Shipping from China to Canada requires attention: Canadian customs scrutiny is very strict, and the efficiency of customs-authorized agencies is not high, so delays are possible at any stage. Violating Canadian regulations may result in your prohibited items being confiscated; at the same time, you may face hefty fines, penalties, or even criminal detention.
Below is Seapoe's guide to Canadian customs prohibited items and duties, based on relevant Canadian customs regulations and our company's years of experience in carrying personal belongings.
Canadian Customs Restricted/Dutiable Items
- Alcohol (including a detailed list of type, size, and quantity, and an import permit must be presented. It must be obtained before import; duties and taxes will apply)
- Do not ship alcohol between October 1 and March 31 to avoid freezing during transit
- Tobacco products will incur duties
- Food imports will cause significant shipping delays/extra costs (importing is not encouraged)
- Meat (must be authorized; such shipments are not encouraged)
- Obscene materials
- Brand-new items (customs may require a sales agreement to be presented)
- Hunting trophies (import restricted, especially endangered species; a CITES certificate may be required; please confirm with your agent before shipment)
- Firearms (strictly restricted; please confirm with your agent before shipment)
- Any single item valued at USD 10,000 or more will be subject to duties and taxes
Items Prohibited from Entry by Canadian Customs
- Live plants
- Drugs
- Fruits and vegetables
- Firearms, ammunition, and explosives
Seapoe recommends not shipping the following items to Canada: liquids, powders, food, medicines, and products with built-in batteries.
Canadian Customs Guide for Personal Belongings
According to relevant Canadian customs regulations, eligible individuals may import personal items such as furniture, tableware, books, and artwork duty-free. Below are the detailed documents required for customs clearance of personal belongings and duty/tax-exemption information:
Required Documents
- Copy of passport (photo page)
- Proof of residing overseas for more than 12 months (bank statements, utility bills, rent bills, tax statements, etc., covering from the 1st month to the 12th month) (applicable to returning citizens)
- Detailed cargo list (in French or English)
- Cargo invoice (for newly purchased items)
- Original ocean bill of lading (OBL) / Air waybill (AWB)
- Alcohol import permit (if applicable)
- Immigration documents (if applicable)
- Work visa / Student visa (if applicable)
- Proof of residence in Canada (land deed / sales contract / lease agreement) (periodic residents)
- Copy of death certificate (applicable to estate import shipments)
- Copy of will (applicable to estate import shipments)
- Duty-exemption certificate issued by Global Affairs Canada (applicable to diplomats)
Detailed Information
- The shipper must be present during customs clearance
Returning Canadian citizens must meet the following conditions when importing household and personal belongings:
- The items must have been owned and used by the shipper for at least more than 6 months
- The shipper must have lived abroad (in the country of origin) for at least 12 months; if the period of residence exceeds 5 years, the "6-month usage period" rule may be waived
- The items must not be resold within 12 months after shipment and must remain for their own use during that period
- After the shipper arrives in Canada, they must declare to customs at the port of entry (POE) (airport / US-Canada border), and then customs will issue a form for customs
- Form B4e and B15 voucher for clearance. The shipper needs to list the items in this import shipment when declaring. It is recommended to also submit a copy of the shipping list to customs
- at the time of declaration; customs may ask you to provide a declared value of the goods (applicable to returning residents)
- For immigrants and work/student visa holders, all items must have been owned and used by them before shipment and must not be available for resale within 12 months after shipment
- Any imported item with a single value exceeding $10,000, as long as it was acquired after March 31, 1977, will still be subject to duties at customs (including motor vehicles)
Periodic residents must meet the following conditions when importing household and personal belongings:
- The shipment may include furniture and household furnishings, but must not include building materials or electrical fixtures
- The items must have been owned and used at the place of origin before shipment
- The items must not be available for resale for at least 1 year after arrival
- The shipped items must be for the use of the shipper or their family and not for any commercial, industrial, or work purpose
- If the shipper is not a Canadian resident but owns residential property or has leased a property for more than 3 years, proof of home purchase or a lease must be presented
- A person may only ship the same type of shipment once in a duty-free capacity
- When shipping inherited items, the will must show that the shipper and the heir are the same person in order to clear customs duty-free (duty-free import of estates)
- Diplomats may ship household and personal belongings duty-free
- The Canadian government adopts the ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) standard to regulate wood packaging specifications for international shipments
- ISPM-15 requires that wood packaging be heat-treated or fumigated with methyl bromide and stamped with the IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) mark, or that a phytosanitary certificate be attached to the shipping authorization
For individuals who do not meet the conditions for duty-free personal belongings, taxes are generally paid according to the import tax rates stipulated by Canadian customs.
● China Customs Policy:
China Customs: Import & Export Prohibited Items & Duties
● Canadian Customs Policy:
Canada Border Services Agency
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