Australia and Canada enjoy deep economic links, strong bilateral trade, and substantial two-way investment. This guide explains the cheapest ways to ship from Australia to Canada, compares post vs. courier vs. air & ocean freight, and shows how to leverage CPTPP for duty-free entry on qualifying Australian-origin goods. Jet Worldwide provides low-cost parcel delivery and consultative logistics support for Australia ⇄ Canada shipping.
Choose the mode that fits your size/weight, speed, budget and commodity:
Volumetric (chargeable) weight for air/courier: (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 5000. Compare to actual kg and charge the greater.
Best for individuals shipping small parcels and personal items. Parcels are delivered in Canada by Canada Post.
Postal consolidators (e.g., regional aggregators via Singapore Post or NZ Post) can offer lower rates for high volumes.
Reliable express options from Australia to Canada with priority and economy services, customs brokerage, and detailed tracking.
Jet Worldwide has provided international delivery solutions for over 40 years. We offer comparative pricing, routing optimization, and customs guidance for Australia ⇄ Canada shipping.
Typical transit times (indicative only): ocean freight ~1–3 months door-to-door; economy air cargo often within 1–2 weeks depending on capacity and routing. The main Canadian ocean gateway for Australia is Vancouver; final times vary by sailing schedules and final delivery address.
Cost-effective for one to several pallets. Expect extra time for consolidation/deconsolidation.
Fastest ocean option. Choose 20' or 40' depending on payload/volume.
For smaller freight, air can be cheaper once ocean minimums/surcharges are added. As a rule of thumb, shipments under ~200 kg often price better by air; heavier consignments trend toward ocean.
Default international parcel terms are usually Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) / EXW, assigning import costs (duty/taxes/fees) to the consignee. Many carriers offer Delivery Duty Paid (DDP), allowing the shipper to pay import fees on the receiver’s behalf.
Note: Import taxes paid by the shipper (DDP) are typically not recoverable by the importer. When shipping to VAT/GST-registered businesses, verify whether the consignee should pay and claim input tax credits instead.
Useful information: Incoterms for packages & online orders
Exports from Australia valued over AUD $2,000 must be reported to Australian Border Force (ABF). You’ll need an Export Declaration Number (EDN) via the Integrated Cargo System (ICS).
Goods imported to Canada are subject to duty and sales taxes (GST/HST and, where applicable, provincial taxes). Courier consignments under CAD $3,300 typically clear via the Courier Low-Value Shipment (CLVS) processes.
Useful read: Understanding Canadian import fees
CARM is CBSA’s online portal for managing commercial imports. Registration and a surety bond (or deposit) are required for importers.
Learn more about CARM : See link above in Additional Resources
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) enables preferential duty-free import to Canada for qualifying Australian-origin goods. Eligibility depends on meeting the product-specific rules of origin and providing appropriate proof.
Read more: Certificate of Origin—what it is & when you need it
For qualifying shipments ≤ CAD $3,300, importers can usually claim CPTPP using a simplified origin statement (no formal certificate required), provided the goods meet the origin rules.
For high-value claims, include the minimum data elements in your certification:
Reference: Annex 3-B of the consolidated TPP/CPTPP text
Note: Jet Worldwide Canada maintains a close partnership with Jet Worldwide Australia—separate companies with a shared legacy.
Australia Post is typically the cheapest for small, non-urgent parcels (≤2 kg), delivered in Canada by Canada Post.
Courier express can be as quick as 2–5 working days; economy air cargo roughly 1–2 weeks; ocean freight commonly 1–3 months door-to-door depending on sailing schedules.
Most non-US/Mexico imports ≤ CAD $20 are duty/tax-exempt. Otherwise, duty and GST/HST may apply. Many courier shipments ≤ CAD $3,300 clear via CLVS for faster processing.
Yes—if your goods qualify as Australian-origin under CPTPP rules and you provide valid proof. Low-value parcels (≤ CAD $3,300) may use a simplified origin statement.
Commercial invoice with shipper/consignee details, description, HS codes, value, origin; packing list (if multiple items); any permits; EDN for AU exports > AUD $2,000; and CPTPP origin statements if claiming preferential duty.
Disclaimer: The information in Jet Worldwide content, including this post, is for general guidance only. Always confirm requirements with your carrier, broker, and relevant authorities.