Bill 96 Checklist for U.S. Exporters Selling into Quebec (2026)

If your company ships products or sells online into Quebec, Bill 96 is not optional background reading — it sets the French-language rules your customers, and the regulator, expect you to follow. This checklist turns the law into concrete steps a U.S. exporter can actually work through.

In brief — Quebec's Bill 96 requires French across packaging, labels, websites, advertising and signage for products sold into Quebec — including online sales shipped from outside the province. French must be at least as prominent as English. Non-compliance carries fines from $3,000 to $30,000 per offense. This checklist covers the six areas U.S. exporters most often miss.

1. Product packaging and labels

This is where most U.S. brands are exposed. French is required on:

• Product names and descriptions
• Lists of ingredients or components
• Safety warnings and directions for use
• Warranty terms and any inserts or manuals

Bilingual labeling is allowed, but the French must be at least as prominent as the English — never smaller or less visible.

2. Websites and e-commerce

If Quebec customers can buy from you, your storefront needs a French version with equivalent access — not a second-class afterthought. That includes product pages, the checkout flow, legal notices and key metadata. Even products warehoused elsewhere in Canada but sold online into Quebec are expected to meet these requirements.

3. Advertising and signage

Ads targeting Quebec and any public or in-store signage must give French markedly predominant visibility. A Quebec-targeted social campaign in English only is a classic exposure point.

4. Trademarks and brand terms (2025 rules)

Your registered trademark itself generally does not need translation. But since June 2025, descriptive or generic terms inside a non-French mark must be translated. If your logo lockup includes words like "ultra-soft cleaning wipes," those descriptive terms are in scope.

5. Contracts, invoices and customer communications

Many consumer and employment documents must be available in French on request — contracts, terms and conditions, invoices, and customer service. If you employ people in Quebec, HR documents come into play too.

6. Deadlines and penalties

• Fines run from $3,000 to $30,000 per offense, with higher amounts for repeat offenders.
• Non-compliance can trigger customs delays, product seizure or removal from shelves.
• A two-year grace period applied to certain products manufactured before June 1, 2025, running until June 1, 2027 — after which non-compliant stock must be off the shelf.

How to work through this efficiently

Trying to fix everything at once usually means spending in the wrong order. A better sequence:

1. Audit your current exposure (website, packaging, ads, documents) and rank the gaps by severity.
2. Prioritize the critical, customer-facing items first.
3. Translate what's required into compliant Canadian French (not France French).
4. Maintain compliance as you add products and content.

A Canadian agency can do all four remotely, from your URLs and files — no travel, launch within days.

FAQ

Does Bill 96 apply to a U.S. company with no Quebec office?

If you sell to Quebec consumers — including online — the French requirements generally apply to what those customers see. Physical presence is not required for the obligations to attach.

Do I have to translate my brand name?

The trademark itself usually does not require translation, but descriptive or generic terms within a non-French mark must be translated under the 2025 rules.

Is France French acceptable?

For the Canadian market you want Canadian French (fr-CA). France French is understood but reads as foreign and can miss local terminology expectations.

What happens if we miss the June 2027 deadline?

Non-compliant products covered by the grace period must be removed from shelves; ongoing non-compliance is subject to fines.

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Want to know exactly where you stand? Start with a Quebec francization audit (Bill 96), read our overview of Bill 96 compliance for U.S. companies, or learn how we handle Quebec French product labeling. Asiatis is a Canadian agency with OTTIAQ / ATIO certified translators — request a free quote.