Maximum Coverage = Maximum Declared Value for Carriage for the Priority™ Worldwide service.
* see Canada Post Prices for more information.
** No coverage is available on food items.
Import Restrictions
Senders should determine import restrictions from the country's authorities before posting:
alcoholic beverages
animals and animal products
boxes that formerly contained prohibited or hazardous goods
coffee and tea
controlled substances such as narcotics, hallucinogenic, stimulant or depressant drugs
cosmetics
dairy products
food for human or animal consumption*
fruits, nuts and citrus peels
game and hunting trophies
gold
hides
livestock
medications
meat and fish, including their by products
pharmaceutical products**
plants and seeds
skins
soil and organic fertilizers
textile and clothing
tobacco and tobacco products
vegetable and other plant products
weapons
wheat and gluten products
wool.
USA admits duty-free unsolicited genuine personal gifts not exceeding $100US in value (excluding tobacco products and alcohol-based perfume).
Alcohol
The importation of alcohol is governed by both Federal and state laws. In general, the Federal Government allows a reasonable amount of alcohol to be imported in a household goods shipment. If Customs feel the amount is excessive, Customs will require the importer to hire a licensed alcohol importer to file a commercial entry. Domestic importers should check with state regulations before importing, as state laws vary.
* All commercial shipments of food to the United States must be preceded by a Prior Notice of shipment. This includes mail items containing food for human or animal consumption, dietary supplements, vitamins and food additives or colour. Articles of food which have been non-commercially prepared by an individual in his own residence and sent to another individual as a non-commercial gift are exempt from the requirement for a Prior Notice. More information on the Prior Notice can be obtained from the USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
** See Documentation Required below.
Prohibited Items
In addition to items considered non-mailable matter by the Canada Post Corporation Act & Regulations (refer to the Canada Postal Guide under "Non-mailable Matter"), the following are prohibited:
absinthe
alcoholic beverages above 5% alcohol content
all animals (live or deceased)
asbestos
blank tapes and CDs from Iran
by-products derived from swine
cereals
chain letters
charcoal briquettes
cuban cigars
counterfeit items
drugs; illegal and prescription
feathers or skins of any bird
flavoured cigarettes
graphite products
ground cork
haitain animal hide drums
liquor
lottery tickets or related advertising
poisons
prison-made goods
products made from dog and cat fur
reprints of U.S. copyrighted work
straw, grasses or other plant material used for packing
tuna.
Documentation Required
Information regarding Customs can be found in "Customs Requirements" of the Canada Postal Guide.
In addition, senders should provide a Certificate of Origin, whenever possible.
A Certificate of Disinfection is required for shipments containing used clothing.
Pharmaceutical products require:
photocopy of the doctor's prescription
photocopy of a document proving the addressee's Canadian citizenship, e.g. birth certificate with photo I.D, passport
letter from a doctor if drug is not FDA approved or if it does not require a prescription in Canada (available over the counter).