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What Can (and Cannot) Be Shipped

What Can (and Cannot) Be Shipped

 

By and large, Canada’s infrastructure is such that most goods can be shipped safely, efficiently, and most importantly legally, within the country’s borders. As with all things, however, restrictions do exist.

Veteran shippers may be more familiar with these restrictions, however if you are just starting your eCommerce business, or if you are expanding your shipping strategy into unfamiliar territory, navigating the intricacies of restricted and prohibited goods can be difficult to manage alone.

The good news is that you aren’t alone! Today on the ClickShip blog we’re giving you the information you need to answer the ever-important question: “Can this be shipped?”

 

In the early days of USPS parcel shipping, people started “mailing” their children to relatives, as postage was cheaper than a train ticket!

 

Restricted vs. Prohibited Items

While at face value these terms seem interchangeable, knowing the difference between restricted and prohibited goods is vital.

Prohibited items cannot be shipped by a carrier. End of story. While many prohibited items are simply illegal under Canadian law, many carriers will prohibit items such as fine art or high-end jewelry for liability reasons.

Restricted items will be accepted by a carrier, provided that certain guidelines laid out by the carrier are met. Oftentimes these restrictions will be related to an item’s packaging, the requirement of an adult’s signature upon receipt, or pre-negotiated contracts with the carrier in regards to the restricted item.

 

Common Prohibited and Restricted Items

 

Restricted Items Cross-Border

As we discussed in our post about cross-border pallet shipping, moving goods within a country is one thing, but moving them between countries is another entirely. Beyond the added paperwork required to ship anything cross-border or internationally, it is imperative to know whether or not what you are shipping is a restricted or prohibited item in the destination country.

 

We offer additional services such as “Adult Signature Required” directly on our platform!

 

Most carriers will have these items listed on their respective regional websites, and in most cases, such as with the US Customs and Border Protection website, governments will have lists of goods that cannot be imported freely.

 

Even if a marketplace lists it, carriers may not ship it. Double-check your information before booking!

 

ClickShip Helps Your Shipping Feel Unrestricted

No matter what your business needs to ship (within reason, of course), ClickShip is there to make sure that you don’t feel restricted in your eCommerce shipping strategy.

Our multi-mode eCommerce shipping platform integrated with major eCommerce platforms and marketplaces, and partners with the leading North American freight and parcel carriers to offer discounted shipping rates, end-to-end tracking, and so much more, all with zero startup and monthly fees!

Contact one of our shipping experts Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm EST at 1-877-335-8740 or by email at customercare@clickship.com and let ClickShip give your business the freedom to grow faster!


[1] https://www.history.com/news/mailing-children-post-office

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