Your sales to Canada are growing nicely, but consolidating small orders or relying on people to carry goods in their luggage is starting to show its risks. Goods get lost or stuck at the border, and, most importantly, you don’t have valid invoices and documents to record your costs. Switching to formal export shipping to Canada is the only way for a household business to grow sustainably. However, the paperwork, duties and fees often confuse shop owners. Here is a step-by-step roadmap designed for small and medium-sized household businesses.
Step 1: Classify your goods correctly under the new rules
One of the biggest reasons shipments to Canada are held for inspection at the Vietnamese border is an incorrect goods code.
New goods classification rules from July 30, 2026
From July 30, 2026, Vietnam is applying new rules on classifying export goods to simplify customs clearance. However, shippers, especially shop owners who pack their own goods, must understand the new classification to declare accurately. Declaring the wrong product group can get the whole shipment held at the border for inspection, seriously delaying delivery.
Important note for electronics from July 13
If your business sells technology products, smart devices, storage devices or hardware with security features (civil cryptography products), you must declare the correct regulated code from July 13. Customs will stop clearance or impose administrative fines if these tech products are not declared with the correct technical code when exported. Ask your Vietnamese supplier for clear technical specifications before shipping to Canada.
Step 2: Prepare origin documents and file with the right office from August 1
For your goods to receive tariff preferences when imported into Canada, preparing a certificate of origin (C/O) is extremely important.
Since August 1, the authorities have tightened the rules on where applications are accepted. Businesses that want tariff preferences must identify the correct office to issue the certificate of origin for their goods. Filing in the wrong place leads to long clearance delays and late deliveries to buyers in Canada. Check in advance which authority is responsible for your product category so you file correctly the first time.
Step 3: Avoid prohibited goods under the latest decree
Canadian customs (CBSA) and Vietnamese customs both have strict rules on imports and exports. Under the latest decree, the list of goods banned from export and import now includes many stricter provisions that directly affect shippers:
- Cosmetics and dried foods: These are easily held or destroyed if they lack clear inspection permits or don’t meet food safety standards. Food products and lithium batteries each have their own rules on every shipping route, so research them carefully before packing.
- Strictly prohibited goods: Our entire shipping network prohibits drugs, cash, dangerous goods and cremated remains. Deliberately shipping these items leads to immediate confiscation and legal liability.
Step 4: Optimise shipping costs and use storage in Canada
With ocean freight rates swinging wildly and soaring, sea shipping is no longer the best option for small and medium-sized shops that need to turn over their capital quickly. Instead, many household businesses are switching to fast air freight combined with fulfillment in Canada to keep their cash flow steady and their retail customers happy.
Soleil Transportation offers flexible solutions to help you optimise costs:
- Two-way Vietnam–Canada air freight: From just $16/kg. Transit from Vietnam to Canada averages 7 to 14 days (10 to 21 days in the other direction). This price includes import duties, so you can easily calculate your cost of goods without surprise charges at the border.
- ePacket for small parcels: If you sell souvenirs, personal items or very light products in small parcels, our ePacket service is very affordable, from just $8.50 CAD per parcel.
- Fulfillment in Canada: For shops that want to sell professionally, you can send stock in bulk for storage at 2446 Cawthra Road, B1U8, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5A 3K6. When an order comes in, Soleil Transportation packs it and delivers it to the customer from just $5 CAD per order. We also ship within Canada and to the US from $35 per parcel (for Canada to US shipments, the recipient pays any import duties).
Step 5: Invoicing and packing to formal export standards
Once you switch to formal export shipping, every shipping cost must appear clearly in your business’s accounts. Soleil Transportation issues full invoices and accepts flexible payment methods including bank transfer, credit card, Interac e-Transfer and cash.
For packing, every shipment to Canada includes basic packing in a sturdy carton. For heavy, oversized or fragile items that need a wooden crate or a pallet, we can do this for a reasonable surcharge to keep them completely safe in flight. You can track your order online with your order number or receive automatic updates by email, SMS or Zalo. For extra protection on high-value shipments, you can ask to buy additional shipping insurance, as insurance is not usually included in the basic rate.
To make your move to formal export shipping to Canada as smooth as possible, prepare a detailed list of the goods you plan to export and your purchase invoices (if any), then contact the Soleil Transportation team on +1 888-998-5199 or email info@soleiltransportation.com. We will advise you on the best classification and the safest clearance route for your business.
