Canada Import Restrictions
In order to enter Canada, certain goods are subject to specific controls and, regardless of their value and quantity, they require the consent of Canada government, preferably, license must be obtained prior to passage through the customs, preventing the goods from being retained. On this page, you will see what kinds of items are prohibited from entering the Canada, and which items need special documentation before exporting to Canada.
Import restrictions
Senders should determine import restrictions from Canadian authorities before posting:
- Bees and bees’ wax
- Condensed and dehydrated milk
- Conserves of fruits and vegetables
- Films
- Fish and fishery products
- Fruit, wheat, potatoes, onions
- Liquids and oils
- Manufactured goods bearing insufficient markings of origin
- Meat and meat products
- Medical and radiation emitting devices
- Medicines
- Plants
- Weapons and parts of weapons
Coins
Canada admits coins addressed to coin dealers or collectors only if uninsured.
Special documentation
Invoice
Commercial consignments valued at more than $C1200 need a certified invoice. The sender should send three copies separately to the addressee and include one copy in the article.
Gifts
Canada admits duty-free gifts up to $C60 in value that are labelled unsolicited gift.
Prohibitions
In addition to items prohibited by Dangerous and Prohibited Goods & Packaging Post Guide and ECI International Courier Regulations, Canada prohibits:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Animals and animal products
- Albuminoidal substances
- Bee-keeping apparatus, used
- Contraceptive devices and literature
- Essential oils
- Firearms and firearm parts
- Intoxicating liquors
- Inorganic and organic chemicals
- Lottery tickets and advertising
- Margarine or butter substitutes
- Mineral fuels and oils
- Metallic labels
- Periodicals
- Plumages
- Pharmaceutical products
- Prison-made goods
- Reprints of Canadian or British copyrighted works
- Seeds
- Soil, salts, minerals and waxes
- Toys, games and sports requisites – simulating explosive devices or munitions
- Tanning or dyeing extracts
- Wood, articles of wood, wood charcoal
- Weapons.
Transporting food of any kind is prohibited under ECI Platinum.
Alcoholic Beverages
The Importation of alcoholic beverages (including wine) to Canada is strictly prohibited unless being mailed to a Provincial Liquor Board or Commission, or to a manufacturer or distributor of such beverages in Canada.
Samples must be sent by freight methods; they cannot be sent by Australia Post. Licensed distillers and authorised agents cannot import alcohol into Ontario by Australia Post.
