CANADA SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS
Before shipping to Canada, separate three questions: whether the goods are high-risk or prohibited, whether a sensitive-goods route must be confirmed, and whether packing or the destination can create a surcharge. Confirm the goods and postal code before arranging dispatch.
CHECK BEFORE SHIPPING
Eligibility cannot be decided from an item name alone. Safety characteristics, batteries, liquid or food ingredients, brand, packing, and destination address can all affect acceptance.
Usually not accepted
These categories repeatedly appear in public route refusal rules. Send an item name and photos before shipping when uncertain.
Must be confirmed by route
Some routes accept specific items, but quantity, capacity, power, mixed packing, and declaration limits differ. Do not send them as standard goods.
May affect cost or delivery
These conditions do not always prevent shipping, but require the postal code, dimensions, and packing photos to confirm cost and delivery terms.
CARGO DETAILS
Accurately describing goods is more useful than calling everything "daily necessities." Use the links for category-specific guidance.
| Goods category | Initial assessment | Provide for review | More detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothing, shoes, and home goods | Non-powered, non-liquid, non-high-risk-brand items are usually reviewed as standard goods first. | Brand status, packing size per piece, total weight, and destination postal code. | Clothing guide |
| Cosmetics, liquids, and creams | Confirm through sensitive- or special-goods routes, not standard-goods rules. | Product name, ingredients or use, bottle capacity, total quantity, and mixed packing. | Cosmetics guide |
| Food, medicine, and health products | Restrictions differ substantially; meat, egg, dairy, and liquid food need special disclosure. | Full name, ingredients, quantity, packing photos, and declared value. | Food guide |
| Battery goods and electronics | Confirm built-in versus loose batteries, rechargeable products, battery power, and purpose. | Product photos, model, battery type/power, and whether batteries ship separately. | Confirm eligibility |
| Furniture, equipment, and oversized goods | Confirm as large or oversized cargo; delivery and unloading terms may differ. | Dimensions and weight of each piece, packing type, postal code, unloading or upstairs delivery. | Large-cargo rules |
PACKING AND DIMENSIONS
Size limits vary by route. Air freight commonly limits the longest side to 100cm and sea freight to 120cm; the second side, girth, and actual weight also need review.
Regular cartons are easier to route. Crates, frames, and irregular packing are not automatically refused, but may depend on commercial-delivery coverage, an outer carton, and added charges.
Dimensional weight and packing guideProvide length, width, height, and actual weight for each piece. Consolidation, reinforcement, and framing alter the final chargeable dimensions.
Some routes accept hinged crates or frames. Non-commercial areas may require an outer carton; confirm with the route.
Irregular or cylindrical packing and yellow-tape outer cartons commonly create a surcharge or cannot use certain routes.
State protection needs for fragile goods. Heavy pieces may require a crate, frame, or forklift feet.
COST AND DELIVERY RISKS
Reference rates apply to goods that meet the relevant route conditions. The following can require a route change, surcharge, or new delivery arrangement.
Most routes charge the greater of actual and dimensional weight. Overlength, overweight, and excess-girth charges can apply per piece and may stack.
Some sea and large-cargo UPS remote areas incur a surcharge, often charged by weight with a shipment minimum. Confirm by postal code.
Crates, frames, irregular packing, yellow-tape cartons, oversized unloading, upstairs delivery, and forklift service can change both cost and delivery method.
An incomplete address, recipient refusal, or failed delivery can create return, storage, or redelivery charges. Confirm the real name and complete address before dispatch.
DECLARATION AND RECIPIENT
Provide name, quantity, use, and declared value. Route requirements for declaration items, values, and quantities differ; high-value and sensitive goods require confirmation.
Recipient name, complete Canadian address, postal code, and contact details must be accurate. Unknown or incomplete addresses can cause delivery failure.
Product and packing photos, dimensions, weight, and special characteristics support route assessment. Large cargo also needs unloading, upstairs-delivery, or appointment details.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Use this page for pre-shipment screening. Actual acceptance, cost, and delivery coverage are determined from the goods, packing, and postal-code review.
Some sensitive or special routes accept specific items, but ingredient, quantity, liquid volume, battery power, packing, and mixed-goods limits apply. Send a goods list first.
Some sea and large-cargo routes accept compliant crates or frames, but may require hinges, an outer carton, or commercial-delivery coverage. Packing photos and postal code are required.
Some routes charge postal codes with weaker coverage or higher delivery cost. Rates and minimum charges vary, so use the full postal code for confirmation.
Longest side, second side, girth, and single-piece actual weight have route-specific thresholds. Public rules often reference 22kg, 41kg, and 68kg, but the actual charge depends on route, packing, and measurements.
CONFIRM BEFORE SHIPPING
Provide the full postal code, goods category, product and packing photos, weight and dimensions of each piece, declared value, and any batteries, liquids, or brands. Large cargo also needs unloading and upstairs-delivery requirements.