Compliance checklist

Have you correctly identified how your product or service is classified for customs and export control purposes (for example, Harmonized System (HS) codes or control lists, where applicable)?

For goods, have you provided enough technical detail for your customs broker or importer to classify products at the full national tariff line level in each target market (for example, 8 to 10 digit codes), and considered using advance or binding rulings where classification risk or value is high?

Have you checked whether your products, technologies or services may be subject to special export controls or sanctions in Canada or in destination markets, using the Sanctions and export control compliance guide where relevant?

Do you screen customers against applicable sanctions lists before every shipment or transaction?

Do you have controls in place to manage access to sensitive technical data or controlled information?

Have you identified applicable product standards and safety requirements in each target market (for example, technical standards, testing or certifications), using the Regulatory compliance checklists to capture market-specific obligations?

Have you confirmed labelling and packaging requirements, such as language, safety warnings, content lists, country-of-origin marking and recycling or environmental information?

Have you ensured that any translated labelling or safety information has been reviewed for accuracy to avoid consumer protection or liability exposure?

If you make environmental or social claims, have you confirmed that they meet local consumer protection and advertising rules and that you can support them with evidence, using the ESG and sustainability compliance guide?

Have you confirmed that Incoterms® rules (if used) are clearly specified and that the responsibilities defined in the Incoterm® align with your operational practices? It is highly recommended that exporters use the official International Chamber of Commerce Incoterms® guide to ensure that all details related to the obligations, costs and risks of the seller and the buyer are clearly understood.

Have you confirmed which documents are required for each shipment or project (for example, commercial invoices, packing lists, transport documents, certificates of origin, permits or licences), using the Printable interactive export documentation checklist and the Regulatory compliance checklists?

Where export licences, permits or authorizations are required for the product, destination, end-user or end-use, have these been obtained, checked for accuracy and confirmed as valid for this transaction?

Have you ensured that your freight forwarders or customs brokers receive correct and complete instructions, and that copies of filed customs declarations and transport documents are returned and stored?

Where you rely on customs brokers, freight forwarders or consultants, have you confirmed internally who remains the legal importer or exporter of record, and ensured that final responsibility for declarations and compliance decisions is clearly assigned within your business?

Have you confirmed import requirements and customs procedures in each target market, including any special regimes that apply to your products or services?

If you plan to claim preferential tariff treatment under a trade agreement, have you confirmed the rules of origin, documentation requirements, and your ability to substantiate origin if requested?

Have you checked with your customs broker or another qualified customs specialist, using official tariff and trade remedy sources for your target markets, whether your products are subject to additional duties such as anti-dumping, countervailing or other trade remedy measures on top of most-favoured-nation (MFN) or preferential tariffs?

Have you considered whether duty relief or recovery mechanisms (for example, drawback, inward processing, bonded warehousing, temporary imports or special tariff provisions) exist in your target markets, and whether they could affect your pricing, sourcing or logistics decisions?

For parcel-based or low-value shipments, have you reviewed de minimis thresholds and conditions in each target market, including which goods are excluded and how this affects duty, tax, documentation and your e-commerce or fulfilment strategy?

Have you screened your target markets, customers, partners and intermediaries against relevant sanctions and restricted-party lists, using the Sanctions and export control compliance guide where needed?

Have you considered third-country transshipment risks, such as goods or technology being routed through intermediary countries or entities to bypass sanctions or export controls?

Have you assessed whether any of your activities could be considered “deemed exports” (for example, sharing controlled technical data or know-how with foreign persons through training, remote access, or collaboration), and do you have controls in place for these situations?

Do you have a clear process for pausing and escalating transactions when red flags arise, including defined decision-making authority?

Have you identified environmental, social and governance (ESG) expectations from buyers, financiers, or regulators (for example, disclosures, due diligence, reporting) using the ESG and sustainability compliance guide?

Have you identified any relevant ESG regulations in your target markets that must be adhered to?

Do you have a defined way to respond if concerns are raised, including escalation, remediation and communication steps?

Do you know where your data is stored and transferred, who has access and how you will respond to data-related incidents?

How do you screen customers, buyers or destinations before shipping goods?

How do you stay informed about sanctions or trade restriction updates?

What steps do you take to verify your suppliers and ensure supply chain transparency?

Do relevant staff (for example, sales, logistics, finance, IT) have basic awareness of compliance expectations and know where to find guidance or escalate questions?

Do you have simple procedures or checklists embedded in daily workflows (for example, partner onboarding, new market approval, order processing), rather than relying on ad hoc judgment?

Do you keep evidence of key compliance checks (for example, completed checklists, screening results, licences, approvals, key correspondence) in a structured way and for an appropriate retention period?

Before shipment or contract signature, has a final compliance check been completed for this order or project, and has any required internal approval been recorded?