When shipping from Vietnam to Canada, many individuals and shop owners find their parcel held for inspection at Toronto Pearson International Airport. A hold by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) can last from a few days to several weeks if you don’t know how to respond and provide the right documents. Knowing how to work with customs will help you get your goods released by CBSA as quickly as possible and avoid the risk of confiscation or destruction.
Why has CBSA held your goods for inspection?
CBSA at Toronto Pearson works very strictly to protect the border and prevent tax evasion. A parcel is usually held (or moved to physical inspection) for these reasons:
- Value doesn’t match: The value declared on the invoice is far below the item’s actual value in the Canadian market, suggesting tax evasion.
- Vague descriptions: Goods described generally as “gift”, “personal items” or “samples” without details of material or use.
- Suspected counterfeits: Fashion, footwear or accessories bearing major brand logos without documents proving their origin.
- Controlled goods: Dried food, medicines, cosmetics or electronics with lithium batteries are often held to check whether they meet Health Canada or Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) standards.
How to get your goods released by CBSA
When your tracking shows that customs is holding the parcel, take these steps right away:
Step 1: Find out the exact reason from the inspection notice
CBSA usually sends a written notice, either directly or through the carrier, asking for more information. Ask your carrier for the inspection reference, the waybill number and the exact request from CBSA. Don’t guess the reason. Wait for accurate information so you can prepare the right documents.
Step 2: Prepare supporting documents
To get your goods released by CBSA, prepare documents that prove your shipment is genuine, including:
- Commercial invoice: Clearly showing the sender, the recipient, the detailed name of each item in English or French, and the quantity and actual value of each item.
- Proof of payment: A copy of the bank transfer, the receipt from an online store or a payment slip proving what you actually paid for the goods. This is the most convincing evidence when customs suspects under-valuation.
- Relevant permits or certificates: If the goods are dried food or cosmetics, prepare quality declarations or import permits (if any) required by the relevant Canadian authorities.
Step 3: Submit the extra documents and respond to customs
You or your representative submit the documents to CBSA. Make sure everything is consistent. Any discrepancy between your own invoice and the actual payment can lengthen the hold or even lead to a fine.
Tips to reduce the risk of holds when shipping to Canada
To avoid being caught off guard at Toronto Pearson, careful packing and declaration in Vietnam are essential:
- Declare honestly and in detail: Write “100% cotton T-shirt” or “vacuum-packed dried squid” instead of a vague “clothing” or “food”.
- Split into smaller parcels: If you send personal gifts or household items, using Soleil Transportation’s ePacket service from just $8.50 CAD per parcel for small packages makes clearance faster and draws less attention.
- Choose a duties-included service: For larger shipments by air from Vietnam to Canada (from $16/kg), choosing a service that includes import duties and handles clearance for you means you never have to deal with CBSA yourself.
Contact us for safe shipping support
If you have a shipment heading to Canada or need advice on declaring goods correctly to avoid holds at Toronto Pearson, contact Soleil Transportation. We offer two-way Vietnam–Canada shipping with an average transit time of 7 to 12 business days (7–14 days at most on the Vietnam to Canada route).
Our Canadian warehouse is at 2446 Cawthra Road, B1U8, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5A 3K6. For the fastest support with customs clearance and shipping rates, call +1 888-998-5199 or email info@soleiltransportation.com.
