To ship internationally from Canada, check the country, product, formalities and eligible services. No carrier automatically wins by continent. Documents and charges depend on the shipment; specify who pays import charges.
Define destination and goods
Gather the precise product description, value, origin, party details and documents requested for the service. Check restrictions before paying. A classification suggestion does not replace validation of the declared information.
Distinguish the documents
A commercial invoice, postal declaration and export declaration are not interchangeable. Requirements depend on contents, destination and service. Consult official instructions rather than assuming every shipment requires the same documents.
Define responsibility for charges
Discuss payment of duties, taxes and processing fees with the recipient and broker. An Incoterm should match the transaction and services actually available; DDP is not automatically the right option.
Compare eligible services
Request quotes with the same postal codes, handover date, packed dimensions, weight and options. Record the exact service, estimated date, included charges and exclusions. A carrier comparison is not a measurement of on-time performance.
There is no universal price winner. Compare the total for the parcel, including applicable fees and account terms. Weight alone or a carrier’s reputation does not establish which will be cheaper.
Check the service available for both addresses and the carrier handover date. An estimate is not a guarantee; any commitment has its own terms, exclusions and claim procedure.
Frequently asked questions
Does a customs-cleared service include all charges?
Not necessarily. Confirm transportation, brokerage, duties, taxes and ancillary fees, and who is billed for each item.