Your guide to shipping goods from Turkey to Canada

Canadian business owners are looking for any opportunity to lower the cost of goods and improve profit margins. One effective strategy is sourcing products from international markets like Turkey.

But it’s not always easy. Shipping or transporting goods across borders can be complicated, especially without the right partner. We’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the shipping costs from Turkey to Canada, ensuring a smoother, more cost-effective experience.

In this guide:

What is the essential know-how for exporting goods from Turkey to Canada? What are the essential requirements for shipping goods from Turkey to Canada? Business number (BN) Canada customs invoice (CI1) or commercial invoice Bill of lading or air waybill Are there any restrictions on shipping goods from Turkey to Canada? What are the typical costs of shipping goods from Turkey to Canada? How to reduce costs on transactions between Turkey and Canada Shipping companies for exporting from Turkey to Canada Tebadul Al Fares Lojistik DHL Essential local know-how when shipping from Turkey to Canada

What is the essential know-how for exporting goods from Turkey to Canada?

Let’s start with the basics. There are a few specific things you’ll have to deal with when exporting goods from Turkey to Canada:

• Customs duties: Canadian customs duties vary depending on the type of goods being imported. The tariff classification code determines the rate, corresponding to the harmonized system (HS) code used internationally.
• Taxes: Imports into Canada are subject to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) if the destination province imposes it.
• Import regulations: The Canadian government may require an import permit for certain controlled or restricted goods. Importers must follow strict labeling requirements.
• Documentation: Completing documentation is critical to avoid any delays at the border. You’ll need a commercial invoice, a bill of lading (or an air waybill), a certificate of origin, a packing list, and an import declaration.
• Insurance: Shipping internationally usually requires comprehensive insurance to protect against potential losses, damages, or delays.

Let’s dig a little further into these requirements and the challenges that might pop up.

What are the essential requirements for shipping goods from Turkey to Canada?

Businesses must prepare various documents and follow specific procedures to ensure a seamless shipping process, comply with all legal requirements, and avoid additional costs.

Business number (BN)

Before you ship anything from Turkey to Canada, you must obtain a business number (BN) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). You need a business number (BN) before you can import or export.

Canada customs invoice (CI1) or commercial invoice

A CI1 or commercial invoice details the transaction between buyer and seller, and includes:

• Description of goods
• Quantity
• Value
• Terms of sale
• Contact information

It also includes a detailed description of the transportation method, route, and insurance involved in getting the goods to Canada².

Bill of lading or air waybill

The shipper and carrier use a bill of lading, for sea transport or air waybill, for air transport, as a shipment receipt and contract. It includes:

• Shipping details
• Carrier information
• Description of goods
• Terms of transport

You’ll also need to include a manifest or cargo control document that reports your shipment to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Are there any restrictions on shipping goods from Turkey to Canada?

Canada has several restricted categories that can cause penalties, fines, or potential seizure at the border³.

• Firearms and weapons
• Food, plants, and animals
• Explosives, fireworks, and ammunition
• Cannabis

Some consumer products⁴ must meet safety requirements before Canada allows them in.

What are the typical costs of shipping goods from Turkey to Canada?

The cost of shipping goods from Turkey to Canada can vary widely, depending on factors like:

• Weight
• Size and shape
• Method of transportation
• Insurance
• Destination
• Customs duty
• Import tax
• Currency conversion costs
• Intermediary bank fees for international payments

For example, the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario—a combination of GST and PST—is 13%. Shippers would only need to pay the 5% GST rate for goods shipped directly to Alberta.

How to reduce costs on transactions between Turkey and Canada

One of the best ways to reduce costs is by avoiding bank transfer fees or sky-high currency exchange rates. A multi-currency business account allows you to hold both Turkish lira (TRY) and Canadian dollars (CDN) at the same time.

If you do need to exchange currency, Wise offers themid-market rate with no hidden costs. That’s the same rate the banks get when trading between themselves, and the one you’ll usually see on Google. This multi-currency business account also helps with automatic invoicing, batch payments, and fee transparency, meaning you can keep those margins thick and shipping costs down.

Opening a business account at Wise is free, online and easy! With Wise, you don’t lose money to monthly subscriptions or have it held up as minimum balance. You pay only for what you use. Here’s what you get for the essential and complete version for a one-time fee of 55 CAD:

Features	Essential features - without registration fees	All features for a one time payment of 55 CAD
Send money to over 70 countries	✅	✅
Wise Business Card	✅	✅
Holding and converting money across 40 currencies at the mid-market rate	✅	✅
Minimal fees starting at 0.48%	✅	✅
Local account details to receive payments in over 20 currencies	❌	✅
Direct debit to make recurring payments	❌	✅

You can always upgrade from the essential features to avail all Wise business features for a one-time payment of 55 CAD

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It only takes a few minutes to set up your multi-currency account, and make the most of the mid-market exchange rate.

Step 1. Enter information relevant to yourself and your business.
Step 2. Share essential information about your business. This includes

• Business registration
• The business registered and trading addresses
• The industry you’re in
• Online presence
• Name, date of birth, country of residence - for all stakeholders
• Documents proving ownership of the business

Step 3. Enter essential information to verify your identity
Step 4. Set up and make a transfer as indicated on your account. Alternatively, you could pay the one-time fee and get account details in over 10 currencies.
Step 5. Wise sends you a confirmation email within 10 working days.

In case you add team members to the business account, they will need to be verified too.

Wise's has been reviewed and appreciated on public platforms such as:

• Trustpilot Canada: 4.3/5 stars with 256,776+ reviews
• Play Store Canada: 4.7/5 stars with 1.28M+ reviews

Shipping companies for exporting from Turkey to Canada

Picking the right shipping company or freight forwarder for exporting from Turkey to Canada can make all the difference. While there are dozens (if not hundreds) available, not all of them will offer favorable rates.

Here are a few of the more reputable companies you can work with:

Tebadul

Tebadul is a trade and logistics company based in Turkey. It offers end-to-end importing/exporting services to help businesses navigate international trade.

Some of the services it provides are:

• Trade facilitation: Sourcing products, conducting market research, negotiating prices.
• Logistics: Door-to-door shipping services, including sea, air, and land transportation.
• Customs clearance: Customs documentation and compliance assistance.
• Trademarking: Assist in designing and registering trademarks to protect the importer.

For shipping to Canada, Tebadul has several major points of delivery⁶:

	Points of delivery
Sea freight	Vancouver, Montreal, Prince Rupert, Halifax, Saint John
Air freight	Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Abbotsford

There are several categories restricted by the Turkish government, which Tebadul will not ship. These include⁷:

• Grains
• Legumes
• Oil
• Fodder
• Butter and cream

Al Fares Lojistik

Al Fares Lojistik is a leading logistics company with a strong presence in Turkey. They offer a wide range of solutions, including:

• Air and ocean freight forwarding
• Vehicle shipping
• Partial shipping
• Shipment consolidation
• Door-to-door delivery

They ship to most major Canadian cities, including Montreal, Toronto, Quebec, and Vancouver⁸. One of the most interesting parts of Al Fares Lojistik is that they will ship multiple sizes of marine containers, and consolidate shipments to lower costs.

DHL

DHL is one of the world’s leading logistics companies, with extensive experience in international shipping. Its global network ensures reliable, efficient delivery.

There are three main levels of service from DHL⁹:

	DHL Express Worldwide	DHL Express 12:00	DHL Express 9:00
Description	Delivery by end of next possible business day	Delivery before noon on next possible business day	Delivery before 9am on the next possible business day
Money back guarantee	No	Yes*	Yes*
Countries Covered	More than 220	85	34
Delivery Attempts	2	2	2
Max. weight (not on pallet)	70 kg	70 kg	30 kg
Maximum quantity	N/A	10	10
Max. pallet weight	1,000 kg	Pallets not accepted	Pallets not accepted
Max. shipment weight	3,000 kg	300 kg	300 kg
Max. pallet dimensions	300 × 200 x 160 cm	Pallets not accepted	Pallets not accepted

As one of the worldwide leaders, DHL has also published a comprehensive cost guide⁹. Here’s a look at their surcharges and customs fees:

Service	Cost in Turkey	You pay with Wise (CAD)
Additional handling:
Overweight piece	90 EUR/piece	133.35 CAD/piece
Oversize piece	50 EUR/piece	74.08 CAD/piece
Non-stackable pallet	250 EUR/piece	370.42 CAD/piece
Packaging items:
Lithium batteries	5 EUR/shipment	7.41 CAD/shipment
Excepted quantities	5 EUR/shipment	7.41 CAD/shipment
Dry ice	10 EUR/shipment	14.82 CAD/shipment
Other charges:
Address correction	10 EUR/shipment	14.82 CAD/shipment
Data Entry	5 EUR/shipment	7.41 CAD/shipment
Customs broker notification	790 TRY/shipment	33.50 CAD/shipment
Release to broker	45 EUR minimum/shipment	66.68 CAD minimum/shipment
Bonded storage	45 EUR/shipment/day	66.68 CAD/shipment/day
Bonded transit	55 EUR/shipment	81.49 CAD/shipment
Export Declaration	10 EUR/shipment	14.82 CAD/shipment
Multiline entry	5 EUR per line after 5 lines	7.41 CAD per line after 5 lines
Permits and licenses	20 EUR/shipment + cost of certificate	29.63 CAD/shipment + cost of certificate

These exchange rates are as seen on 12 June 2024 at 9am EDT.

Essential local know-how when shipping from Turkey to Canada

There is also some local nuance to be aware of when shipping from Turkey to Canada. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Holidays: Turkey observes several public and religious holidays when businesses and logistics providers may close or reduce hours of operation. Republic Day (October 29), is the country’s one national holiday, with celebrations actually starting in the afternoon of October 28.
• Seasonal impact: In certain regions of Turkey, severe winter weather or summer heat can affect transportation and logistics.
• Political climate: Stay up-to-date with the political and economic environment in Turkey to anticipate any potential shipping disruptions.

Conclusion

Remember, while shipping from Turkey to Canada can be a great opportunity, it also comes with a number of regulatory challenges. To keep costs low, and drive business growth, consider opening a Wise Business account to avoid hidden fees and inflated exchange rates.

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Sources:

1. Canada Border Services Agency
2. Canada Border Services Agency
3. Canada Border Services Agency
4. Canada Border Services Agency
5. Canada Border Services Agency
6. Tebadul
7. Tebadul
8. Al Fares Lojistik
9. DHL
   Sources verified on 20 June 2024