Send parcel to Canada

Whatever the reason that leads a person to send a package or a bundle of documents to Canada, it is imperative to find out about the regulations currently in place for the state of North America regarding the introduction of goods and merchandise. Whether you are sending a gift to a friend in Toronto or shipping from an e-shop, be aware of the duties, charges and customs documents that must be included with your shipment. Otherwise, you expose yourself to the risk of the package being held for days in customs, or, in the worst-case scenario, returned to the sender at your expense.

Who ships parcels to Canada?

Canada is characterized by the presence of a large Italian community. Many Italian residents have maintained close contact with relatives and friends in Italy, often receiving gifts from them. There are also many Italian students and workers who have moved to the aforementioned Toronto, to Montreal or to well-known locations such as Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Ottawa and Vancouver. For these destinations, commercial exchanges are no less widespread: the most frequent involve companies operating in the food sector. Regardless of the reason for the shipment, choosing europacco means enjoying maximum speed and the peace of mind of seeing your parcel or package of documents shipped and delivered wherever you want. Just fill in the online form directly from the site, print the label received by e-mail and attach it to the shipment: you won't need to do anything else to book the pickup! Regarding the expected transit time, generally and in optimal transport conditions, there are between 5 and 8 working days for the shipment to reach its destination. With a few clicks, on our site you can see in advance the cost of transport.

What is it possible to ship to Canada?

Relying on a company like europacco it is possible to send a long list of goods to Canada. First of all, it is possible to send documents and envelopes containing certificates and contracts. For customs clearance there will also be no problem in accepting pallets, personal items for friends and relatives (including suitcases) and large packages (containing tires, bicycles or various furnishing items). Gifts for special occasions (birthdays, Christmas and Easter, for example) are also accepted in Canada. And Italian companies, including e-commerce shops, are free to ship goods and items to customers or partners residing there.

Prohibited goods and merchandise

Canadian authorities, like many other customs around the world, expressly prohibit the shipment of certain goods such as:

• meat and products containing meat
• Feathers
• Coins
• Canadian or British artwork (unless accompanied by a permit)
• Pornographic materials, etc.

Canada: documents accompanying shipments

Shipments destined to a non-EU country must be accompanied by documents other than a simple waybill. That's why, before shipment, it is necessary to prepare the documents generally required for all countries outside the European Union. Limited to shipments departing from Italy, in addition to the attached waybill, two customs documents are required:

• Commercial invoice or proforma
• Declaration of Free Export

The accompanying invoice must contain the following information:

• Address of sender and consignee
• Description of the goods contained in the parcel
• Value of each item
• Reason for export

This invoice plays a key role in the customs clearance of the shipment and the correct delivery to the consignee.

The Declaration of Free Export, on the other hand, will be necessary for the release of the shipment during export (departure from Italy) and import in the country of destination.

Duties and charges

Before providing information on how Canadian Customs works, it is useful to indicate what the "FOB" is. The acronym refers to the declared value of the goods, without considering the costs related to transport and insurance. Duties charged by Canadian Customs can be up to 35% of the FOB amount. Packages containing goods or merchandise with an FOB value not exceeding CAD 20 are exempt from customs duties and any other taxes.

Gifts and duties

Parcels containing gift items are also entitled to exemption from duties and taxes, provided they are within certain FOB value limits. The exemption applies to gifts with FOB up to CAD 60.00 to be delivered to individuals. However, the sender is required to enclose a commercial or pro forma invoice with the precise description of the goods and the Free Export Form. For amounts over 60,00 CAD duties and taxes will be notified directly to the recipient. This is because the amount of customs charges varies based on the following factors:

• Value of the goods
• Any agreement between the two countries involved
• Country of manufacture
• Description and end-use
• Harmonized product code
• Regulations of the country of destination
• Nationality of the recipient
• Reason for customer's stay at destination

Document and food shipments

Different from what has been said so far, for shipments of documents (invoices and personal documents in original in primis), compared to shipments of goods there are no customs clearance operations. Regarding shipments made by companies operating in one of the Italian export sectors such as agrifood, for example, starting from March 2021, in Canada, the new food safety regulation is valid. Promoted by the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency), the regulation provides for the rejection of goods in the absence of a valid Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) license. In the absence of such a document, the shipment will be held in customs until the situation is regularized. For this reason, the shipper should ensure that the importer of record has a valid license.

How can I avoid customs charges when shipping from Italy to Canada?

It’s not always possible to avoid customs charges entirely, as Canadian authorities apply duties and taxes based on the item type, declared value, and purpose of shipment. However, certain categories—such as gifts valued under 60 Canadian dollars—may be exempt from duties. Carefully complete all documentation, clearly stating the contents and the reason for shipment. For example, if you send a small souvenir from Italy as a gift and its value is under 60 CAD, the recipient may not have to pay duties upon arrival in Canada.

Do I need to specify the reason for shipment on forms for Canada?

Yes. For every shipment to Canada you must clearly state the shipping purpose (e.g., gift, sale, personal effects, samples). This helps Canadian customs determine the tax treatment and whether additional inspections are required. If you have doubts while filling out customs paperwork, you can rely on europacco.com’s support to help you avoid errors or delays at customs.

Which typical items shipped from Italy are most frequently stopped by Canadian customs?

Canadian customs pays particular attention to:

• Foodstuffs (cheese, cured meats, homemade sweets, preserves)
• Alcoholic beverages (wine, spirits, beer)
• Animal- or plant-based products (meat, dairy, seeds, plants, raw wood)
• Cosmetics and pharmaceutical products (creams, supplements, OTC medicines)
• Tobacco and cigarettes
• Perfumes or liquids above permitted quantities
• Undeclared or unclearly declared valuables
• Weapons, knives, pepper spray

Tip: Before shipping with us, always check the updated list of prohibited items on the official Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website, or ask europacco for support to avoid holds or seizures.

What happens if the recipient in Canada is not present at delivery?

If the recipient is not available, the courier usually leaves a notice with instructions for one of the following options:

• Pickup at a collection point (pickup/relay point)
• Delivery to a parcel locker, available at pharmacies, supermarkets, or gas stations
• Rescheduling for another day or time

In Canada, many couriers cooperate with networks such as Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada Post, UPS Access Point, or FedEx to provide convenient and flexible pickup locations. With europacco you can track shipment status in real time and notify the recipient in advance to avoid issues or to choose the preferred delivery option.

Are there specific rules for shipping used personal belongings to Canada?

Yes. Clearly describe the contents and state in the customs documentation that they are “used personal belongings”. Some items—especially of animal or plant origin—may still be subject to controls or restrictions.

What if Canadian customs requests clarification about the shipment?

If Canadian customs requires more information, they may ask for details regarding contents, declared value, or submitted documentation. In such cases, you will typically be contacted by the courier or europacco support and informed about the additional documents or explanations needed (e.g., invoices, receipts, details about the shipment purpose). Please respond promptly to avoid delays or extra costs. Our team can assist you in communicating with customs.

Can I place multiple parcels in one order going to different addresses in Canada?

Yes. In the checkout, add additional shipments under “Additional services” and specify the desired delivery address for each (e.g., gifts to Toronto or Vancouver). You pay once and receive a single invoice, simplifying administration and saving time. You can track all shipments together from your account—ideal for private senders and businesses with multiple recipients in Canada.