Can You Import or Export Without Owning a Company? By Ahmed Al-Maghribi A common question among beginners in international trade is whether owning a company is essential for conducting import or export activities. To address this, it’s important to distinguish between two scenarios: importing or exporting for personal purposes versus for commercial purposes. 1: Importing or Exporting for Personal Use In this case, the distinction lies between the sender’s intent and the customs authorities' evaluation. For instance, an Arab citizen living in Canada might send a 40-kilogram package of gifts to their family. While the sender views it as a personal shipment, customs might classify it as commercial due to the number of items exceeding what is reasonable for personal use by one or two individuals. Personal imports or exports, limited to products intended for individual use, do not require a formal legal framework. Such shipments can pass through border checkpoints as long ...