Germany to Canada Shipping Options

Quick takeaways

• Cheapest small parcels: Deutsche Post (often surface/economy). For heavier or urgent parcels, compare DHL Express, UPS, and FedEx.
• Transit time (door-to-door): Express 2–4 business days; economy air ~5–8 days; ocean (LCL/FCL) ~4–8 weeks depending on lane & consolidation.
• Import fees: Duty (often 0% with CETA if eligible), GST/HST, and carrier disbursement/clearance fees may apply.
• CETA origin proof: A statement on origin by the EU exporter is typically accepted; for values above the EU threshold, the exporter must include their REX number.
• Low Value System (LVS): Courier imports ≤ CA$3,300 use Canada’s CLVS processes for faster clearance.

Carrier Options from Germany to Canada

Deutsche Post & DHL

Best for small personal parcels and economy services; DHL Express for urgent business shipments with end-to-end tracking.

UPS & FedEx (Germany)

Highly reliable time-definite services to Canadian addresses; competitive for B2B parcels and heavier D2C shipments. Discounts are available directly or via partners/resellers.

Jet Worldwide

Leverage Jet’s 40+ years of cross-border expertise for project quotes, multi-carrier options, and North American distribution.

Costs & Transit Times

• Cheapest small parcels: Deutsche Post economy/surface (price vs. time trade-off).
• Express courier: Typically 2–4 business days door-to-door for major city pairs.
• Economy air cargo: Usually ~5–8 business days depending on uplift & final-mile.
• Ocean freight: ~4–8 weeks total (allow for stuffing, consolidation, sailing, and deconsolidation).

Note: Final pricing depends on chargeable weight (actual vs. volumetric), service level, destination postal code, and fuel/surcharges.

CETA: Duty-Free Eligibility & Origin Statement

Many German-origin goods qualify for 0% duty under CETA. To claim, the exporter provides a statement on origin on the commercial document (often the invoice). For shipments above the EU value threshold, the EU exporter must include their REX (Registered Exporter) number.

• Qualification tests include Change in Tariff Classification (CTC) and/or Regional Value Content (RVC) as per product-specific rules.
• “Shipped from Germany” ≠ “German origin.” Origin relates to where the product was made or sufficiently transformed.

Learn more: Canada’s free trade agreements and country of origin vs. ship-from.

Canadian Import Fees You Should Expect

• Duty: Often 0% with valid CETA origin; otherwise MFN duty per tariff.
• Taxes: GST/HST based on CIF value (value + freight + insurance) and duty (if any).
• Carrier fees: Disbursement/advancement and brokerage/clearance fees may apply.
• De minimis: For non-US/MX origins like Germany, shipments valued over CA$20 are typically subject to assessment.
• CLVS/LVS: Courier imports ≤ CA$3,300 clear under Canada’s low-value system for speed and predictability.

Details: Common Canadian import fees explained.

Documents & German Export Declaration

• Commercial invoice (clear description, HS code, value, origin, Incoterms).
• Packing list (contents by package).
• Waybill (courier/air) or Bill of Lading (ocean).
• CETA statement on origin (and REX number where required) to claim duty-free.
• German export declaration via customs (ATLAS) when applicable.

Helpful reads: Commercial invoice, HS codes, Bill of Lading.

Air vs. Ocean: Which Is Better?

Air Cargo

• Best for time-sensitive or higher-value goods.
• Often cheaper than ocean for smaller consignments once ocean minimums & surcharges are considered.

Ocean Freight

• LCL (Less-than-Container Load): Share a container; allow extra days for consolidation & deconsolidation.
• FCL (Full Container Load): Best per-unit cost for steady volumes; fastest ocean option.

More info: Ocean freight options to/from Canada.

Shipping Terms (Incoterms) & Valuation

Most small parcels move under DAP (receiver pays import charges). DDP is possible (shipper prepays), but importers may prefer to self-account for VAT/GST. EXW is common in carrier terms.

Understand CIF valuation (value + freight + insurance) and fair declaration practices. See: Declared value, CIF & valuation and Incoterms explained.

Non-Resident Importer (NRI) & North American Distribution

German companies can import into Canada as non-resident importers for warehousing and distribution across Canada/USA. Shipments can also trans-ship in bond to the USA or clear and move by ground to US customers.

CARM: Mandatory for Canadian Commercial Importers

Commercial importers should register in the CBSA CARM portal, assign their customs broker, and set up a surety bond (or deposit). Even with CETA benefits, an importer number and CARM setup are required. Learn more: CARM guide.

Frequently Asked Questions: Germany → Canada

What is the cheapest way to send a small package to Canada from Germany?

Usually Deutsche Post economy/surface. For heavier or urgent shipments, compare DHL Express, UPS, and FedEx.

How long does shipping from Germany to Canada take?

Express: 2–4 business days. Economy air: ~5–8 days. Ocean: ~4–8 weeks including consolidation and deconsolidation.

Can German goods enter Canada duty-free?

Yes, if they qualify as EU/German origin under CETA and you include a valid statement on origin (with REX number where required). Over CA$20, taxes and carrier fees may still apply.

What documents do I need?

Commercial invoice, packing list, waybill/BOL, and a CETA origin statement if claiming duty-free. Some exports require a German export declaration via ATLAS.

Should I use DAP or DDP?

DAP is common for e-commerce (receiver pays import charges). DDP can improve delivery experience but may reduce the importer’s ability to recover VAT/GST.

Can I ship to the USA via Canada?

Yes. Options include in-bond trans-shipment to the USA or import into Canada (NRI model) and ground distribution across North America.