Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I ship prescription drugs to the U.S.A.?
2. What is NAFTA?
3. Does Canada have any other trade agreements?
4. What documents are required for customs clearance?
5. Do I need a customs broker?
6. Do I need to provide the recipient's Tax ID Number, Social Security Number, VAT Number, etc.?
7. When do I need a B13A (Export Declaration)?
8. What is an import permit?
9. Can live animals be shipped?
10. What is a tariff classification and why is it important?
11. Is the item I am trying to ship prohibited or restricted?
12. Can I import/export food, alcohol, tobacco etc.?
13. What happens to my seized or detained item?
14. Do you accept hazardous material?
15. Why were my goods examined by customs?
16. How is the postal process different from the courier process when shipping to Canada?
17. Can I send money in the mail?
18. What are landed costs?
19. What is meant by "Reason for Export"?
20. How do I contact Canada Post?
21. Where can I find more information about customs?

1. Can I ship prescription drugs to the U.S.A.?
You can send prescription drugs from Canada to the U.S. provided you complete the necessary documents. Please be advised that when you choose to ship prescription drugs you are doing so at your own risk. U.S. Customs may choose not to allow entry even if you follow all guidelines. Visit Postal Services Information for more details.

2. What is NAFTA?
NAFTA is a trade agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Under NAFTA, the rate of duty on qualifying goods has been eliminated or greatly reduced. To take advantage of NAFTA, goods must meet one of a number of possible rules of origin. To determine which rule of origin applies to a particular product, the product is analyzed in depth. Importers must have a meticulous audit trail to benefit fully from NAFTA provisions without risking serious penalties for inadequate proof of origin.

3. Does Canada have any other trade agreements?
Yes:

• CCFTA (Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement) - eliminated tariffs on 75% of bilateral trade.
• CCRFTA (Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement) - eliminated 87% of all tariffs on agricultural products either immediately, or over a 7- to 14-year period. Tariffs in many other industries, such as automotive, were also eliminated.
• CIFTA (Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement) - eliminated tariffs on most manufactured products exported and imported to and from both countries.

4. What documents are required for customs clearance?
In most cases, it is sufficient for the shipper to complete the CN22/23 Customs Declaration. The description should be precise. For example, "automobile part" is not a thorough enough description. "Automobile part - wiper motor" would be required for customs purposes. Some countries require extra documentation. Consult the International Destination Listing of our Postal Services Information.

5. Do I need a customs broker?
The destination postal administration arranges for the customs clearance of your product. Any duties and taxes owing are collected from the recipient.

6. Do I need to provide the recipient's Tax ID Number, Social Security Number, VAT Number, etc.?
If the customs authority at the receiving end requests a formal entry, the consignee will provide the tax identification number directly to customs or a broker when a formal entry is presented for clearance.

7. When do I need a B13A (Export Declaration)?
A B13A Export Declaration is required on anything being shipped outside of Canada (with the exception of the U.S.) and exceeds $2,000 CAD, or if the item being shipped is controlled or restricted. See the Canada Border Services Agency website for details.

8. What is an import permit?
It is the responsibility of the recipient to obtain the import permit. Import permits are required for items that are controlled or restricted. They are usually required for items that might affect the public health, morals, animal life, vegetation, etc. of the importing country. Customs will request a copy of the import permit to prove that the importer has permission to purchase the goods and to allow entry of the goods.

9. Can live animals be shipped?
Certain live species can be shipped under precise conditions. Please refer to the ABCs of Mailing for details.

10. What is a tariff classification and why is it important?
All goods that move internationally must be categorized according to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HS). The tariff code is one of the factors that determines rate of customs duties and taxes, as well as import/export requirements for the product. By using incorrect classification, a company is at risk of underpaying or overpaying duties and may be subject to administrative penalties.

11. Is the item I am trying to ship prohibited or restricted?
Prohibition and restrictions vary from country to country. Refer to the International Destination Listing of our Postal Services Information for country-specific information.

12. Can I import/export food, alcohol, tobacco etc.?
Canada Post does not accept liquor containing more that 24% alcohol for shipment as it is non-mailable. If your goods are mailable, the rules of the receiving country are applied. Please refer to the FDA website and our International Destination Listing.

13. What happens to my seized or detained item?
If the item is prohibited, it will be seized and destroyed or returned to you at your expense. If your item is seized and you don't think that the seizure was warranted, you can speak to the local customs authority responsible for the seizure. If your item meets import requirements, it will be cleared and delivered.

14. Do you accept hazardous material?
For safety reasons, dangerous goods are prohibited from the mail. Many everyday items are dangerous goods and could cause serious accidents when mailed. Items such as matches, lighters, fire extinguishers, hair dyes, glues, perfumes and pesticides are considered dangerous goods. For more details, refer to Postal Services Information or call Customer Service at 1-800-267-1177.

15. Why were my goods examined by customs?
Customs has the authority to randomly select shipments for examination to verify compliance or to take samples in reasonable amounts. The frequency of examinations will depend on the importer's compliance record and that of other persons or organizations involved with the shipment as well as the type of goods being shipped. Canada Customs may choose to examine a shipment for several reasons:

• To detect prohibited or restricted items (e.g., pornography, narcotics) or smuggled goods.
• To fulfill other government departments' legislative requirements (e.g., meat inspection, import permits).
• To ensure the goods comply with customs legislation (i.e., to verify their description, value, quantity, and marking against the invoice information).

16. How is the postal process different from the courier process when shipping to Canada?
All international mail items are made available for customs review. Your package is presented to the local customs authority by the designated postal operator of that country. Customs then facilitates the release. Courier shipments fall under the commercial clearance stream and the service of a customs broker is usually required.

17. Can I send money in the mail?
We strongly recommend not sending cash in the mail. If you must send a monetary gift, use a gift certificate or money order, as these can be traced and are often replaced by the selling merchant if not negotiated when they are reported lost. Money that is mailed and that is greater than or equal to $10,000 CAD must be reported to the CBSA on form E667.

18. What are landed costs?
The term landed costs refers to the total costs (shipping, duties, taxes, etc.) associated with the shipment of goods from Canada to any destination in the world.

19. What is meant by "Reason for Export"?
This is the reason for sending the shipment-for example, gift, sale, return, etc.

20. How do I contact Canada Post?
If you have any questions or inquiries, contact our Customer Service group at 1-866-607-6301. Optionally, you may contact us by mail:

21. Where can I find more information about customs?
Please refer to the following quick links:

• Canada Border Service Agency A-Z Index (CBSA)
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
• Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
• Department of Justice
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Trade Policy Website
• United States Customs and Border Protection
• International Air Transport Association (IATA)
• Transport Canada
• Government of Canada
• Export Development Canada
• The World Trade Organization (WTO)
• The World Customs Organization (WCO)
• The Universal Postal Union (UPU)
• US Food and Drug Administration
• Health Canada
• UPU - codes of items sent frequently by post
• The Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC)
• The Narcotics Control Act or regulations made pursuant to that Act
• The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations
• The Tobacco Act
• Weights and Measures Act and Regulations and its Terms and Conditions
• Regulations on wood packaging materials