TariffScan
A barcode-scanning app for Canadian shoppers that flags US-made products, shows the tariff impact in real CAD prices and suggests Canadian-made alternatives from a verified directory.
Canadian consumers who want to avoid US goods amid the trade dispute
- Barcode/HS-code scanner that flags country of origin and current tariff status
- Side-by-side price comparison including new 50% tariffs and retaliatory duties
- Curated directory of Canadian-made alternatives with retailer links and ratings
- Wishlist tracker that totals how much a shopper has 'diverted' from US goods
Trump's announcement of 50% tariffs on a wide swath of Canadian goods, combined with La Presse columnists openly urging readers to boycott American products, has created immediate demand for a consumer-side tariff navigator.
Real consumer interest confirmed — CBC/NYT/NPR coverage, Buy Canadian app has 730 Play Store ratings, retail giants (Loblaws, Sobeys) responding to demand. But demand is largely already being served.Want to buy Canadian? There's an app for that | CBC News ↗Buy Canadian: Free Shopping on Google Play ↗
Market is saturated with at least 6 direct competitors launched in early 2025 — Buy Canadian, Buy Beaver (Montreal), O SCANada (Calgary), Maple Scan (Calgary, AI-powered), Shop Canadian (Edmonton), CanScan AI — all doing barcode scanning of Canadian/US origin.Want to buy Canadian? There's an app for that | CBC News ↗Want to Buy Canadian? 5 Apps to Identify Products Made in Canada ↗CanScan AI - Canadian Product Scanner ↗
Leading apps (Buy Canadian, Buy Beaver, Shop Canadian) are free, community-driven, and the CBC expert notes many Canadians 'just can't afford to partake' — strong price sensitivity undermines subscription willingness.Want to buy Canadian? There's an app for that | CBC News ↗Buy Canadian: Free Shopping on Google Play ↗
Tariff exposure is tied to a volatile political cycle — Trump/Canada tariff dispute could be negotiated away (NYT references Carney responding to April 2025 tariffs), eroding the use case. Buy-Canadian sentiment existed pre-tariffs but spike is event-driven.Trump's 50% Tariffs on Canada: What to Know, and What's Next ↗Trump announces 50% tariffs on Canada. What it means for consumers ↗
Barcode scanning + crowdsourced origin DB is standard tech; government tariff schedules are public. Real hurdle is competing against established apps that already have crowdsourced ratings databases built up since Feb 2025.Want to buy Canadian? There's an app for that | CBC News ↗