How to Legally Start a Home-Based Press-On Nail Business in Ontario

Lola Oduwole
1 day ago
3 min read

Launching your own press-on nail business from home can be exciting — a creative outlet, a source of income, and a way to turn your passion into a brand.

But here’s the truth: skipping the legal steps can lead to fines, delays, or having to redo your setup from scratch.

At A.H.O.M™ Relocation Management Company, we help entrepreneurs and small business owners start on the right foot.

Whether you’re building a home-based side hustle or preparing for international sales, compliance and preparation are your best friends.

Here’s your must-have legal checklist for starting your press-on nail business in Toronto, Ontario.

1. Register Your Business Name

If you’re not operating under your exact legal name, you’ll need to register a business name with ServiceOntario.

You can also choose to register for an HST number with the CRA.

This becomes mandatory once your sales reach $30,000/year, but some businesses opt in earlier to claim input tax credits.

2. Check Toronto’s Home-Based Business Rules

Toronto allows “home occupations” — but there are conditions:

No major external signage or structural changes to your home.
Noise must be minimal.
No large-scale hazardous material storage.
Follow municipal waste and storage bylaws.

💡 Tip: Most beauty entrepreneurs won’t need a retail license if there’s no in-person customer traffic, but always confirm with the City of Toronto’s Licensing & Standards division.

3. Meet Product Safety & Health Canada Requirements

If your kit includes nail glue, alcohol wipes, or other chemical-based items:

Follow the Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations (CCCR).
File a Cosmetic Notification Form if applicable.
Keep Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all chemical products.

4. Know the Rules for Selling & Shipping Internationally

Declare all items accurately on customs forms.
Nail glue and alcohol wipes may be considered dangerous goods — check with Canada Post, FedEx, or UPS for packaging and quantity limits.
Research the cosmetic import rules for each country you want to sell to (EU, UK, Australia all have specific requirements).
Follow platform rules (Etsy, Shopify, Amazon) to avoid product takedowns.
Meet all Health and Safety requirements

5. Quick Launch Checklist

Before you go live:

☑Register your business name

☑ Check Toronto’s home business bylaws

☑ File any required cosmetic/chemical notifications

☑ Label products per CCCR guidelines

☑ Prepare MSDS for all chemical products

☑ Confirm domestic & international shipping compliance

☑ Keep clear records for taxes

Starting strong means starting right.

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"Does Your Business Require a Dangerous Goods Category? Find Out Here"

Starts with a quick intro explaining what dangerous goods means for Canadian businesses.
Has a 5-question self-check quiz:
1. Does your product contain adhesives, alcohol, aerosols, or flammable liquids?
2. Do you ship outside of Canada?
3. Do you use couriers like FedEx/UPS who have DG classifications?
4. Do your suppliers label any ingredients with hazard symbols?
5. Is your product in liquid form or pressurized packaging?
If “yes” to any → “You may need a Dangerous Goods designation — here’s what that means.”
The downloadable checklist (PDF) is free. Just enter your enail to download