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Exporting clothing, footwear and textiles from Canada

Most textiles and clothing need no Canadian permit. Apparel and textiles that do not meet CUSMA's rules of origin but are made in Canada can enter the US or Mexico at the preferential rate within tariff preference levels, with a shipment-specific certificate of eligibility. Certain apparel shipped to the EU under the CETA quota needs an export permit.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

CUSMA tariff preference levels
Certificate of eligibility for each shipment to the US or Mexico
CETA apparel quota
Shipment-specific export permit (Export Control List item 5209)
Other textiles
No Canadian permit or certification requirement
Permits issued by
Global Affairs Canada, Trade Controls Bureau
Originating goods
Certificate of origin under the relevant trade agreement

Before the goods leave

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Does the garment meet the trade agreement's rules of origin? Read more
  2. 2If not, is it eligible for a CUSMA tariff preference level, and is there allocation left? Read more
  3. 3Is it apparel shipped to the EU under the CETA origin quota? Read more
  4. 4Does it meet the destination's requirements and Canadian consumer product law? Read more
  5. 5Is an export declaration needed at the border? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

Tariff preference levels under CUSMA

How non-originating textile and apparel goods made in Canada can get the CUSMA preferential rate up to a set quantity.

  • Tariff preference levels let textile and apparel goods that do not meet a free trade agreement's rules of origin receive the preferential rate up to a negotiated quantity, if they meet conditions such as being cut, sewn and assembled in a party from non-originating material.
  • TPL-eligible exports are controlled under the Export and Import Permits Act. Only TPL exports to the United States and Mexico need a certificate of eligibility; TPL exports to Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras need no Canadian documents.
  • For apparel to the US, eligible goods are wool, cotton or man-made fibre apparel of HS chapters 61 and 62 cut (or knit to shape) and sewn in Canada from fabric or yarn made outside the free trade area.
  • Any resident of Canada is eligible for an allocation; allocations follow the previous year's use, and the balance goes first come, first served.
  • Certificates are shipment-specific and valid for 30 days, and are not issued once the level is used up. A certificate of origin is not completed for TPL goods.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps each certificate of eligibility with the shipment it covers, and shows when one is close to its 30-day limit. Ask about this

Apparel for the EU under the CETA origin quota

Certain apparel that qualifies only under CETA's alternative rules of origin needs a Canadian export permit.

  • Item 5209 of the Export Control List covers apparel under headings and subheadings 6102.30, 61.04, 6108.92, 61.14, 62.01 and 62.05 exported to the EU that meets the criteria in Table C.2 of CETA Annex 5-A.
  • A shipment-specific permit is needed for each shipment to obtain the CETA preferential rate, issued first come, first served until the quota is used.
  • Permits are available to residents of Canada: individuals who ordinarily reside here, or corporations with a head office or branch office in Canada.
  • The exporter gives the importer an origin declaration and refers to Annex 5-A on the commercial invoice; without that reference the goods are not counted against the quota.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps each quota permit with the shipment it was issued for, and shows an EU apparel shipment that has no permit on record. Ask about this

Health Canada's position on exported consumer products

Clothing and textiles sold to consumers are consumer products, and Health Canada's guide on exporting them applies.

  • Exporters of consumer products must make sure the products comply with the destination country's requirements and with the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act and its regulations.
  • Export includes the sale or advertising over the Internet of consumer products to a foreign jurisdiction.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps fibre content, care and test documents with each product, and reads them against the destination's requirements you record. Ask about this

Certificates of origin under trade agreements

The document that lets the importer claim a preferential duty rate under one of Canada's free trade agreements, such as CUSMA, CETA or CPTPP.

  • A certificate of origin certifies that the good meets a free trade agreement's rules of origin; the importer must have it to claim preferential tariff treatment.
  • Under CETA, the Canada-UK TCA, CEFTA and CUFTA it is an origin declaration on an invoice or other commercial document. Canadian exporters enter their Business Number in the CETA declaration.
  • Under CUSMA and CPTPP it is a set of minimum data elements with no prescribed format, which the importer, exporter or producer may complete.
  • A certificate can cover one shipment, or identical goods over a blanket period of up to 12 months. It is valid for four years from signature.
  • Whoever certifies origin keeps the certificate and supporting records for six years, and must tell everyone they gave it to of any change affecting its accuracy.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps each origin declaration with the products and shipments it covers, shows when a blanket period runs out, and answers importers' origin questions from the record. Ask about this

Export declaration and reporting to the CBSA

How commercial goods are reported to the Canada Border Services Agency before they leave Canada, and what the exporter keeps afterwards.

  • In most cases an export declaration is needed for commercial goods. The most common exceptions are goods exported for consumption in the United States and non-restricted goods valued at less than CAN $2,000.
  • Goods moving through the United States to another destination, including goods entering the US on a transportation and exportation (T and E) bond, need a declaration.
  • Restricted goods, those controlled, regulated or prohibited under Canadian law, need their permit, certificate or licence whatever their value; going to the US they need no declaration, but the permit must still be presented.
  • Declarations are made through the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS) or G7 EDI, with a business number and RM export program identifier. The exporter gives the carrier the proof of report number.
  • Minimum time limits: 2 hours before loading for air and rail, 48 hours before loading for marine, 2 hours before delivery to the post office, and immediately before export by highway.
  • The exporter may delegate reporting to a customs service provider but remains responsible for the information, and keeps export records in Canada for 6 years.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the proof of report number, permits and export records with each shipment, dated, and shows what is missing before the goods are loaded. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
ExporterTPL allocations and certificates of eligibility, CETA quota permits, origin declarations and the export declaration.Permits, certificates and declarations kept with each shipment.
ManufacturerWhere garments are cut and sewn and where the fabric and yarn come from, which decide origin and TPL eligibility.Production and material records kept with each style.
Customs service provider or freight forwarderReporting on the exporter's behalf where delegated.Proof of report kept with the shipment for the carrier.
Global Affairs CanadaAllocating tariff preference levels and issuing certificates of eligibility and quota permits.Allocations and certificates kept in one place.

Where are the goods going?

Most of what clothing, footwear and textiles have to meet is set where they are sold. Each guide sets out the rules on arrival, with the official source for each.

Questions businesses ask

Do I need an export permit to export clothing from Canada?
Usually not. Global Affairs Canada says trade in non-originating textiles and apparel outside the TPL provisions has no Canadian permit or certification requirement. Permits or certificates are needed for TPL exports to the US and Mexico, and CETA quota apparel to the EU.
What is a tariff preference level for textiles?
A quantity of textile and apparel goods that do not meet a free trade agreement's rules of origin but can still receive its preferential rate, if they meet conditions such as being cut, sewn and assembled in a party from non-originating material.
Do I need a certificate of eligibility to export apparel to the US under CUSMA?
Yes, for apparel shipped under the tariff preference level. A shipment-specific certificate of eligibility from Global Affairs Canada is needed to obtain the CUSMA preferential rate, and none is issued once the level is used up.
Who can get a CUSMA TPL allocation for apparel?
Any resident of Canada. Allocations are based on the company's use in the previous year; unallocated quantities go to new entrants and to holders who have used theirs, first come, first served.
How long is a TPL certificate of eligibility valid?
Global Affairs Canada says all permits have a validity period of 30 days.
Do TPL exports to Chile, Costa Rica or Honduras need Canadian documents?
No. Global Affairs Canada says TPL-eligible exports to Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras have no Canadian documentation requirements.
Do I need a permit to export clothing to the EU?
Only for apparel under Export Control List item 5209 shipped under the CETA origin quota. Each shipment needs a permit, and the invoice must refer to Annex 5-A.
Is a certificate of origin completed for TPL goods?
No. The CBSA says that for non-originating textile and apparel goods exported under a tariff preference level, a certificate of origin is not to be completed.
Do I need an export declaration for clothing going to the United States?
Not for non-restricted goods exported for consumption in the United States. TPL goods are controlled, so the certificate of eligibility must still be in place.
How long must I keep certificates of origin for textiles?
Six years. Exporters, producers or importers in Canada who certify origin keep the certificate and related documents for six years.
How does Compliant Always help with exporting from Canada?
Our team reads the rules for the routes you ship. Compliant Always shows which export documents apply to your product, keeps them with the shipment beside what the destination asks for, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

Sources

Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

Tell us what you make, and we will show you the rules for it.

Name the product and the markets you sell in. We will come back to you with what applies in Canada and what your paperwork needs to show.

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