Sort your nail supplies before shipping to Canada

Nail products shipped to Canada usually fall into three main groups. Each group has different controls and handling under the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA):

Metal tools and sharp items

This group includes cuticle nippers, nail clippers, tweezers, cuticle pushers and trimming scissors. Because they have sharp points and blades, Canadian customs checks them very carefully for transport safety. If they are packed carelessly and a nipper tip pierces the outer carton, the parcel will be returned immediately.

Consumables and dry cosmetic products

This group includes nail files (buffers), brushes, false nails, decorative stones, nail stickers and acrylic powder. It is relatively low-risk, clears customs easily and doesn’t need complicated chemical documentation.

Liquid chemicals and gels

This is the most sensitive group, including gel polish, regular polish, thinner, monomer and gel cleanser (acetone). Because they contain alcohol or volatile, flammable substances, they are tightly controlled under dangerous goods rules. You can’t send them freely and must declare their ingredients clearly.

How to pack nail supplies against impact and damage

To make sure your goods reach the recipient in Canada intact, without dents or breakage, follow this strict packing process:

How to pack nippers and sharp tools

• Step 1: Always use plastic caps to protect nipper tips and scissor points. If you don’t have caps, use rubber bands or wrap the points tightly in several layers of bubble wrap.
• Step 2: Group the wrapped nippers together and wrap the whole bundle in another large layer of bubble wrap.
• Step 3: Place the bundle in the middle of the carton and fill the corners tightly with foam or scrunched-up newspaper so the box contents can’t move when shaken.

How to pack glass bottles (gel polish, base coat)

• Step 1: Screw the caps on tightly. Wrap clear tape around each cap so it can’t loosen with the pressure changes in flight.
• Step 2: Wrap each bottle separately in bubble wrap. Never let glass bottles touch each other, as knocks in transit will crack them.
• Step 3: Stand the bottles upright in the box and hold them firmly in place with cardboard dividers or foam.

The outer carton

Soleil Transportation offers free basic packing in a carton for customers shipping to Canada. For heavy or oversized parcels, we will advise on extra reinforcement or palletising to keep them completely safe in flight.

How to declare nail chemicals in line with CBSA rules

Canadian customs (CBSA) applies very high standards to imported cosmetics and chemicals. To avoid your goods being held for inspection or destroyed, keep in mind:

• Declare the product list honestly: Write the English name of each product on the declaration (for example, Nail gel polish, Acrylic powder, Emery board). Don’t write a vague “nail supplies” or “cosmetics”.
• Monomer and acetone: These are highly volatile and flammable liquids. Contact Soleil Transportation in advance to check whether their concentration and volume are within the limits allowed for air transport.
• Declare a reasonable customs value: Declare the true value of the shipment so import duties are calculated correctly. Soleil Transportation’s two-way Vietnam–Canada air service includes import duties, so you won’t face hidden costs when the goods arrive.

Time and cost to ship nail supplies to Canada

With Soleil Transportation, you can choose the shipping option that fits the size of your shipment:

• ePacket: Ideal for small parcels, personal gifts or nail supply samples for customers. Prices start at just $8.50 CAD per parcel.
• Dedicated air freight: For commercial shipments of nail supplies and large wholesale orders. Prices start at $16/kg with door-to-door delivery across all Canadian provinces.
• Transit time: From Vietnam to Canada takes 7 to 14 days on average (about 7–12 business days depending on whether the address is in a central or remote area).

Common mistakes that get nail shipments held at customs

• Forgetting to cover nipper tips: The tip pierces the carton and the carrier refuses to load it onto the plane for safety reasons.
• Overfilled polish bottles: Air pressure changes at altitude make caps pop off, leaking chemicals onto surrounding parcels.
• Wrong item description: Declaring “plastic items” when the box contains chemical gel polish. When the scanner detects it, the whole shipment is confiscated and the sender may be fined.

To make sure your nail supplies clear customs quickly and safely, prepare a detailed list of quantities and product types and contact Soleil Transportation on +1 888-998-5199 or at info@soleiltransportation.com. Our team at the Mississauga warehouse (2446 Cawthra Road, B1U8, Mississauga, Ontario) is always ready to advise you on the best way to pack and declare your goods.