do you need to ship some important items to canada? there are a number of things worth knowing before comparing quotes.
Here at irish parcels, we know a thing or two about sending packages around the world. If the idea of sending packages to Canada leaves you with an open mind, we are here to explain the process and make it much more digestible.
This is the essential information you need to know before shipping to Canada:
why ship to canada?
there are many reasons why companies or individuals may want to send packages to canada. If you have a loved one who resides in Canada, you may want to send them a touch of home in the form of a care package. on the other hand, you may be a small business looking to expand your services globally and as such find yourself looking for the best shipping solution to meet your needs. the reasons are infinite; however, regardless, research beforehand is essential.
1. Canadian customs information
When importing goods into Canada, you are legally required to complete and attach a customs invoice to your shipment. whether you are sending business samples, gifts or personal effects; If your shipment is not accompanied by a customs invoice, it will not cross the border of your local country and you may have to pay high return fees to get it back (unless you are only sending documents).
What is a customs invoice and what is it for?
Customs authorities in the destination country use a customs invoice to access and inspect imported goods, and to collect any duties or taxes they deem applicable to goods being imported into your country. It is important to understand that it is not the courier who applies additional charges, it is the customs authorities. When shipping to Canada, you must comply with this.
When completing your customs invoice, it is extremely important to declare the honest value of your products, as local authorities require this information to calculate how much taxes and duties should be applied to your shipment. Any product with a value greater than 20 Canadian dollars will be subject to taxes and duties, while anything less will not be.
However, some items do not qualify for this exemption:
- tobacco
- books
- periodicals
- magazines
- alcoholic beverages
An import license may be required to import your products into Canada. this depends on the type of product you are importing, as well as the reason for importing. Canadian customs will contact the recipient to provide the license before it can be released.
2. sending gifts to canada
For a shipment to qualify as a gift, the shipping papers must be clearly marked “gift” and include a detailed description of the goods. gifts with a value of $60 or less are exempt from duties and taxes. however, if the package is worth more than $60, duties and taxes will apply. for example, if you send a gift worth $200, your recipient must pay the applicable tax on $140.
However, some items do not qualify for the $60 cad exemption:
- goods such as tobacco, alcoholic beverages or advertising material
- articles sent by a company, company or association
3. shipping personal effects to canada
You may be eligible for an exemption on duties and taxes on your goods if you are a Canadian resident importing personal effects into Canada. This also applies if you originally obtained your products in Canada and return them after one year of purchase, with no value limit. If you are not a resident of Canada, you may need to pay an additional fee for importation. this is at the discretion of customs.
When completing your customs declaration, it is important to do it correctly and clearly. To prove that your shipment consists of personal effects, you will be required to accurately describe each item included in the package. For example, if it is a shipment consisting of personal clothing, I would declare it as: “5 x T-shirts, 2 x pairs of jeans, 3 x dresses”, etc., instead of “10 x clothing”.
If you are shipping personal belongings to British Columbia as a non-Canadian passport holder, shipments can only be cleared once the recipient has arrived in Canada, so you may need to provide your permit or visa and stamp input.
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if sent to; Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Edward Island Price, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Yukon or Nunavut: Automatic authorization will be required, in which the consignee will need to visit a Canadian border local service agency (cbsa) location. As such, it is important to ensure that you can access a cbsa location.
It is important to note that any product that has not been cleared within 40 days of arrival in Canada will be considered “abandoned” by Canadian customs and ownership of the products will be transferred to the Canadian state for disposal. .
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It is recommended that you do not ship personal effects valued at more than $2,500.
Although Irish Parcels does not specifically specialize in shipping personal effects, there are many reputable companies that offer convenient luggage shipping services to Canada, including My Luggage, that offer door-to-door luggage shipping.
4. shipping food to canada
It’s certainly no secret that food makes a great gift. However, if you’re thinking of shipping to a destination like Canada, you’ll need to do some research. All food imports into Canada are controlled by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and require additional paperwork to be attached to your food package.
These are some requirements to send food abroad:
- food must be in the original manufacturer’s packaging.
- food packages must be sealed and not tampered with.
- the food label must list all ingredients.
- food must have a shelf life of more than 6 months.
6. shipping to remote areas in canada
canada is a large country and as such some areas will inevitably be considered remote by couriers. remote areas often take longer to deliver and will likely have an additional remote area surcharge as well. this is something worth bearing in mind when trying to compare courier quotes for your shipping.
6. prohibited goods, restricted goods and packaging
For security, quarantine and customs reasons, there are certain items that may be prohibited or restricted from importation into Canada. this may differ around the world. As a general rule, you can be sure that the following items are prohibited:
- aerosols
- animal products
- cash, credit cards, debit cards
- dangerous goods
- dangerous goods
- liquids
- medicines
- passports and other confidential personal documentation
- perishable foods
- plants
What type of packaging can be used?
As is standard with all packages, it is recommended to invest in new, sturdy, double-walled (or even triple-walled) cardboard boxes, as they are more durable and suitable for transporting all types of items. If you are shipping fragile or delicate items, it is recommended that you use internal packaging to protect them during transit. You can use a variety of materials like bubble wrap, foam, or newspaper.
We hope our handy guide has given you more information about sending packages to Canada. If you have any questions about the process or would like information on shipping packages to Canada with Irish Parcels, please contact us or learn more below.
do you need to send a package? Learn more about Irish packs.
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more information:
Irish Parcels – Parcel Delivery Ireland
Irish Parcels: International Parcel Shipping
Irish parcels: our couriers