Shipping to Canada from Australia

With mutual strong mutual trade, Australian and Canadian companies rely on low cost shipping with the advantage of duty free entry. The CPTPP free trade pact allows duty free shipping to Canada from Australia for qualifying goods. This will help you uncover the cheapest options shipping to Canada from Australia

What is the cost of shipping to Canada from Australia?

The cost to ship to Canada from Australia depends on the size and weight of your shipment. Other cost factors include the delivery address and speed of delivery.

What is the cheapest way of shipping to Canada from Australia

The cheapest option for individuals shipping small packages and personal items to Canada is via Australian post surface shipping options. Companies sending container size shipment should look at ocean carriers. Economy air freight is available from commercial carriers.

Useful short video (~3 min): Best shipping options to Canada from Australia

Are there import fees to Canada for shipments from Australia

All shipments to Canada are subject to import fees. Low value shipments and goods that qualify as Australian origin (under CPTPP provisions) can import duty free. Federal and provincial taxes apply to all goods. Read more about Canadian import fees.

In this Guide for Shipping to Canada from Australia, we review:

• Australian export declaration
• Canadian Import Clearance Shipping from Australia
• Best way - or modes - of shipping international from Australia
• Shipping cargo via sea freight and air cargo
• Air cargo or ocean freight: What is best?
• Carrier options shipping international packages to Canada from Australia
• Managing shipment returns for Canadian online orders
• CPTPP Duty Free Import Canada from Australia

Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for general information only.

Export Declarations / EDN from Australia

All goods valued over AUD $2,000 for export from Australia require reporting to the Australian Border Force (ABF).

Shipments Requiring and Export Declaration include

• Shipments valued over AUD2000
• Restricted or otherwise require an export permit
• When duty drawback applies
• are dutiable or excisable goods where the duty or excise duty is unpaid.

Personal effects do not require an Australian export declaration.

An export declaration is  necessary when shipping from Australia. This can be completed by the owner of the goods, or their agent. 

Download accompanying PDF

Customs clearance of Canadian parcels sent from Australia

Goods imported to Canada from Australia are subject to import duties as well as federal and provincial sales tax. Shipments under $20 CAD can clear duty free. Consignments with a value under $3,300 can import via the Low Value System / LVS express processes.

In addition to duty and taxes, the post and private carriers often charge a disbursement fee. The fee averages around $15 CAD for the clearance of packages to Canada.

Other things to consider when shipping to Canada from Australia include:

• Importer of record: The importer of record includes having to obtain an importer number. If to direct to consumers, the consumer can be the importer of record
• Provincial licenses may be necessary
• Tariff classification for all imports (read more about HS Codes)
• Australian Tariff classification 
• Health Canada approvals for such products
• Safe Foods for Canadians Act certifications for some food items
• Federal and provincial sales taxes (read about Canadian import fees)
• Country of Origin declaration for all imports
• Valuation is an important part of the declaration to the CBSA (read more about valuation).
• Labeling for goods to Canada may require both French and English
• Certification of origin for duty free import via CPTPP 

Modes of Shipping to Canada from Australia

There are several shipping options available for sending goods between Australia and Canada. The best option for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Factors to consider include the type and size of your shipment, the speed you require, and budget. Here are some common shipping options that you might consider:

• Air freight: This is the fastest shipping option with door to door solutions.
• Ocean freight: Most economical option for shipping full container load (FCL) for large commercial orders
• Air Cargo: For time sensitive shipments and smaller freight consignments
• Commercial carriers such as FedEx, DHL, UPS and their partners.
• Australian post: The best option to send personal shipments internationally from Australia

Shipping heavier Cargo to Canada from Australia

Transit times for ocean cargo can range from around 2 to 3 months. Air freight usually delivers in around 1 week or less.

Useful information regarding ocean shipping to Canada.

LCL Sea Freight Australia

Less than container load (LCL) is best when shipping one to several pallets to Canada. This method of sharing of container space is cost effective but takes longer. The loading, scheduling and de-consolidation process can add several weeks of transit time.

FCL Sea Freight from Australia

Full container load (FCL) can be via either 40 foot or 20 foot container. It is the fastest way to ship via ocean.

Shipping Australian Air Cargo versus Ocean Freight

Smaller cargo shipments can be less expensive than ocean freight. Air cargo has a higher per kilogram rate but far fewer minimum surcharges of ocean shipments. As a general guide, the price to ship up to around 100 kilograms is cheaper than ocean. The heavier the cargo consignment, the more cost effective ocean freight becomes.

Shipping international packages and satchels to Canada

Shipping to Canada via Australian Post

The Australia Post is the best option for individuals sending smaller parcels and personal items. For small parcels to Canada, Australia post offers International Sachels for both economy delivery (in around a week) and express (in 2-4 days). Items sent via Australian Post to Canada get delivery via Canada Post.

Australian post offers three sizes of prepaid satchels for shipping to Canada:

• Small satchel to Canada - 220 x 353mm / up to 0.5 kg
• Medium satchel to Canada - 265 x 380mm / up to 1kg
• Large satchel to Canada - 405 x 310mm /up to 2kg

There are also postal consolidators that aggregate mail for low cost postal delivery via Singapore Post and New Zealand Post. The prices compare favourably but are subject to increase with new Universal Postal Union rules.

Shipping from Australia to Canada via FedEx and UPS

FedEx and UPS are North America's largest carriers and offer - along with DHL - parcel delivery from Australia to Canada.

FedEx and UPS shipping Canada from Australia options include

• International air priority express to Canada
• International economy air shipping Canada from Australia

Shipping from Australia to Canada via Jet Worldwide

Jet Worldwide provides low cost shipping Australia to Canada along with logistics support services including warehousing, packing/ repacking and domestic distribution.

Consult with Jet Worldwide: Fill in form below for rates and support.

Jet Worldwide provides Canadian North American, Australian and global logistics. Our support refers to the various services regarding international movement of goods. This includes transport, storage, and supply chain management. Our logistics support strengthens your team by not being beholden to a specific carrier.

Note: Jet Worldwide Australia and Jet Worldwide Canada share a wonderful history but are separate companies. The companies were founded by the industry legend, Peter McPaul. Both companies remain true to an absolute commitment to customer support and a caring culture.

Shipping from Australia to Canada via Purolator Canada

Purolator is one of Canada's leading domestic carriers and offers international express delivery to Australia via partners (such as UPS). They do not provide service from Australia.

Managing returns for online orders from Canada for Australian E-commerce

Simplified processing for your customer.Contact Jet's Canadian logistics team to set up return processes for your Canadian online orders.

Benefit from CPTPP Duty free Import Australia to Canada

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement that Canada shares with Australia. The agreement reduces barriers to trade and provides preferential duty free import between each other.

Read More: Benefits of CPTPP shipping to and from Canada

Canada’s Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates are generally applicable to imports from Australia. Duty free preferential import under CPTPP apply to goods imported to Canada. Goods must meet the rules of origin outlined in the agreement. The shipment must include the origin certification.

Australia Origin Goods to Canada

Goods approved with proper “proof of origin’ supporting paperwork can export from Australia for duty free clearance in Canada.

Proof of Origin for Australian Products to Canada

The key part of all trade agreements is ensuring the goods qualify under the rules of origin. Many incorrectly assume that if goods ship from a qualifying country, they should qualify for duty free status. Determination of country of origin is not solely by where the goods are ship from.

Read More: Understanding a certificate of origin and its benefits

The country of origin rules under CPTPP but can get complex. The guidelines for country of origin qualification include:

• Goods can be originating if they a product of a CPTPP country.
• Goods can be originating if made in Canada or a CPTPP country entirely from originating materials.
• Goods are originating if they a product of Canada/CPTPP country from non-originating materials. That undergo production in Canada/ CPTPP country. Such that the resulting good satisfies the applicable product-specific rule of origin. The value of the non-originating goods included in the originating product can be dutiable.

Duty Free import for parcels sent from Australia to Canada under CPTPP

Shipments to Canada with a value less than CA $3,00

Consignments valued less than CA$3,300  do not require proof of origin to claim CPTPP at import. Goods under this value that ship via courier import via the Low Value Systems (LVS).

• A signed statement completed by the importer, exporter or producer certifying that the goods originated from a CPTPP country
• This statement is a requirement on the commercial invoice. We recommend adding an additional stand alone statement/ supporting document.
• The goods must meet the origin rules. For example, marks to indicate the goods are not a product of a CPTPP country will disqualify the goods.

Canadian and Australia companies can more easily take advantage of duty free clearance via CPTPP provisions.

• Proof of origin requirements under Canada's free trade agreements
• The value for duty amount for with a proof of origin requirement is up to $3,300 CAD. But we recommend you include it.
• The requirement to maintain records (for example, commercial invoice and B3) applies to all imports.

Jet Worldwide helps Australian companies access the Canadian market with low cost shipping, delivery and clearance

CPTPP Proof of Origin for shipments to Canada from Australia.
Preferential tariff / duty free treatment applies for qualifying Canada Origin goods that include a "certification origin." The imported goods to Canada must originate and ship from a CPTPP ratified country.

Rather than a separate certificate of origin, a statement on the shipping documents is acceptable. A statement on the invoice can be used to qualify the goods for duty free preferential treatment.

The statement / certification is from the exporter or producer and presented at time of import. The information can part of the commercial Invoice accompanying the shipment. We recommend also to include a separate document.

The data elements do not have to follow a specific format. The minimum data elements include:

• Indicate the Certifier (Importer, Exporter or Producer)
• Name, Address and Contact Information of the Certifier
• Name, Address and Contact Information of the Exporter (if different from the certifier)
• Name, Address and Contact Information of the Producer (if different from the certifier, or exporter)
• Name, Address and Contact Information of the Importer
• Description and HS Tariff Classification for the Goods
• Origin Criterion for the Goods
• Blanket Period (or note if for one time shipment)
• Authorization Signature and Date
• Name, Date and Signature of the person certifying the goods.

For full details regarding the minimum data requirements for the certification of origin, refer to Annex 3-B of the consolidated TPP text / CPTPP agreement.