Wedding and festival seasons in Canada bring a surge in demand for traditional ao dai and wedding dresses from Vietnam. However, shop owners and individuals shipping clothing to Canada often run into two big problems: garments arrive wrinkled and out of shape, or they get held at the border because of an unreasonable customs value.
To make sure traditional outfits keep their shape and clear customs quickly, follow these packing and declaration rules.
How to fold and pack ao dai and wedding dresses without wrinkles
Ao dai and wedding dresses are usually made from thin, delicate fabrics that crease easily, such as silk, brocade and chiffon, or are decorated with intricate stones and beads. If they are simply folded and stuffed into an ordinary carton, the pressure during a 7–14 day air journey creates creases that are very hard to iron out.
Use acid-free tissue paper
Wax paper or acid-free tissue paper is the secret weapon of high-end fashion stores. When folding an ao dai, lay a sheet of tissue paper on the fabric before folding it in half or in thirds. The paper lets the fabric slide and stops surfaces rubbing directly against each other, preventing deep creases.
Roll instead of folding
For silk or chiffon ao dai without heavy embellishment:
- Step 1: Lay the garment flat on a clean surface.
- Step 2: Fold both sleeves in along the body.
- Step 3: Gently roll it up from the collar to the hem. Rolling keeps the fabric free of hard creases.
Handle embellished garments with care
For wedding ao dai or dresses with raised stones or beads, never fold the decorated part directly onto plain fabric, as it can tear or scratch it. Turn the garment inside out before folding, or wrap the decorated section separately in thin bubble wrap before placing it in the box.
Choose the right carton and vacuum bags
Many people vacuum-seal clothing tightly to reduce the parcel’s volume. However, too much vacuum can crush the shoulders of an ao dai or damage the bodice of a wedding dress. Remove only about 50% of the air to hold the shape, or use a well-fitting carton with air pillows around the garment box so it can’t move.
Soleil Transportation offers free basic packing in a carton. For bulky parcels or items that need special protection, we will advise you on the best packing option at the warehouse.
How to declare the customs value of clothing sent to Canada
Canadian customs (CBSA) checks the value of imported goods very closely to calculate duties. Declaring the wrong value, or a value far too low for an exquisite designer ao dai, can easily raise suspicions of tax fraud, leading to an inspection hold and a request for the original invoice.
How to describe the goods
Don’t write a vague “clothing” or “used clothing”. Declare the details in English. For example:
- Instead of “Clothing”, write “Traditional Vietnamese Long Dress (Ao Dai)” or “Wedding Dress”.
- State the material: “Polyester, Silk”.
How to decide the declared value
- Goods for sale (commercial): Declare the value on the sales invoice to your customer in Canada.
- Gifts: If you send an ao dai as a gift to family, you must still declare its actual value. Canada only exempts personal gifts worth less than $60 CAD. If the ao dai is worth more, the recipient in Canada must pay import duty on the amount above that.
When you ship with Soleil Transportation, our Vietnam to Canada service includes import duties in the all-in rate. This means the recipient in Canada doesn’t have to handle complicated tax payments at the post office or worry about extra charges on delivery.
Choose the right shipping service
Depending on the quantity and purpose of your shipment, you can choose:
- ePacket (small parcels, personal items): Ideal for shops sending individual ao dai to customers in Canada. Very affordable, from just $8.50 CAD per parcel, with online tracking for the whole journey.
- Duties-included air shipping to Canada: Ideal for larger shipments of wedding ao dai, with door-to-door delivery. Average transit time is 7–12 business days, from just $16/kg.
Before packing, double-check your item list and have the recipient’s details in Canada ready. For detailed advice on packing each type of fabric or an accurate quote for your clothing shipment, call Soleil Transportation on +1 888-998-5199 or email info@soleiltransportation.com.
