Importing goods and customs clearance in Canada

If you want to ship your goods to Canada then you have to get them through customs and formally import them. This article describes a number of important aspects.

Please note that if you need help, there are various parties available to support you.

Shipping your products

If you sell physical products, you need to get them delivered into Canada. Depending on the country you are in, this may be a challenge.

First of all you may have to pay import duties or settle VAT. There are certain thresholds for both of these charges, e.g. while importing in the EU you don’t have to pay import duties on any shipment worth less than € 150.

There may also be non-financial bariers, like certifications or approvals to be obtained. Especially for food, cosmetics or medicine this may be the case. Check this in advance, even before you invest in your marketing.

Importing goods

Canada’s customs system is managed by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which handles import declarations, duties, and taxes. The process is governed by the Customs Act and Customs Tariff. For detailed guidance, visit the Canada Border Services Agency – Importing.

General Import Process

Customs Declaration
- Submit an import declaration electronically through the Single Window System (SWS) or use a customs broker for assistance.
- Required documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and other certificates or licenses if applicable.
Import Duties and GST
- Import duties vary by product and are based on the HS code. Use the Canada Tariff Finder to check the applicable duties.
- GST (Goods and Services Tax):
  - Standard rate: 5%.
  - Some goods, such as food, medical devices, and books, are exempt or zero-rated for GST.
Additional Non-Financial Requirements
- Certain goods, such as food, plants, and chemicals, are regulated by other government departments such as Health Canada or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
- For product-specific requirements, consult the Access2Markets Portal.
Inspection and Clearance
- Customs may inspect goods to verify compliance with Canadian regulations. Clearance typically takes 1-3 business days if all documents are correct and goods are not flagged for further inspection.
Release of Goods
- Once cleared, goods can be delivered to their destination within Canada.

Service Providers for Assistance

DHL Canada – dhl.com
Kuehne+Nagel Canada – kuehne-nagel.com
Tara Transport – taratransport.com
Livingston International – livingstonintl.com
FedEx Canada – fedex.com

Importing Small Parcels

For small parcels, Canada is served by couriers like DHL, UPS, FedEx, and Canada Post. Typical shipping costs for a 2kg parcel:

From the USA: CAD 25-50 for economy shipping.
From China: CAD 20-40 for economy shipping.

Express services (2-5 days) are available at higher rates. Pricing depends on the courier, destination, and urgency. Check directly with service providers for precise pricing.

Customs looks at three things

Whatever you ship, customs checks the same three things. The classification: the HS code that sets the duty rate. The customs value: the price plus, depending on the Incoterm, transport and insurance. And the origin, which can lower the rate under a trade agreement.

On top of that come the registrations: an importer number or EORI, a VAT registration or a local importer of record, and product certificates for food, cosmetics, medical devices and electrical goods.

VAlidate the HS-codes you use for shipping

Almost every country or trade block in the world has its own detailing on the international HS-code list. With our report you strongly reduce the risk on misclassifications, delays and higher custom duties than expected.

Tell us what you want to ship and where to and we ask you all relevant questions to get to the most likely code.

Get your HS code VAlidation Report for only € 39

Importing into Canada in three steps

Step 1

Classify and check

Determine the HS code for every product, look up the duty rate, and check which certificates or approvals the country asks for before you ship anything.

Step 2

Arrange papers

Make sure there is a registered importer, and prepare the invoice, packing list, transport document and, where it lowers the duty, a certificate of origin.

Step 3

Ship and clear

Let a customs broker file the declaration, pay duties and import VAT, and keep the documents. Customs audits can go back several years.