How to Ship a Package from Canada to Italy

For many Canadians, the natural choice for shipping a package from Canada to Italy is Canada Post. But today’s world offers many more options – FedEx and UPS perhaps being the best known. However, finding the best option is often a challenge. And that is Secureship’s speciality – a Canadian shipping broker who can reduce your shipping rates up to 50% off.

Shipping also includes packaging responsibilities to ensure the goods arrive safely and completed paperwork so that the parcel enters Italy without any issues. Fortunately, Secureship and this blog can also help you with all of that.

Table of Contents

• Secureship Finds You the Best Shipping Options to Italy
• A Shipper’s Packaging Responsibilities
• Shipping Documentation
• Conclusion

Secureship Finds You the Best Shipping Options to Italy

Secureship has arranged bulk buying agreements with FedEx, UPS, and Purolator. So, when you ship with Secureship we pass on those savings to you, which as shown below for a small parcel to Rome can be outstanding.

Carrier and Service	Secureship’s Rate (CAD)	Carrier’s Rate (CAD)	Delivery Time (business days)
Canada Post Xpresspost	$100	$184	9
FedEx International Economy	$146	$429	5
FedEx International Priority	$166	$475	2
UPS Expedited	$186	$414	3
UPS Express Saver	$198	$439	5
UPS Express	$208	$462	Not available

It is also worth pointing out that usually extending the delivery time is an easy way of saving money.

A Shipper’s Packaging Responsibilities

While the carrier’s job is to get your parcel to its destination in the agreed time, your responsibility is to package it so that it endures the rigours of travel.

The pictures below demonstrate three easy things to remember when packing goods:

1. For valuable or breakable items, wrap them individually with bubble wrap or packaging peanuts.
2. Select a new, sturdy box (a previously used one may have lost up to 50% of its rated strength).
3. Seal the box with proper packing tape in the shape of an ‘H’ enclosing the two open ends and the centre split.

Refer to ISTA 3A packaging standards for more details concerning secure packaging.

Shipping Documentation

International shipments require two main documents – the shipping label and commercial invoice.

Shipping label

While rather straightforward, an incomplete or incorrect shipping label could lead to parcel delays or worse, a return to the sender. So, it is recommended that you:

• Double-check that the recipient’s address is complete and correct
• Add a returning address
• Provide a phone number in the event of any issues

Commercial invoice (CI)

All international shipments require a CI like all persons need a passport to enter a foreign country. The CI describes the goods, which allows customs agents to easily and correctly assess any duties or taxes owed on the goods.

And depending on the goods you are shipping to Italy, and for how long, there may be other pieces of paper required. For further details, please consult Secureship’s Guide to Shipping to Italy.

Conclusion

Canada Post is the parcel shipper of choice for numerous Canadians, but many other private options exist like UPS, FedEx, and Purolator. But sorting through their varied services is time consuming, which Secureship is specifically designed to help you with. And the best part is that Secureship can also cut your shipping costs by at least half with those carriers. In addition, with Secureship as your broker, you will also save a lot of time as you complete the necessary paperwork. And if you have any questions about packing goods for safe travel, Secureship has advice on that too.