Canadian brands pay MFN on Indian and Chinese goods, since both lost the General Preferential Tariff in 2015, while Vietnamese goods can use CPTPP. On top of that, Canada applies surtaxes and quotas to steel and some Chinese goods, and India–Canada CEPA talks were aiming to conclude by the end of 2026.
As of 28 September 2026. Checked against official sources.
India and China were removed from Canada’s General Preferential Tariff on 1 January 2015, so both pay MFN. Vietnam left the GPT on 1 January 2025 and uses CPTPP.
India–Canada CEPA: four rounds completed and ministers met on 21 September 2026; Canada aims to conclude by the end of 2026. Nothing has changed at the border yet.
China: 25% surtaxes on Chinese steel and aluminium products remain, with remissions for short-supply goods through 2026; the EV surtax was replaced in 2026 by a 49,000-vehicle quota at 6.1%. Steel from non-FTA countries faces tight quotas with a 50% over-quota surtax.
As of 28 September 2026. Every rate depends on the product’s HS code, so treat this as the map and check your own codes before you order.
India lost the General Preferential Tariff on 1 January 2015; Indian goods pay MFN.
CEPA negotiations: four rounds completed by September 2026; Canada aims to conclude by the end of 2026.
Steel from India falls under the non-FTA quota and over-quota surtax rules.
China lost the General Preferential Tariff on 1 January 2015; Chinese goods pay MFN.
25% surtax on Chinese steel and aluminium products remains; remission for listed short-supply products was extended through 2026 and widened from 1 March 2026.
A separate China steel surtax covers steel goods from China or containing steel melted and poured in China.
Chinese EVs: the 100% surtax gave way in 2026 to a quota of 49,000 vehicles a year at the 6.1% MFN rate.
CPTPP gives preferential rates to Vietnamese-origin goods; Vietnam was withdrawn from the GPT on 1 January 2025.
Four rounds completed; ministerial meeting on 21 September 2026.
EV quota at 6.1%, steel and aluminium surtax remissions extended through 2026.
Preferential rates for Vietnamese goods with origin evidence.
Vietnam withdrawn from 1 January 2025. GPT itself extended to 2034.
Model it for your product: Find the HS code Compare landed cost
Canada combines federal product safety law with bilingual labelling rules that catch many first-time importers.
Importing or selling a consumer product that is a danger to human health or safety is prohibited, and specific regulations cover toys, cribs, children’s jewellery and more. Importers keep records of who supplied and who bought the products, and report incidents to Health Canada within 2 days.
Consumer textiles need fibre content in English and French and the dealer’s identity (name and address, or a CA identification number). Permanent labels are required on garments, bedding and towels.
Prepackaged consumer products need bilingual product identity and net quantity, plus the dealer’s name and address.
Electrical products need certification from a body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada before sale, and radio devices need ISED certification.
Surtaxes and quotas follow origin, including melt-and-pour rules for steel. Keep mill certificates and bills of materials for anything metal.
Origin dossierIndicative port-to-port planning ranges, not a carrier schedule. Transhipment, blank sailings and routing change them; confirm with the carrier at booking.
Transpacific, direct
Via Suez
Transhipped in Asia
Via Suez or Panama, or rail from Vancouver
Routing in September 2026: carriers were returning Asia–Europe services to the Suez Canal gradually, service by service; sailings via the Cape of Good Hope take roughly 10 to 14 days longer.
For steel-heavy products, Canada’s 2025–2026 steel measures can outweigh the difference in factory price. Check them first.
Running both? Plan a China + 1 second source
Our teams in Bengaluru and Ningbo find, audit and inspect factories for Canadian brands buying from India and China, and collect the evidence your market asks for.
Named manufacturers in India and China, checked by calls, matched to Canadian requirements.
Factory price, freight, duty and taxes side by side, so you compare lanes, not quotes.
Find the likely HS code first; every duty rate on this page depends on it.
Melt-and-pour, bills of materials and process records for goods where Canadian surtaxes follow origin.
In-line, pre-shipment and loading inspections by our own team in India and China.
The Canadian rules above turned into a supplier evidence list, collected at the factory.
Checked on 28 September 2026 and refreshed monthly. Official government, customs and EU sources first; commentary is named as such. This page explains the rules in plain English. For a view on your own products, ask our team or your customs broker.
Checked on 28 September 2026. We update this guide when duties or rules move.
anirudh@sourcesquid.coThe MFN rate in Canada’s Customs Tariff. India was removed from the General Preferential Tariff on 1 January 2015, and the India–Canada CEPA is still under negotiation, with Canada aiming to conclude it by the end of 2026. Steel products also face Canada’s quota and surtax measures.
Yes, on some products. A 25% surtax on Chinese steel and aluminium products remains, with remissions for listed short-supply goods through 2026, and a China steel surtax covers steel melted and poured in China. Chinese EVs moved to a 49,000-vehicle quota at 6.1% in 2026.
Many can, under the CPTPP, if they meet its rules of origin and the importer has origin evidence. Vietnam was withdrawn from the General Preferential Tariff on 1 January 2025, so CPTPP is the preference route.
Consumer textile articles need fibre content in English and French, and the dealer’s identity as a name and postal address or a CA identification number. Garments, bedding and towels need permanent labels.
As a planning range, about 14 to 20 days from Ningbo or Shanghai to Vancouver or Prince Rupert. From India’s west coast to Montreal or Halifax, allow about 25 to 35 days via Suez.
Send one drawing, photo or quote. We return the process chain, the right clusters in India and China, and a landed-cost comparison for your market.