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Import/Export

United States to Canada

Country or Territory Regulations Topics:

Commodity Specific Stipulations

There are special stipulations on the following commodities when shipping to Canada. If you plan to ship one of the commodities listed below, be sure to adhere to the following stipulations in order to avoid delays and holds at customs.

Customs reserves the right to request book titles.
Commercial importers who are quota holders are assessed the normal duty rate (within access).

Commercial importers who are not quota holders are assessed the higher rate (over access) which exceeds 200%.

Casual or noncommercial importers can never hold quota. They are however, eligible for an exemption of 20.00 CDN and 20 kg. per person. Both criteria must be met. If casual shipments are within these criteria, the importer is charged the normal rate. If they are not within these two criteria, they are assessed the over access rate.

Write the title of the compact disc in the Description field on the invoice.
Fresh cut flowers without soil from any origin country or territory are approved for importation without any further documentation requirements other than a commercial invoice.

Fresh cut flowers with soil from any origin country or territory will require, at minimum, a commercial invoice and Phytosanitary Certificate.

All goods may be subject to inspection.

The Food and Drug Regulations restrict the importation of prescription drugs listed in Schedule F, Part I, or Schedule F, Part II, that are not for veterinary use. Importation is restricted to a practitioner, a drug manufacturer, a wholesale druggist, a registered pharmacist, or a resident of a foreign country or territory while a visitor in Canada. Individuals, including Canadian residents, arriving in Canada from abroad are usually permitted to import a single-treatment size or a three-month supply of a Schedule F drug for their personal use. The drug must be packaged in pharmacy or hospital dispensed packaging. Any other importations of prescription drugs will be detained by Revenue Canada and referred to Health Canada." For a comprehensive but not exhaustive list of restricted ingredients, please refer to the following web site: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/F-27/C.R.C.-c.870/126575.html
Write the title of the film in the Description field on the invoice.
Food, perishable or non-perishable (for example, canned, bottled or otherwise packed), are acceptable for shipping.

Whether commercial or casual (a.k.a. residential, personal, private), import declarations or permits may be required. Food automatically flows through Canada Brokerage's OGD (Other Government Department) who process through the Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Where a CFIA requirement is to be met, there will be an additional OGD fee.

Please note that home made food stuffs between individuals are not exempt of Canada's regulations.

Some food supplements contain active ingredients restricted into Canada by the Food and Drug Regulations and are therefore subject to detainment by Canada Customs. The ingredients are the same as those restricted for prescription drugs. An example would be "Vitamin K". For a comprehensive but not exhaustive list of restricted ingredients, please refer to the following web site: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/c.r.c._c_870/index.html
Customs requires an invoice listing each medicine's generic or common name, the scientific name, the ingredients, and the name and address of the manufacturer.

Attach the prescription to the invoice to avoid delays.

Health Canada inspects all shipments. Obtain prior approval from Health Canada to avoid clearance delays.

Customers must use an authorized UPS / MBE (Mail Boxes Etc) Store, UPS Customer Center or ISC Approved Shipper to ship personal effects.

The UPS Store, Mail Boxes Etc, UPS Customer Center or ISC approved shipper will be required to identify personal effect shipments on the shipping label by placing "Personal Effects" in the Reference Field of a UPS "smart" label or in the Special Instructions Field of a UPS waybill. They must also clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' shipment on the Commercial Invoice.

Personal Effects are classified as used items (owned for a minimum of 6 months) intended for the consignee's personal use. Any items intended for any other use, such as wholesale or retail sales, business purposes, or for distribution are not considered personal effects and cannot be shipped on this basis. "Personal Effects" must be clearly stated on the invoice and goods description.

All of the following documents must be scanned into DIS/SIR and originals on the package:

An inventory list with estimated values with the reason for importation (holidays, move, relocation) A confirmation that the goods are older than 6 months and that they are intended for personal use only A photocopy of passport or ID card Any items intended for any other use, such as wholesale or retail sales, business purposes, or for distribution are not considered personal effects and cannot be shipped on this basis.

Excisable goods (for example, perfume, alcoholic drinks, tobacco), medicine and perishable food can not be cleared as personal effects.

Personal effects shipments are not allowed in combination with Return Services.

The following documents will be required for Cat and Dog food. 

Zoosanitary Export Certificate



Importer Statement of Compliance

Write the title of the tape in the description on the invoice.
Effective April 1, 2005 Canada eliminated the need for export licenses and relaxed the need for import permits.

Import permits are required for goods cut and sewn in the U.S. from non-NAFTA originating yarn or fabric. Goods cut and sewn in non-NAFTA countries or territories and routed directly to Canada or routed through the U.S. no longer have restrictions or limitations.

There is no standard acceptance list for vehicles, including motorcycles and scooters. Each vehicle is assessed individually based on make, model, and age.

For more information, contact Transport Canada or see http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/rsimp_e.htm

Write the title of the video in the Description field on the invoice.

Prohibited or Restricted Commodities

Import of Alcoholic beverages into Canada is permitted via ISC contract service.

Guidelines for Shipping to Businesses (Licensees).

All B2B orders of alcohol have to be placed through the local liquor boards.

Guidelines for Shipping to Individuals (Consumers).

  • Alberta: Alcohol shipments can only be sent Air (Express or Express Saver). The Importer of Record (IOR) on the commercial invoice must be the person that purchased the alcohol and no other goods except alcohol can be included in the shipment. There is a maximum of 45 liters of alcohol which can be imported per 90 days and a levy that is applied on foreign alcohol. Documentation for shipments over 6 liters must be processed by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC), all other shipments are cleared by the receiver. For all shipments, a commercial invoice and proof of payment is required from the supplier.

  • British Columbia: Alcohol shipments can be sent using ground or air services. The Importer of Record (IOR) on the commercial invoice is the British Columbia Liquor Control Board (BCLCB) care of (c/o) the consignee, and no other goods except alcohol can be included in the shipment. There is a maximum of 45 liters of alcohol which can be imported per day, and there is a levy that is applied on foreign alcohol. The BCLCB will work with consignee to collect all charges and advise when UPS can deliver the shipment.

  • Quebec: Alcohol shipments can only be sent Air (Express or Express Saver). The Importer of Record (IOR) on the commercial invoice must be the person that purchased the alcohol and no other goods except alcohol can be included in the shipment. The consignee must have a permit for any shipment over 0.5% (alcohol by volume). There is a levy that is applied on foreign alcohol and a maximum of 45 liters per day. Once cleared by the Societe des Alcools du Quebec (SAQ) UPS can deliver the shipment.

  • Manitoba: Alcohol shipments can only be sent Air (Express or Express Saver). The Importer of Record (IOR) on the commercial invoice must be the person that purchased the alcohol and no other goods except alcohol can be included in the shipment. There is a levy that is applied on foreign alcohol, but there is no limit on the amount that can be imported. During the clearance process the IOR will be required to pay any outstanding fees, and once paid to the authorities and UPS has this approval the shipment can be delivered.

  • Ontario: Alcohol shipments can be sent using ground or air services. The Importer of Record (IOR) on the commercial invoice is the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) care of (c/o) the consignee and no other goods except alcohol can be included in the shipment. There is a maximum of 45 liters of alcohol which can be imported per day and there is a levy that is applied on foreign alcohol. Proof of payment is also required to be submitted to UPS Supply Chain Solutions Customs Brokerage and any outstanding duties and taxes must be paid by the consignee before a shipment can be delivered.

    UPS cannot deliver to New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Yukon.

    • Canada has temporarily suspended the importation of the following commodities from Texas:
  • Live birds (including pet birds of the parrot family and pet song birds)
  • Hatching eggs
  • Avian semen
    • Health Canada has banned the importation of baby walkers. The ban does not include strollers or carriages.
    Personal shipments of vaping products containing less than 66 mg/ml nicotine (only identifiable where the vaping product specifies the concentration), Over the Counter or Natural Health Product ingredients, including re-usable delivery systems, with or without health claims may be imported for personal use (reasonable amounts for 90 day supply within a 90 day period) .

    Commercial shipments of vaping products with no health claims and no health product ingredients (can contain nicotine as a sole ingredient) may now be imported into Canada under the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TPVA).

    Commercial shipments of unlicensed vaping products and any vaping products that make health claims regardless of ingredients contained continue to also be subject to the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and cannot be sold without authorization .

    Vaping products (formerly known as e-cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems) include vaping devices, and their individual parts such as atomizers (heating element), and vaping liquids. Most vaping devices consist of a battery, a heating element, a tank or reservoir, and a mouthpiece and work by heating the vaping liquid to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the user.

    Under the Cannabis Act, a valid permit or exemption issued by Health Canada is required for any (personal or commercial) importation or exportation of cannabis across Canadas border in any form (CBD Products and Hemp). Without a valid permit or exemption it is illegal to import or export cannabis. The import and export of cannabis may only be authorized for medical and scientific purposes and within the parameters set by the international drug conventions. The import and export of cannabis for any other purpose (such as distribution or sale for non-medical purposes) is strictly prohibited. A permit is issued on a shipment by shipment basis.
    CITES Shipments

    Endangered plants and animals protected by the multilateral treaty of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), must be accompanied by a valid CITES Certificate.

    All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system.

    Shipper needs to provide the following documentation:

    Invoice with the scientific name and CITES certificate.

    Products of animals or plants subject to CITES can only be accepted under a special contract for International Special Commodities (ISC).

    Process for CITES shipments:

    Once the exporting country customs has finished filling out the CITES permit put the CITES permit back in the document pouch of the original shipment with the invoice and any other accompanying documents.

    This will ensure that the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) will have access to the CITES permit upon importation into Canada.

    Send an email alert to Chris Orr, Peter Shaw, Mark Kozak and Eric Legacy at the following email addresses:

    chrisorr@ups.com, pshaw@ups.com, mikozak@ups.com and elegacy@ups.com

    Paintball markers, also known as paintball guns, and other air soft guns are prohibited by UPS for importation into Canada unless the shipper has been approved through the International Special Commodity (ISC) program as a Special Exception. Approval through the ISC program will require that the shipper is a commercial dealer of these devices and that their devices:
    • Are not considered a firearm under Canadian law
    • Are not considered a replica firearm under Canadian law

    A device is considered a firearm if:
    The muzzle velocity of the projectile from the device is greater than 500 feet per second (152.4 meters per second) and the muzzle energy is greater than 4.2 foot-pounds (5.7 joules). If both of these standards are exceeded then the device is considered a firearm under Canadian law and will remain prohibited even under the UPS ISC Program

    A device is considered a replica firearm if:
    The device is not a firearm (as defined above) but is designed to resemble a real firearm with exact or near precision. Replica firearms are classified legally as a prohibited device in Canada. UPS Canada and its major competitors prohibit the transportation of prohibited devices.

    All paintball marker and other air soft gun shipments, including those shipped by approved ISC shippers, are subject to inspection by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and may delayed or refused entry into Canada at the CBSA's or UPS's discretion.

    Additional Information regarding replica firearms:
    As a general rule, devices made out of clear plastic and those that are significantly smaller than the real version are not classified as replica firearmss. Brightly coloured paint does not necessarily exclude a device from the definition of a replica firearm. Inquires regarding a particular make and model of air gun can be made to the The Canada Firearms Centre (CAFC) by contacting one of their firearms technicians at 1 800 731-4000, ext 1060. Additonal information about firearm regulations in Canada can also be obtained from the CAFC website at http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca

    Plants can be sent Standard or Air Service. A Phytosanitary Certificate may be needed. The shipper must contact his state Department of Agriculture to see if one is required.
    Products made in Iran are prohibited in our service due to a current embargo.
    Seeds can be sent Standard or Air Service. A Phytosanitary Certificate may be needed. The shipper must contact his state Department of Agriculture to see if one is required.
    Commodities presenting a risk to plant health have mandatory pre-entry treatment requirements or a transportation restriction depending on the severity of the risk. High risk products include commodities with bark, mass-produced materials, raw wood, and wood products from off-continent, temperate areas. Commercial products of wood have usually undergone appropriate processing and do not represent a concern.

    NOTE: Information provided by UPS is provided AS IS, may not be current, and does not constitute legal advice. In no event shall UPS be liable for any errors in the information, forms or features made available by UPS, or by any third party site linked to from UPS. Selection and completion of proper forms for any given shipment is the sole responsibility of the shipper. All shipments are subject to the UPS Terms and Conditions of Service in effect at the time of shipping for the country or territory of origin.
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