Here is what you need to know about Canadian customs. Do not be fooled if you thought the USA had strict regulations regarding prohibited items. Remember to contact the Canadian customs office before you send a parcel to Canada and are unsure if it may be restricted or forbidden items.
When reading through Canada’s prohibited items list, you might find that it starts out simple but the further you read the more bizarre its gets.
Section 1 - guns and firearms which could cause serious injuries.
The listed items include firearms of all types, replicas of weapons, toys guns, bows and cross bows as well as slingshots and harpoons. All of these items can obviously be dangerous and therefore are considered “prohibited”.
Beyond that, no goods manufactured in prison labour are allowed into Canadian territory.
Let’s continue with Section 2…
This part refers to devices with stun or immobilising effects including chemicals, sprays, animal stunners and shocking devices.
Next up are sharp objects (Section 3).
Canada experiences a rather rough climate in winter. However, this should not motivate you to pack snow tools such as ice axes or picks. If needed, surely you will be able to buy them in Canada, but it is best not to send them with your parcels.
The same applies to swords and martial arts gear.
Do not hide them in your parcels. Canadian customs as well as all big couriers are likely to x-ray your consignments for dangerous contents. If you still wish to ship your martial arts gear to Canada, you may want to speak with your local training studio as well as Canadian customs to see if there is a special service which could deliver it.
Following Section 3, is Section 4 – work tools which could cause serious harm.
It is rather straight forward. Do not send any crowbars, hammers, drills, bolt guns, saws etc.
As for bizarre objects Section 5 – blunt objects – and Section 7 - Liquids - outperform everything else.
Golf and hockey players may be disappointed about this one, but according to Canadian customs is not possible to import golf clubs or hockey and lacrosse sticks to Canada. After all, one could injure somebody else with them.
On the other hand, be advised not to send any containers with breast milk or milk formula to Canada which are bigger than 100 ml / 100 g. Generally speaking, no liquids, aerosols or gels are allowed to be imported. This includes baby milk, juice or foods for infants.
Explosives and Incendiary substances
Lastly, and most commonly known, Canadian customs law forbids to ship any explosives or incendiary substances to the border. This also includes fireworks.
Finally.
Always remember to check back with the full list of prohibited items before sending your parcels to Canada, no matter if sent by courier or postal mail and potentially risking problems with customs.
Source: Transport Canada
