Required documentation for exporting to Canada
a) Commercial invoice
The commercial invoice is the main document required for customs clearance it must always include the following information: date, seller’s and buyer’s addresses, product description, number of units, currency, unit price, total price, shipping details, country of origin, terms of payment and terms of delivery (Incoterms).
Shipments exceeding CAD2,500 by a Canada customs invoice (CCI) or an equivalent commercial invoice. Swiss exporters can use their own commercial invoice template instead of the CCI, as long as all the information required on the CCI is provided on the document.
If freight and insurance costs are paid by the Swiss exporter and included in the sales price, it is recommended to indicate freight and insurance costs separately on the invoice. Unlike in Europe, the declared value considered by Canadian customs is the transaction value (or sales price), which excludes freight and insurance costs.
Regardless of their value, if the goods comply with the Canada-EFTA Free Trade Agreement’s rules of origin, the following origin declaration must be inserted on the commercial invoice in order to benefit from the duty-free treatment:
«The exporter of the products covered by this document [customs authorization No. ...] declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of Canada/EFTA preferential origin.
.................................................. Place and date
.................................................. Signature and printed name of the exporter»
The HS code (Harmonized System) may be shown on the invoice, preferably the first six digits, unless the full 10-digit Canadian HS code is known.
b) Packing list
Providing a detailed packing list is recommended to facilitate potential customs inspection and/or eventual cargo claims.
c) Food imports
All food and plant imports must be cleared through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in addition to the CBSA. The CFIA administers the Safe Food for Canadians Act, which requires all food importers to have an SFC license.
d) Standards
Canadian standards apply on many products like the CSA or UL standards, similar to the C.E. standard. The source of information for this is the Standards Council of Canada:
e) Others
Other documents may be necessary depending on the nature of the goods and/or if requested by the customer, like health certificates, phytosanitary certificates, etc.
Detailed information on the import formalities in Canada applicable to your products is also available in our free customs database.
Sanctions / Embargoes / Export Controls
At the time of writing, there are no sanctions or embargoes in place against Canada. However, this can change at any time, which is why we recommend that you clarify before each export whether corresponding measures have been imposed. Certain products and product groups, such as dual-use items, also require an export license for delivery to non-sanctioned countries.
S-GE tips
a) Incoterms
In principle, all Incoterms clauses can be used for deliveries to Canada. However, DDP is demanding as it puts all responsibilities and costs on the exporter’s shoulders, who then becomes a “non-resident importer”.
It requires careful planning and consideration through a trade adviser, customs broker and/or accountant, obtaining an importer number, registering for GST, etc.
b) Terms of payment
Canadian customers may object to paying for goods in advance and Swiss exporters may not want to extend credit, at least at the beginning of a business relationship. In this case, it is advisable to request the opening of an irrevocable Documentary Letter of Credit (UCP600 rules) by the customer before shipping goods. Another good option, though slightly less secure, would be to work on a Cash Against Document or Documentary Collection basis (URC 522 rules).
All information is provided for guidance only and is neither exhaustive nor legally binding
