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Canada’s natural health product (NHP) market continues to grow rapidly, with more than 80 percent of Canadians using supplements, vitamins, and traditional remedies. For brands planning to expand business in Canada, having a quality product is only the first step. Following Health Canada regulations and ensuring proper storage and fulfillment are essential. Missteps with labeling, importation, or warehousing can affect your Canadian market entry plan.
This guide outlines the key steps to bring your NHPs to the Canadian market successfully.
Ensure NPN Visibility and Accurate Labeling
First and foremost, every Natural Health Product sold in Canada requires a Natural Product Number, commonly known as an NPN. Health Canada issues this number only after reviewing the product for safety, quality, and efficacy.
Once Health Canada approves the product, the NPN must appear clearly on the product packaging. In addition, some marketplaces like Amazon.ca often requires sellers to display the NPN on product listings to demonstrate compliance. Therefore, brands should treat NPN visibility as both a regulatory and marketplace requirement.
Beyond the NPN, Health Canada mandates specific labelling elements. These include caution and risk statements, directions for use, duration of use, and a complete list of medicinal ingredients per dosage unit. Importer of record information must also appear on the label. Moreover, all inner and outer packaging must appear in both English and French.
When brands overlook these requirements, they increase the risk of audits, stop-sale actions, or listing disruptions. In contrast, accurate and compliant labelling protects product integrity and strengthens marketplace trust.
Partner with a Licensed Importer of Record
Next, brands must address importation responsibilities. If a Natural Health Product is manufactured outside of Canada, the brand must work with a Canadian importer of record that holds a valid Health Canada Site License.
The importer of record plays a critical compliance role. Specifically, the importer reviews product stability data, investigates customer complaints, manages recalls when required, and ensures ongoing alignment with Health Canada regulations.
Because of these responsibilities, choosing the right partner is essential. A knowledgeable importer of record helps brands reduce regulatory risk and supports a smoother Canadian market entry.
Use GMP-Compliant Storage and Fulfillment
In addition to licensing and importation, Health Canada requires that all Natural Health Products are stored and fulfilled in facilities that comply with Good Manufacturing Practices. This requirement extends beyond manufacturing and applies directly to warehousing and distribution.
When brands fail to meet GMP standards, consequences can include product recalls, import holds, and inventory seizures. Therefore, selecting a compliant logistics partner becomes a strategic decision rather than an operational one.
What Is a GMP-Compliant Storage Facility
A GMP-compliant 3PL warehouse provides specialized storage, handling, and distribution for regulated products such as Natural Health Products, pharmaceuticals, food, and medical devices. These facilities operate under documented Good Manufacturing Practices that protect product quality, safety, and traceability.
For NHP brands, GMP-compliant storage helps ensure products remain stable, uncontaminated, and compliant from import through final delivery.
Key Features of GMP-Compliant Logistics Partner
A qualified GMP-compliant 3PL typically offers several critical capabilities.
- Controlled environments support validated temperature and humidity ranges, ensuring product stability.
- Quality management systems define how teams receive, store, and handle products while maintaining product integrity.
- Inventory control systems track lot numbers and expiry dates, providing real-time visibility.
- Trained personnel understand GMP responsibilities and follow documented procedures consistently.
- Traceability systems allow rapid identification of affected inventory during recalls or investigations.
- Regulatory expertise supports alignment with Health Canada requirements.
Working with qualified 3PL like InterFulfillment ensures that your products are stored, processed, and shipped in fully GMP-compliant facilities. This guarantees safe handling and efficient fulfillment, while allowing your team to focus on sales and growth rather than regulatory compliance.
Next Steps for Brands Entering Canada
To move forward with confidence, brands should follow these steps:
- First, confirm that the product meets Health Canada’s Natural Health Product requirements and obtain an NPN.
- Next, work with a Canadian importer of record that holds a valid Health Canada Site Licence.
- Then, select a logistics provider/3PL with GMP-compliant warehousing and fulfillment capabilities.
- Finally, partner with a qualified logistics provider that offers reliable operational support and regulatory guidance to enable efficient national distribution.
Maximize Market Reach with the Right 3PL
While compliance protects market access, the right logistics partner/3PL also enables growth. A qualified logistics partner supports both regulatory alignment and operational performance across Canada. For natural health product brands, working with a GMP-compliant healthcare logistics provider can significantly reduce complexity and risk while supporting scalable growth.
About InterFulfillment
InterFulfillment provides GMP-compliant warehousing and fulfillment designed to support Natural Health Product brands entering or scaling in Canada. Through compliant facilities, documented quality systems, and regulatory-aware operations, InterFulfillment helps brands meet Health Canada expectations while supporting national distribution.
InterFulfillment maintains structured quality processes that include documented procedures, staff training, sanitation and pest control programs, inventory controls, and continuous improvement practices. As a result, brands benefit from consistent handling and reduced operational risk.
In addition, InterFulfillment operates monitored, temperature-controlled environments where required. These controls help ensure that Natural Health Products remain safe and effective throughout storage and fulfillment.
InterFulfillment also has close relationships with Regulatory Compliance companies who understand Health Canada policies, processes, and regulatory language. When additional regulatory support is needed, specialized partners will be able to help brands meet Canadian requirements efficiently.
To support traceability, InterFulfillment uses warehouse management systems that track lot numbers and expiration dates.
By partnering with InterFulfillment, brands gain compliant infrastructure, regulatory-aware operations, and scalable fulfillment. Consequently, teams can focus on product growth, marketing, and customer acquisition while maintaining confidence in compliance.
Frequent Asked Questions
In Canada, a Natural Health Product includes vitamins, minerals, herbal remedies, probiotics, and traditional medicines. Health Canada regulates these products to ensure safety, quality, and efficacy. Therefore, brands must meet specific licensing, labelling, and storage requirements before selling in Canada.
Only a Canadian importer of record with a valid Health Canada Site License can legally import Natural Health Products. This importer assumes regulatory responsibility, including complaint handling, recalls, and post-market surveillance. As a result, choosing the right importer is critical for long-term compliance.
GMP-compliant storage refers to warehousing that meets Good Manufacturing Practices required by Health Canada. These facilities use controlled environments, documented quality procedures, trained staff, and inventory tracking systems. Consequently, GMP-compliant storage protects product safety and stability throughout the supply chain.
Yes, Natural Health Products can be sold through Amazon FBA in Canada. However, Amazon does not replace Health Canada requirements. Therefore, products must still meet NPN, labelling, importation, and GMP storage standards before entering Amazon’s network.
A Canadian 3PL understands local regulations, marketplace expectations, and distribution requirements. Therefore, working with a Canadian partner reduces risk, improves delivery speed, and supports long-term scalability across Canada.
InterFulfillment provides GMP-compliant warehousing and fulfillment for Natural Health Products in Canada. Through quality-controlled facilities, trained teams, and inventory traceability, InterFulfillment helps brands meet Health Canada requirements while scaling their operations.
