Personal & Casual Goods Import
Personal shipments, declared right before they reach your door.
Personal shipments — what the CBSA calls “casual goods” — are goods imported into Canada for personal use, not resale. Every shipment must be properly declared, and duties or taxes may apply depending on the goods, their value, and where they’re from.
Easy In, Easy Cleared
Register
Set up your account online — we generate all necessary forms for CBSA as your appointed Customs Broker.
Send Your Documents
Email your shipment information and supporting documents to info@cargocustoms.ca.
We handle the rest
Classification, compliance review, and filing with CBSA through to release.
Providing complete and accurate information helps ensure the shipment can be properly declared and that the CBSA can determine the applicable duties and taxes.
What You Need to Know
Casual goods, properly declared
The CBSA determines duties and taxes based on the goods, their value, origin, and any exemptions that apply.
All goods imported into Canada must be properly declared. This applies regardless of value, and the CBSA uses tariff classification and country of origin to determine what’s owed.
Duties
What determines your duty rate
Some shipments qualify for duty-free treatment. Others don’t — it depends on origin and classification.
CUSMA — Canada, U.S. & Mexico
Preferential tariff treatmentConditions Apply
Duty-free guaranteed by origin aloneNot Guaranteed
All Other Countries
Duty based on tariff classificationApplies
Duty-free under Customs TariffCase-by-Case
For the most current information, consult the CBSA Canadian Customs Tariff.
Taxes
GST, HST & PST on imported goods
Taxes apply on top of any duties, and vary by province or territory.
GST (federal) Applies to most taxable imports
5%
HST Applies in participating provinces, in place of GST
Varies by province
PST Some provinces apply PST in addition to GST
Province-dependent
Exemptions Qualifying gifts & certain low-value shipments
Case-by-case
Example — Alberta: Alberta generally applies the 5% GST to taxable imported goods and does not have a provincial sales tax. Other provinces may apply HST or PST in addition to, or instead of, GST.
Questions about your shipment?
If you’re unsure about the customs requirements for your personal shipment, our team is here to help.