Expand Your Reach: Reliably Deliver Natural Health Products to Every Canadian Market

The big picture of shipping natural health products into Canada

The demand for natural health products (NHPs) in Canada has skyrocketed. In recent years, the industry has grown from $4.3 billion to over $13.2 billion, creating many new opportunities for businesses looking to expand into new markets. Regardless of where your natural health products business is based, shipping supplements and other natural health products like neutraceuticals in Canada is an excellent strategy for tapping into a customer base that is not only health-conscious, but also increasingly interested in natural, sustainable and organic solutions.

However, despite the impressive market potential, shipping natural health products to and within Canada can be a complex process without the right shipping partner. Some common roadblocks include navigating Health Canada’s natural health product regulations, complying with customs requirements, being able to deliver to remote regions and ensuring that your products arrive on time and in good condition.

• 77% of Canadians look for products that are natural or work in harmony with nature, while also being sustainably sourced. Source: Canada Health Food Association
• 50% of Canadians are interested in naturopathic medicines, and 45% are already familiar with Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine or Indigenous healing practices. Source: Canada Health Food Association
• The natural health products industry in Canada has grown from $4.3 billion in 2007 to over $13.2 billion in 2021. Source: Osler

Key Takeaways:

What qualifies as a natural health product in Canada?

NHPs are made from naturally occurring substances sourced from plants, animals and minerals. Typically, they are sold to naturopath clinics, pharmacies, health food stores or directly to the consumer without a doctor’s prescription required. All NHPs are regulated in Canada and, according to Health Canada, officially licensed NHPs fall into a few specific categories:

• Vitamins, probiotics and health supplements: These include a broad range of nutraceutical products like multivitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotic supplements and protein powders.
• Herbal remedies: This category includes natural supplements in the form of herbs, teas, tinctures and extracts commonly used for health maintenance and disease prevention.
• Homeopathic, naturopathic and traditional medicines: Products from alternative medical traditions like Chinese herbal medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, Indigenous healing practices and homeopathic remedies are also considered NHPs.
• Everyday consumer products: Certain personal care products like toothpaste, antiperspirants, shampoos, facial creams and mouthwashes also fall under the NHP classification if they contain natural active ingredients.

All NHPs must comply with Health Canada’s regulations and go through the Natural Product Number (NPN) approval process before they can be sold or imported. 

That’s where Purolator comes in. With an extensive supply chain network that spans North America and beyond, Purolator is one of Canada’s leading logistics providers, and offers a suite of customizable solutions ideal for shipping nutraceuticals, supplements and other NHPs.* With support from our customs compliance experts, you won’t have to worry about whether your nutraceuticals shipment is going to make it across the border or not. Purolator’s experts can offer advice and guidance to help ensure a smooth border crossing.

How to overcome the five challenges of shipping supplements in Canada

Whether you’re shipping NHPs from across the border or within Canada, you may encounter these five common challenges. Don’t worry, overcoming these challenges is simple with the right shipping partner by your side. With Purolator, you’ll have the capability to reach any part of the country and ship nutraceuticals across the border without a hitch.

Challenge 1: Maintaining product integrity

Nutraceuticals often contain active or sensitive ingredients. Regardless of whether your products are in storage or transit—heat, moisture and improper packaging or handling can render NHPs ineffective or unsafe for consumers.

How Purolator helps:

We offer validated temperature-controlled shipping methods through Williams PharmaLogistics, that help maintain the integrity and regulatory compliance of nutraceutical products and supplements. Alongside our packaging guidelines and special handling services, your products remain in peak condition from warehouse to end-customer.

Additionally, Purolator’s inventory management and regional warehousing puts your products closer to your customers, allowing them to be delivered well before their expiration dates.

Challenge 2: Regulatory compliance

Navigating natural health product regulations can be intimidating. Before health products can be sold or imported into Canada, they must be licensed by Health Canada and have an NPN. Additionally, product labeling must comply with bilingual requirements, ingredient listings, dosage instructions and health claims.

Failing to meet these regulations can result in delays, fines or even shipment rejections at the border.

How Purolator helps:

Purolator’s customs compliance experts are ready to offer guidance, making sure your products meet all necessary standards before you ship them across the border. Alongside our customs expertise, we offer cross-border shipping solutions like multimodal transport, as well as express and standard ground services when importing into Canada.

Challenge 3: Cost management

With rising fuel prices and tariffs on the horizon, managing shipping costs continues to be a significant challenge for many industries, and shipping nutraceuticals is no exception. What makes cost management even more difficult for NHPs is that you need to factor in delivery times versus shipping costs. 

Faster deliveries cost more, but help prevent products from expiring mid-transit. On the other hand, slower deliveries may be more economical, but you risk a poorer customer experience down the line.

How Purolator helps:

By offering flexible shipping options, including bulk shipping rates, Canadian-based fulfillment centres and a broad array of transportation methods, Purolator is equipped to help NHP businesses manage their shipping costs. Additionally, our route optimization technology ensures the quickest and most  sustainable deliveries. 

Challenge 4: Returns and refunds

Managing returns for supplements, especially those with expiration dates or specific storage conditions, can be tricky. After all, you can’t recycle or resell a product if it expires on the way back to your facility. 

Establishing clear return policies for your customers and implementing an efficient reverse logistics system is essential for building customer trust while prioritizing your business.

How Purolator helps:

With over 3,000+ access points throughout Canada, Purolator makes returns simple and convenient for customers. Our label-free shipping options ensure that returns are processed quickly. On top of that, our digital healthcare indicator highlights all health-related shipments within our network, so you know your nutraceuticals and supplements will always be kept on the move. 

Challenge 5: Customer experience

Today’s customers expect more than just reliable shipping—they want personalized, transparent and eco-friendly services. Fast, on-time delivery is especially critical for health-conscious buyers looking to receive their supplements promptly. 

Whether you’re shipping directly to consumers or selling products to other businesses, giving your customers the ability to customize the delivery process to their preferences is key for establishing an exceptional customer experience.

How Purolator helps:

Our express shipping services, including next-day delivery options, ensure that your products arrive quickly while Purolator Your Way allows them to track packages and customize shipping on their own terms. Furthermore, Purolator is committed to environmental sustainability. Our electric vehicles (EVs) and carbon reduction programs can help you align your logistics with the growing demand for eco-friendly products.

How Purolator can help ensure the fast and safe delivery of your natural health products

When you’re shipping NHPs into Canada, it’s important to partner with a logistics provider who understands the specific needs of your industry. From getting nutraceuticals across the border to ensuring your shipments at the right destination, Purolator has a variety of flexible solutions that help you easily solve the logistics challenges faced by your industry.

How Purolator and Williams PharmaLogistics enhances your natural health product deliveries

Purolator’s acquisition of Williams PharmaLogistics allows us to deliver natural health products and supplements with improved efficiency. Specializing in validated temperature-controlled, door-to-door delivery services, Williams PharmaLogistics strengthens Purolator’s capabilities in handling sensitive health products. This acquisition expands our offerings, enabling smoother, more reliable transportation for nutraceutical businesses. With added expertise and resources, Purolator can better meet the growing demand for natural health products while offering more flexible and tailored shipping solutions across Canada.

Discover Purolator’s logistics solutions for shipping natural health products in Canada. Learn more

Smooth customs border crossing and regulatory compliance for natural health products

Shipping NHPs across the border can get complicated, mostly due to the regulations governing their importation. Compliance is essential for avoiding costly delays, fines or rejected shipments. In Canada, NHP importation is regulated by Health Canada, so Canadians can be confident that the products they consume meet the highest standards of safety and quality. To comply with the Natural Health Product Regulations (NHPR), importers must ensure that all products have:

• A Natural Product Number (NPN), which serves as proof that Health Canada has assessed and approved the product.
• Bilingual packaging and shipping labels that include the product name, recommended dosage, list of ingredients and any warnings or precautions.
• Undergone quality assurance and quality control procedures that meet NHPR standards.

At Purolator, we have 30+ years of cross-border shipping throughout North America and the world. Our shipping solutions are designed to handle the nuances of Health Canada’s import regulations and help ensure a smooth customs clearance for your NHPs:

• Our team of regulatory experts works closely with your business to prepare all necessary documentation in advance, preventing costly mistakes during the customs process. 
• We also provide packaging guidelines and advice, so your products meet all bilingual labelling requirements. 
• Our regional warehousing and storage facilities ensure that all NHPs are properly stored and handled according to Health Canada guidelines. You can ship with confidence knowing that your products will cross the border with ease and be treated with the utmost care before reaching your customers.

For companies looking to ship NHPs into Canada, partnering with Purolator helps you navigate the regulatory complexities of cross-border shipping, allowing your nutraceuticals to move seamlessly through customs and arrive at their destination on time.

Maintaining the quality of nutraceuticals over long distances

When you’re transporting temperature-sensitive products like probiotics, vitamins and certain herbal supplements through miles of hot or cold weather, you need specialized shipping services like validated temperature-controlled shipping technology to preserve the integrity of your products. This means your nutraceuticals are kept within an optimal temperature range throughout the journey, regardless of whether they’re being shipped during the warmer or colder months. 

However, even optimal temperatures can’t preserve nutraceuticals forever if your shipment spends too much time on the road or is stuck in a warehouse. That’s where our express delivery solutions come in. If you know there’s a tight time limit before your NHPs expire, then our Purolator Express® service is your best bet. With next-day shipping and even weekend delivery options, you can ensure your products arrive well before their expiry dates.† But what if it’s an urgent shipment that needs to get delivered as fast as possible? Then opt for our Mission Critical solution, our fastest shipping service that puts your delivery first.

Managing the costs of shipping health products

Shipping health products doesn’t have to be expensive. When you need to navigate complexities like tariffs, rising fuel costs and varying shipping rates, speak to a Purolator shipping expert who understands the complexities and will work with your business needs. Managing these expenses is critical for your business, especially when you’re expanding into new markets and trying to stay competitive at the same time. How does Purolator help you manage shipping costs? Let’s dive in:

1. Purolator’s shipping consolidation services let you combine multiple shipments into one larger shipment. We can even consolidate parcel and freight shipments together. This is particularly helpful if you’re sending parcels alongside less-than-truckload (LTL) and truckload (TL) freight shipments, as you can leverage bulk shipping rates while reducing overhead costs.
2. Route optimization is another way Purolator helps you manage shipping expenses. Using advanced routing technology and data analytics, we select the most efficient, sustainable and cost-effective routes for each shipment. This means you can reduce transit times, minimize fuel consumption and avoid unnecessary delays, ultimately lowering costs.
3. Purolator also provides regional hubs to further streamline the shipping process. These hubs serve as central distribution points for goods that need to be delivered across Canada. By storing your nutraceutical products closer to major markets, your business can reduce transportation distances, which leads to faster and more cost-efficient deliveries.
4. Purolator’s flexible shipping options allow you to choose between standard and expedited ground services based on your budget and delivery timelines. By offering both expedited and cost-effective options, you can select the best fit for your shipping needs and budget.

Simple health product returns

Returns for health products can get complex due to stringent safety and hygiene regulations. Many NHPs can’t be returned once opened or once they’ve passed their expiration date, creating complications for both businesses and customers.

Purolator can make the returns experience more seamless. With label-free and package-free returns options, we provide an easy and efficient way for customers to return unopened and valid health products. This minimizes inconvenience for your customers, while also saving time for your business as you know the products being returned will still be in good condition.

Additionally, we have over 3,000 access points across Canada, so your customers will always be able to find convenient returns options within their region.

Check out our quick video for a simple guide on how the Purolator returns process is easy and convenient for your customers:

Seamless and sustainable customer experience

Today’s consumers expect more than just fast and reliable delivery—they also want shipping options that align with their environmental values and offer a higher degree of personalization. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability in their purchasing decisions, including the environmental impact of shipping. 

Purolator helps your business meet their expectations with our commitment to eco-friendly shipping practices. We use EVs for certain deliveries, and have carbon reduction initiatives. By partnering with Purolator, you can potentially reduce your business’ environmental footprint, aligning your natural health values with the growing demand for sustainable practices.

On top of that, Purolator Your Way allows your customers to personalize their delivery preferences. This could include selecting specific delivery times and opting for Photo Proof of Delivery (POD) for added security, so they can receive their package whenever it’s most convenient for them.

How Purolator provides effective cross-border shipping and returns for healthcare businesses

Importing health products and medical supplies into Canada can get overwhelming. Navigating customs and regulatory requirements, maintaining product integrity and managing costs effectively is a difficult balancing act on your own. 

However, Purolator’s cross-border expertise can make the importation process a lot simpler. For example, Purolator worked with The Orthotic Group to streamline their cross-border returns process, consolidate shipments and boost customer satisfaction.

The result? With Purolator’s help, The Orthotic Group was able to: 

• Reduce operating costs by 41%
• Streamline reverse logistics with shipping consolidation
• Minimize their carbon footprint
• Improve shipping times
• Enhance customer service and keep their B2B clients happy

Read the case study

Partner with Purolator to ship natural health products and supplements into Canada with ease

Purolator makes shipping natural health products a seamless process. By partnering with us, your compliant shipments arrive on time and maintain their quality. Purolator’s vast North American network, commitment to regulatory compliance and environmentally friendly solutions make us an ideal logistics partner for businesses importing nutraceuticals and supplements into Canada.

 Purolator delivers to 100% of Canadian postal codes1

Our vast network and unmatched reach in Canada allows for nutraceutical businesses to easily deliver to every address in any part of the country, enabling you to grow your customer base and expand into new markets with confidence.

 Flexible cross-border shipping solutions

We offer versatile cross-border shipping solutions that simplify the complexities of international logistics, allowing health product companies to easily ship to Canada or expand globally. With options such as nearshoring, offshoring, multimodal transport, cross-border returns and express shipping, Purolator helps enable smooth and efficient delivery across borders.

 Route optimization

Our route optimization solutions help natural health product companies reduce transit times, minimize costs and make efficient deliveries by selecting the most reliable and cost-effective shipping routes.

 National Hub

Purolator’s National Hub provides health product companies with a centralized, efficient distribution point using the latest cutting-edge technology like world-class automation.

 Regional warehousing

Our regional warehousing allows health product companies to store inventory closer to key markets, reducing shipping times, optimizing costs and improving overall supply chain efficiency.

 Regulatory compliance experts

With a team of regulatory compliance experts as well as customs forms and brokerage tools, Purolator ensures health product companies stay up to date with ever-changing health and safety regulations, avoiding costly delays.

 Digital healthcare indicator tool

Purolator’s digital healthcare indicator tool helps to keep your health product shipments moving, as all healthcare-related shipments are easily tracked and identified with a visual and digital aid.

 Time-definite services

Our time-definite services guarantee that health products arrive on schedule, as early as 9AM.

 Express delivery services

Our express delivery services provide fast and reliable transportation, with next-day delivery options within Canada for your time-sensitive health products.

 Chain of signature

Purolator’s chain of signature service offers complete visibility and security for high-value or sensitive health product shipments, ensuring accountability at every stage.

 Closed-loop network

Our closed-loop network helps ensure nutraceutical shipments are kept within our network, improving security and accountability, instead of being handed off to third parties.

 Mission Critical

Purolator’s Mission Critical solution offers rapid delivery for your most crucial shipments, ensuring they arrive safely and on time.

 Seamless returns management and over 3,000 access points

Purolator provides your health product customers with an efficient and convenient way to handle returns and exchanges throughout Canada at various shipping locations and access points.

 Bulk shipping options like LTL and TL freight

Purolator’s bulk shipping options, such as LTL and TL freight, allow health product companies to manage large shipments cost-effectively while maintaining product integrity.

 Purolator Your Way™

Purolator Your Way offers customizable shipping solutions, allowing your customers to tailor their deliveries according to specific needs and preferences.

 Commitment to environmental sustainability

Our commitment to environmental sustainability allows you to minimize your carbon footprint while maintaining reliable, eco-conscious shipping solutions.

Ship natural health products without worries

The demand for natural health products and supplements in Canada continues to grow, presenting a significant opportunity for your business to expand in this thriving market. However, the complexities of maintaining product quality, navigating Health Canada’s regulations, managing costs, ensuring timely delivery and satisfying customer expectations can make shipping these products a daunting task. 

From the moment you partner with Purolator, your business will experience unwavering support in every area of logistics fulfillment and supply chain management. Onboarding with us is a collaborative journey. Our experts work with you to fully understand your unique business requirements. And if you need help with regulatory compliance or specialized packaging, we guide you through every step of the way, ensuring a smooth transition into our vast North American network.

Whether you’re shipping within Canada or from markets across the border, Purolator is a strong partner for natural health businesses looking to expand their reach throughout the entire country with unparalleled reliability.

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