The shipping industry is one of the most pivotal sectors in any economy. It facilitates import and export activities, thus allowing the transfer of goods from one country to another. Shipping has boosted development in various countries due to the exchange of materials and products such as telecommunication infrastructure, construction equipment, and food products, among others. Over the years, the shipping industry has diversified its services beyond sea transportation to incorporate air freight. This has further contributed to the advancement of the sector since goods can reach their destination faster, thereby saving time.
Shipping to Canada has become very easy these days given that there are numerous businesses that offer these services. One particular company that tends to stand out from the crowd is TopShipping. It offers various freight services and routes including Amazon FBA shipping, shipping from China to Europe, as well as shipping from China to Canada among others. Although there are plenty of freight companies, what sets each of these businesses apart is their service delivery. Therefore, it’s always advisable to carefully assess a company’s service delivery and performance before working with them.
There are several important things you have to be aware of if you are looking to ship your goods to Canada. Also, conducting research prior to your shipping help you avoid unnecessary hiccups along the way.
Customs Information
Anyone who wants to import items to Canada is required to fill a custom invoice for the shipment. This applies to all items, whether they are business oriented or for personal use. As a matter of fact, goods that don’t have proper documentation can go past the border of one’s country. Additionally, the sender might be subjected to hefty return chargers if he or she wants the items back.
The main purpose of the customs invoice is to assist the authorities in the destination country to inspect and access the goods that have been imported for them to appropriately charge any duties that are applicable. Hence, the additional shipping charges that people are often asked to pay are imposed by the customs authorities and not the shipment company. When shipping your items to Canada, it’s important to declare the appropriate value of your goods. This will help the customs official to ascertain the most suitable duties and taxes that are applicable to the imported items. Most often than not, goods that cost $20 CAD or more are subject to duty and tax payments. However, there is an exemption on this rule to items that include books, tobacco, magazines, alcoholic beverages, and periodicals. In most cases, people who are importing items to Canada require import licenses depending on the reason for their importation and the items that are being imported.
Additional Things You Should Know
All shipments which are gifts have to be clearly marked as GIFT on the documentation besides providing relevant information that describes the package. There’s usually an exemption of gifts that are worth $60 and below. This means that any goods that are above $60 are subject to tax and duties.
Food materials have a slightly different requirement for them to be allowed in Canada. The Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for inspecting every food material imported into the country. For you to send food to Canada, the items have to be in their original packaging; they should have a shelf life that is longer than six months; all the ingredients have to be properly listed; the seals of the packaging have to be intact.
Considering that Canada is a relatively large area, some parts of the country are quite remote. This means that shipping to those areas will require additional delivery time and surcharges.
Mitigating Risks
You should always ensure that your items comply with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to avoid any unexpected delays and entry rejection of your goods. Ensure that your documentation adheres to all the requirements of CBSA. You can seek the services of a proficient logistic consultant who can help you with the paperwork details. Some of the shipping details you shouldn’t fail to provide include the mode of shipping, details of the freight company, the purpose of shipping the goods, and the content of the items being shipped, among others.
Type of Shipping
The most common modes of shipping in the world are air and sea freight; each of these has its merits and demerits. To give you a good perspective, here’s an in-depth look at each of these shipping methods.
Air Freight
The use of aircraft in the freight industry has been in use for a very long period; it has brought a lot of conveniences through facilitating fast and affordable transportation especially over long distances. Airfreight is the most suitable option if you are looking to transport products that are of high value and time-sensitive.
Airfreight has several impeccable advantages some of which include a high level of security, fast delivery, and the risk of damaging the transported products being very minimal. However, aircraft are only allowed to carry a particular amount of cargo due to space limitations. Air transportation is also affected by bad weather which could cause delays and cancelation of the cargo delivery.
Sea Freight
Sea freight is yet another brilliant shipping option that is often used to transport bulk cargo. Compared to air freight, sea transportation produces less greenhouse gases. Sea freight can also transport cargoes that are diverse in nature; from dry goods such as cereals and iron ore to liquid products like vegetable oil and petroleum. However, it also has some downside; sea freight is normally slow, with cargo ships traveling at an average speed of 35 kilometers per hour. Congestion at the port can cause delays in the stipulated delivery time. Additionally, sea cargo also has tedious paper works.
Conclusion
Shipping has greatly enhanced the operations of many businesses; companies are now able to expand their market beyond their borders. The steps provided above were some of the things you should consider before shipping your products to Canada. Be sure to adhere to them to avoid any unnecessary hiccups and delays.
