing, you will need to inform yourself about a great many things: how to make contacts abroad, how to assess the merchandise, how to negotiate delivery and payment contracts, how to make payments abroad, how to get the freight shipped, how to clear Customs, how to store the goods, how to distribute them in Canada, how to deal with defective or sub-standard goods, how to get payments from clients in Canada...

Some of these questions are standard to all small businesses, and the Entrepreneurship Centre can probably help you. Some exploratory calls to customs brokers or freight forwarders will amply repay your time and effort. We expect the Canadian Importers' Association can also help you find your way.

Like anyone setting up a new business, you will find that there are quite a few ropes to be learnt. We hope this material will at least point you in the right way. We wish you success in your endeavours.