Seller briefings

Impact level

🟡 Consider

⚠ Risk:The notice gives no effective date or transition period; the current requirements for products already on the market need to be verified.

What happened

On September 22, 2026, ISED Canada issued a notice clarifying the regulatory requirements for cable locating equipment operating in the 9 kHz–490 kHz band. These products are primarily used by utilities and telecommunications companies. One type uses a transmitter to couple an RF signal to buried cables or pipes and is licence-exempt and exempt from certification under Section 3.4 of RSS-310, Issue 6. Another type resembles an RFID reader: it uses electromagnetic signals from above ground to activate passive electronic markers buried underground and receive their responses. It is generally licence-exempt; depending on emission strength, it is either exempt from certification under Section 3.8 of RSS-310, Issue 6, or requires certification under Section 8.3 of RSS-210, Issue 11. Both types must also comply with the general emission limits and other requirements in RSS-Gen, Issue 6. [1]

Involves:Cable locating equipment、Underground utility locator、RFID marker reader locating equipment

Seller impact

• FactClassification depends on the equipment’s operating principle and emission strength, not the frequency band itself. Products operating in the same band may follow either an exempt-from-certification or a certification-required pathway, so the applicable standard should be reassessed based on actual emission parameters before exporting to Canada. [1]
• InferenceThe notice does not specify an effective date, transition period, or arrangements for products already on the market. It also does not address fees, testing timelines, or certification-body scheduling, so it is unclear whether existing certificates need to be reassessed. [1]

Evidence that would disprove the assessment

• Assessment 1：If ISED later revises or withdraws the notice and specifies a single applicable standard, this classification assessment will no longer be valid.
• Assessment 2：If ISED issues accompanying transition guidance or specifies an effective date, this unknown will be resolved and the assessment should be updated.

Impact level

🟡 Consider

⚠ Risk:The guide does not specify an implementation date or the applicable penalties. Whether noncompliant French labeling triggers delisting or penalties should be determined by the latest notices from Quebec authorities and the platform.

What happened

On September 20, 2026, Amazon Canada published a new guide in its seller forum explaining Quebec’s Charter of the French Language requirements for product labeling: all text on the product itself, its packaging, and accompanying documents must have a French version, at least as prominent as any other language. Amazon recommends that sellers review product labels, packaging, and accompanying documents. For details, it points to a page on Quebec’s French-language requirements for product packaging and labeling. The announcement does not specify an effective date, detailed scope, penalties, or platform enforcement measures. [1]

Seller impact

• InferenceFor sellers on Amazon.ca selling to Quebec, labels, packaging, and accompanying documents that are only in languages such as English or Spanish need French versions that are equally prominent. Revisions involve design, printing, and inventory replacement. The announcement does not specify an implementation date, the proportion of costs involved, or penalties, so the actual scale of the changes is unknown. [1]
• InferenceThe guide covers only product labels, packaging, and accompanying documents. It does not mention listing copy, customer service language, or platform-mandated delisting mechanisms. Its scope should not be extrapolated to other aspects of operating on Amazon.ca or to other platforms. [1]

Evidence that would disprove the assessment

• Assessment 1：If Amazon Canada or Quebec authorities later publish an exemption list or clarify that enforcement is not yet mandatory, the current assessment that corrective action is necessary will no longer hold.
• Assessment 2：If a later guide or official page includes listings, advertising, or other areas in the French-language requirements, this assessment of the scope will need to be revised.

Impact level

🟡 Consider

⚠ Risk:The relaxation is limited to the certification requirement for third-party air carriers by air. CLVS-authorized participants themselves must still maintain valid PIP certification, and third-party carriers must still be bonded.

What happened

On September 14, 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued Customs Notice 26-24, allowing CLVS (Courier Low Value Shipment) program participants, effective immediately, to use third-party air carriers that are not PIP-certified for air shipments. The notice cites tight air capacity and the limited number of PIP-certified air carriers. It requires third-party carriers to remain bonded and to present CLVS shipments at a designated sufferance warehouse. CLVS-authorized participants must still maintain valid PIP certification for air shipments. [1]

Seller impact

• InferenceThe range of third-party air carriers available for low-value express shipments entering Canada by air has expanded, which may make it easier to find space amid tight air capacity. However, the extent of any improvement in actual rates, transit times, or capacity is unknown; the notice provides no rate or transit-time data. [1]
• FactThe exemption applies only to PIP certification for third-party air carriers. Shipments must still be presented at a designated sufferance warehouse, and carriers must still be bonded, among other requirements. The clearance process and compliance obligations have not been relaxed overall. [1]

Evidence that would disprove the assessment

• Assessment 1：This assessment would no longer hold if the CBSA later issues a revised notice reinstating mandatory PIP certification, or if industry feedback indicates no meaningful change in capacity or rates.
• Assessment 2：This description would need to be corrected if the CBSA separately announces that it is removing the bonding or sufferance warehouse presentation requirements.

Impact level

🟡 Consider

⚠ Risk:The specific products and HS codes covered by Canada’s 15%/25%/50% tiers have not been listed, so it is unknown which products are affected. Do not infer the applicable tier from the product category alone.

What happened

An eBay seller announcement states that, starting August 22, 2026, the U.S. will impose a 50% tariff on certain Canadian goods, including some automobiles and auto parts, and that it also applies to goods previously exempt under USMCA. Starting September 8, 2026, Canada will impose 15%, 25%, and 50% tariffs on certain U.S.-origin goods, covering beauty products, clothing, home goods (including tableware, knives, and appliances), textiles, lighting, and lamps. The announcement does not disclose the specific product list or HS codes. [1]

Involves:Automobiles and auto parts、Beauty products、Home furnishings、Textiles、Lighting and lamps

Seller impact

• InferenceInference: Reciprocal tariffs raise cross-border landed costs, but the impact depends on whether a product is covered by a tariff list and which rate tier applies. Until the lists are available, the per-unit cost change and pass-through to sale prices cannot be estimated. [1]
• InferenceInference: The tariff-free advantage under USMCA for U.S. auto and auto-parts operations is eliminated, shifting pricing power to U.S. importers. Canada’s countermeasures raise the cost of exporting beauty, home goods, lighting, and other products to the U.S. Switching suppliers requires recertification, and the cost of switching is unknown. [1]

Evidence that would disprove the assessment

• Assessment 1：This assessment would be invalid if official U.S. or Canadian lists show that a category is not subject to additional tariffs or that its rate is lower than announced. Review official tariff schedule updates within two weeks.
• Assessment 2：This assessment would be invalid if a later announcement excludes auto parts or consumer goods, or reinstates USMCA tariff-free treatment.

Impact level

🟡 Consider

⚠ Risk:The announcement does not provide the full list of banned products, the effective date, or details of exemptions, and it does not specify how the measures apply to cross-border e-commerce retail parcels.

What happened

On September 8, 2026, U.S. Trade Representative Greer issued a statement saying that President Trump, under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, banned some Canadian products from entering the U.S. market and adjusted the scope of three Section 338 measures announced on July 20, 2026, covering motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, and dairy products. The statement also said he directed the USTR and GSA to remove $50 billion worth of Canadian-origin products from several GSA award programs. Section 338 authorizes additional tariffs of up to 50% on relevant imports. The statement did not provide the specific list of restricted products, tariff rates, effective date, or customs enforcement details. [1]

Involves:Motor vehicles、Dairy products、Alcoholic beverages

Seller impact

• FactU.S. customs clearance and government procurement pathways are directly restricted for Canadian-origin motor vehicles, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages. Cross-border sellers dealing in these Canadian-origin SKUs should check the HS codes and country of origin against the list; supply chains may need to shift to U.S. domestic or other origins. [1]
• InferenceThe GSA’s plan to remove $50 billion worth of Canadian-origin products is a reduction in government procurement demand, not a blanket ban on retail sales. The direct impact on general sellers depends on whether they supply federal channels. The statement does not specify tariff rates or an effective date, so the cost impact cannot be quantified. [1]

Evidence that would disprove the assessment

• Assessment 1：If the USTR’s published list shows that a category is not included, or a later announcement narrows the ban’s scope, this assessment no longer applies to that category.
• Assessment 2：If the GSA separately announces exemptions or reinstates the relevant categories, or if it is shown that the procurement removal also covers commercial retail channels, this inference should be revised.