Import Contacts / Directories
Comprehensive list of import contacts and directories
The entrepreneur who is considering an import business will find a comprehensive list of contacts and directories helpful to learn more about importing and to make invaluable contacts within their industry. In this section, we have listed a number of resources that are business associations, key industry contacts and helpful websites.
Business Associations and Other Contacts
Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters Inc.
The Canadian Importers Association (CIA) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to providing members with information, consultation services and representation to government. The Association is the recognized voice of the importing community in Canada. The CIA is Canada’s key source of information on Canadian trade policy and provides Canadian importers, both large and
small, with critical information, effective representation to government and timely advice.
Canadian Association of Regulated Importers
Established in 1986, as a non-profit organization, the Canadian Association of Regulated Importers serves for import permit holders mainly of poultry, cheese and beef items.
Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada
The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada represents member interests to federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Association members are engaged in the manufacturing, importation, distribution, and servicing of light duty vehicles.
Registrar of Imported Vehicles
Transport Canada has contracted Livingston International to establish and operate the national program of vehicle inspection, certification and registration, known as the Registrar of Imported
Vehicles.
In order to ensure vehicles manufactured in the United States meet Canadian standards, there are several steps to follow. The website provides a simple summary of what you must do.
Canadian Society of Custom Brokers
The Canadian Society of Custom Brokers provides advocacy, issue management services, and technical/business information. The Society offers educational products, including the Qualification Course that prepares students to write the Canada Border Services Agency's qualification examination.
Customs Brokers
Only customs brokers licensed by the Canada Border Services Agency may, on a commercial basis, account for goods and pay duties and taxes on behalf of an importer, under section 32 of the Customs Act. Check your local yellow pages for a full listing of custom brokers in your area.
Freight Forwarders
A freight forwarder’s basic function is to get cargo from Point A to Point B at the right time and in one piece. A freight forwarder is a carrier and / or an agent that ‘arranges’ the movement of goods for the customer. They can save the exporter time and money. Check your local yellow pages for a full listing of freight forwarders in your area.
Websites
Importsource
ImportSource.ca is your gateway to a comprehensive range of resources designed to help both new and experienced importers with every stage of the import process.
Directories
Canadian Importers Database
Industry Canada’s Strategis website presents a list of companies importing goods into Canada. The site is searchable by product and by city for products imported into Canada. Data is collected by Canada Border Services Agency.
The International Directory of Importers
One of a nine volume series, this book covers a specific geographical region. It features extensive classified listings of worldwide importing firms, as well as a company section containing detailed information on each importer. Useful for export sales promotional activity, searching for prospective distributors and agents, compilation of mailing lists, locating imports of a particular product, verification of company data etc.
Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters Directory
Organizations listed alphabetically in this directory represent the total membership of the Canadian Importers Association Inc as of May 2002. The association's membership is comprised of international trade related firms including manufacturers that import components for further processing, retail chains, traditional importer/distributors that resell to manufacturers, processors and retailers as well as organizations and companies that
provide services to the Canadian importing community.
Trade Directories of the World
Guide to more than 3,000 trade, industrial, and professional directories in 1000 categories in 175 countries. This directory helps exporters in their search for new markets and additional sales. Importers will be able to locate new and better sources of supplies anywhere in the world. Market researchers can find needed data fast. Free updated amendments 10 times each year.
(ISBN: 0-87514-003-3)
Dictionary of International Trade
Dictionary of 4,071 international trade, economic, banking, legal and shipping terms. Includes: acronyms & abbreviations, Incoterms 1990, maps of the world, international dialing guide, currencies, weights & measures, publications, organizations, and other information sources.
(ISBN: 0-9631864-8-5)
How to Conquer the World
A directory of more than 8,000 international business resources on the Internet. From export manuals to automatic translators and online shipment trackers to virtual consultants, the directory spotlights the best export information and tools online. Global in scope, the index covers 230 countries and territories, and profiles the leading trade applications and services on the web in each of the 50 American states and 10 Canadian provinces.
The site also provides more than 200 Internet tips for global business people, and reviews the leading web-trade tools in 20 functional areas including training, sales, purchasing, banking, accounting, law, customs brokerage and shipping.
Other Business Directory sites on the net
Global yellowpages contains yellowpages-links to 154 countries: http://yellowpages.com
Euro-pages contains 500,000 companies selected in 30 European countries: http://www.europages.com
Thomas Register of American Manufacturers: http://www.thomasregister.com
Hong Kong Enterprise http://www.hkenterprise.com/
Kompass (manufacturers) http://www.kompass.com
Embassy listings for Canada: http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/canada.htm
International Chamber of Commerce directory at: http://www.iccwbo.org
International trade show directory at: http://www.tsnn.com
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