Importing commercial goods into Canada - 4. Shipping and reporting your goods
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4. Shipping and reporting your goods
Place your order and select a method of shipping
Place your order with the vendor, shipper or exporter and identify the mode of shipping that will be used (highway, marine, rail, air, postal or courier service).
Determine the desired or expected CBSA office where your goods will be released. Most shipments are released at the CBSA office where they arrive in Canada; however, if you use a CBSA bonded carrier, you may choose another inland service point that is closer to you.
Report your goods
All commercial goods must be reported to the CBSA whether you transport it yourself or have a carrier transport it for you. If you are transporting the goods yourself please refer to Memorandum D17-1-4, Release of Commercial Goods, for information on the Hand Carried Goods Release Process.
A carrier uses a bar-coded Cargo Control Document (CCD) or the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system to report to the CBSA. Also refer to Commercial reporting requirements.
Shipments valued at more than CAN$3,300
- The carrier will notify you when the goods arrive.
- The CBSA will inform you of the arrival of postal shipments that are valued at more than CAN$3,300.
- The courier service will inform you of the arrival of shipments valued at more than CAN$3,300.
Shipments valued at CAN$3,300 or less
- A postal shipment valued at CAN$3,300 or less will be delivered to you by Canada Post. It will include Form E14, CBSA Postal Import Form, indicating the classification, value, and applicable rate of duty and taxes according to the information (invoice) accompanying your shipment. Canada Post will charge you a handling fee for this service.
- For shipments that are valued at CAN$3,300 or less and forwarded by courier, the courier company may offer to complete the customs documentation on your behalf for a fee.
For information on importing through the postal system or by courier please refer to the postal and courier programs.
Your shipment may be examined by government officials to monitor compliance with CBSA requirements or other government department regulations. This is done without charge; however, if there is a need to hire a transport company to move or handle your goods, you may receive an invoice from that company for their services.
Non-compliance with CBSA requirements may result in being assessed a monetary penalty under the Administrative Monetary Penalty System.
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