Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters

What Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters does

The Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters, operating as I.E. Canada, is a national non-profit trade association founded in 1936 and headquartered in Markham, Ontario. With a staff of 1-10 employees, it represents and supports Canadian businesses involved in importing and exporting goods across international borders, acting as an intermediary between the trade community and federal regulators including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), parliamentary committees, and Global Affairs Canada. The association's membership spans importers, exporters, and trade-chain service providers such as customs brokers, freight forwarders, and legal experts, and it maintains three active principal committees focused on import, export, and food and agricultural matters.

I.E. Canada monetizes through a tiered annual membership program (International Trader at CAD $1,605, International Trader Plus at CAD $2,065, International Trader Premium at CAD $3,230, and a non-publicly-priced Partnership Circle for service providers), supplemented by event registration fees and summit sponsorship packages. Its core product surface includes the membership portal (running on Member365), the annual International Trade Summit held at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa, a webinar series on topics such as IEEPA tariff refunds, CARM compliance, Section 232 tariffs, and rules of origin, and the Simply Trade podcast distributed on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean. The organization does not build proprietary technology; its "platform" is essentially convening, advocacy, and content production.

Growth levers are event-driven and policy-driven. The 2026 Summit (November 17-19, 2026) is sponsored by a roster that includes Flexport, Geodis, Livingston International, McMillan LLP, Intact, and Cole International. Distribution channels are domestic Canadian, with a self-service online membership portal, direct outreach via email, and in-person events in Toronto, Calgary, and Mississauga. Pricing is broadly transparent on the website, with new member dues prorated against the January-to-December membership year. The organization is privately held as a membership-governed non-profit and reports no institutional investors, parent company, or subsidiaries.

Name

Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters

Legal name

Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters

Website

https://iecanada.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

I.E. Canada is a national non-profit trade association founded in 1936 that represents Canadian importers, exporters, and trade-chain service providers through tiered membership, government advocacy, an annual Ottawa Summit, and a podcast and webinar program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAMAM

Inclusive Trade (Gender, Youth, Marginalized Groups)

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/International Trade & Economic Development

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Import export advocacy
• Trade compliance education
• Customs brokerage support
• International trade networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees charged in CAD across four tiers: International Trader ($1,605), International Trader Plus ($2,065), International Trader Premium ($3,230), and Partnership Circle. Membership runs from January 1 to December 31, with new member dues prorated. Renewal window opens November 1 to January 31.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from event registrations including the annual International Trade Summit (valued at $899 per attendee for Premium members), webinars, in-person meetings, and workshops. Non-members may pay different rates than members.
3. Summit Sponsorship Packages: The organization offers sponsorship opportunities at various investment levels for the annual International Trade Summit, providing visibility among Canada's trade professionals, government officials, and industry leaders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

I.E. Canada is a national non-profit trade association that delivers tiered membership programs to Canadian importers, exporters, and trade chain partners. Its core offering combines trade policy advocacy, expert committees on import/export/food matters, educational webinars, the annual International Trade Summit, and the Simply Trade podcast, all accessed through an online member portal. Revenue is generated from annual membership dues, event registration fees, and summit sponsorships, denominated in CAD.

Product overview

I.E. Canada offers a membership-based platform centered on its core International Trader membership program, which provides access to trade policy advocacy, networking, webinars, and a member portal. The portfolio includes multiple membership tiers (International Trader, International Trader Plus, International Trader Premium, Partnership Circle) along with complementary services: the Annual International Trade Summit for in-person networking and education, webinars and educational events covering trade compliance topics, the Simply Trade Podcast for on-demand trade insights, Expert Committees on import, export, and food matters, and a Member Portal providing access to resources, working groups, and forum discussions. Trade Policy Advocacy Services represent an additional component addressing customs, export controls, product safety, environmental regulations, and trade barriers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• I.E. Canada Membership A tiered membership program for Canadian importers, exporters, and trade chain partners (customs brokers, freight forwarders, legal experts) providing access to trade policy advocacy, expert committee participation, networking, webinars, working groups, member directory, and committee materials via the online member portal.
• Webinars and Educational Events Online and in-person educational sessions covering trade compliance, customs procedures, tariffs, sanctions, and regulatory updates. Both member-exclusive and open webinars are offered.
• Annual International Trade Summit Premier annual gathering of trade professionals in Canada held each November at Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa, featuring panel discussions, presentations, networking opportunities, and workshops on emerging trade trends and policy developments. Premium Summit attendance is valued at $899 per attendee.
• Simply Trade Podcast A weekly podcast providing timely trade discussions and guest perspectives on supply chain disruption, infrastructure shifts, trade uncertainty, and US-Canada trade dynamics, including topics such as tariffs, supply chain issues, and trade policy.
• Expert Committees on Import, Export, and Food Three active principal committees providing specialized forums for members to address industry-specific trade challenges and regulatory compliance issues on import, export, and food and agricultural matters.
• Member Portal and Working Groups An online portal providing members access to exclusive resources, committee materials, forum discussions, the membership directory, job postings, working groups, and technical trade chain partner consultations on border systems.
• Trade Policy Advocacy Services Evidence-based advocacy representation to government regulators and agencies including parliamentary committees, CBSA, and Global Affairs Canada, covering customs modernization, export controls, product safety, environmental regulations, border efficiency, and tariffs and trade barriers.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AVS Employment GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 November 2026Wi-Fi sponsor for the 2026 IE Canada International Trade Summit. Provided Wi-Fi sponsorship for conference attendees at the November 2026 event in Ottawa.
• Dominion Customs ConsultantsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 November 2026Refreshment break sponsor for the 2026 IE Canada International Trade Summit. Provided refreshment break sponsorship at the conference.
• IntactminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 November 2026Networking lunch sponsor for the 2026 IE Canada International Trade Summit. Provided networking lunch sponsorship at the conference.
• Cole InternationalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 November 2026Sponsor for the 2026 IE Canada International Trade Summit, providing support for conference activities.
• FlexportminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 November 2026Breakfast sponsor for the 2026 IE Canada International Trade Summit.
• McMillan LLPminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 November 2026Networking reception sponsor for the 2026 IE Canada International Trade Summit.
• WE DescartesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 November 2026Lanyards sponsor for the 2026 IE Canada International Trade Summit. Sponsored attendee lanyards at the conference.
• GeodisminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 November 2026Sponsor for the 2026 IE Canada International Trade Summit, providing support for conference activities.
• Livingston InternationalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 November 2026Meet & Greet Reception sponsor for the 2026 IE Canada International Trade Summit.
• ArentFox Schiff LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Presented webinars on IEEPA tariff refunds and CAPE process, including check-in sessions on how the refund process is progressing since the launch of CAPE and what to expect in phases 2 and 3.
• Global Training CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of the Simply Trade podcast, a weekly Canadian trade podcast produced in partnership with I.E. Canada, covering timely trade discussions, tariffs, supply chain issues, and policy updates.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME): Canada's largest trade and manufacturing association with direct focus on exporters and trade policy advocacy. Directly competes for exporter members and shares the same federally-engaged advocacy model as I.E. Canada.
• Canadian Food Exporters Association: Canadian association focused on food and agricultural export development. Directly comparable because I.E. Canada's Food and Agricultural Committee targets the same member audience for industry-specific trade advocacy.

Others

• Cole International: Canadian customs brokerage, trade consulting and freight services firm. Is both a sponsor of I.E. Canada events and a similar audience participant in the trade-compliance ecosystem, making it a substantive adjacent peer.
• Livingston International: Canada's largest customs broker and trade services firm, a frequent I.E. Canada sponsor. Overlaps with I.E. Canada on trade-compliance content delivery to importers/exporters but is a for-profit services company rather than a membership association.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Chamber of Commerce: Larger, broader business association offering advocacy, networking, and policy influence to Canadian businesses of all sizes. Highly comparable to I.E. Canada on policy advocacy and member-services, with overlapping trade-related content but a much wider business mandate.
• Business Council of Canada: CEO-led association of major Canadian enterprises that influences federal policy including trade. Comparable to I.E. Canada on policy advocacy muscle but serves larger enterprises with broader mandates.
• Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB): National association representing small and medium-sized businesses in Canada, including importers and exporters. Overlaps with I.E. Canada on trade policy advocacy, government relations, and member education through webinars and events.

Regional players

• National Foreign Trade Council: U.S.-based trade association focused on international trade policy and customs. Highly comparable in mission (import/export advocacy and member education) but operates in a different geography from I.E. Canada.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/i-e-canada-the-canadian-association-of-importers-and-exporters

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters