Optimizing Shipping from the UK to Canada: Complete Guide
Shipping goods from the United Kingdom to Canada spans continents and navigates the vast expanses of the Atlantic and inland transport. Businesses and individuals seek to connect across borders for both trade in interpersonal connections. In this post, we delve into the intricacies of shipping from the UK to Canada. Including a short video. Whether you're a regular importer/exporter or a first-time shipper benefit from understanding the interconnected modes of global commerce.
Best Parcel and Freight Shipping from the UK to Canada
Send a Parcel or pallet to Canada
Are you searching for UK to Canada shipping? What about shipping to the USA via Canada? You may have questions about what you can ship. As well is the best way to ship. To make the process as simple as possible, review and share this complete guide to ship goods to Canada. And vice versa!
Over 40 Years of Cross Border Expertise
Canada Post / Royal Mail Alternative to Canada
The Canada Post strike leaves businesses and individuals across the UK and Canada at risk of shipping disruptions. Protect your business and build a lasting alternative solution. Get a quote now!
Best Shipping Mode to Canada from the UK
Choosing the right shipping mode is the most important part of finding the cheapest shipping option to Canada from the UK. This post discusses the best options for packages, parcels, pallets and containers.
- Post: Best for individuals shipping personal packages
- Commercial carriers: Ideal or larger packages needing better tracking and support
- Air Freight: Most economical when shipping heavier consignments up to around 100 kg
- Ocean Cargo: Lowest cost option for large commercial orders
Shipping to Canada is a common practice for many businesses
Canada is a great destination for UK businesses. It is among the UK's largest trading partners. Our expertise and over 40 years of Canadian shipping assists every step along the way. Get local Canadian logistics support from our team. Fill in contact form at the end of this post.
Shipping Rates to Canada
There are a variety of options to choose from. From local postal options, global couriers or ocean freight. Jet helps you balance the need for economy, convenience, and speed of delivery.
How to Ship to Canada from UK: Accompanying PDF with useful links
- Jet Worldwide and package carrier options shipping Canada from the UK
- Shipping cargo via ocean versus air: Which is best?
- Canadian customs and import clearance costs and carrier brokerage fees
- UK Canada Free Trade Agreement (UKTCA)
- Explaining a certificate of origin and its benefits
- Goods that ship from the UK versus UK origin goods
- Shipping online orders direct to Canada
- Canadian customs assessment and revenue project (CARM)
- Shipping personal effects to Canada from the UK
- Reverse logistics, Canadian address and returns from Canada
- Fill in form below for rates
- Additional resources: How to Video
Disclaimer: The information in this blog, video and all our online content is for general information only.
There are several shipping options available for sending goods to Canada from the UK. The best option for you will depend on your specific needs. Factors to consider include the type and size of the goods and speed of delivery.
Here are some common shipping options for shipping to Canada
- Air freight: This is the fastest shipping option with door to door delivery solutions.
- Ocean freight: Best options for large commercial orders and containers with several months lead time.
- Commercial carriers such as FedEx, DHL, UPS and their partners.
- Royal Mail: Generally the best option for personal shipments
Free Trade Between Canada and the UK: Trade Continuity Act
The Canada-U.K. TCA provides Canadian and UK businesses with continuing preferential benefits of CETA. CUKTCA continues duty free access for Canadian and British companies. Duty free with cheap shipping adds up to a more competitive offer for your customer.
The Most Favour Nation (MFN) tariff rates to Canada are applicable for imports from the UK. Goods that meet CUKTCA rules of origin can qualify for duty free import. The MFN tariff rates of Canada apply to goods that do not meet the rules of origin.
Best Options Shipping Canada from the UK
Shipping from The UK to Canada via Royal Mail
Royal Mail is the best option for individuals shipping small parcels to Canada.
Royal Mail shipping options for parcels to Canada Includes packets and parcel Force.
Packets and small parcels under 2 kilograms options to Canada from the UK
Shipping via Royal Mail for small parcels*: Delivery to Canada within 2 weeks- International Track with signature to Canada
- International Track to Canada
- International Standard
Royal mail lowest cost shipping for parcels less than 30 kg to Canada is via their surface option. Delivery takes around 2 months. Shipments via Royal Mail import and deliver via Canada Post.
Royal Mail’s Parcelforce shipping options to Canada:
- Global express to Canada: 1-2 day delivery
- Global priority to Canada: delivery within 1 week
- Global value to Canada: delivery in 2 weeks
* Notes on Royal mail “under 2 kg” parcel services
Less than 2 kilograms with a Maximum size is: The combination of length + width + depth less than 90 cm. No single side longer than 60 cm
Royal Mail International Tracking is mostly "delivery confirmation" without a signature.
Shipping Canada via DHL, FedEx and UPS
FedEx and UPS are North America’s largest carriers and operate large transatlantic routes to Canada. Along with DHL - offer reliable priority and economy shipping options to Canada.
Useful video (~3 min): Best shipping modes and carrier options UK to Canada
FedEx and UPS shipping Canada from UK options include:
- International express priority air to Canada
- International economy air to Canada
Delivery between the UK and Canada via Jet Worldwide
Jet Worldwide: A global Canadian brand offering international shipping for over 40 years! Visit JetWorldwide.com.
Shipping via Sea Freight to Canada
LCL Sea Freight from the UK
Less than container load (LCL) is best when shipping one to several pallets. Via this mode of shipping, there is sharing of container space and cost between different consignments. Allow extra transit time for the loading and de-consolidation of the container.
FCL Sea Freight to Canada
Full container load (FCL) is the fastest way to ship via ocean. This can be via either 40 foot or 20 foot container.
Shipping Air versus Ocean
With the many minimum surcharges for ocean shipments, shipping smaller consignments via air is cheaper. This is especially true for door to door shipping. Generally, shipments of less than 100 kilograms are cheaper via air. Cargo over 500 kilograms are much less expensive via ocean. The best option for parcels via ocean is via Royal Mail
Useful information: Shipping Ocean freight to Canada from the UK
Here are some popular ocean ports in the UK for shipping sea freight to Canada:
- Felixstowe: The UK's largest container port and a key gateway for trade with Canada.
- Southampton: On the south coast of England
- London: Includes several facilities along the River Thames. They offer access to Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax.
- Liverpool: Another gateway to Canada's eastern ports in the northwest of England.
Shipping to Canada via UK Resellers
There are many UK companies that resell the services of the major carriers. Resellers offer small shippers a larger discount than they would otherwise be able to get from a major carrier.
READ MORE: IMPORT DUTY CALCULATION
The core skill of UK Resellers is showing up in online searches rather than logistics.
Jet's core competency is finding the right transport solution with industry insights. But then again, if you are reading this, you found us online! So maybe we are great at both?
Learn more about our tailored shipping solutions for businesses
Clearance of goods to Canada:
All goods shipping from the UK to Canada import through Canadian Customs (CBSA). Goods shipping from the UK to Canada must include an invoice that clearly lists the item(s) and their value.
Information to include for the customs invoice to Canada Includes:
- Address, contact name and phone number for shipper and receiver.
- Description (as specific as possible) of item(s) and value
- If a gift, mention this on the invoice
UK Canadian Free Trade Agreement - CUKTCA
The UK Canada Free trade agreement allows duty free import of UK origin goods to Canada. The CUKTCA is a replacement for CETA (Canada-Europe Free trade agreement).
CUKTCA Rules of Origin
In general, an origin product with manufacture in the UK or Canada. Production entirely in the UK or Canada. Or if it has undergoes sufficient production or processing in the UK or Canada. It can likely meet the agreement's rules of origin.
- There is a line between simple assembly that does not transform the nature of the product itself. A product must undergo a sufficient change in tariff classification. The change a result of production or transformation in Canada or the UK.
- Also a consideration is the value of non origin content as a percentage of a goods total value.
The specific rules of origin for the CUKTCA in the text of the agreement. It is important to verify compliance with the importer prior to shipping.
Understand the difference: Shipping from the UK versus shipping UK origin goods to Canada.
Benefit from having a certificate of origin to Canada
The country of origin necessary for Canadian customs to determine if duty free import can apply. Goods that qualify as UK origin under CUKTCA provisions must include a certificate of origin.
The country of origin is also a data point to support regulatory actions such as quarantine and import quotas.
Read more: Understanding a certificate of origin.
Shipments with a value over $20 CAD from the UK
Virtually all items to Canada (above CA$20) are subject to duty and taxes. A GST tax of 5% is applicable to all imports to Canada. Depending upon the province of destination within Canada, additional sales tax may be applies as well.
In some cases, an import license is necessary to import your goods into Canada. This entirely depends on the type of product you are importing as well as the reason for import. Canadian Customs will contact the recipient of the goods to provide the license, before it can clear.
Request Delivery Duty Paid for Canadian import clearance fees for shipments from the UK.
Canadian customs assessment and revenue (CARM) for UK Imports
Importers must both have an import number and register in CARM.This CBSA portal enables you assign your customers broker and requires a surety bond (or deposit). Learn more about CARM.
Common Canadian Import Fees for Shipments from the UK
Common import fees for consignments to Canada can include duty, taxes, and carrier disbursement fees. Understanding Canadian import fees.
Shipping online orders to USA from the UK via Canada
Access the USA by shipping via Canada. Contact our team for details.
The Canadian Customs online portal streamlines processes and a useful too for Canadian importers. Read more about CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM)
Other things to consider when shipping to Canada from the UK include:
- Importer of record: If goods are ship direct to consumers, the consumer is the importer of record. Similarly, a company who buys and imports goods are the importer of record. Businesses should obtain an importer number
- Provincial licenses
- Tariff classification for all imports (read more about HS Codes)
- Health Canada approvals for products
- Safe Foods for Canadians Act may apply
- Goods and Services Tax, Harmonize Sales Tax and provincial taxes (read about Canadian import fees)
- Country of Origin is necessary for all imports
- Valuation is an important part of the declaration to the CBSA (read more about valuation)
- Labeling for goods to Canada may require both French and English
- Certification of origin for preferential duty free import via CUKFTA (see section above).
Shipping personal effects Canada from UK:
Jet does not manage personal effects from Canada. Here is some helpful information.
Requirements include copies of the importer's passport and specific list of contents with estimate of unit and total values. Personal goods to Canada must self clear by the importer of the goods.
Personal goods generally means over 1 year old and for personal use only.
- Shipping of excess baggage: Generally, it is simpler and easier to bring personal effects as excess baggage when you travel. Carrier excess baggage fees are often less expensive than shipping separately. Also clearance is much simpler.
- Shipping a household/ container level: For shipping a full household, best to contact a moving specialists to arrange for packing and ocean transport.
Reverse Logistics and returns from Canada
Jet Worldwide can provide UK online retailers a Canadian address to manage their returns. Our return solutions are scalable to serve only a few returns to enterprise solutions. To get a Canada address return solution, contact Jets Team.
For individuals wanting to return purchases to the UK we recommend Canada Post. Their small packet services to the the UK offers the lowest price. But often, the cost of a return exceeds the value of the item.
Canadian Amazon Removal Orders to the UK
Contact our team to receive your Canadian Amazon removal orders for shipping to the UK.
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