QST for Non-Residents: Do You Need to Register in Québec?

Fritz Acosta

• 1 min read
QST for Non-Residents: Do You Need to Register in Québec?

Selling to customers in Québec? You might be legally required to register for QST—even if your business isn’t based in Canada.

Québec’s provincial sales tax (QST) is unique. While the rest of Canada follows federal GST/HST rules, Québec enforces its own requirements, especially on non-resident sellers. Since 2019, foreign businesses that sell to Québec customers have had new obligations under Revenu Québec’s “Specified Registration System.”

Who Needs to Register for QST?

You may need to register if:

  • You’re a non-resident of Canada (including U.S. and overseas businesses)
  • You sell digital goods or services (e.g., SaaS, streaming, eBooks)
  • You sell to individual consumers (not registered businesses) in Québec
  • You exceed CAD $30,000 in sales to Québec customers in the past 12 months

Even without a physical presence, a business can trigger registration requirements just by crossing that threshold.

What Happens If You Don’t Register?

Non-compliance can result in:

  • Fines and penalties
  • Interest charges on unremitted QST

Need Help?

Blutax helps international sellers register for QST, track thresholds, and stay compliant with Québec tax law.