Shipping Supplements to Canada: What Brands Need to Know About Natural Health Product (NHP) Regulations 

Selling and shipping supplements to Canada is a huge growth opportunity—Statista projects Canada’s supplement industry to generate US$1.05bn in revenue in 2025—but it comes with unique regulatory considerations. Canada doesn’t treat vitamins, probiotics, and herbal remedies like just any other ecommerce product. Instead, they fall under Health Canada’s Natural Health Product (NHP) framework, which governs how these items can be marketed, sold, and shipped into the country. 

If you’re a supplement brand looking to expand into Canada, here’s what you need to know to stay compliant—and avoid delays or seizure of your shipments at the border. 

What Is an NHP (Natural Health Product)? 

Health Canada defines Natural Health Products as: 

• Vitamins and minerals 

• Herbal remedies 

• Probiotics 

• Homeopathic and traditional medicines 

• Amino acids, essential fatty acids, and similar compounds 

NHPs are regulated separately from prescription drugs and are intended for safe use without a prescription. However, they must meet strict licensing and labeling requirements before they can be sold commercially in Canada. 

Personal Use vs. Commercial Importation: Know the Difference 

Understanding the difference between personal use shipments and commercial imports is critical. 

✅ Personal Use Importation (Exempt from NHP Licensing) 

If you’re fulfilling direct-to-consumer orders, you may fall under Canada’s personal use importation exemption, which allows many supplements to enter the country without prior NHP approval—as long as: 

• The product does not contain ingredients on Health Canada’s prescription drug list 

• The shipment is sent directly to an individual consumer in Canada for their personal use (not a business, retailer, or fulfillment center) 

• The items are not resold 

• The order is limited to a 90-day supply or a single course of treatment, whichever is less 

This exemption helps brands fulfill individual orders with fewer regulatory hurdles—but the moment you exceed these limits, you’re in commercial territory. For more information about importing into Canada see our Canada Country Guide.  

Commercial Shipments: Full Compliance Required 

Planning to ship bulk inventory to a Canadian 3PL, distributor, or retail partner? That’s a commercial import, and it requires compliance with the full scope of Health Canada’s NHP Regulations. Here’s what that means: 

Licensing & Manufacturing Requirements 

• Product License: Every NHP must be approved by Health Canada and assigned a unique Natural Product Number (NPN) or Drug Identification Number for homeopathic (DIN-HM) products. 

• Site License: Required for facilities involved in manufacturing, labeling, packaging, or importing. 

Labeling Requirements 

Labels must include: 

• The NPN or DIN-HM 

• List of medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients 

• Recommended use or purpose 

• Dosage form, quantity, and directions for use 

• Caution and risk statements, if applicable 

Canada has recently updated its Natural Health Product labeling requirements to improve clarity for consumers, so outdated labels can trigger enforcement actions. Natural health products (like supplements) licensed on or after June 21, 2025, are temporarily exempt from the new labeling rules that also take effect on that same date. This exemption will last until June 21, 2028. After that, all natural health products—whether new or already on the market—must meet the updated labeling requirements. 

Final Tips for Brands Shipping Supplements to Canada 

• Start with DTC: If you’re testing the Canadian market, fulfill via cross-border shipping and stay within the personal use limits. It’s a low-risk way to gauge demand. 

• Get Labels Right: Label compliance is a major area of enforcement. Even a compliant product can be held or rejected over labeling issues. 

• Use a Specialized 3PL: If you’re moving into commercial shipments, partner with a 3PL experienced in supplement logistics and Canadian import rules. 

• Plan Ahead: NHP licensing can take months. Don’t wait until the last minute to get your paperwork in order. 

Bottom Line 

Canada is a supplement-friendly market with high consumer demand—but it’s also highly regulated. Whether you’re shipping single bottles to consumers or stocking retail shelves, understanding NHP rules is essential to a smooth expansion. 

Need help with cross-border fulfillment or compliance-friendly shipping? FlavorCloud makes it easy to go global—without the guesswork.