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.

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.

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.

Convince foreign distributors with numbers, not with stories

Alfred Griffioen, founder of Exporteers

In the past 15 years me and my colleagues have approached hundreds of agents, distributors, importers and retailers worldwide for brand owners aiming to sell their products abroad. In 2012 a call was enough to get a meeting. Today, you first have to send your pitch — and then hope that someone will answer.

The distributors needed to reach your clients already work with your competitors. They have invested in marketing, stock and sales, and they are making money. Asking them to switch to you means asking them to start all over again.

My experience is that if you only send a website or product catalogue, answers are rare. Numbers make the difference. Show expected volumes, margins, sales effort and investment. Show that there is a business case for them, not just for you.

Frequently asked questions

How to find an importer in Canada for your product?

The best way to find an importer in Canada is to understand the sales channel for your product, and what parties are involved. Then find the right importers or wholesalers at the beginning of that chain. Before starting to push your product, approach a number of them to ask what they need. This way you can position your product better before you reach out to a broader group.

How to find a web shop for your product in Canada?

First check whether your product normally is sold through web shops in Canada or that other distribution structures are more common. Then determine the characteristics of your ideal web shop, and find a number of these, or outsource this search. When you approach the first few, you will learn what they find important and who your competitors are.

How to convince an importer in Canada to work with you?

As in any country, convincing an importer or wholesaler to put your product in his assortment is difficult. Importers in Canada look at the rotation of the product, how easy and often they can sell it, and multiply this with the margin they can make on it. The result should be higher than they earn now from any competing product. Only if you have proper sales data, for example from other countries, they will engage in a discussion with you.