Non-Canadian importing and
shipping into Canada
In order to import and ship merchandise into Canada, customs requires the owner of record to have a Canadian Business Number. If you are a merchant using Shipwire to ship merchandise for you, then you are the owner of record for anything we receive on your behalf. Merchandise we receive must be free and clear of Customs duties, in order for us to sign for it.
July 2009 Update: We have recently created a list of considerations when importing to Canada. We recommend taking a quick look at that checklist that includes many of the items below.
If you do not yet have a Business Number, then you can register for a Business Number (BN) by completing Form RC1, Request for a Business Number (BN) and mailing or faxing it to the Canada Revenue Agency. For questions, call: 1-800-959-5525.
If you do not want to “do-it-yourself”, Shipwire has worked with a Canadian Accounting firm to create to packages for Shipwire customers. More information can be found by logging into your Shipwire account, select “Help” and search Online FAQ’s for “Canada”.
Understanding Pricing
- Pay with PayPal, credit card or bank transfer:
- You simply pay a monthly fee + shipping. You can pay via PayPal, credit card, or bank transfer. Denominated in US dollars.
- Monthly Fees – Your Shipwire monthly fees are denominated in US dollars. This makes running your business consistent and free of conversion issues. Customize a monthly plan.
- Shipping Fees – Your shipping fees are also denominated in US dollars. In the case of Canada Post, this means that shipping rates will fluctuate as the dollar fluctuates. Check rates.
- Shipping 1 item from Canada is the same as shipping 1 item from Los Angeles. For example, say your monthly plan has 60 items. If you ship 1 item from the UK, and 1 item from the US, you have 58 items left in your plan.
- Storing 1 pallet in Canada is the same as storing 1 pallet in Chicago. For example, say your monthly plan includes up to 4 pallets of storage. If you store 1 pallet in Canada, and 1 pallet in the US, you have 2 pallets of storage left in your plan.
How does Shipwire calculate currency rates?
The most readily available information on currency exchange rates is based on “interbank exchange rates”. Interbank exchange rates are established in the course of currency trading among a global network of over 1000 banks, and are not available through consumer or retail channels. Consumers may use these rates as a reference, but should not expect to use interbank rates in transactions that involve currency conversion. To obtain actual retail rates, contact your local financial institution or currency exchange.
If your transaction involves a currency conversion, it will be completed at a retail foreign exchange rate determined by Shipwire, which is adjusted regularly based on market conditions.
This exchange rate includes a 3% spread above the exchange rate at which Shipwire obtains foreign currency, and the spread is retained by Shipwire.