International Packing and Shipping Tips: How to Ship to Canada
International shipping always comes with additional concerns — and yes, that includes shipping from the United States to our friendly neighbor in the north, Canada! Here are a few international packing and shipping tips to help you keep the process painless:
Pack Your Item As Securely As Possible
International shipping, even to Canada, puts packages through additional layers of scrutiny and handling. What happens to your package as it passes through customs isn’t controllable by your shipper.
This is where having the highest quality packing is key. Your item is going a long way and will inevitably be handled by more people than a domestic package, so using an international shipper that offers packing services is crucial!
Know What Can and Cannot Ship to Canada
If you’re familiar with what you’re allowed to ship domestically, you already have a good idea of what’s accepted to cross the border from the United States to Canada. However, there are still some quirks and important restrictions to be aware of.
For a few quick examples:
- Firearms require applying for documentation before shipping to Canada.
- Most forms of currency can only be sent as First-Class Package International Service with Registered Mail service, with some exceptions.
- All packages must be large enough to have room for the 5.5″ x 9.5″ Global Express shipping label to be applied.
- Prison-made goods are completely prohibited.
- Butter substitutes are prohibited.
As you can likely gather from this list, some international shipping rules are intuitive while others are relatively obscure. You can read the full details on restrictions and requirements for shipping to Canada here.
Shipping From Houston, TX
You can have your items professionally packed and shipped right in Houston, TX. The best way to get started is to apply for a quote for your particular Canadian shipping needs.
If you’d like to learn more about shipping to Canada, contact us at Pack n Send, and we’ll be happy to help!
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