The UK is one of Canada’s largest trading partners in Europe with strong historic and cultural history. Even with the departure of the UK from the EU, the strong trade between Canada and the UK continues. Canadian companies rely on low cost shipping solutions for delivery to London, Manchester, Glasgow and all the UK.
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A few quick points to consider when shipping to the UK from Canada:
- Canada Post is the preferable option for individuals shipping small parcels and personal items internationally.
- Market dominant carriers, such as UPS, FedEx have high base pricing. Discount shipping can direct or via resellers.
- E-commerce shippers usually need a much lower cost than can via traditional shipping methods. Consider direct shipping solutions.
This post provides a deeper dive and explores of the main elements of international shipping from Canada to the UK. Shipping issues to the UK include carriers, customs, UK Canada Free Trade, and prepayment of VAT for e-commerce orders.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for general information only.
Sending e-commerce orders Canada to the UK
Sellers exporting from Canada to the UK should note that e-commerce platforms are responsible for collecting VAT directly from Canadian sellers. Consolidate and ship direct to the UK from delivery via DPD. Contact our team for details.
The UK VAT arrangement applies Value Add Tax for all online orders from Canada to the UK individuals*.
Sellers must register and collect UK VAT for orders** up to £135 (approximately $220 CAD). The value of £135 covers only the value of the goods (i.e. transaction value) and excludes shipping costs.
VAT collection for UK orders from Canada:
- Shipping platforms must collect VAT for orders shipping to the UK.
*Shipping from Canada to UK Businesses
The online marketplace must charge and account for VAT at the point of sale, unless the consignment is abusiness to business sale and the customer has given their UK VAT registration number. If shipping to registered business, the businesses UK VAT registration number must be noted on the invoice.Sellers can verify the businesses UK VAT number using the following website: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number.
A sample VAT statement for orders to UK registered businesses: "Customer to account for VAT to HMRC:UK business customer: _______"
** Package value versus individual orders
The rules related to the collection of VAT apply to the value of the package being sent, not to individual orders or items in the package.
Sellers from Canada are required to keep records to ensure the correct application of VAT. Shippers should be aware that the UK's default Value Added Tax rate is 20% but less for some items, including books, food and Childrens clothes.
Canadian shipping platforms such as Shopify, BigCommerce and Shopify had added functionality to facilitate this change.eBay will add VAT for all sales made by Canadian sellers to the UK on the final sale amount.
Download accompanying PDF
UK - Canada Trade Continuity Act / TCA benefits online orders
The Canada-U.K. TCA provides Canadian and UK businesses with preferential access for goods shipped between both countries.
See sample form to declaration of origin (Fillable PDF to download). Note that while the regulations do not mandate a specific format. It is recommended also including to include a certification statement on the invoice to ensure preferential duty free consideration at time of import.
UK from Canada Shipping Options
Shipping to the UK via Canada Post
Canada Post is the best choice for individuals shipping small non urgent parcels to the UK. Shipments sent via Canada Post are imported and delivered to The UK via Royal Mail.
Canada Post Shipping Options to The United Kingdom Includes packets and parcels
- Canada Post Small Packet International Surface UK, Air and Tracked Packet
- Canada Post International Parcel to the UK: Surface (Uncertain delivery time)
- Canada Post Xpresspost International: Delivery within 1 week
Canada Post shipments to London, Manchester, Glasgow, and all The UK are imported and delivered by Royal Mail.
Shipping UK from Canada via UPS and FedEx
FedEx and UPS are North America's largest carriers and, along with DHL, offer reliable express delivery from Canada to the UK.
Fedex and UPS Canada Delivery Options to the UK include:
- Priority international express delivery to the UK
- Economy international economy delivery
- See section below: Information required for shipping quote
Shipping to the UK via Purolator Canada
Purolator Courier is a leading Canadian domestic carrier. Purolator provides delivery to the UK via partner carriers, such as UPS. Purolator is a division of Canada Post.
Delivery between the UK and Canada via Jet Worldwide
- Jet Worldwide: A global brand offering international shipping for over 40years!
- Jet Worldwide offers options for shipping between the UK and Canada for parcels, pallets, and online orders
- Jet Worldwide offers transparency and best in class logistics support.
- Zone jump direct to the UK via Jet!
- Contact our team
Clearance information Canada to UK parcels on online orders
Below is useful information on HM Revenue and Customs clearance processes for shipping parcels from Canada to the UK. The information is provided for general reference only as UK customs regulations are subject to change.
The commercial invoice value is usually accepted as the normal price, but if a preferential arrangement has been established between the overseas supplier and the importer, or an unrealistic value has been declared, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reserves the right to assess a fair market value for duty purposes.
Sending parcels from Canada to the UK requires clearly defined commodity descriptions and value. UK Custom considers the include Cost, Insurance, Freight (CIF) for duty assessment. When sending international shipments to the UK, ensure the commercial invoice includes a clear description of the item(s) being sent and the reason for export. Also, it should be noted that the value is a “CIF value.”
Duty Free status for low value parcels and online orders
Companies who send low value international shipments from Montreal to the United Kingdom can take advantage of the “de-minimus limit” for relief from payment of customs duty (below £135). Note that Value Added Tax/ VAT is applicable even if goods may be duty free.
- Up to £135: Exempt from duty. VAT applies.
- Over £135: Duty and VAT apply
Valuation: How to Declare a Value for Shipments to the UK
H.M. Customs are getting stricter on enforcing the correct declared value. When shipping to the UK, be sure to include supporting documents that might be needed in case UK Customs challenges the declared value. See our blog: Valuation for shipments to the UK.
For valuation of your package to the UK, the most common method is known as the '"transactional value." Simply, what you paid or sold for the item is what should be declared to customs.
Sending Parcels containing Samples to the UK from Canada
For companies who send sample shipments, they should be aware of the criteria necessary to qualify for exemption from duty and VAT:
- Sample goods must have been “mutilated”
- The commercial invoice must clearly note that the item is a mutilated sample and not for resale.
- An alternative to mutilated sample is for the item(s) to be clearly marked as “sample” in indelible ink
- Only single samples of each style. If shoes, only one shoe can be sent.
The UK is a major shipping destination from Canadian e-commerce merchants using on-line shopping platforms including Shopify, Big Commerce, Wix and other sites. Canada Post offers discounts via such e-commerce shipping platforms and is the lowest cost choice for small parcels.
As mentioned above, online orders to the UK must be shipped with prepaid VAT via the online platforms - such as Shopify and eBay.
- Canada Post Small Packet Service offers a low cost to the UK for small non urgent parcels.
- Contact Jet's team for updates on direct parcel shipping options for online orders to the UK
Shipping Canadian Shopify Orders to the UK and the EU
Jet Worldwide is building international shipping solutions for Shopify, Canada's leading e-commerce platform. Building on Jet Worldwide’s decades of Canadian cross-border parcel shipping experience, our team is currently developing Shopify-integrated solutions for shipping to the UK and the entire European Union, allowing businesses to “self-fulfill” their orders.
For updates on the latest international shipping solutions for Canadian online orders, connect with Jet Worldwide’s e-commerce team.
Sending parcels to the UK containing Commercial Samples
Companies who wish to send an international shipment to the United Kingdom containing commercial or “Salesman’s Samples” should note this clearly on the commercial invoice. The importation of such samples may qualify for duty relief but may be subject to special handling such as a Temporary Import. Such special procedures will result in extra clearance costs and potential clearance delays.
Articles sent as "Unsolicited gifts" are acceptable and will be allowed entry free of any duty or VAT providing the shipment is valued at less than 40 UKL/ $70CD, consigned to an individual, and are individually wrapped. The parcel may contain multiple gifts as long as the individual parcels enclosed are individually tagged with the recipient's name, are individually wrapped and the value does not exceed the per person limit of 40 UKL (around $70 CD)
Shipments consigned to companies as gifts for an individual may be denied entry as gifts and will be subject to full duty and VAT.
To qualify for duty/tax free status, the gift:
- Must be clearly described on the commercial invoice (a common error is when shippers describe the item only as a “gift” but does not specify what the item itself is.
- Under 40 UKL (around $70 CD)
- Does not contain restricted goods and are of a “non-commercial character.”
- Be addressed to a private individual (rather than a company)
- Items subject to excise tax, such as cigarettes, perfume, toilet water, and alcohol should be avoided. Limited quantities apply and often forbidden for transport by most couriers.
Parcel distribution to the UK and the EU
Jet Worldwide offers bulk H.M. Customs clearance, warehousing, pick/pack and low cost ground delivery solutions to the UK and across Europe. Pending Brexit, we have developed solutions for delivery to the EU from the UK via bonded transfer and distribution capabilities in the Netherlands and France.
Contact our team for rates and information on UK and European shipping and last mile delivery solutions.
Sending Parcels to the UK for personal effects
Contact our team for rates and information on sending your personal effects to the United Kingdom from Canada.
When shipping personal effects to the UK, the goods must first be approved by HM Customs (via a unique number) prior to shipping
Getting Prices for Shipping between the UK and Canada.
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