Shipping to Canada from Vietnam

Canada is one of Vietnam’s most established trading partners in North America, supported by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) which has streamlined customs and tariff procedures for qualifying Vietnamese goods. With approximately 200,000 Canadian visitors arriving in Vietnam each year, plus a sizeable Vietnamese-Canadian diaspora across Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and Ottawa, demand for reliable Vietnam-to-Canada shipping has grown rapidly. Gateway Express delivers across all 10 provinces and 3 territories—from major metropolitan centres to remote northern communities—with deep familiarity with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) clearance and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulations.

Whether you are exporting commercial goods, sending agricultural products, or shipping personal parcels and gifts to family in Canada, our team coordinates pickup, professional packing, customs paperwork, and last-mile delivery so your shipment arrives safely.

Our Shipping Services to Canada

Express Delivery (3-5 Business Days)

Express shipping to Canada uses premium carriers including DHL Express, FedEx International Priority, and UPS Worldwide Express, with priority handling at both origin and destination.

Express service features:

• Guaranteed 3-5 business day delivery to major Canadian cities
• Priority CBSA customs clearance
• Real-time tracking with English-language Canadian support
• Delivery to metro areas and most regional centres nationwide
• Temperature-controlled options for time-sensitive goods
• Saturday delivery available in most major cities
• Suitable for urgent documents, perishable goods, time-critical commercial freight

Delivery times by region:

• Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa: 3-4 days
• Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg: 4-5 days
• Halifax, Quebec City: 4-5 days
• Northern territories (Yellowknife, Whitehorse): 5-6 days

Why express to Canada: Faster transit minimises CBSA inspection holds and is recommended for any food product, perishable, or high-value commercial item.

Standard Delivery (7-14 Business Days)

Standard shipping balances reliability with cost efficiency—suitable for non-urgent shipments, bulk commercial freight, and personal effects.

Standard service benefits:

• Competitive pricing for parcels up to 30kg
• Full tracking from origin to destination
• Door-to-door delivery to all provinces and territories
• Consolidation options for multiple shipments
• Reliable transit window of 7-14 business days
• Works well for non-perishable goods, commercial inventory, and personal parcels

Cost savings: Standard shipping typically costs significantly less than express while adding only a week to transit time.

What You Can Ship to Canada

Agricultural Products and Food

Canada is a meaningful market for Vietnamese agricultural exports such as coffee, cashews, tea, dried tropical fruits, and packaged seafood. The CFIA regulates food imports and Vietnamese exporters must meet specific labelling, processing, and documentation standards.

Popular agricultural exports:

• Roasted coffee (whole bean and ground), instant coffee
• Vacuum-sealed processed seafood
• Dried fruits, cashews, and packaged nuts
• Tea and herbal infusions
• Rice and rice-based products
• Packaged snacks and confectionery
• Sauces and condiments in commercial packaging

CFIA import requirements:

• Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR): Importers must hold a valid SFCR licence for many food categories
• Bilingual labelling: English and French ingredients, allergens, country of origin
• Nutrition facts table: Required for most pre-packaged retail food
• Import declarations: Submitted via CBSA’s Single Window for commercial shipments
• Phytosanitary certificates: Required for specific plant products
• Health certificates: Needed for animal-derived foods

Prohibited or tightly restricted food items:

• Fresh meat, poultry, and uncooked dairy
• Fresh fruits and vegetables (without permits)
• Live plants, seeds, and untreated soil
• Eggs and unpasteurised dairy products
• Raw seafood without proper certification

Gateway Express CFIA support:

• SFCR licence guidance for first-time importers
• Bilingual label review
• Phytosanitary certificate coordination
• Communication with CFIA inspectors when shipments are flagged
• Vietnam-side packaging that meets Canadian retail standards

Commercial Goods and Consumer Products

Vietnamese manufactured goods are well-received in the Canadian market, with CPTPP preferential tariffs making many product categories highly competitive.

Common commercial shipments:

• Textiles and ready-made garments
• Footwear and leather goods
• Furniture, including rattan and lacquered pieces
• Home décor and handicrafts
• Electronics and accessories
• Sporting goods
• Cosmetics (Health Canada compliant)
• Baby and children’s products

CPTPP benefits for commercial shippers:

• Preferential tariff rates—often 0%—for eligible Vietnamese goods
• Reduced or eliminated customs duties on textiles, footwear, and many consumer goods
• Streamlined origin declarations
• Cost advantages versus non-CPTPP competitors

Commercial shipping advantages:

• Accurate HS code classification for Canadian tariff schedule
• Duty calculation and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) options
• GST/HST collection coordination
• Volume discounts for regular shippers

Documents and Business Papers

Document shipments to Canada are straightforward and arrive within express service windows.

Document shipping includes:

• Contracts and legal agreements
• Financial documents and invoices
• Technical drawings and specifications
• Certificates, transcripts, and diplomas
• Business correspondence
• Personal identity documents (with appropriate handling)

Document service features:

• Express 3-4 day delivery to major cities
• Sealed, tamper-evident envelopes
• Signature confirmation on delivery
• Standard insurance up to declared limits
• No customs duties on documents

Personal Effects and Gifts

Sending personal items or gifts to family in Canada is a common request—we handle gift declarations carefully to keep duties accurate.

Personal items we ship:

• Clothing, áo dài, and accessories
• Books and printed materials
• Electronics and gadgets
• Souvenirs and handicrafts
• Personal care items in commercial packaging
• Vietnamese coffee and tea (commercially sealed)

Important for personal packages:

• No fresh meat, dairy, plants, or seeds
• Wood-based items must be commercially manufactured or treated
• Used textiles should be clean and odour-free
• Accurate value declaration is required—undervaluation can void insurance

Gift considerations:

• Gifts up to CAD 60 between individuals are exempt from duty and tax
• Gifts above CAD 60 are taxed only on the amount over the threshold
• Gift declaration must be marked clearly on the customs paperwork
• Multiple gifts to the same recipient may be aggregated by CBSA

Customs and Documentation

Required Documents

CBSA expects complete and accurate documentation for every commercial and non-commercial shipment.

Essential shipping documents:

1. Commercial Invoice (for commercial goods)

   • Detailed item descriptions in English (and French where helpful)
   • Unit prices and total declared value in CAD or USD
   • Correct 10-digit Canadian HS codes
   • Sender, importer of record, and final consignee details
   • Country of origin
   • Invoice date and reference number

2. Packing List

   • Item-by-item breakdown with quantities
   • Net and gross weights in kilograms
   • Carton dimensions in centimetres
   • Marks and numbers on outer packaging

3. Canada Customs Invoice (CCI)

   • Required for commercial shipments above CAD 3,300
   • Provides additional CBSA-specific data fields
   • Often combined with the commercial invoice

4. Certificate of Origin (for CPTPP claims)

   • Issued by Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)
   • Required to claim preferential tariff treatment
   • Must satisfy CPTPP rules of origin

5. Import Permits (product-specific)

   • SFCR licence for many food categories
   • Phytosanitary certificate for plant products
   • Health Canada authorisation for medicines and certain cosmetics
   • CITES permits for any restricted wildlife-origin materials

6. Bilingual Labelling Compliance

   • Pre-packaged retail food must show English and French
   • Ingredients, allergens, nutrition facts, and country of origin
   • Cosmetics and consumer products have parallel labelling rules

Canadian Customs Duties and Taxes

Canada charges customs duties on dutiable goods plus federal and provincial sales taxes at delivery.

Tax structure:

• Customs Duty: Varies by HS classification (typically 0%-18%); many CPTPP-eligible Vietnamese goods are duty-free
• GST (Goods and Services Tax): 5% federal, applied to most imports
• HST/PST/QST: Varies by province (combined 5%-15%) for goods released to provinces with harmonised or provincial sales tax
• Excise Duty: Applies to alcohol, tobacco, and fuel

De minimis and gift thresholds:

• CAD 20 general de minimis—shipments up to this value are normally duty- and tax-free
• CAD 60 gift threshold between individuals
• Above these thresholds, duty (if any) plus GST/HST applies
• Provincial taxes vary: 5% in Alberta, 13% in Ontario, 15% in Atlantic provinces

CPTPP preferential tariffs: Vietnamese exporters can claim 0% or reduced duty on many product categories under CPTPP. Gateway Express assists with:

• Eligibility assessment for preferential rates
• VCCI certificate of origin preparation
• Rules of origin verification
• Calculating CPTPP duty savings

Common duty rates for Vietnamese exports to Canada:

• Coffee: 0%
• Tea: 0%
• Textiles and garments: 0% with CPTPP (otherwise up to 18%)
• Footwear: 0%-8% (reduced under CPTPP)
• Ceramics and pottery: 0%-7%
• Furniture: 0%-9.5%
• Lacquerware and handicrafts: 0%-7%
• Seafood: 0%

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Canadian regulations protect public health, safety, and the environment, with strict enforcement on food, plant, and animal products.

Absolutely prohibited items:

• Fresh meat, poultry, and unpasteurised dairy from non-approved countries
• Live animals without import authorisation
• Endangered species or products derived from them
• Asbestos-containing materials
• Counterfeit goods
• Certain weapons and prohibited firearms
• Hate propaganda or obscene material

Restricted items requiring permits or licences:

• Food products: SFCR licence for most categories
• Plant materials: Phytosanitary certificate; soil prohibited
• Animal products: Export health certificate from Vietnam
• Firearms and ammunition: Import licence required
• Alcohol and tobacco: Provincial liquor authority permits
• Pharmaceuticals and supplements: Health Canada authorisation
• Cosmetics: Must meet Cosmetic Regulations
• Wood and bamboo crafts: Treated or commercially manufactured only

Risk items requiring careful declaration:

• Any food, including dried goods, sauces, and spices
• Wooden, bamboo, or rattan crafts
• Items made from leather, wool, silk, or other animal materials
• Used outdoor equipment that may carry soil
• Traditional medicines and herbal remedies

Penalties for non-compliance:

• Administrative monetary penalties starting around CAD 200
• Goods seizure at owner’s expense
• Repeated violations may result in import bans
• Criminal prosecution for serious cases

Key principle: When in doubt, declare it. Honest declarations are processed faster and with fewer issues than items flagged at inspection.

Why Choose Gateway Express?

Canada Customs Specialists

Our team understands the practical realities of CBSA and CFIA clearance, from paperwork details to inspection patterns.

Our Canadian market expertise:

• Familiarity with CBSA Single Window declarations
• Experience with SFCR licence applications and compliance
• CPTPP certificate of origin preparation
• Coordination with Canadian customs brokers across provinces
• Successful track record with food, art, and commercial freight

Agricultural and Specialty Food Shipping

Shipping food to Canada requires both regulatory knowledge and packaging discipline.

Food shipping services:

• SFCR licence guidance and documentation
• Bilingual label review for retail-ready products
• Phytosanitary certificate coordination
• Temperature-controlled express options
• CFIA-compliant packaging
• Communication with inspectors when shipments are held

Complete Door-to-Door Service

We handle every step from pickup in Vietnam to delivery anywhere in Canada.

Service process:

1. Free pickup in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang
2. Professional packaging to CFIA and carrier standards
3. Complete documentation including bilingual labels and origin certificates
4. Vietnam export clearance handled efficiently
5. International transit via DHL, FedEx, or UPS
6. CBSA and CFIA clearance with broker support if needed
7. Final delivery to the recipient’s home or business address

CPTPP Trade Expertise

We help Vietnamese exporters maximise CPTPP benefits to Canada.

CPTPP services:

• Eligibility assessment for preferential tariffs
• VCCI certificate of origin preparation
• Rules of origin verification
• Duty savings calculation
• Documentation review prior to shipment

Real-Time Tracking

Track every shipment from Vietnam to Canada with end-to-end visibility.

Tracking features:

• Online portal accessible 24/7
• SMS and email notifications at key milestones
• CBSA clearance status updates
• Delivery appointment notifications
• Proof of delivery with signature
• Customer support in Vietnamese and English

100% Package Insurance

Every shipment includes insurance coverage as standard.

Insurance coverage:

• Full declared value protection
• No additional cost for standard coverage
• Quick claims process
• Enhanced coverage available for art, electronics, and high-value commercial freight

Transparent Pricing

We provide tailored quotes rather than published per-kilogram rates because every shipment to Canada has different weight, dimensions, fuel surcharges, and clearance requirements.

Pricing approach:

• Contact us for current rates—we respond within 30 minutes
• Volume discounts for regular shippers
• No hidden fees
• Flexible payment terms for business accounts
• WhatsApp, email, or phone—whatever is easiest

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping from Vietnam to Canada take?

Express shipping via DHL, FedEx, or UPS typically delivers to Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa within 3-4 business days from pickup in Vietnam. Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, and Quebec City average 4-5 days. Northern territories such as Yellowknife and Whitehorse may need 5-6 days due to onward connections. Standard shipping ranges from 7-14 business days depending on the final destination. CBSA inspection or CFIA review can add 1-3 days for food and agricultural products, so express service is recommended for perishables. Properly documented shipments with accurate declarations and CPTPP certificates of origin (when claimed) typically move through customs more quickly.

What are Canada’s food import requirements?

Canada regulates food imports under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Most commercial food importers must hold an SFCR licence and submit declarations through CBSA’s Single Window. Pre-packaged retail food must carry bilingual (English and French) labelling showing ingredients, allergens, nutrition facts, and country of origin. Plant-origin products may require a phytosanitary certificate, while animal-derived foods need export health certificates from Vietnam. Fresh meat, unpasteurised dairy, fresh produce, and live plants are typically prohibited or require special permits. Gateway Express assists with SFCR licence guidance, label review, certificate coordination, and packaging that meets Canadian retail standards. We strongly recommend consulting us before shipping food so the paperwork is right the first time.

Can I claim duty-free shipping under CPTPP?

Yes—Canada is a CPTPP member and many Vietnamese products qualify for 0% or reduced duty under the agreement. To claim preferential treatment, you need a certificate of origin issued by Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), confirming your goods meet CPTPP rules of origin. Categories that frequently benefit include coffee, tea, textiles and garments, footwear, seafood, ceramics, furniture, and lacquerware. Without CPTPP, duties on textiles can reach 18% and footwear up to 8%, so the savings are substantial. Gateway Express helps assess CPTPP eligibility, prepare certificate of origin applications, verify rules of origin, and calculate exact duty savings before you ship.

What about gifts and personal shipments?

Canada allows gifts between individuals up to CAD 60 to clear duty- and tax-free. Above CAD 60, duty (if applicable) and GST/HST apply only to the amount over the threshold—not the full value. The shipment must be marked clearly as a gift on the customs paperwork, and commercial-style descriptions or invoices undermine the gift treatment. Personal effects from former Vietnamese residents moving to Canada have separate rules under the Settler’s Effects programme. For tourist parcels and souvenirs sent home from Vietnam, see our tourist shipping service which covers customs guidance, packing, and door-to-door delivery for non-commercial parcels.

What items absolutely cannot be shipped to Canada?

Canada prohibits fresh meat, poultry, and unpasteurised dairy from non-approved countries; live animals without authorisation; endangered species and their products; asbestos-containing materials; counterfeit goods; prohibited firearms; and hate propaganda or obscene material. Restricted items requiring permits include food (SFCR licence), plant materials (phytosanitary certificate), animal products (health certificate), firearms and ammunition (import licence), alcohol and tobacco (provincial permits), pharmaceuticals (Health Canada authorisation), and cosmetics (Cosmetic Regulations compliance). Items requiring careful declaration include any food product, wooden or bamboo crafts, leather and wool items, used outdoor equipment, and traditional or herbal remedies. Penalties for non-compliance start with administrative monetary penalties around CAD 200 and can escalate to seizure, import bans, or prosecution. Always consult Gateway Express before shipping items you are uncertain about—we will verify current regulations and advise on permits or alternatives.

For authoritative guidance, consult the Canada Border Services Agency for customs procedures and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for food, plant, and animal import rules.

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For Tourists & Visitors

Visiting Vietnam and want to ship souvenirs home to Canada?

• Duty-free allowance: CAD 20 (CAD 60 for gifts) — GST/HST applies above thresholds
• Typical delivery: 4-6 business days via DHL, FedEx, or UPS
• Most popular items: Vietnamese coffee, Bát Tràng ceramics, sơn mài lacquerware, tailored áo dài
• Watch out for: CFIA food rules — commercially packaged only; no fresh meat or dairy; alcohol and tobacco need permits

Get a free tourist shipping quote → · See Canada duty rules →

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Ready to ship to Canada? Contact Gateway Express for CBSA-compliant, reliable service with transparent pricing.

📞 Hotline: 0938 373 343
📧 Email: info@gatewayexpress.com.vn
🏢 Office: 72/5 Giai Phong St., Tan Son Nhat Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Your trusted partner for Vietnam-Canada shipping.

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Packaging & shipping operations at the Gateway Express warehouse

Gateway Express staff packing parcels

Team sorting and preparing international shipments

Warehouse staging area for international freight

Gateway Express warehouse ready for dispatch

Weighing and labelling parcels for shipment

Carefully packaged parcels awaiting pickup

Prices in USD. Rate: 1 USD = 26,500 VND

Economy 2026

Transit time:7-14days·VND·Chưa VAT 8%

Per-kg rates (≤ 20kg)

Per-kg rates (≤ 20kg)

Weight (kg)	Price (USD)
0.5 kg	$53.92
1 kg	$59.42
1.5 kg	$64.95
2 kg	$70.31
2.5 kg	$75.59
3 kg	$81.09
3.5 kg	$86.54
4 kg	$92.44
4.5 kg	$98.22
5 kg	$104.50
5.5 kg	$111.81
6 kg	$119.17
6.5 kg	$124.64
7 kg	$130.21
7.5 kg	$135.91
8 kg	$141.40
8.5 kg	$146.87
9 kg	$152.73
9.5 kg	$158.19
10 kg	$163.54

Weight (kg)	Price (USD)
10.5 kg	$172.83
11 kg	$178.35
11.5 kg	$187.55
12 kg	$193.07
12.5 kg	$198.59
13 kg	$204.11
13.5 kg	$209.63
14 kg	$215.37
14.5 kg	$220.66
15 kg	$229.68
15.5 kg	$238.04
16 kg	$247.33
16.5 kg	$252.85
17 kg	$258.37
17.5 kg	$263.89
18 kg	$269.41
18.5 kg	$274.93
19 kg	$280.45
19.5 kg	$285.97
20 kg	$291.49

Bulk rates (>20kg)

Bulk rates (>20kg)

Weight range	Rate (USD/kg)
21–25 kg	$12.91/kg
26–30 kg	$12.72/kg
31–40 kg	$12.53/kg
41–70 kg	$12.34/kg
71–500 kg	$12.15/kg

Calculate exact price by weight →

Updated: 2026-06-08

Final invoice issued in VND. USD amounts are approximate.

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Why Choose Gateway Express?

Vietnam's leading international shipping service

Free Door Pickup

Door Pickup

We pick up packages from your address

Delivery to Canada

Door Delivery

Delivered directly to the recipient

100% Value Insurance

Full Insurance

Complete peace of mind for every shipment

Real-Time Tracking

24/7 Tracking

Track your shipment anytime, anywhere

Hotline 24/7: 0938 373 343 | 0944 247 267