Thailand is a key emerging market in Southeast Asia and Canada's second-largest trading partner in ASEAN. Bilateral merchandise trade over CAD $7 billion. Canada and Thailand also share strong ties through tourism, expatriate communities and education. Lower-cost shipping to and from Thailand helps that trade grow.
Jet Worldwide provides parcel, pallet and container shipping between Canada and Thailand.
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2026 changed the arithmetic for small parcels to Thailand. Until January, a gift or sample under 1,500 baht usually cleared free. Now every parcel pays duty and VAT, so the paperwork on a CAD 40 parcel matters as much as on a CAD 4,000 one. [[PLACEHOLDER: proprietary data point, for example: "Since January 2026, (number) percent of our parcels to Thailand valued under CAD 60 were assessed duty or VAT, averaging about THB (amount) per parcel"]].
The cheapest way to ship a package to Thailand is usually Canada Post surface service for small, personal parcels. Ge4t
The cost depends on size, weight, service level and destination. Small surface parcels can start around CAD 35, while a 10-pound (4.5 kg) air courier shipment can cost around $300 CAD. Get our lowest spot quote for shipments over 10 kilograms.
For personal parcels, the post is usually the most economical; heavier shipments often price better with commercial carriers. Contact our business team for a quote.
If you are considering a package forwarding service to shop from North America but want an alternative to US-based options such as MyUS, a Canadian address can be ideal. Choosing Canada gives you access to Canadian suppliers and products sold only in Canada.
Ocean shipping is the lowest-cost option for large commercial orders from Canada. Most Thai ocean cargo arrives at Laem Chabang, the country's main deep-sea port southeast of Bangkok. For more, see shipping via ocean freight to and from Canada.
| Option | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| LCL (less than container load) | One to several pallets | Your goods share a container with other shippers' cargo. Allow extra time to load and de-consolidate at the origin and destination depots; port-to-port time is similar to FCL. |
| FCL (full container load) | Larger commercial orders | A dedicated 20-foot or 40-foot container. Typically the fastest ocean option between Canada and Thailand for larger volumes. |
New to transport documents? Understand bills of lading and waybills and when each is used.
Dry ice is a way of transporting cold, temperature-sensitive goods to and from Canada. It is commonly needed for biomedical and life-science shipments and for frozen food samples. Dry ice is a dangerous good (UN1845, Class 9), so it travels by an approved express courier or airline, not by Canada Post. Plan for Bangkok's heat: ground temperatures often exceed 30 degrees Celsius, so allow extra dry ice for the time a box spends on the tarmac and in clearance. Contact our team for details.
There are several options for shipping freight between Canada and Thailand. When choosing a method, first consider the size and weight of your freight, then the maximum transit time and the nature of your goods.
| Carrier | Best for | Services to Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Post | Individuals sending personal items | Small Packet International (surface or air), the best price; International Parcel (surface); Xpresspost International, often delivered within about 2 weeks |
| FedEx and UPS | Door-to-door courier | International Priority; International Economy |
| DHL Express | Door-to-door courier | Express worldwide |
| Purolator | Shippers already using Purolator in Canada | International delivery through partners |
| Jet Worldwide | Parcels, pallets, containers and dry ice | Transparent pricing and expert logistics support |
Canada Post is the best option for individuals shipping personal items to Thailand. Parcels handed to Canada Post are delivered in Thailand by Thailand Post.
FedEx and UPS are leading carriers in North America and, along with DHL, provide air courier services between Canada and Thailand. Express can cost more but is the fastest door-to-door option.
Purolator, which is majority-owned by Canada Post, offers international parcel delivery to Thailand through partners.
International shipping solutions since 1988, with transparent pricing and expert logistics support. Contact our business team.
Thailand uses UPU postal addressing and five-digit postal codes, but addresses can refer to landmarks where road names are unclear. Always include the consignee's contact details (email and mobile phone) for smooth delivery.
| Address part | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| House number | Often written with a slash for sub-plots | 123/45 |
| Soi | A lane off a main road, usually numbered | Soi Sukhumvit 21 |
| Moo | Village number, common outside Bangkok | Moo 4 |
| Khwaeng or Tambon | Sub-district (Khwaeng in Bangkok, Tambon elsewhere) | Khlong Toei Nuea |
| Khet or Amphoe | District (Khet in Bangkok, Amphoe elsewhere) | Watthana |
| Province and postal code | Five-digit code | Bangkok 10110 |
Shipments from Canada to Thailand valued at CAD 2,000 or more, or goods that are otherwise controlled or restricted, must be reported before export through the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS). Read more: Canadian export declaration (CERS).
By default, most international courier shipments leave all import costs to the receiver unless you choose to pay them. This is often called DDU by most carriers or DAP (Delivered at Place) by the official incoterm. Most carriers offer a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) option if you want to pay import charges for the receiver. See our guide to Incoterms and shipping terms.
The Thai Ministry of Commerce has authority over certain products, and some categories need additional approvals. Imports often move to a customs-bonded warehouse while they wait for entry. The customs entry should be submitted within 45 days, which can be extended to 60 on request. Provide correct documents in advance to avoid storage fees; landing, storage and import fees are payable on release.
Thai imports and exports need a customs entry form in addition to the other shipping documents. For the sale document customs uses, see our guide to preparing a commercial invoice for customs. When preferential duty may apply, review when to include a certificate of origin.
Private individuals must register with Thai Customs and nominate the express carrier as their broker. Registration can take up to one week.
| Who | What to provide |
|---|---|
| Thai nationals | Original passport or ID card. Register through customstraderportal.com, with identity verification through the Pao-Tang app or Krungthai ATMs and branches. |
| Non-Thai nationals | Passport, work permit, and latest entry stamp or visa (processing about one week) |
Personal imports of food, drugs and medical items are possible with an exemption approval from Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA), which can take up to two weeks. An affidavit confirming non-commercial use is required. Limits for personal imports typically include:
| Product | Typical personal limit |
|---|---|
| Food | Reasonable quantities |
| Cosmetics | Up to 6 pieces |
| Medicines | Reasonable quantities, with an original Thai doctor's prescription from an actual visit |
| Supplements | Up to one month's consumption |
| Medical equipment (massagers, personal test kits, blood pressure and heart rate monitors) | Usually one item, with a Thai doctor's certificate |
Thai customs assesses duty and taxes on the CIF value and uses Harmonized System (HS) codes to set duty rates. Without a proper declaration, the dutiable value may end up higher than the price paid. Learn how to set the declared value, CIF and valuation correctly and how to classify goods with HS codes and tariff classification.
Duties can be substantial. Some apparel faces duty of about 30 percent. Many computers, phones and other IT products enter duty-free under the WTO Information Technology Agreement. In March 2026, Thailand announced duty increases for consumer goods such as plastic items and electronics accessories, toward ceilings that are often 30 or 40 percent. Check the rate for your HS code before quoting a landed cost.
Canada has no bilateral free trade agreement with Thailand in force, and Canada is not part of ASEAN. Canada is negotiating a free trade agreement with ASEAN as a whole, which would include Thailand. Thailand has considered joining the CPTPP, the agreement Canada already belongs to, but it is not a member.
Until an agreement is in force, Canadian goods pay Thailand's most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty rates, and Thai goods pay Canada's MFN rates. Trade with Southeast Asia continues to grow.
Shipping insurance is available from carriers or third parties. Proper packaging is critical, because many claims are rejected for insufficient packaging. Photograph your packaging and note any damage on delivery; good documentation at origin and destination strengthens a claim. Read more about shipping insurance.
Options include Thailand Post, the best choice for personal parcels. DHL, FedEx and UPS offer fast air options, including international air express and international economy air to Canada. Jet Worldwide can provide a comparison quote for commercial packages.
Shipments are subject to Canadian duty and taxes. Courier shipments under CAD 3,300 can be processed under the Courier Low Value Shipment (CLVS) program. If you need help, consider working with a Canadian customs broker.
| Value of goods from Thailand | At the Canadian border |
|---|---|
| CAD $20 or less (postal or courier) | No duty or taxes |
| Over CAD $20 | Duty and GST or HST |
| Up to CAD $3,300 by courier | Can be cleared under the CLVS program |
| Over CAD $3,300, or commercial importers | Formal entry, accounted for in CARM |
Contact Jet Worldwide's logistics team for an import-fee estimate. Check Canada's import regulations.
The Canada Border Services Agency's Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) portal is where commercial importers account for and pay duty and taxes on goods imported into Canada. Learn the difference: Canada CERS versus CARM.
Note: personal shipments under around 5 kg are best sent by Canada Post. For commercial shipping rates, contact our team. The rates below are approximate air courier estimates only, in CAD.
Rates are indicative only and vary by service type, dimensions, season and destination city. They are based on chargeable weight, which can be the dimensional weight rather than the actual weight.
Jet Worldwide makes it easy for companies to request spot quotes for the best economy options between Thailand and Canada. Tell us about your goods and preferences.
Air courier takes about 3 to 7 business days. Ocean freight typically takes 30 to 45 days, depending on vessel schedules and customs.
What is the cheapest way to send small parcels to Thailand?For personal parcels under 5 kg, Canada Post is usually the most economical, and Small Packet International is its lowest-cost service. Heavier shipments may price better with commercial carriers.
Does Canada have a trade agreement with Thailand?No bilateral free trade agreement is in force.
What documents are needed for shipping to Thailand?A commercial invoice, packing list and waybill are required. Some shipments also need a Canadian export declaration through CERS, Thai import licences or a Thai FDA approval.
Is there still a duty-free limit for small parcels to Thailand?No. All imports of any value are assessed duty and VAT.
What is the VAT rate on imports to Thailand?7 percent, charged on the CIF value plus duty. The statutory rate is 10 percent.
Disclaimer: The information in all Jet Worldwide online content, including this post, is for general information only.