Your guide to shipping products from Pakistan to Canada

Canadian business owners are always looking for affordable ways to import products. Did you know, one of the most popular imports for Canadians is Pakistan? However, incorrect navigation of logistics when shipping from Pakistan to Canada can overwhelm and rack up expenses.

We've assembled this guide to assist you in understanding the process and identifying some of the most reliable shipping options, along with Wise as a solution for your international business payment needs.

Essential Know-How and Requirements For Exporting Goods From Pakistan To Canada

• Commercial Invoice: This is a document that contains information about the goods being shipped, like their value, quantity, and description.
• Bill Of Lading/Air Waybill: These documents serve as proof of ownership and act as a contract between the shipper and the carrier.
• Certificate Of Origin: This document verifies where the goods were produced and can affect duty rates or trade agreements between the two countries.
• Import License: Depending on the type of goods being shipped, an import license may be required from Canadian authorities.
• Packing List: A detailed list of all items included in the shipment.
• Other Requirements: Before importing certain products into Canada, they must meet additional requirements like permits, insurance, or certifications.

Are There Restrictions On Shipping Goods From Pakistan To Canada?

Some items that cannot be shipped from Pakistan to Canada include:

• The Pakistani government prohibits items (ie: items related to nuclear explosive activity or rockets)² for export
• Certain firearms and weapons
• Certain food, plants, and animals
• Certain explosives, fireworks, and ammunition
• Cannabis
• Certain consumer products³

Remember, some courier companies may have their own shipping restrictions, including limits on perishables, weight, or size. Always verify with your selected courier before shipping.

What Are The Typical Costs Of Shipping Goods From Pakistan To Canada?

The weight, size, and shape of your goods, as well as the mode of transportation (air/sea/land), determine the cost of shipping goods from Pakistan to Canada.

You may also need to consider additional costs like

• insurance
• customs duty/import tax/exporting fees
• currency conversion fees
• intermediary bank fees for international payments in the SWIFT network

It's important to research and compare different shipping options to find the most cost-effective one for your business. This will help you save money and keep your overall expenses down.

How To Reduce Costs On Transactions Between Pakistan And Canada

One of the best steps to reduce costs on transactions between Pakistan and Canada is to open a multi-currency business account. Having Canadian dollars (CAD) and Pakistani rupees (PKR) in one account eliminates the need for multiple currency conversions and associated fees.

With Wise, you can enjoy automatic invoicing and batch payments, making the process more efficient and cost-effective. Using a multi-currency account with Wise Business allows you to take advantage of the mid-market exchange rate, which you usually see on Google. This means you will have no hidden fees or unfair conversion rates.

Get your Wise business account in a few clicks! 🚀

Some Well Known Shipping Companies For Exporting From Pakistan To Canada

FedEx⁴

FedEx is a global courier and shipping company with over 50 years of experience. They offer a wide range of services, including international shipping from Pakistan to Canada. FedEx offers express delivery options, making them an ideal choice for industries where speed is crucial.

You can use the calculator on FedEx’s website to calculate timelines and rates for shipping by inputting packaging type, number of packages, size, shipping date, etc. For shipping from Pakistan to Vancouver, however, you should note that they only allow you to use FedEx International Priority Freight and will only tell you the shipping time frame up front.

DHL⁵

DHL is a global shipping company with operations in over 220 countries and territories. For Canadian businesses importing from Pakistan, DHL is an excellent option as they have a strong presence in both countries. They also have experience handling various goods like textiles and handicrafts.

DHL offers three import/export services between Canada and Pakistan. Here’s what they look like:

Here are the costs of some of their services in USD and CAD:

UPS⁶

UPS (United Parcel Service) is a well-known shipping company that operates globally, including Pakistan and Canada. They offer various services for businesses of all sizes, making them a popular choice for shipping from Pakistan to Canada.

UPS is not upfront about their costs, but here are quotes from their website on some of the services they offer for large volume shipping:

• You can ship Up to 250 Parcels at Once
• Automated High-Volume Shipping with UPS WorldShip
• Track hundreds of parcels easily with UPS Quantum View

Essential Local Know-How When Shipping From Pakistan To Canada

While this may be obvious, you should be mindful that Pakistan has a different business culture and operating schedule compared to Canada. For instance, businesses and logistics providers in Pakistan may not operate on public or regional holidays, which can lead to shipping delays.

It's crucial to factor in these holidays when planning your import timeline. It's also important to communicate with your supplier in Pakistan to ensure they are aware of any potential delays and can plan accordingly.

Conclusion

We hope this guide enriched your understanding of cost-efficient product shipping from Pakistan to Canada. By following these tips and using Wise for your international payments, you can save time and money while expanding your business globally.

If you have any further questions or need assistance with your international payments, feel free to contact our friendly customer support team. We're always happy to help you with your cross-border business needs. Happy shipping!

Sources verfied on 25 June 2024