Sending dried squid and dried fish to Canada as gifts for family or for resale is very popular in the Vietnamese community. However, many people have had the frustrating experience of a parcel being returned, or even destroyed at the border, because it smelled or wasn’t packed to the standards of Canadian customs (CBSA). In practice, Canadian customs is very sensitive to unusual food odours and hygiene concerns.
To make sure your parcel clears customs smoothly, here is a professional packing and odour-control process you can do at home before bringing your goods to the Soleil Transportation warehouse.
Step 1: Select and fully dry the food
The most common reason dried squid goes mouldy or smells strongly during a 7–14 day journey is that it is still damp. Packed in a sealed box and exposed to temperature changes in the aircraft hold, the moisture escapes, mould grows and a very unpleasant smell develops.
- Check the moisture: Before packing, dry the squid or fish again in strong sun for about 1–2 hours. Make sure it is completely dry and not sticky to the touch.
- Remove sharp edges: Hard tentacles and sharp fish bones can easily pierce plastic bags in transit. Trim the sharpest parts with scissors or wrap them in soft wax paper before bagging.
Step 2: Double vacuum-seal in heavy-duty bags
Vacuum-sealing is a must when shipping dried squid to Canada. It not only keeps the food from spoiling but also stops the smell escaping.
- Use thick PA/PE bags: Avoid ordinary thin plastic bags. Choose thick, purpose-made vacuum bags that resist tearing.
- First vacuum layer: Put the squid in the bag, flatten it, remove all the air and heat-seal the bag.
- Clean the surface: After the first layer, wipe the outside of the bag with a cloth dampened with alcohol or warm water to remove any squid powder or odour picked up while handling.
- Second vacuum layer: Put the sealed bag inside a larger bag and vacuum-seal again. This double layer is a very strong shield that stops odour molecules leaking.
Step 3: Wrap in newspaper and cling film
Many people think vacuum-sealing alone is enough, but temperatures in the hold can make the plastic expand. An outer protective layer is therefore essential.
- Wrap in newspaper or kraft paper: Wrap 2 to 3 layers of newspaper around each vacuum-sealed bag. Newspaper absorbs moisture very well if the temperature changes suddenly and reduces friction between bags.
- Wrap in PE stretch film: Wrap stretch film tightly 3–5 times around the newspaper. This holds the package together and locks in the smell once more.
Step 4: Pack in a sturdy carton and seal every gap
The final step is packing the goods in a box ready to ship. Soleil Transportation offers free basic packing in a carton for customers shipping to Canada.
- Pack neatly: Lay the squid packs flat at the bottom of the box so no sharp corners press into each other. Fill any remaining space with bubble wrap or shredded paper so nothing moves in transit.
- Seal every seam: Use wide tape to seal all seams, edges and corners of the carton. This stops outside air getting in and odours getting out.
Important notes when shipping dried squid to Canada
Besides packing, keep these rules in mind so your shipment goes smoothly:
- Clear labels: Dried squid should be labelled with its expiry date and origin. Homemade products without labels can still be sent, but customs will inspect them more closely.
- Declare honestly: Never hide dried squid under clothing or other items without declaring it. A clear declaration means your order is classified and processed correctly.
- Cargo insurance: For high-value shipments of dried squid, consider buying extra shipping insurance so you are properly compensated if something goes wrong.
Soleil Transportation offers two-way Vietnam–Canada air shipping with door delivery from just $16/kg. Average transit time is 7–12 business days depending on the location, so your dried squid reaches the recipient in Canada in good condition without spoiling or expiring.
Before gathering dried squid or other dried seafood to ship to Canada, contact the Soleil Transportation team on +1 888-998-5199 or at info@soleiltransportation.com. We will advise you on the latest customs rules at the time of shipping and show you exactly how to prepare your goods.
