Update on Apostille Services

Effective March 1, 2025, a $125 service fee will be reinstated and apply to all apostille services. This adjustment reflects the ongoing costs of processing and ensuring documents are handled efficiently, maintaining the integrity and reliability of this essential service.

As a reminder, Canada adopted the Apostille Convention on January 11, 2024, streamlining the acceptance of Canadian public documents in more than 120 countries. The apostille certification eliminates additional steps previously required for international recognition.

For more information, please visit Global Affairs Canada. Thank you for your understanding and continued trust in our services.

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FHCP can help you gain the required certifications to trade in your target markets. Proper certifications will provide your customers assurance and confidence in your operations regardless of where your business is located.

As of September 2013, Health Canada transferred the responsibility of International Trade Certificates (ITC) issuance to independent 3rd parties. It is standard practice among many countries to require an ITC to accompany any Natural Health Product (NHP) imported into their jurisdiction. An ITC is a document that provides information to the exporting country regarding the regulatory status of a Canadian NHP or Canadian manufacturer, packager and/or labeller and confirms that the product and/or site meets the strict Natural and Non-Prescription Health Product Directorate’s (NNHPD) regulatory requirements.

As a registered 3rd party issuer FHCP offers International Trade Certificates with a turnaround time of 10 business days, from the time payment is received and upon receipt of a copy of your most current and accurate site license and product license. This time does not include the time it takes the certificate(s) to reach you by mail. Ground shipping is included. 

	FHCP issues the following types of ITC’s as they pertain to NHPs: An International Trade Certificate for NHPs – This speaks specifically to products. Any product that holds a valid NPN or DIN can obtain an ITC. Note: a separate application must be submitted for each product and country of destination. An International Trade Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) Compliance – This speaks specifically to domestic Canadian sites that possess a valid Site Licence. It is site, and not product specific and is essentially an attestation that a facility has been evaluated and found to comply with the Canadian NHP GMPs. ITC’s issued by FHCP are verified against the Licensed Natural Health Products Database and the List of Site Licence Holders. FHCP also issues Certificates of Free Sale (CFS) for NHPs, OTCs, Medical Devices and Medicinal Cannabis.

FHCP is proud to introduce you to our new product – Cover Letter for Certificates of Free Sale!

While all International Trade Certificates (ITCs) come with a cover letter from Health Canada, Certificates of Free Sale (CFS) do not include a cover letter stating that FHCP is authorized to issue them, as Health Canada never issued these certificates directly.

Due to a demand from industry stating that foreign regulators often require such cover letters, FHCP is now proud to offer them as an additional product to your CFS. We hope this documentation will help you and your foreign regulator get what you need.