Advice For Sending International Courier and Parcel Shipments from Montreal.
With the many inquiries we get from new shippers who send international shipments from Montreal, we though it best to address the most common questions in our blog.
Learn more from Jet's Logistics Experts :
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for general information only. Producers, shippers, exporters, importers should confirm their processes with their customs brokers, carriers and regulating authorities.
Sending International shipments from Montreal using Parcel Post:
For many shippers, especially very small volume shippers, postal delivery works best. This is especially true for individuals sending gifts to their family and friends.
Shipments under 2 kilograms sent via Canada Post are most cost effective via their international "packet" services. To most areas, Canada Post offers Montreal shippers both surface and air services for packets and parcel post. Contact Jet for updates on direct shipping options to the UK, EU, Caribbean, Japan, and across Asia.
Many of the initial inquiries we get are from small companies who are not satisfied with the delivery quality of parcel post and need solutions for their international parcels.
Commercial carriers - namely FedEx Canada and UPS Canada - offer time definite international delivery form Montreal. They can, however, be expensive for small and medium size Montreal companies.
FedEx and UPS International Shipping Options from Montreal Include:
Resellers, such as Jet Worldwide Canada offer a way for small companies to obtain the quality service of an integrator with a lower cost of using FedEx/ UPS directly.
For all the complexities of international delivery from Montreal, the key difference between an international and domestic parcel is simply customs clearance. For international parcels, most important is to clearly list exactly what is being via an invoice for customs.
The most common error we see for international shipments sent from Montreal from new shippers is an incomplete description. The description should be as specific as possible and include the reason for export. If, as is often the case, the shipment is a gift or sample, this should be noted on the customs paperwork.
Jet Worldwide's shipping system incorporates easy preparation of customs paperwork.
A common restriction we see for international shipments from Montreal is food shipments sent to the USA. (Food shipments require a “Prior Notice” number from the USA Food and Drug Administration/ FDA).
For international shipments sent from from Canada valued over $2,000, the shipper must prepare a Canadian export declaration / B-13. Shipments sent to the USA do not require a B-13 export declaration.
Before sending your international shipment from Montreal, you should determine who will be paying any duties/taxes/customs fees. By default, clearance and duty fees are charged forward to the receiver.
VAT Payment for online orders to the UK and European Union should be prepaid.
International shipments where the receiver or consignee pays should be noted as “Delivery Duty Unpaid/ DDU” on the customs paperwork. If you wish to pay for the duties and taxes, you should not “Delivery To Place/ DTP” on the customs paperwork.