Everything you need to know — transit times, customs rules, import duties, carrier options and shipping tips for Canada.
| Carrier | Economy | Express |
|---|---|---|
| DHL Express | — | 1–3 days |
| FedEx | 4–6 days | 1–3 days |
| UPS | 5–8 days | 2–3 days |
| DPD | — | — |
| GLS | — | — |
Business days. Customs clearance time not included — allow 1–5 extra days depending on the goods.
Every shipment to Canada must include the correct documentation or it will be held at customs.
Required for all shipments. Must include HS code, declared value in CAD or EUR, country of origin and a Statement on Origin for CETA preference.
Add to commercial invoice: 'The exporter declares that these products are of EU preferential origin.' Enables 0% import duty under CETA.
For commercial shipments above CAD 2,500 (~€1,700), a formal Canada Customs Invoice may be required in addition to the commercial invoice.
Import duties and taxes apply to all shipments to Canada. Duty-free de minimis threshold: CAD 40 (~€28) duty-free; CAD 150 (~€105) GST/HST-free. Above CAD 150: full customs entry with duties and GST.. VAT/local tax: 5% federal GST + provincial: Ontario 13% HST combined, Quebec 14.975% combined, British Columbia 12%, Alberta 5% (GST only — no provincial sales tax)..
| Product Category | Typical Duty Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most manufactured goods (EU origin with CETA statement) | 0% | CETA (EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) eliminates duties on 98% of EU product categories |
| Goods without CETA origin statement | 0–18% MFN | Without origin statement, standard Canadian MFN tariff rates apply — varies significantly by HS code |
| Clothing and textiles (EU origin) | 0% under CETA | Textiles and garments qualify for 0% under CETA with appropriate Rules of Origin compliance |
| Federal GST on all taxable imports | 5% | Applied to all taxable goods above the de minimis threshold |
| Provincial taxes (HST/PST) | 0–10% additional | Added to GST depending on province: Ontario +8%, Quebec +9.975%, BC +7%, Alberta 0% |
Duty rates are indicative. Actual rates depend on the HS code classification of your goods. Consult a customs broker for high-value or complex shipments.
The following items have import restrictions or are prohibited in Canada. Check carrier guidelines before shipping.
Always include the CETA Statement on Origin on your commercial invoice — this is the single most impactful action for reducing Canadian import costs. Saves your customer 0–18% in duty on most products.
DHL Express is the strongest carrier for Canada — excellent Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR) hub operations with consistent 1–2 day delivery to major Canadian cities.
Canada is vast — Toronto (Ontario), Montreal (Quebec) and Vancouver (British Columbia) are the top 3 commercial centres. Delivery to western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta) is 1 day slower from European hubs than eastern Canada.
Portuguese community: Canada has one of the world's largest Portuguese diaspora communities — over 500,000 in Ontario alone (Toronto, Hamilton, Brampton). B2C demand for Portuguese food, wine, ceramics and fashion products is substantial.
Bilingual labelling: all consumer products sold in Canada must have bilingual (English and French) labels. This is a federal legal requirement enforced by the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act.
FedEx International Economy is a strong mid-tier option for Canada — 4–6 day delivery at significantly lower cost than Priority for non-urgent commercial shipments.
Under CETA (EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement), 98% of EU-manufactured goods enter Canada at 0% import duty. Include a Statement on Origin on your commercial invoice to claim the CETA rate. Without it, standard Canadian MFN tariff rates apply (0–18%). Federal GST (5%) still applies to all taxable imports above the de minimis threshold (CAD 150).
A brief declaration on your commercial invoice confirming EU preferential origin: 'The exporter of the products covered by this document declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of EU preferential origin.' For shipments above €6,000, you must be a Registered Exporter (REX) in Portugal to make this declaration. Below €6,000, any exporter can self-certify.
Canada has two de minimis thresholds: (1) CAD 40 (~€28) — goods valued below this are exempt from customs duties. (2) CAD 150 (~€105) — goods valued below this are also exempt from GST/HST. For most courier B2C shipments, items valued above CAD 150 are subject to both customs duties (though CETA eliminates most) and GST/HST.
Canada's Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act requires all consumer products sold in Canada to have labels in both English and French. This applies to product name, net quantity, country of origin and key product information. Goods arriving for commercial sale without bilingual labels can be detained or refused entry. This is a federal requirement across all provinces.
Commercial wine exports to Canada face significant regulatory complexity. Wine imports into each province are controlled by the provincial Liquor Control Board (LCBO in Ontario, SAQ in Quebec, BCLDB in British Columbia). To sell wine commercially in Canada, you typically need to register your wine with the relevant provincial LCB and ship through their distribution system. Direct-to-consumer wine shipping from abroad to Canadian residents is not permitted in most provinces.
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