Country Guide

Shipping Luggage to Canada from South Africa

Shipping luggage and personal effects from South Africa to Canada: the B4 goods to follow list, timing, documents and restricted items.

WhatsApp 068 058 2700

Call Johannesburg 011 972 1111

Goods to follow

When you land in Canada, list everything that will follow on CBSA form B4 and B4A. You, or your spouse, usually need to be present when the shipment is cleared.

Clear it quickly

Air shipments should be cleared within about 48 hours of arrival to avoid storage charges, so plan to be available.

Documents

Passport, visa or work permit, the airway bill, your stamped B4 list and an inventory in English or French. Electronics and appliances should show make, model and serial number; keep receipts for items under six months old.

Restricted

Food, especially meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables, is strongly discouraged. Alcohol needs a detailed list and attracts duty, and weapons and replica firearms are prohibited.

Checklist

Documents for Canada

South African citizens: a copy of your ID (customs wants the ID, not the passport)

Foreign nationals: a copy of your passport

If you ship for someone else, a copy of their ID or passport as well

A signed clearing instruction for customs, which we send you to sign

A valued inventory list of what is in each piece (complete it online)

Full addresses in South Africa and at the destination on the inventory

Contact details at the destination: telephone, mobile and email

Describe what is in every bag or box: many countries reject inventories that just say 'misc' or 'packed by owner'

Your visa or residence permit, and any customs relief form Canada requires

Two Options

Door to Airport or Door to Door

Door to airport (CFR): recommended

Includes collection, customs clearance in South Africa, airline handling in South Africa and transport to the destination airport. You clear it and collect it at the destination.
Excludes destination clearance, depot or terminal charges at the destination, storage and examination fees if stopped, and AMS filing for sea freight to the USA.

Door to door (DAP)

Available to some countries only, and much more expensive. Includes collection, delivery to your door abroad, customs clearance in South Africa and at the destination, airline handling and all transport fees.
Excludes storage and examination fees if customs stops the shipment, and AMS filing for sea freight to the USA.

Our tip: save by clearing it yourself

Door to airport is by far the cheaper option. You pay the airline handling fee at the destination, process customs yourself with your passport and the inventory, and collect your baggage at the airport. Ask us for both prices and we will tell you what the destination's customs office will ask for.

Customs rules change. We confirm the current requirements for Canada when we quote.

Questions

Shipping Luggage to Canada: Questions

Tap a question to open the answer. For anything else, WhatsApp us.

What if I forget to list goods to follow on arrival?

Contact CBSA as soon as possible. Unlisted goods may not qualify as settlers' effects.

Do returning Canadians qualify?

Generally yes, if they lived outside Canada for at least a year; bring proof of residence abroad.

Can I clear it myself?

Yes, with a door-to-airport booking. Take the B4 list, passport and airway bill to the airport.

Collection

We Collect Across South Africa

More Destinations

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Sending Luggage to Canada?

WhatsApp 068 058 2700 with the number of pieces and your destination city.