Sending a few comics, novels or Vietnamese textbooks to Canada as a gift sounds simple, but many people run into frustrating problems. Books arrive damp, mouldy or with curled edges because of snow at delivery, or worse, customs holds them and asks for duties because it suspects a commercial import.
To make sure your precious books reach the recipient in Canada intact and quickly, here is how to pack them against moisture and declare them correctly.
Why are books shipped to Canada easily damaged or held by customs?
Unlike clothing or plastic goods, books are very sensitive to weather and moisture. Canadian winters are harsh, with heavy snowstorms and sudden humidity changes when parcels move from a heated warehouse to an outdoor delivery truck. If books are simply put in an ordinary carton, moisture seeps through the cardboard, leaving pages wavy, mouldy or smelly.
For customs purposes, books are cultural goods. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) checks them closely to prevent the spread of material that infringes copyright or commercial imports that avoid duties. If your declaration is unclear, they may apply commercial duties to your parcel.
5 steps to pack and declare books for Canada correctly
Step 1: Sort the books and check their content
Before packing, check the content of the books carefully. Buddhist scriptures, comics, novels and ordinary textbooks are all allowed. However, never send books with obscene or violent content, sensitive political material or seriously pirated copies. Pick out the books you want to send and write down their titles for the declaration.
Step 2: Wrap each book in cling film or a plastic bag to keep out moisture
This is the most important step to protect books from snow and rain in Canada.
- Wrap each book tightly in 2 to 3 layers of cling film or seal it in a plastic bag.
- Press the corners down firmly so no air or moisture can get inside.
- For paperbacks or valuable books, add a flat piece of cardboard on both sides to keep the spine and edges from bending in transit.
Step 3: Fill the box and pack the books properly
When putting books in the carton:
- Always lay books flat. Don’t stand them on their spines, because the weight of other parcels can deform the edges.
- Fill every gap in the box with bubble wrap or scrunched-up newspaper. Books are heavy, and if there is space in the box they will slide around and tear their covers.
- Tape every seam of the carton carefully to keep out cold air and melting snow.
Step 4: Declare smartly to avoid commercial duties
For Canadian customs to treat the parcel as non-commercial personal goods and exempt it from import duties, pay attention to how you fill in the declaration:
- Description of goods: Write “Used Books for Personal Use Only” or “Vietnamese Storybooks – Gift”.
- Declared value: Declare a reasonable actual value for personal goods (usually under $20 CAD for used books). Don’t declare an inflated value or leave it blank, as customs may hold the parcel to assess its value.
Step 5: Choose the right shipping service
If you are only sending 1–2 light books under 2 kg, ePacket is the most economical choice, from just $8.50 CAD per parcel. For heavy boxes of books or large numbers of textbooks, choose our duties-included air shipping to Canada from $16/kg for safe door delivery in about 7–14 business days.
Common mistakes that get books returned or fined
- Using old, worn cartons: Used boxes are usually soft and tear easily when damp. Always use new, sturdy cartons.
- Not declaring in detail: A vague “Books” on the label can make customs suspicious and open the box for inspection, delaying clearance.
- Including prohibited items: Don’t pack books together with fresh food, lithium batteries or unidentified liquids in the same box.
At Soleil Transportation, we help customers check book content, advise on correct customs declarations and provide free basic carton packing for flights to Canada. Every order has an online tracking number so you can follow its journey from Vietnam to the recipient in Canada.
For an accurate quote for your box of books, have the weight and box size ready and call us on +1 888-998-5199 or email info@soleiltransportation.com. Our team at the Mississauga warehouse is always ready to help.
