Navigating Customs Clearance in Canada and Ukraine

International items entering Canada are visually inspected for Canadian customs clearance. Duty-free packages get released immediately, while those needing extra checks or duty payments are held back. When do you clear customs in Canada? Are you curious about the customs import clearance rules, or can you skip the customs broker?

We at Meest Canada have got your answers below.

What Could Slow Down Packages at Customs?

There are a few common reasons packages get stuck in customs: maybe they're over the country's value limit, contain branded goods that aren't allowed, or have prohibited items.

• The goods in the package are worth more than the allowed duty-free limit.
  The duty-free limit for parcels to Canada is CAD 20.
  The duty-free limit for parcels to Ukraine is EUR 150.
• Parcel contains prohibited items (yes, all your parcels are being checked at customs, no exceptions!)
• Goods needing checks for intellectual property issues.
• Checking the package's declared value and for any dangerous items.
• Suspected customs duty evasion with a bulk shipment of parcels.

How to Clear Customs in Canada

When shipping from Ukraine to Canada, the person receiving the parcel covers any customs duty. Parcels valued under CAD 20 are exempt from duty. For parcels exceeding this value, customs clearance is necessary and is typically handled by a customs broker. The duty rates, determined by customs, range from 0% to 18%.

How Long It Takes for a Package to Get Through Customs in Canada

The time it takes for a package to clear customs in Canada varies, ranging from 20 minutes to several days. Once your Customs Broker submits the entry, CBSA officers review and decide on approval or rejection, which can take 12 to 48 hours or longer during busy periods.

After customs clearance, the package is delivered to the Meest locations in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, and Montreal or directly to your home by courier.

It's important to note that customs clearance is not guaranteed, and shipments may be rejected for various reasons.

How to Clear Customs in Ukraine

If you're sending a package to Ukraine and its value doesn't exceed EUR 150, there's no customs duty for the recipient. But if the package's value exceeds EUR 150, the recipient must pay duty once it arrives.

The duty calculation is simple: subtract EUR 150 from the package's estimated value, then apply a 10% customs duty and a 20% VAT to the remaining amount.

How Long Does It Take for a Package to Get Through Customs in Ukraine

Typically, a package takes 1-2 days to clear customs after reaching the International Parcel Processing Center. In a nutshell, if customs hold your package, there's no need to worry. Just have your financial documents, invoices, and order screenshots detailing the parcel containing the list  and value of the items in the package. After the Ukrainian or Canadian customs clearance process, your parcel will be on its way to you.

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