Shipping international from Canada can be a complex and time-consuming process With the right shipping partner, it can be streamlined and made more efficient. Whether you are a small business just starting out or an established company with a growing global presence, choosing the right shipping solution is crucial for your success.
With our reliable and cost-effective solutions, we help companies streamline their international shipping from Canada and take the hassle out of the process, so they can focus on what they do best – running their business.
Jet Worldwide provides Canadian and global logistics. We support various processes and carriers to facilitate the Canadian export and import of goods. This can include transport, last mile delivery, and storage. Our logistics experts support your team by not being beholden to a specific carrier or process.
Disclaimer: The information in all Jet Worldwide online content is for general information only and is not intended to, constitute legal and/or tax advice.All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this site are hereby expressly disclaimed. The content on this posting is provided “as is”; no representations are made that the content is error-free.
When shipping international shipments from Canada, the following are important things to consider:
Ensure that all required documentation, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, and bills of lading, are properly prepared and accurate.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the HS code classification system. Essentially, customs globally uses the HS system to clarify more exactly what is being exported and imported.
In general, the higher the value of your goods, the more important it is to include the correct HS code
At a minimum, be sure to include a specific description of the goods and what they will be used for.
Be aware of any duties and taxes will likely apply to your shipment. If you are exporting the goods, the receiver of your goods should be aware of this likelihood.
Duty versus tax: In many cases the tax charged on imported goods is much greater than the rate of duty. To Europe, for example, the value added tax averages 20% and is applied to the cost of the goods plus duty.
Companies are generally aware of the import duty and costs within their country. However, individuals and small companies who - for example - purchased goods from your website - may not be aware of the potential import fees.
An often overlooked element of international shipping is the declared value. Does the invoice, for example, include the shipping costs? Were there charges for insurance? What if the goods were sent as samples and there is not actual invoice?
Canada has free trade agreements with most of the world's leading economies. They present an opportunity to import and export goods with partner countries without paying tariffs. Companies can benefit from duty-free treatment for exported or imported goods under a Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Preferential duty free import is for goods that qualify under the rules of origin of a specific trade agreement.
With respect to shipping, packaging is important for shipment protection, insurance and chargeable weight. Read more about chargeable weight.
Make sure you document how the goods are packed to back up an insurance claim. At the same time, make sure the packaging is not excessive which could result in a higher chargeable weight. Most international shipments from Canada travel via air that are subject to higher volume weight formulas.
Consider purchasing insurance coverage for the shipment to protect against loss or damage during transit. As mentioned above, packaging is an important part of insurance. Most insurance claims - especially for shipping single packages - are for damages. And a common reason given for denying a claim is because of insufficient packaging. We often say, the three main concepts of insurance is packaging, documentation and packaging (yes, packaging is that important).
The best options for shipping international from Canada Include:
Companies look for the following attributes when choosing a shipping company:
Use a shipping cost calculator to compare rates from different carriers.
Reminder: We are proud to be a leading online resource for international shipping but all our content is for general information only. We emphasize the importance of confirming compliance with the exporter/ importer and regulatory authorities prior to shipping.