Import duties Canada
Wondering how import duties work for Canada? If you receive a parcel from Canada, expect costs such as import duties and VAT, because Canada is not part of the European Union. In most cases you pay these costs as the recipient, but you can of course agree something else with the sender. How much are the import duties on parcels from Canada, and who pays them? Read on.
How to calculate import duties for Canada
Want to work out the import duties for a parcel from Canada? It's hard to calculate the exact amount yourself in advance, but there are online tools that give you an estimate of import duties (in Dutch). Customs sets the final amount when the goods are imported. The Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Administration) website has some worked examples of import duties (in Dutch). On this page you can read everything about import duties and VAT.
ParcelParcel's import duties calculator
Get an instant estimate of the import duties and VAT for your shipment, with the right HS code and what to put on your customs invoice.
Calculate your import duties at the top of this page ↑
Import duties or import tax from Canada: who pays?
As a rule, the recipient of the parcel pays the import duties. So when you import something or order from an online shop, you pay the import tax, or import duties. The sender can also pay the import duties, but it's wise to agree on this in advance. Import tax on parcels from Canada
is usually paid on delivery at the door. Or the carrier contacts the recipient in advance and asks them to pay the import duties and VAT. Don't want any surprises when you import goods from Canada? Then check whether you, as the recipient, pay the import duties or the business sending your shipment does.
Sending a parcel the other way, to Canada? Then Canadian duties and taxes usually apply for the recipient there. Gifts from friends and relatives worth CAN$60 or less are free of duty and tax. If a gift is worth more, duty and tax may be charged. Alcohol, tobacco and goods sent by a business don't count as gifts.
Look up an HS code with ParcelParcel
How do you stop yourself or your recipient from paying too much in import duties or extra costs? A correct commodity code, called an HS code, on the customs invoice makes sure your shipment is handled correctly. Customs uses this code to work out how much import duty and other import taxes you pay. We've built a tool in MyParcelParcel that lets you look up HS codes from a description. It also works the other way round: check whether a description matches an HS code. You need a MyParcelParcel account to use our HS code tool. You can sign up for MyParcelParcel for free. This page shows how the ParcelParcel HS code tool works.
More information?
Read everything you need to know about sending a parcel to Canada. Still have questions about import duties, VAT or the customs clearance process? Contact us via Live Chat (weekdays 08:00-17:30). Our support specialists are happy to help. You can also reach us by phone or email.
