Canada Border Services Agency
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Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Centre

SME Toolkit

The following tools have been designed to help Canadian SMEs. The CBSA provides a variety of tools and services to facilitate the importing and exporting process, while a number of other government departments and agencies have also established services directed toward supporting Canadian SMEs.

SME Newsflash
CBSA's newsletter for SMEs provides information and links to new programs, services and requirements relevant to importers and exporters.

CBSA Acronyms
A listing of frequently used CBSA acronyms and their meanings.

CBSA Glossary
A glossary of terminology frequently found in CBSA publications and on the Web.

Information Sessions and Seminars
Register on-line for CBSA information sessions held across the country on various import and export topics.

Checklist for Importing Commercial Goods
A checklist to help guide SMEs through the commercial importing process.

Checklist for Exporting Commercial Goods
A checklist to help guide SMEs through the commercial exporting process.

Other Government Departments and Agencies: Reference List for Importers
A listing of commonly imported commodities that may require import permits, and/or certificates along with contact information for the respective government department or agency.

Customs Tariff
Consult the Customs Tariff for classification numbers and the applicable rates of duty for the goods you wish to import or export.

Publications and forms
A list of CBSA guides, forms and other publications.

FAQs for Importers
A series of questions and answers to help commercial importers.

FAQs for Exporters
A series of questions and answers to help commercial exporters.

Border Information Service (BIS)
An automated, 24-hour telephone service that provides general border services information. During regular business hours, you can speak directly to an agent.

Information for Producers Facing Unfair Foreign Competition
To help determine if dumping or subsidizing of imported goods could be the cause of your problems.

Other Resources for SMEs

BizPal - Business Permits and Licences
Streamline business permits and licences with BizPaL

Canada Business
Services for entrepreneurs - Information for Canadian businesses

Canadian Importers Database (Industry Canada)
Lists companies importing goods into Canada, by product, by city and by country of origin.

Exportsource (Team Canada Inc.)
Canada's most comprehensive source of information and practical tools for new or experienced exporters.

Importsource (Team Canada Inc.)
A comprehensive range of resources designed to help both new and experienced importers with every stage of the import process.

Office of Small and Medium Enterprise (PWGSC)
Supporting SMEs by working to reduce barriers and by simplifying requirements for SMEs that want to do business with the Government of Canada.

SME Direct (Industry Canada)
Links to diagnostic and benchmarking tools, Web sites, databases and other resources to assist SME's decision-making.

Small and Medium Size Enterprise Zone (Canada Revenue Agency)
Links to CRA relevant programs and services and an overview of obligations and entitlements under the laws administered by CRA.

Virtual Trade Commissioner (Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada)
Helping Canadian companies succeed in the global marketplace