Things to Consider When Shipping Online Orders and Parcels from Montreal

Consider the Various Carriers for International Shipping

Sending International Shipments from Montreal Using Parcel Post:

For many shippers, especially very small volume shippers, postal delivery works best. This is especially true for individuals sending gifts to family and friends.

Shipments under 2 kilograms sent via Canada Post are most cost-effective via their international packet services. To most areas, Canada Post offers Montreal shippers both surface and air services for packets and parcel post. Contact Jet for updates on direct shipping options to the UK, EU, Caribbean, Japan, and across Asia.

Many of the initial inquiries we receive are from small companies who are not satisfied with the delivery quality of parcel post and need solutions for their commercial international parcels.

Sending International Shipments Using a Commercial Carrier

Commercial carriers, namely FedEx Canada and UPS Canada, offer time-definite international delivery from Montreal. They can, however, be expensive for small and medium-sized Montreal companies.

FedEx and UPS International Shipping Options Include:

Using an International Courier Reseller

Resellers, such as Jet Worldwide Canada, offer a way for small companies to obtain the quality service of an integrator with a lower cost than using FedEx or UPS directly. Jet Worldwide is a trusted parcel carrier in Canada with over 40 years of experience and unique partnerships around the world.

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Prepare a List of Items and an Invoice for Customs

For all the complexities of international delivery from Montreal, the key difference between an international and domestic parcel is simply customs clearance. For international parcels, it is crucial to clearly list exactly what is being sent via an invoice for customs.

  • Name and address of the shipper
  • Name, address, phone, and email of the receiver
  • Exact description of the items being sent
  • Value of each item (be sure to indicate the currency code)

The most common error we see from new shippers is an incomplete description. The description should be as specific as possible and include the reason for export. If the shipment is a gift or sample, this should be noted on the customs paperwork.

Jet Worldwide's shipping system incorporates the easy preparation of customs paperwork.

Verify Item Restrictions

Verify with your carrier or receiver to ensure the item you are sending is not restricted. A common restriction we see for shipments from Montreal involves food sent to the USA. Food shipments require a Prior Notice number from the USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Prepare a CERS Export for High-Value Shipments

For international shipments sent from Canada valued over $2,000 CAD, the shipper must prepare a Canadian export declaration (B-13). Shipments sent to the USA do not require a B-13 export declaration.

Determine Duty and Tax Responsibilities

Before sending your parcel, you should determine who will be paying any duties, taxes, or customs fees. By default, clearance and duty fees are charged forward to the receiver.

VAT Payment for online orders to the UK and European Union should be prepaid.

Shipments where the receiver or consignee pays should be noted as "Delivery Duty Unpaid / DDU" on the customs paperwork. If you wish to pay for the duties and taxes yourself, you should note "Delivery Duty Paid / DDP" on the customs paperwork.