Marking is only required for certain imported goods. When it applies, the country of origin must be easy to read, permanent, and clearly visible on the imported goods or container.
Country of origin marking is one of the import requirements that can catch Canadian importers off guard. Goods that arrive without proper marking can be delayed at the border and require correction before release.
Marking refers to how the country of origin must be displayed on imported goods so that the ultimate purchaser can see it.
The term "ultimate purchaser" means the last person in Canada who purchases the goods in the same form in which they were imported. They are not necessarily the final end user.
In this article, we explain which goods must be marked, how marking must be done, and what importers can do to stay compliant.
Country of origin marking is a physical indication on imported goods, or on their container when allowed, showing the country where they were made or produced.
While country of origin establishes the origin of the goods for tariff treatment, rules of origin, and trade remedy purposes, marking is about how that origin must be displayed.
Marking is required only for goods listed in Schedule I of the relevant marking regulations. These typically fall under these main categories:
In Canada, country of origin marking rules depend on whether the goods are imported from a CUSMA country or a non-CUSMA country.
For goods imported from the United States and Mexico, marking is governed by the Determination of Country of Origin for the Purpose of Marking Goods (CUSMA Countries) Regulations.
For goods imported from non-CUSMA countries, marking is governed by the Determination of Country of Origin for the Purpose of Marking Goods (Non-CUSMA Countries) Regulations.
When marking is required, it must meet three specific standards, as set out in the Marking of Imported Goods Regulations and explained in Memorandum D11-3-1.
Marking must be legible, sufficiently permanent, and capable of being easily seen during normal handling of the goods or their container.
This means it must be readable, remain in place until the goods reach the ultimate purchaser, and be visible during handling.
Common marking formats are “Made in,” “Produced in,” or “Printed in” followed by the country name.
CUSMA goods may be marked in English, French, or Spanish. Non-CUSMA goods are generally marked in English or French, although goods from Honduras may also be marked in Spanish.
Foreign suppliers usually apply the marking, but compliance is ultimately the responsibility of the importer of record. Make sure to:
When goods are not properly marked, the CBSA may issue a notice requiring the goods to be marked. AMPS penalties may apply for marking violations. Depending on the situation, you may be able to mark the goods in Canada with authorization, export them, or abandon them.
At Cole International, we offer trade consulting and customs brokerage services to help Canadian importers meet marking and country of origin requirements.
Reach out to one of our trade professionals to keep your shipments compliant and address any issues before they affect your operations.