Shipping to Canada

LCL Cargo

HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS

Documents Required

Copy of Passport (photo page only)
Proof of Residency abroad for at least 1 year (bank statements, utilities, rent receipts, income tax statement, etc. for first and last month of 12-month period) (returning citizens)
Detailed inventory / Packing list in English or French
Receipts for new items
Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB)
Liquor Permit, if applicable
Immigration papers, if applicable
Work Permit / Student Visa holders, if applicable
Proof of residence in Canada (copy of Deed / Sales Agreement / Lease Agreement) (seasonal residents)
Copy of Death Certificate (import of inheritance items)
Copy of Will or Letter from the Executor of an estate (import of inheritance items)
Obligation for Privilege from the Canadian Ministry of External Affairs (Diplomats)

Specific Information

The shipper must be present for Customs clearance.
Returning Canadians may import household goods and personal effects duty free under the following conditions:
- The goods were owned and used by the shipper for at least 6 months prior to importation.
- The shipper lived abroad for a minimum of 12 months. If the shipper lived abroad for a period greater than 5 years, the shipper is exempt from the 6-month ownership rule.
- The goods must still be owned and used and the shipment can not include goods that are for resale or otherwise disposed of within 12 months of importation.
For immigrants and holders of Work / Student Visas, the goods must be owned and used prior to importation and the shipment must not include goods that are to be sold or otherwise disposed of 12 months after importation for duty-free import.
Any single item of household goods or personal effects, including automobiles, that were acquired after March 31, 1977, and are valued at more than $10,000 are subject to regular duty and taxes on the excess amount.
Seasonal residents may import household items and personal effects duty free under the following conditions:
- The shipment can include household furniture and furnishings for a seasonal residence, excluding construction, materials, electrical fixtures or other goods permanently attached to or incorporated into a seasonal residence and tools and equipment for the maintenance of a seasonal residence.
- The goods must have been owned and used prior to arrival.
- The goods cannot be sold for at least 1 year.
- The goods are for the personal use of that person or their family and are not for any commercial, industrial or occupational purpose.
- Proof of purchase or a copy of a Lease Agreement is required for any person who is not a resident of Canada but owns a residential property or has leased a residence for at least 3 years for personal use.
- Only one shipment of this type is allowed.
The copy of the Will or Letter from the Executor of an estate must state that the shipper is the beneficiary of the named items for duty-free import (duty-free inheritances).
Diplomats can import household goods and personal effects duty and tax free.
The Canadian Government adopted ISPM-15 (International standards for Phytosanitary Measures Publication 15) Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade (aka NIFM-15) to standardize the treatment of wood packing materials used for the transport of goods.
ISPM No. 15 requires that wood packaging either be heat-treated or fumigated with methyl bromide and marked with the internationally recognized International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) mark, or in lieu of the mark, the consignment must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate specifying the treatment used.

MOTOR VEHICLES

Documents Required

Copy of Passport (photo page only)
Original proof of ownership (can be sent with the vehicle)
OBL
Previous Registration

Specific Information

The car must comply with Canadian standards.
All vehicles are inspected by the Canadian Agricultural Inspection Agency upon arrival into Canada.
The vehicle must be owned and used for more than 6 months in order to qualify for tax and duty relief.
For returning residents, a tax and duty exemption applied to the first $10,000 of the vehicle's value. Anything in excess of $10,000 will be charged applicable duties and taxes.
For Work Permit / Student Visa holders, duty and tax will be waived for the duration of the permit. The vehicle will be imported on a temporary basis for the duration of the Work Permit / Student Visa must be re-exported upon departure from Canada.
All cars / motorbikes should be clean on arrival and free of any soil or containments.
It is recommended to include proof of cleaning (receipts) with the shipping documents.
The vehicle cannot contain household goods and personal effects.
Motor vehicles imported into Canada cannot be licensed in Canada unless cleared through Canadian Customs.

ANTIQUES / ART EFFECTS / CARPETS / PAINTINGS

No documents are required if the items are part of the household effects shipment. Proof of age will be required if item is over 100 years old.
The items are permitted duty free entry if the following conditions are met:
- The works of art are part of a bona fide household removal.
- The works of art are not for sale or other disposal.
Antiques and works of art imported into Canada for resale, are subject to different regulations.

WEDDING TROUSSEAU / GIFTS

Wedding "trousseau" means goods acquired for use in the household of a newly married couple, but does not include vehicles, vessels or aircraft; wedding "gifts" means goods of a non-commercial nature received by a person as personal gifts in consideration of that person's recent marriage or the anticipated marriage of that person within three months of the person-s return to Canada.
Wedding trousseau and gifts may be imported duty and tax free providing:
- A bride's trousseau / gifts owned by, in the possession of, and imported by a recently married person or a bride-to-be whose anticipated marriage is to take place within 3 months of the date of her return to Canada or has taken place no more than 3 months prior to arrival in Canada.

RESTRICTED / DUTIABLE ITEMS

Alcohol (a detailed list including type, size, and quantity is required and an Import Permit must be obtained prior to importation; duties and taxes apply)
Do not ship wine between October 1 and March 31 to avoid the possibility of freezing.
Tobacco products are subject to duties and taxes.
Foodstuffs can cause extensive delays / additional charges (importation is discouraged)
Meat (authorization is required; importation is discouraged)
Pornographic materials
New items (a Bill of Sale may be required by Customs)
Hunting trophies (restrictions apply, especially for endangered species; a CITES Certificate may be required; check with agent before shipping).
Firearms (strict regulations apply; check with agent for details)
Any one item valued at $10,000 or over is subject to duties and taxes.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Live plants
Narcotics, drugs, incitements
Fruits and vegetables
Live ammunition and explosives

CONSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Checklist for Importing Commercial Goods into Canada

This checklist, to be used in conjunction with the Step-by-Step Guide to Importing Commercial Goods into Canada, is intended to complement and not replace existing regulations, acts and references.

Importing requirements include the following:

Obtain your import/export business number from the Canada Revenue Agency.
Identify what type of goods you want to import.
Determine whether you will use the services of a customs broker.
Determine the country of origin for the goods you are importing.
Verify whether the goods are controlled, regulated or prohibited by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or any other government department or agency.
Ensure that the goods are marked and labelled as required.
Determine the 10-digit tariff classification number and the applicable rate of duty for each of the items you are importing using the Customs Tariff.
Determine whether the goods are subject to any other duties or taxes including the goods and services tax (GST).
Obtain invoices, certificates of origin and any other required documents.
Determine the value for duty of your goods you are importing.
Select the method of shipping and communicate with the transportation company on cross-border requirements.
Await notification that your shipment has arrived.
Submit the required CBSA documents and pay any duties and taxes owing in order to have the goods released. Note: Shipments valued at CAN$2,500 or less arriving by mail or courier may be assessed for duties and taxes and then released by the CBSA or the courier company.

Please note:

The shipment may be examined by government officials. Fees charged by authorized third parties to unload and reload goods are the responsibility of the importer.
If you make an error in the accounting information provided to the CBSA, you are required to correct the declaration if the change is revenue-neutral or if you owe money.
Keep records of your import documents for a period of six years following the importation.
Be aware that the CBSA uses the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) to assess monetary penalties against businesses that do not comply with customs legislation.

Information shown is as of August 2015. Subject to change without notice.

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