Import from Canada to the UK
In 2024, the Canadian government reported that the UK was Canada’s third-largest single-country trading partner for goods and services. The UK is an attractive market for Canadian investors, and the two countries have a strong relationship built on historic ties.
Trade relations between the UK and Canada are designed to safeguard mutual prosperity, particularly in terms of economic growth and open markets. In fact, the UK and Canada signed the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement in 2020 (following Brexit). This agreement was designed to make sure that imports from Canada to the UK and vice versa are still preferential.
Trade relations between the UK and Canada are designed to safeguard mutual prosperity, particularly in terms of economic growth and open markets. In fact, the UK and Canada signed the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement in 2020 (following Brexit). This agreement was designed to make sure that imports from Canada to the UK and vice versa are still preferential.
Why import from Canada to the UK?
Favourable Trade Agreements (FTA)
As mentioned, imports from Canada to the UK may benefit from the favourable trade agreements implemented in the 2020s.
The Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-UK TCA) came into effect on 1 April 2021. It eliminates tariffs on 98% of Canadian products exported to the UK.
High-quality production
Canada is a leading producer of many sought-after goods, including natural resources (e.g., zinc, gold, petroleum, beef, poultry and wood products.
Advanced manufacturing
Canada’s manufacturing sector contributes $174 billion to its annual GDP. Manufacturing is considered a big part of the country’s economic growth, with markets for Canadian goods expanding rapidly.
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What products are commonly imported from Canada?
In 2024, the total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Canada was £26.7 billion. Total UK exports to Canada amounted to £16.4 billion, and UK imports from Canada amounted to £10.3 billion.
As the UK’s 16th largest trading partner, the top 5 imports from Canada to the UK are as follows:
Shipping from Canada to the UK requires goods to be cleared through both UK and Canadian customs.
As the UK’s 16th largest trading partner, the top 5 imports from Canada to the UK are as follows:
- Unspecified goods (£1.9 billion)
- Crude oil (£576.5 million)
- Inorganic chemicals (£562.3 million)
- Aircraft (£371.8 million)
- Cereals (£338.8 million)
Shipping from Canada to the UK requires goods to be cleared through both UK and Canadian customs.
How to prepare for customs declarations
You can prepare for shipping from Canada to the UK by hiring a customs broker or a freight forwarder to help you organise the following documents:
Commodity code
The commodity code determines import restrictions, VAT, and customs fees. It helps customs categorise goods and has ten digits specific to each shipment.
EORI number
An Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number is required for all imports from the UK to Canada. An EORI number allows UK authorities to follow goods as they travel across international borders.
Marking and labelling
Food and drink, footwear, precious metals, and children's products must all adhere to UK product labelling regulations.
Inspection (if required):
You might need to acquire an import licence in order to import from Canada to the UK. Among the goods that need a licence are:
- Animals and their byproducts
- High-risk foods
- Products and weapons that might be used for execution or torture
- Waste shipments
- Human-use tissues and cells
Pay duty & VAT
Depending on the product category and declared value, different taxes, duties, and VAT apply to Canadian imports. These expenses must be paid prior to the goods being cleared by customs.
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How do I ship goods from Canada to the UK?
Shipping from Canada to the UK is typically accomplished via sea or air freight.
Air freight
Air freight from Canada to the UK can take 1–5 days. If you’re transporting high-value or time-sensitive shipments, this is the most suitable method of shipping.
Sea freight
Sea freight typically takes longer to arrive: around 15–50 days. You can use this type of transport if you’re looking to save money or don’t have set timelines to follow.
Does the UK have a free trade agreement with Canada?
Yes, the United Kingdom and Canada are currently connected through the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-UK TCA), which came into effect on 1 April 2021.
Under this agreement, imports from Canada to the UK still follow the preferential trading terms that were in place under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union.
Under this agreement, imports from Canada to the UK still follow the preferential trading terms that were in place under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union.
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