Most imports into Canada are free from restrictions. The Canadian Customs Tariff regulations prohibit the import of certain goods and these include oleomargarine, reprints of Canadian copy righted work and some game birds. Commercial samples, required solely for demonstration purposes and aimed at soliciting orders may be temporarily imported. The tariff is based on the harmonised system. There is a tax treaty between Canada and South Africa.
Foreign investment is welcome in Canada.
Imported goods may be placed in bonded warehouses. Various agricultural and steel products, certain clothing and textile items and footwear are regulated under the Export and Import Permits Act and must have an import permit to be imported into Canada. When import licences are required, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade generally handle them, although other departments also issue licenses in specialised fields. A few protected items such as sugar, dairy products and textiles also face import duties. This document is required and the importer will specify the number of copies and the airline used.