COVID-19, the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (Brexit) and recent changes to trade agreements like the CPTPP agreement have all had a significant impact on the United Kingdom (UK) business landscape. They’ve increased UK trade as well as export and import opportunities with countries like Canada. Now, UK businesses are diversifying by leveraging the high demand for UK products and services in Canada to grow their business, increase reach and demand and boost productivity and innovation. In fact, UK companies that ship internationally have reported nearly doubling their annual growth.
Here, we cover what you need to know about UK to Canada shipping including how to send packages to Canada (including a shipping checklist), how to package your shipments, finding the right shipping solution, categorizing goods, customs and more.
Key Takeaways
- How much is shipping from the UK to Canada?
- How long does UK-to-Canada shipping take?
- How to ship a package from the UK to Canada (+ Checklist)
- How to ship via international freight forwarding
- How to package your Shipments for international delivery
- Restricted and prohibited items
- Finding the right shipping company for the UK to Canada shipping
Did you know? Canada currently has 15 Free Trade Agreements with the U.K., the US, and Asia-Pacific, as well as Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Netherlands and more.
How much is shipping from the UK to Canada?
Many UK-to-Canada courier services have tools for businesses to help calculate shipping and give you the most accurate picture on how much sending your package will be. There are several factors that impact your shipping expenditure:
Air freight vs sea freight – If you’re shipping by freight, air freight is more expensive than sea freight. The size, weight and dimensions of your package will also have an impact.
Type of goods – Shipping expensive goods requires additional protective documentation and declaration value of your goods that will impact the price of your shipment. If you’re sending dangerous goods,this will influence the services available to you.
Destination and date of shipping – The distance your shipment will travel; seasonality (e.g. summer vs winter holidays); package processing; and speed of service will determine pricing.
Urgency of parcel delivery – How quickly you need the package to arrive has a large influence on your expenditure. Shipping carriers usually offer different types of expedited courier/shipping services. Some shipping companies will offer special services such as priority shipping for urgent packages.
Customs clearance: The accuracy of your paperwork upon completion and your declared duties (PPD, DDP, etc) all impact the price of shipping.declared duties (PPD, DDP, etc.)
Ultimately, to get a accurate quote on how much your shipment will be, reach out to your delivery partner. They will be able to give you an accurate number that incorporates all of the involved variables.
How long does UK to Canada shipping take?
If you’re wondering how long a package typically takes when shipping from the UK to Canada, timelines can vary depending on several factors. Shipments can take as little as three days depending on your shipping provider and the selected shipping rate, zone, and service. International shipping solutions providers, like Purolator, often provide several express options for urgent packages, such as:
- Shipping options for packages to arrive by noon the 2nd business day.
- Special services for packages that need to be sent quickly and handled with prioritized care and attention.
The biggest factor that will influence how long shipping will take is the urgency of your package. Other factors include:
- Type of package (weight, size, dimensions, its contents (DG, SHS, etc)
- Shipment origin and destination
- Method of shipping (door to door cargo, sea or air freight, or express shipping)
- Customs
- Paperwork completion and accuracy
- Weather and seasonality. Ex. Holidays.
For the most accurate quote of how long it will take to ship to Canada, contact your shipping provider.
How to ship a package from the UK to Canada (+ Checklist)
There are several important steps to take before you hand your package to your delivery solutions partner. Here is your essential checklist that outlines the streamlined way to ship from the UK to Canada and stay customs compliant:
Prepare your commercial goods for import
- Check if your goods are permitted in Canada
- Get your business number (BN), as issued by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Gather as much detailed information about your goods as possible (eg. worth, chemicals, fabric types, etc.)
- See if you require specific permits, restrictions or regulations for shipping goods from the UK to Canada
- Identify the country of origin
- Decide if you will be using a Licensed Customs Broker
Classify your goods
- Identify the correct tariff classification number for your goods
*Note: this will determine import duties you will have to pay. For the most accurate results, use a tool such as the Purolator Trade Assistant.
Package your goods
- Review the packaging guidelines for your goods. Determine if your shipment is:
- Non-fragile
- Fragile
- Requires Pallets (for sea freight or air freight)
- Familiarize yourself with the dos and don’ts for packing. For example, do:
- Use new packaging without holes or damage. Make sure packaging can withstand the weight of your shipment.
- Apply fragile, glass, liquid, dangerous goods (DG) or heavy weight labels where applicable
- Use quality tape and the H-taping method.
- Package fragile items within a second box padded with protective packaging or consider pallets and crates where goods are shrink-wrapped or tied together. This adds protection from the elements and stability.
- If you are sending an item that requires specialty care, such as irregularly-shaped items, heavy items, or sensitive items, contact your shipping partner for assistance
Determine the duties and taxes to be paid for international shipping to Canada
- Use the relevant tariff classification number to identify applicable tariff treatment and then rate of duty
- Identify if GST, excise tax or excise duty must be paid on your goods
- Determine your goods’ value for duty
- Take an advance estimate of required duties and taxes you will pay for your goods
Report and ship your goods
- Submit your order to your freight shipping logistics or package solutions partner and select your type of service (sea, air, freight or courier)
- Contact Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and report your goods
*Note: This is a necessary step regardless if you use a shipping partner
Prepare to have your goods released
- Choose your preferred method for goods release:
- Method 1: Complete the release and accounting documents yourself
- Method 2: Hire a licensed customs broker to complete the process for you
Complete all post-release essentials
- Correct any accounting information errors within 90 days
- Retain import records for 6 years
*Note: Importations can be verified and adjusted by CBSA for up to 4 years after importation.
For more information about your specific parcel requirements, refer to the Canada Border Services Agency’s guide for importing goods to Canada.
Did You Know? The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) benefits businesses through:
- Elimination of tariffs on most goods
- Increased access to government procurement contracts
- Streamlined customs procedures
- Improved protection for intellectual property rights
- Enhanced cooperation in areas such as labour and environmental standards’
How to ship via international freight forwarding
If you are sending a large shipment to Canada, you’ll likely be working with a shipping logistics partner that has international freight forwarding services that can help import and export goods, pick shipments offshore and move your shipment onto sea transport for delivery to its final destination.
As you prepare to ship overseas, you’ll need to choose ports to export and import from. Here are the top 7 considerations that factor into picking the right port:
- The port’s proximity to your shipping and delivery locations.
- Whether the port has the logistics and equipment necessary to safely deliver your goods.
- The kind of land transport that’s available for your shipment
- The port’s specific customs procedures (this can vary from port to port).
- The size of the port. Larger ports have more agile transport and more streamlined services.
- The port’s technological advancements and automation, which can help with tracking, tracing and speed.
- The level of port congestion, especially during high season.
To help you narrow down your choices, here are the top ports for exporting from the UK and importing to Canada.
Top 5 Ports for Export in the UK
Top 5 Ports for Import in Canada
How to Package Your Shipments for International Delivery
Here are the top 8 best practices for packaging your shipments correctly for UK-to-Canada shipping.
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- Make sure your shipment can withstand multiple forces. Your packages should be sturdy enough to be stacked, handled by machinery like a forklift, tilted and survive shock and vibration without compromising the contents. This is especially important for sea freight.
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- Label your items correctly. Your international shipping label should be legible, attached to the largest flat portion of your package or its top and be in a clear, protective sleeve. Lastly, make sure your barcode is clear and not smudged, the label isn’t wrinkled or covered by packing.
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- Determine declared value. Make sure that you are accurately declaring the value of the items you’re shipping. Over declaring or under declaring value can lead to issues with customs clearance.
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- Include an inventory or packing list. This is a crucial document for international shipping. It includes information such as weight, measurements, and a detailed list of the contents. Here is a packing list template you can use.
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- Be aware of restricted and prohibited items – Double check that you’re not shipping goods from the UK to Canada that fall into the restricted and prohibited items category.
- Include all the necessary paperwork for shipping overseas and clearing customs. While an air waybill, commercial invoice, and packing list is usually sufficient for most goods coming into Canada, make sure you check the customs and regulations for your specific shipment via CBSA’s guide to importing. This is especially important if your goods are high-value. You may need additional documents such as: Importation permit or special permit for your specific goods (such as a dangerous goods permit), Bill of lading, Certificate of origin, Letter of credit or other payment terms
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- Lastly, be sure to check local regulations and requirements for the specific province or territory the package is being sent to:
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- Send your shipment at the right time – It’s important to plan in advance, at least a month from your package’s departure time. You’ll also want to factor in how long the export and import will take.
- Choose the right shipping service – Look for quality service and cross border Canada and UK logistics solutions that supports all aspects of your shipment’s journey such as international freight forwarding, cross-border TL/LTL, and more.
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ProTip: Partnering with Purolator means receiving specific shipping guidelines for your package from our UK partner, depending on the services you’ve chosen
Restrictions and Prohibited Items
Before you send a parcel to Canada from the UK, make sure it doesn’t fall under the restricted or prohibited items category.
Restricted Items:
Items that senders need to determine import restrictions for via the Canadian authorities include:
- Currency
- Fish, game, meat, poultry, fruit, vegetables and their products
- Medical material
- Alcoholic beverages
For a complete list of restricted items, see Purolator’s guide to Canadian shipping restrictions.
Prohibited Items
Certain items that cannot be shipped to Canada include:
- Firearms, weapons and ammunition
- Live animals
- Manufactured goods bearing insufficient markings or origin
- Poisonous or infectious substances
For a complete list of prohibited items, see Purolator’s guide to Canadian shipping restrictions.
For more information about the customs clearance process and the importance of a cross-border logistics strategy, download our ebook: Shipping from Canada to the United States: Understanding the Customs Clearance Process
Finding the Right Shipping Company
If you’re looking to grow your business into Canada, you’ll want to choose a shipping partner, like Purolator, that offers the logistical support and services to meet and anticipate your needs during the entire international shipping process.
Look for features and services such as:
Freight and logistics solutions to meet your shipping needs, whether you need to consolidate shipments or ship oversized or specialized items.
Reverse logistics for seamless international returns over land and sea. Purolator offers package free and label free returns at select retail access points.
End-to-end tracking for your shipment from the moment it gets picked up from its origin country to its arrival at its end destination.
Cross-border expertise that ensures your packages are fully compliant with Canadian shipping laws and pre-approved for clearance to minimize or eliminate delays.
Fulfillment warehouse services that gives your international brand the option to set up strategic warehouse locations, allowing for locally improved speed to Canadian markets.
UK shipping partners to ship Ground and Express, Freight (and track shipments end-to-end) to Canadian airports where it’s then cleared, picked up and inducted into Purolator’s expansive network.
When your shipping partner provides the right logistics support, you’re creating a more positive experience for both your business and your customers by adding simplicity and efficiency where it matters most. This funnels directly into your business’s international success and boosts your ROI.
Streamlined UK to Canada Shipping That Grows Your Business
As a UK business, diversifying your customer market internationally gives your business competitive advantage and contributes directly to your business’s growth by boosting innovation, productivity, and demand.
Whether you’re shipping from Canada to the United States, or from the UK to Canada, the right shipping partner is a key part of successful exporting and importing. Look for a partner that understands your business and your goals, and provides expertise and solutions that move and flex with your business. Purolator has over 60 years of intra-Canada shipping expertise including cross-border logistics, courier and freight service as well as specialized services such as specialized handling service (SHS) and dangerous goods (DG) and Mission Critical. With multiple, flexible shipping options, a delivery service area reach of 100% of postal codes, and dedicated, logistical support every step of the way, when you choose to partner with Purolator, you’re choosing a shipping solution that grows your business and grows with it.