Trade Regulation System
Special regimes apply only to the import of weapons, ammunition and strategic material. The import of all other products and services is subject to business regulations implied by the Canadian membership in economic and trade associations and organisations, tariff and non-tariff measures, as well as by the requirements of Canadian institutions for identification and quality of goods. In addition to general business rules, Canada applies a variety of regulations related to a specific product.

Customs Regulations and Tariff Lists
Canadian tariff lists authorise the Canadian government to levy import duties. The duty may be only levied by the federal government, the constitution abolish this for provincial governments.
Every goods entering Canada must be reported to the customs office. In the federal government organisation, the Customs Canada is a part of the Department of Revenue. Declaration of goods is usually made at the border crossing by the importer’s customs.
Many branches of Canadian industry are controlled by a few large companies. One of the ways how to achieve the desired success on the Canadian market is through the following scheme: Participating in exhibition, fair, business mission or individual trip, or indirectly gain a partner (customer, dealer or representative) who will ensure establishment of the relevant goods and foreign company in the Canadian market.
To achieve this goal, one should have:
• staff with sound professional (foreign trade) and language (English, French) skills,
• sufficient amount of good quality promotion material in English and French (leaflets, catalogues, annual reports) and good quality promotional items,
• funds for trade start-up (business trips, lease of premises for showroom, costs of any market surveys and co-operating staff in Canada).
Multiple requirements for the imported goods, and the provided service, must be met. Establishment of a foreign affiliation in Canada is a better and more efficient form.
Business Environment
Entire net revenues are concentrated in four most significant firms for each of the following industry:
• steel,
• construction machines,
• mining and metal mining,
• food processing,
• wood and paper products,
• financial services.
Some industrial goods, in particular when the volume or value of shipment are significant, are bought directly by the customer. Smaller orders and purchase of cheaper equipment and industrial supplies are often organised through representatives or wholesalers. The most important distribution centres for goods are Toronto and Montreal. From these points, distributors often cover the eastern part of Canada (Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada). Distributors in Calgary or Vancouver cover the western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia).

Public Tenders
Terms and conditions of a public tender are set by a governmental body called Treasury Board of Canada, that publishes them in the Treasury Board Manual, available from the Government Book Store, Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario and the Internet, at the federal government website under "What´s new on this site" and "Key TBS Publications".
All public tenders are published in the "Government Business Opportunities", which appears 2-3 times per week. This is published by the Minister of Supply and Services.

The task to organize and manage international trading from the Federal Government's aspect has been delegated to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). This Department is responsible for the Canadian international trade and for the growth of exports.
Specialized Institutions
• Business Council on National Issues, Ottawa
• C. D. Howe Institute, Toronto
• Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Ottawa
• Trade Facilitation Office Canada (TFOC), Ottawa
• Canadian International Development Agency / Agence canadienne de développement international (CIDA/ACDI), Hull, Quebec
• Canadian Standards Association, Rexdale, Ontario
• Conference Board of Canada, Ottawa
Business Associations
• Canadian Manufacturers Association, Etobicoke, Ontario (11 Regional Offices)
• Canadian Importers Association, Dundas, Ontario
• Canadian Exporters Association, Ottawa
• Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Willowdale, Ontario
Institutions providing State support to Canadian exporters
• Export Development Corporation (EDC), Ottawa
• Federal Business Development Bank, Ottawa - Toronto
• Canadian Commercial Corporation, Ottaw