Why are household appliances shipped to Canada easily damaged or charged high duties?

Appliances with motors or heating elements usually have rigid plastic casings that crack under hard knocks. Internal parts such as juicing augers, strainers and frying baskets also knock against each other if left loose, causing scratches or breakage during air transport.

For customs, if you declare a vague “electronics” or “kitchenware” without the brand, power rating or purpose (personal gift or commercial goods), Canadian customs (CBSA) may hold the goods for physical inspection, delaying delivery.

How to dismantle and pack each type of appliance safely

To keep your appliance completely safe on its flight from Vietnam to Canada, follow these professional packing steps.

Step 1: Remove and wrap each accessory separately

Never put the fully assembled appliance in the box. Vibration on the plane can break the joints.

• Slow juicers: Remove the lid, feed chute, auger, strainer and juice cup completely. Wrap each part separately in 2 to 3 layers of bubble wrap and tape it securely.
• Air fryers: Take out the basket and the frying tray. Place a thin piece of cardboard or bubble wrap between the tray and the basket to stop them rubbing and damaging the non-stick coating. Then wrap bubble wrap around the whole basket.

Step 2: Protect the main unit and secure the cord

The main unit with the motor is the heaviest and most important part.

• Coil the power cord neatly and secure it to the unit with a cable tie or tape. Don’t let the plug knock freely against the casing and crack the plastic.
• Wrap the unit once in PE stretch film to protect the finish. Then wrap at least 3 layers of thick bubble wrap around it, paying close attention to the corners and edges.

Step 3: Pack the carton and fill the gaps

• Choose a sturdy carton that fits, not too big and not too tight. Soleil Transportation’s air shipping service to Canada includes basic packing in a purpose-made carton.
• Lay about 5 cm of bubble wrap or foam padding on the bottom of the box.
• Place the main unit (the heaviest part) in the centre of the box.
• Arrange the wrapped accessories around the main unit.
• Fill all gaps with bubble wrap, foam or scrunched-up newspaper. Make sure that when you shake the box hard, nothing inside moves.

How to declare motorised household appliances to customs

When declaring household appliances, give clear information so the right duty treatment applies. With Soleil Transportation’s Vietnam to Canada service, rates from $16/kg include all import duties, so you don’t have to worry about charges on delivery.

On the declaration, you still need to state:

• The detailed product name in English (for example, Air Fryer or Slow Juicer).
• The brand (for example, Philips, Panasonic or Tefal).
• The condition: brand new (New) or used (Used/Personal effects).
• A note on voltage: Vietnamese appliances usually run on 220V, while Canada uses 110V. Prepare a voltage converter before using the appliance in Canada.

Important tips before shipping

• Check for lithium batteries: Some smart handheld appliances have built-in rechargeable batteries (such as portable mini blenders). These are subject to strict air transport rules, so tell our staff in advance for advice.
• Clean used appliances thoroughly: If you send a used appliance, you must clean it completely, with no food residue, grease or odour. Canadian customs is very strict about food safety and biosecurity for used items.

Ship household appliances safely with Soleil Transportation

Soleil Transportation offers two-way Vietnam–Canada air shipping with an average transit time of 7 to 12 business days (7–14 days on the route to Canada). We check, pack and reinforce household appliances for free to keep them as safe as possible throughout the journey.

Just prepare your appliance and contact us on +1 888-998-5199 or at info@soleiltransportation.com. Our team at the Mississauga office (2446 Cawthra Road, B1U8, Mississauga, Ontario) is always ready to show you how to measure your parcel and work out the best rate.