International Parcel Delivery | Blog

Shipping options to the UK:  Parcels, Pallets and Online Orders

Written by Timothy Byrnes | January 16, 2019

The UK is one of Canada’s most important trading partners and leading export markets. With our without Brexit, The Canadian UK economic connection will remain strong. Jet Worldwide Canada provides low cost Canadian parcel shipping - and other logistics solutions - for delivery to London, Manchester and all the UK.

A Note on the UK, Brexit, the EU and Canada

Canadian supply chains and retailers have relied on the United Kingdom which served as both one largest European market for Canadian goods and a platform for free movement within the EU.

Jet Worldwide provides shipping from Canada for delivery to the UK

Download accompanying PDF

UK-Canada Free Trade Continuity

The Canada-U.K. TCA has been ratified providing Canadian and UK businesses with continued preferential access for goods shipped between both countries. Canada and the U.K. are engaging in future negotiations on a more permanent bilateral free trade agreement that could include the U.K. potentially joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

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.

Shipping to The UK from Canada

Shipping Options to consider

Shipping to The United Kingdom via Canada Post

Canada Post's "Small Packet" services offers the lowest cost for individuals sending small parcels to the UK. Shipments sent via Canada Post are imported and delivered to The UK via Royal Mail.

Canada Post Delivery Services to The United Kingdom Include:

Shipping to the UK via FedEx, UPS Canada

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 can be expensive for small and medium sized businesses and their processes inflexible.

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.

Delivery to the UK from Canada via Jet Worldwide

  • Jet Worldwide: International shipping for over 40 years!
  • Jet Worldwide offers options for shipping between the UK and Canada for parcels, pallets, and online orders (with Shopify integration)
  • Jet Worldwide offers transparency and logistics support. We are not shy to recommend alternative options that are better suited for your needs.

SEE SECTION BELOW: INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE

Clearance information on shipments sent from Canada to The UK

Sending parcels from Canada to the UK requires clearly defined commodity descriptions and value. UK Custom considers the transaction value to include Cost, Insurance, Freight (CIF). When sending to international shipments to the UK, ensure the commercial invoice includes a clear description of the item(s) being sent and reason for export. Also, it should be noted that the value is a “CIF value.”

Duty Free status for low value imports and online orders to the UK

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). However, VAT must be paid and in the case of online orders, prepaid.

    • Up to £135: Exempt from duty. VAT is due
    • Over £135 (around $240 CD): Duty and VAT due

As mentioned, online orders / consignments shipped to consumers (B to C) valued up to £135 must be prepaid VAT.

Prepaid VAT Requirement for online platforms / sellers to the UK

EORI Number for UK Importers

Before shipping from Canada to UK it is important to verify the EORI number of the consignee. An EORI number is part of the data set required for customs entries to businesses in the UK

Valuation for shipments to the UK

With the growth of e-commerce shipments to the UK, H.M. Customs is getting more strict on enforcing the correct declared value.

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.

Read about valuation for online orders shipped to the UK from Canada.

Sending Commercial Samples to the UK

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.

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.

Shipping personal Gifts from Canada to the UK

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 Multiple gifts as long as the individual parcels enclosed are individually tagged with the recipients 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. They are only accepted in limited quantities and, anyway, often forbidden for transport by courier.

Shipping Canadian E-commerce Orders to the UK and the EU

Jet Worldwide has international shipping solutions for Canada's leading e-commerce platform. Building on Jet Worldwide’s decades of Canadian cross-border parcel shipping experience. Self-fulfill” orders to your UK customers by shipping directly with Jet Worldwide from Canada or the USA.


For imports valued under £135, the term "import vat" has been replaced with "supply VAT." This new term reflects the idea that VAT is not longer collected at time of import but rather than from the supplier. Contact Jet's logistics team and read more about requirement for prepaid VAT for shipments to the UK.

Getting a spot quote for shipping between the UK and Canada

Jet Worldwide gives access to all companies seeking for spot quotes from Canada to the UK for parcels pallets, and online orders.

For a quote for shipping online orders, provide details including shipping volume, item(s) being shipped, average value and weight of each parcel. The more details the better :).

 

Sending personal effects from Canada to the UK

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 they goods must first be approved by HM Customs (via a unique number) prior to shipping

Shipping of excess baggage: Generally, it is simpler and easier to ship your personal effects as excess baggage when you travel. Carrier excess baggage fees for a couple of bags is most often less expensive than shipping separately without having to manage separate entry requirements.

Shipping a box or several boxes: Jet Worldwide provides solutions shipping of international personal effects to UK for shippers who have acquired their unique number (issued by HM Customs). Get a quote for shipping personal effects to the UK.

Shipping a household/ container level: For shipping a full household, it is best to contact a moving specialists to arrange for packing and ocean transport.

About Jet Worldwide 

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