What Documentation Do I Need To Ship From The Us To Canada?
When you're using a Houston courier service to ship all the way to Canada, there are some extra shipping considerations that you're going to have to take into account. First of all, even if it's a less distance than some other deliveries, there are always extra charges for shipping internationally. Second, there is always extra paperwork that has to be included with your delivery. Knowing what documents you have to make sure are with every delivery that cross the border is essential to making sure that you never have a delay where your package could get stopped at customs.
This is actually something that happens all the time, and yet people rarely think about it. People have shipments stopped, seized, and turned back every day when shipping internationally. This includes shipping to our biggest trading partner in Canada, and people need to realize that despite the similarities of the two nations, it is crucial that all international shipping protocols be carefully followed in order for a shipment to be successful.
The two things that you're going to have to include with every shipment that you send are your BOL (bill of lading) and your commercial invoice. The invoice is the document that shows what your customer bought from you, and how much they paid for it. The BOL is a similar document between you and the courier company. It shows how much you paid for shipping, where the item is coming from, how much it's worth, where it's going, when it left, and other similar information.
These should be included with pretty much anything that you're trying to ship into Canada. There are times when you're going to need extra documentation as well, but that can be difficult to predict as it depends entirely on the nature of the goods that you're shipping. This is because some things are covered under international trade agreements of various kinds. Any goods of these kinds usually need extra permits or forms completed to show their status under those agreements.
Talk with your courier to get a complete picture of what is required from you when it comes to filling out all of the required documentation for shipping to Canada. Taking a little bit of time before you ship can save you a great deal of frustration by ensuring that your packages have a smooth journey across the border. Your customers will certainly appreciate not having to wait for packages stuck at customs.
