Amazon Canada

Expanding your ecommerce business to Amazon Canada (Amazon.ca) is a strategic move for sellers and brand owners who have established themselves on Amazon.com in the United States. Given Canada's population is roughly 10% of the U.S., Amazon.ca presents an appealing market with significantly less competition. This relative ease of entry, combined with Canada's proximity and cultural similarities to the U.S., makes it an attractive next step for expanding your brand's footprint in North America.

One key logistical consideration when considering the move to Amazon.ca is managing inventory and fulfillment across borders. While sending inventory directly into Canada allows for a potentially higher profit margin due to closer proximity to Canadian customers and quicker delivery times, it also involves navigating the complexities of international shipping, including customs, taxes, and duties.

The North American Remote Fulfillment (NARF) program offers an alternative by allowing goods to be shipped into Canada from the U.S. This program simplifies the process for sellers by leveraging Amazon's fulfillment network to manage cross-border logistics, including shipping, taxes, and duties. For many brands, the convenience and ease of use offered by NARF make it an attractive option despite the potential benefits of directly sending inventory to Canada.

Choosing between direct inventory shipment and leveraging NARF largely depends on your business model, resources, and strategic priorities. Direct shipment may offer higher control over inventory levels and faster fulfillment times within Canada but requires dealing with the intricacies of international logistics. On the other hand, NARF simplifies these logistics at the cost of potentially higher fulfillment fees and less direct control over inventory.

Regardless of the fulfillment method chosen, entering the Canadian market through Amazon.ca is a valuable opportunity to access a new customer base with less competition than the U.S. market. Considering Canadian consumers ' preferences and expectations, it requires a thoughtful approach to logistics, pricing, and market adaptation. Successfully navigating these challenges can open up a new avenue for growth and expansion for sellers and brand owners looking to capitalize on the opportunities presented by Amazon's global marketplace ecosystem.