Hi,
I have brand approval to sell their cosmetic products in Canada.
The brand sells in the USA, and some of their claims are close to therapeutic.
They do not sell directly in Canada.
To start selling their products, do I need to apply to Health Canada for a Natural Health Product (NHP) license, or can I sell them as cosmetics and just submit a CNF (Cosmetic Notification Form)?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
If the products make any therapeutic, healing, or treatment-related claims, even if they’re subtle — they’ll likely be classified as Natural Health Products (NHPs) by Health Canada rather than standard cosmetics, meaning you would need an NPN (Natural Product Number) before importing or selling them.
However, if the claims are limited to cosmetic effects like “moisturizes,” “brightens,” or “improves appearance,” then you can usually sell them as cosmetics and simply file a Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) within 10 days of first sale. Since the brand doesn’t officially sell in Canada, the regulatory responsibility falls on you as the importer, so you should review each ingredient and claim carefully using Health Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist and NHP database.
A good rule of thumb is: if the product mentions “repair,” “healing,” “anti-inflammatory,” or “treatment,” it’s almost certainly considered an NHP. To stay compliant and avoid issues at customs or with Amazon, start by classifying each SKU through Health Canada’s online tool or consult a regulatory specialist — many Canadian sellers do this upfront to confirm whether they need an NPN or just a CNF.