Sending to Canada: at a glance
- Duty-free limit
- Courier imports with value for duty not exceeding CAD 20, 40 or 150 may be exempt from duty and taxes depending on conditions; under CUSMA courier shipments from the US or Mexico have a CAD 150 duty and CAD 40 tax de minimis (courier only, mail excluded; follows the place of direct shipment).
- Tax above the limit
- GST of 5% is generally applied to imported mail unless an exemption applies; provincial taxes may also apply.
- Used personal items
- Personal exemption for returning residents (goods mailed or couriered home count toward it); personal effects tariff item 9805.00.00 for settlers and former residents
- Put in the parcel
- Customs declaration or commercial/pro-forma invoice with a description and value of each item.
- A gift card or notice if claiming the CAD 60 gift exemption.
- Form E24 copy if goods were mailed home while abroad.
These are the usual rules. Customs and courier rules can change at any time, so confirm with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) before sending.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)What can you usually send?
MedicinesUsually limited
- Prescription drugs, tobacco, certain foods, plants, seeds, animal parts, currency: The postal service lists these as controlled items needing special handling, often an import permit; CBSA may refuse entry otherwise.
Vapes and e-cigarettesUsually limited
- Vaping products: Governed by several federal laws and regulations; check with the CBSA before posting vaping products.
Alcohol and tobaccoUsually limited
- Prescription drugs, tobacco, certain foods, plants, seeds, animal parts, currency: The postal service lists these as controlled items needing special handling, often an import permit; CBSA may refuse entry otherwise.
- Tobacco: Not eligible for the CAD 20 exemption or the gift exemption.
Food, plants and animal productsUsually limited
- Prescription drugs, tobacco, certain foods, plants, seeds, animal parts, currency: The postal service lists these as controlled items needing special handling, often an import permit; CBSA may refuse entry otherwise.
Cash, gold and jewelleryUsually limited
- Prescription drugs, tobacco, certain foods, plants, seeds, animal parts, currency: The postal service lists these as controlled items needing special handling, often an import permit; CBSA may refuse entry otherwise.
Drugs and narcoticsUsually not allowed
- Cannabis and cannabis products including CBD derived from cannabis or hemp: Illegal to import without a valid permit or exemption; mail can be examined.
Your own used itemsUsual rules
- Goods mailed home while abroad are declared on Form E24 on return and a copy must be kept to claim them; they are subject to the traveller personal exemption limits.
- Goods sent by courier and counted toward the personal exemption are documented on BSF192 and only for trips that qualify for the 7-day exemption; no alcohol or tobacco.
- Personal effects under tariff item 9805.00.00 are ineligible for the Courier Low Value Shipment Program and must be accounted for on BSF18 (Personal Effects Accounting Document).
- Form E24
- BSF192
- BSF18 Personal Effects Accounting Document
- B2G CBSA Informal Adjustment Request (refund of duty and taxes on goods returned to sender)
Anything not listed here (clothes, bags, toys, your own used things) usually follows the standard parcel rules and the duty-free limit above.
Send it yourself
- Ask the office holding it whether they post items, or who may collect it for you (a written authorisation and a copy of your ID).
- Someone collects it and packs it securely.
- Book a courier with a clear description and value; outside the EU it needs electronic customs data.
- The receiver pays any import duty or tax on arrival.
Offices usually work Greek office hours, and staff may answer in Greek. A service we recommend can make the calls and handle the pickup for you.
Rather not do it yourself? Couriers we recommend
Ask whether they can collect it from the office that has it, pack it and send it, and help with the customs paperwork. Ask for the price first.
Family-run Athens courier since 1988. Sends parcels within Greece and abroad, helps with customs clearance, and can store extra bags for travellers and deliver them later. Ask for a price on their website.
We recommend services we think are useful; some may pay us a fee if you book. Prices and terms are set by the service, so check them before you book.
More details
How to do it
- Send by courier with a customs invoice listing each item, its value and “used personal effects”.
- If you are a Canadian resident and the item is your own, CBSA has forms for personal effects (listed below). Fill them in before the parcel arrives — it avoids paying and claiming back later.
- The courier or broker collects any duty and tax from the receiver. You can also pay at a CBSA office yourself.
Good to know
- Duties and taxes are normally collected by the courier or customs broker; CBSA refers questions about brokerage, shipping and handling fees to the courier or broker.
- You can also self-account: refuse delivery, tell the courier you will pay duties and taxes at a CBSA office and provide proof of payment.
- CBSA's Casual Refund Program refunds duties and taxes on goods returned to the sender, with proof of payment; refunds under CAD 2.00 are not considered.
- CBSA has paused new applications to the Courier Low Value Shipment Program until further notice.