Reference
Canadian customs guide
How parcels clear customs when arriving in Canada, and what the common terms actually mean.
Customs clearance
Every international parcel is reviewed by the Canada Border Services Agency. Most parcels clear automatically, but some are held for inspection or additional documentation.
Duties and taxes
Duties depend on the item's tariff classification and country of origin. GST — and, in some provinces, PST or HST — applies to most imported goods above the current de minimis threshold. Rules change; verify current thresholds before shipping.
Declared value
The declared value must reflect what was paid for the item, including shipping. Under-declaring is not permitted and can result in seizure, penalties or delays.
Brokerage and import fees
Courier carriers often charge brokerage fees for clearing shipments through customs on your behalf. These are separate from duties and taxes. Canada Post uses a fixed handling fee.
Gifts
Genuine person-to-person gifts under the current gift threshold may be duty-free, provided the sender marks the parcel appropriately. Commercial items marked as gifts do not qualify.
Returns
Returning goods to a foreign sender is not automatically duty-free. Retain original import documentation when possible.
Related status explainers
This is a reference resource, not customs or legal advice. For binding rulings, consult the Canada Border Services Agency or a licensed customs broker.