Canada & USA

Canada & USA

Whether you’re thinking of shipping personal effects for summer holidays with one of our courier services to the US and Canada or you just need to send a package to a client, there are a few things you need to consider before booking. While you may be aware of common restrictions for international deliveries, you may not be aware of country specific import restrictions. We recommend you check the country restrictions for Canada and The United States, before shipping. As a general guide, here is an overview of what can and cannot be shipped to North America to help you plan.

 

How to Plan a Shipment to The United States or Canada

We always recommend customers ship a few days early, just in case there is a delay at customs.

  • Transit times do not take into account customs delays.

  • Include complete and valid contact details of recipient including mobile and email address if possible.

  • Always follow the packaging guidelines to ensure your shipment is fully covered under any insurance scheme.

  • Take out enhanced cover on valuable, rare or sentimental shipments, but be aware you will need to prove the value of the items if you claim.

     

Every country has its customs regulations, which set the duties and taxes. Typically, the recipient must pay these taxes upon entry of that country. Unless you are shipping documents, you will need to provide a customs invoice, detailing the contents, the reason for export and the value of each item. In some cases, you may also need supporting paperwork that states the country of manufacture. Most customs paperwork will include fields to complete these details. Duty and taxes are based on the reason for export and the value of the items. For example, high-value goods for re-sale can attract a higher level of import duty and tax than gifts.

Whilst most of our Express services offer transit times of 1-2 days. This does not take into account potential customs delays, service disruption or deliveries to remote areas of the US.

 

What to Include in Customs Paperwork

  • What you are shipping

  • The value of each item

  • The reason you are sending, eg: gifts, business samples

  • A Textile-Declaration is only required for samples or merchandise for commercial use.

     

Apart from document deliveries, any item or items being sent to the US or Canada require customs docs, or customs invoice. Even if you are sending a gift that may be exempt, customs paperwork is still required.

Courierpopint will create your customs documents as part of our booking process, it’s easy. One thing to remember, as customs duty and tax is levied at point of entry to the USA or Canada, any charges cannot be included in your courier quote. And it will usually be the responsibility of the parcel recipient to resolve these charges and get the package moving again.

 

How to Ship Personal Effects or Gifts

  • Personal effects: clothing must be owned and personally worn by the sender for at least six months. For the USA, there are no value exemptions but, generally speaking, items valued below $200 USD should be exempt as long as they are declared as personal effects. The receiver will need to complete this form.

    For personal effects to Canada, the same rules as above apply, but the value threshold is $20 CAD. The receiver will need to complete this form.

  • The current exemption value for gifts is USA: $100 USD, Canada: $60 CAD.

    For an item to qualify as a "gift", a friend or relative must send it to you personally and include a card or other notice indicating that it is a gift.

  • If you receive an imported gift by mail that is worth CAN$60 or less, you will not have to pay duty and/or tax on it.
  • If the gift is worth more than CAN$60, you will have to pay any applicable duty and/or taxes on any amount over CAN$60.
    • For example, if a relative sends you a gift worth CAN$200, you must pay any applicable duty, GST or HST and/or PST on CAN$140.

Items that do not qualify for the CAN$60 gift exemption include the following:

  • tobacco;
  • alcoholic beverages;
  • advertising material; and
  • items sent by a business.

As well, the CAN$60 gift exemption cannot be combined with the CAN$20 exemption that is available on most items valued at CAN$20 or less.

If you are using one of our courier services to the US, you will need to ensure that you have filled out the appropriate paperwork. If you are shipping your luggage by courier, it’s important to consider the outer suitcase will be considered packaging, so if it is damaged in transit it will not be covered under the insurance policy. Please do not lock your suitcase as this will impede customs checks. You can purchase a universal lock with TSA. While personal effects and gifts are generally exempt from customs duties, they have to meet certain criteria.

 

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