Romania is among Europe's fastest-growing economies, led by agriculture, energy, manufacturing and assembly, and footwear. Businesses depend on low-cost, innovative solutions for shipping from Romania to Canada. Economic ties have been strengthened by CETA, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which is credited with substantially growing Canadian trade with Romania.
Jet Worldwide provides low-cost parcel delivery from Romania to Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver, and from all of Canada to Romania. Expand your cross-border options with a company providing logistics solutions since 1988.
Quick answer
How do you ship from Romania to Canada?
Ship from Romania to Canada by air cargo (about one week), ocean cargo (two to three months), postal, or express courier. Romanian-origin goods enter Canada duty-free under CETA with an origin declaration. Courier goods up to CAD 20 are duty-free and tax-free; the CAD 3,300 Courier Low Value Shipment threshold governs simplified clearance, not duty relief.
Key takeaways
- Modes: air cargo for speed, ocean for volume, postal for gifts, courier for parcels.
- CETA: Romanian-origin goods enter Canada duty-free with an origin declaration; no formal certificate is required.
- De minimis: from Romania, only goods up to CAD 20 are duty-free and tax-free.
- CLVS: the CAD 3,300 threshold is a processing simplification, not a duty exemption.
Important note: the information in Jet Worldwide online content, including this post, is for general information only. Content is provided as is, and no representations are made that it is error-free.
Cargo options: air and ocean
Companies can choose between air cargo and sea freight. Air cargo usually delivers within about one week. Ocean cargo averages two to three months door to door.
LCL cargo from Romania
Less than container load (LCL) shares container space with other consignments. It requires additional transit time to account for loading and deconsolidation.
FCL ocean cargo from Romania
Full container loads (FCL) can ship via a 20-foot or 40-foot container.
Air versus ocean: which is cheaper?
Ocean cargo carries many surcharges that add significant cost for smaller shipments. Consignments up to around 100 kilograms often have a lower price via air than via ocean.
Parcel options: post, courier, and Jet
| Option | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Posta Romana (postal) | Individuals and personal gifts | Imported to Canada and delivered by Canada Post; lowest cost; limited tracking. |
| FedEx, UPS, DHL | Urgent and commercial parcels | Dependable air express and economy, with tracking and customs clearance. |
| Purolator | Canadian handoff | A domestic carrier with limited import capabilities from Romania |
| Jet Worldwide | Cost-conscious shippers of all sizes | Canadian and European logistics support with discount access to global carriers. |
Shipping via Posta Romana
The Romanian post office, Posta Romana, is the preferred method for individuals shipping small parcels and personal gifts to Canada. Goods are imported to Canada and delivered by Canada Post. Options may include International Postal Parcel, International Postal Parcel with acknowledgement of receipt (A.O.R.), and Express Mail Service (EMS).
Shipping via DHL, FedEx, and UPS
FedEx and UPS are the largest carriers in North America and, along with DHL, offer dependable air shipping from Romania to Canada, in international express priority and economy tiers.
Delivery via Jet Worldwide
International shipping solutions from Canada since 1988. Download the accompanying PDF guide.
Delivery via Purolator Courier
Purolator Courier, a division of Canada Post, offers international shipping, including to Romania, through partners such as UPS.
Temperature-controlled goods and dry ice
For goods that must stay cold or frozen in transit between Canada and Romania, dry ice is often the best solution. Dry ice (solid carbon dioxide, UN 1845) is classified as a dangerous good. Jet Worldwide logistics specialists help you navigate these requirements and keep perishable or temperature-sensitive goods frozen and compliant throughout transit.
Shipping terms and Incoterms (DDP or DDU)
The default for shipping from Romania to Canada is delivery duty unpaid, where the receiver or importer bears duty, taxes, and other import fees. Shippers can instead choose a Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) option, offered by many carriers, to pay import fees on the receiver's behalf.
Tip: the disadvantage of paying import fees on the receiver's behalf is that much of the cost can be federal and provincial sales tax, which the importing business may otherwise be able to claim back.
See our blog on Incoterms and shipping terms for packages and online orders.
Finding the tariff classification for export from Romania
Tariff classification for exports from Romania uses the European Commission's Combined Nomenclature (CN). Updates occur regularly, so confirm the latest version. Read more about tariff classification and the Harmonized System.
CETA duty-free origin for Romanian goods
CETA, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, allows duty-free entry of Romanian-origin goods imported to Canada. Country of origin rules determine whether a product is eligible for preferential duty-free treatment.
The good news for Romanian shippers and Canadian importers is that CETA does not require a formal certificate to obtain tariff benefits. A declaration on the invoice, or on any other commercial document accompanying the shipment, is enough. The CETA origin declaration has specific wording that is fairly straightforward; confirm the current text before shipping.
Read more: benefiting from Canada's free trade agreements.
Clearance, de minimis, and import fees
Consignments imported from Romania to Canada are subject to duty and taxes. Two different thresholds matter here, and they are often confused:
| Value for duty (from Romania) | Duty | Tax (GST or HST) | Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to CAD 20 | Duty-free | Tax-free | Courier Low Value Shipment (CLVS) |
| Over CAD 20 to CAD 3,300 | Duty applies unless CETA-qualifying | Tax applies | Courier Low Value Shipment (CLVS) |
| Over CAD 3,300 | Duty applies unless CETA-qualifying | Tax applies | Standard formal entry |
- De minimis (CAD 20): the duty-and-tax-free line for courier goods from countries other than the United States and Mexico, which includes Romania.
- CLVS (CAD 3,300): a simplified courier clearance process for goods with a value for duty up to CAD 3,300. It streamlines reporting and release; it does not waive duty or tax.
Romanian-origin goods may still enter duty-free under CETA at any value with a valid origin declaration, but GST or HST generally still applies above CAD 20. Contact Jet's logistics team for an estimate of import fees.
Simplified proof of origin under CAD 3,300
For all of Canada's free trade agreements, including CETA, the requirement for a formal proof of origin is waived when the importation does not exceed CAD 3,300. The importer must still keep records, such as the commercial invoice and accounting declaration, even when the CBSA does not require a certification of origin or has waived it. Records should be retained for six years.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Romania to Canada take?
Air cargo usually delivers within about one week. Ocean cargo averages around two months door to door. Express courier is typically a few business days, and postal service is slower and less predictable.
Are Romanian goods duty-free when imported to Canada?
Goods from Romania are subject to import duty unless the quality as "originating" in Romania via the Canada duty-free under CETA rule of origin.
What is the de minimis threshold for shipments from Romania to Canada?
For courier shipments from countries other than the United States and Mexico, including Romania, goods valued up to CAD 20 are duty-free and tax-free. Above CAD 20, duty and taxes apply unless the goods qualify duty-free under CETA, in which case duty is removed but GST or HST still applies.
What is the CAD 3,300 Courier Low Value Shipment threshold?
The Courier Low Value Shipment program allows goods with a value for duty of CAD 3,300 or less to clear through a simplified courier process. It is a processing threshold, not a duty-free threshold.
Do I need a certificate of origin to claim CETA for shipments to Canada?
For importations valued at CAD 3,300 or less, Canada waives the formal proof of origin, though a CETA origin declaration on the invoice is still best practice and records must be kept. Above CAD 3,300, a valid CETA origin declaration is required to claim preference.
Can Jet Worldwide ship goods that require dry ice?
Yes - from Canada.
Get a shipping quote between Romania and Canada
Jet Worldwide gives all companies access to shipping quotes between Romania (and the EU) and Canada, for parcels, pallets, and online orders. Request a Romania to Canada shipping quote.
Timothy Byrnes - Jet Worldwide
Timothy Byrnes has led Jet Worldwide, a Montreal-based international logistics firm, since 1988.
