Postal Program -- Importing by Mail

How the process works

As with all goods coming into Canada, a proper declaration must be made on any items being imported by mail to enable border services officers (BSOs) to correctly assess the incoming goods.

• When an item is mailed to Canada from abroad, the sender completes a customs declaration form giving the value, origin and a detailed description of the goods.
• Upon arrival in Canada, all international mail items are presented by Canada Post to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to process through the Agency’s Postal Program.
• BSOs visually inspect each piece of mail to determine its admissibility and confirm whether it contains dutiable or taxable goods. If the BSO determines that a mail item is not prohibited from entering Canada and is not subject to duties or taxes, the item is released to Canada Post for immediate delivery.
• Otherwise, the BSO forwards the item for further inspection by the CBSA or by another government department or agency before the item can continue in the postal process.

For more details on importing goods by mail:

Taxes and Fees	Sending and Receiving
Duty, Taxes and Handling Fees on Items Mailed to You Goods and services tax (GST) Harmonized sales tax (HST) Provincial sales tax (PST) Disputing Duty and Taxes	Returning to Sender Your Requirements as a Sender Tracing Your Sent Parcel Receiving Gifts in the Mail
Prohibited and Controlled Goods	International Imports
Importing Prohibited and Controlled Goods Importing Personal Firearms and Weapons	Foreign Magazine Subscriptions Mailing Goods to Canada While Abroad For Canadian Immigrants – Sending your personal effects to Canada

Contact Information

For more information: Contact Us, or refer to one of the CBSA’s Casual Refund Centres.