| CAF Bulletin, October 10, 2025
As the holidays approach, the Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF) is ramping up activities to respond to the changing dynamics in the North American marketplace. In particular, we are working to provide information and solutions to firms impacted by the end of duty-free shipments to the US, under the de minimis program.
The end of the de minimis exemption is impacting hundreds of firms, big and small. If your firm is impacted by these changes, keep an eye out for our survey on this issue - due out in a week or so.
Many companies are pivoting to export using formal customs entries. This has implications beyond tariffs. At the end of the month we will be hosting a webinar covering product standards for the US (with a focus on smaller shippers). We have also begun work with Canadian government officials on additional sessions to support smaller companies dealing with the new realities of cross-border trade. Things are never easy, but a significant number of companies are starting to figure out ways to adjust their business plans without the benefit of duty-free, low-value shipments to the United States.... [MORE]
Industry News
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| CAF launches new series of product integrity workshops |
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 The Canadian Apparel Federation is relaunching live product compliance / product integrity workshops in different cities across Canada. The first of these events took place on September 24 in Vancouver. While delivered on short notice the event featured excellent speakers from SGS, KPMG, Claigan Environmental, Trustrace and ITL - and was well-received by participants. The next session will be in Toronto during the second week of December. Our thanks to KPU … [More Info]
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| Consultations on renewal of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) |
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 Firms have until November 3rd to provide comments to the Canadian government on the renewal of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). CUSMA entered into force on July 1, 2020, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that had been in force since January 1, 1994. Trilateral free trade, under CUSMA and NAFTA before it, has provided certainty for business … [More Info]
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| Oeko-tex launches podcast series |
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 OEKO-TEX® is proud to announce the release of The Fashion Stitch – On Fabrics, Facts and Feelings, a new storytelling podcast exploring the complex environmental and social realities behind the clothes we wear. The six-part English-language series is co-produced with Berlin-based Fashion Changers and hosted by sustainability advocate Clare Press.
[More Info]
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CAF Members-only News
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| Canada and Indonesia sign FTA |
On September 24th, the Canadian and Indonesian governments announced the new Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. For more details on the apparel rule of origin … [More Info]
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| Canadian firms can access support to attend sourcing show in Egypt |
CAF members have been invited to attend Destination Africa. Destination Africa is the leading regional sourcing event for African textiles, apparel, and home textiles, held annually in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt positions itself as a strategic sourcing destination, particularly in light of ongoing tariff uncertainties with China and other import sources … [More Info]
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| US halts certain imports from Taiwan - forced labour alleged. |
Companies that source raw materials or finished goods from Taiwan should take note of recent developments in the US focused on allegations around forced labour in Taiwan. … [More Info]
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| U.S. starts review of USMCA |
U.S. trade officials on Tuesday September 16th started the formal review process for the U.S.- Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), inviting public comment ahead of next year's renewal of the pact. This starts what is likely to be a highly contentious process… [More Info]
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| CUSMA renewal working group |
CAF is setting up a working group/committee to bring together CAF member firms with a significant interest in the renewal of CUSMA/USMCA. … [More Info]
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Industry Events
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| Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show A Leading Sourcing Hub for Hi-tech & Hi-performance Textiles The 29th Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show (TITAS) will take place from October 14-16, 2025, at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1. The event highlights Taiwan’s textile and fashion industry innovations, focusing on sustainability, functional applications, and intelligent manufacturing. TITAS features a wide range of … [More Info] |
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| Webinar October 23, 2025: Revolutionizing Fashion Content: Bridging Traditional Production with AI Innovation |
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While many fashion brands rush to adopt AI,  the real advantage lies in combiningproven creative workflows with next-generation technology. In this exclusive session hosted by the StylePhotos Studios Inc., we’ll explore how Canada’s leading eCommerce photo and video production studio is helping fashion brands make a seamless,
strategic … [More Info]
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| Webinar: Modern slavery reporting - an update on Canada's Supply Chain Act (Bill S-211) |
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Join officials from Public Safety Canada and Benedict Wray of BLG for a discussion of Modern Slavery reporting in Canada. The webinar will offer an overview of modern slavery reporting in Canada as mandated under Bill S-211. It will also cover recent efforts to better align reporting requirements in Canada and other jurisdictions. Full agenda … [More Info]
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New CAF Members
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We welcome the following firms to our association:
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| Total Spirit Cheerleading |
Manufacturer, importer and distributor of custom cheerleading apparel, shoes and bags. [More Info]
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| Print Geek Inc. |
Print Geek is Canada’s leading digital print-on-demand manufacturer, producing hundreds of personalized garments plus decorating tens of thousands of other product types and shipping them directly to end consumers nationwide on behalf of our global e-commerce clients. [More Info]
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| CIG Garment Manufacturing |
CIG Garment Manufacturing has been in the garment manufacturing business since 2000. We have our factory in Scarborough-Toronto, Ontario. We have expertise and experience in making knit and woven garments… [More Info]
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| Coppley Ltd |
Coppley is a Canadian menswear and ladieswear brand dedicated to creating custom high quality tailored garments for the North American market. [More Info]
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| Spinloom Innovate Inc |
Spinloom is a Canada-based sustainable apparel startup focused on circular textiles and supply chain innovation. As we grow, we are building both D2C and B2B channels while exploring local manufacturing opportunities in Canada. [More Info]
Not a member yet? Click here to Join
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