How to ship a package from Canada to Spain

Perhaps a Canadian’s first choice for shipping a parcel from Canada to Spain is to take it to a Canada Post outlet. As we well know, FedEx and UPS also offer Canadians other shipping options, which may be more expensive than Canada Post. Fortunately, Secureship - Canada’s premier shipping broker - finds substantially reduced shipping rates for its clients. But shippers have a responsibility to package their goods to ensure they arrive unbroken, and this blog outlines those practices; and it also explains how using Secureship saves you time when preparing the parcel’s paperwork.

Table of Contents

• Have Secureship Find the Best Shipping Options to Spain
• How to Pack Goods to Arrive Unbroken
• A Shipment’s Paperwork
• Conclusion

Have Secureship Find the Best Shipping Options to Spain

Secureship saves you on shipping due to its bulk buying agreements with Canada Post, UPS, and FedEx. And those savings - at least 50% and often more - get passed on to you.

And those savings you can see below for a small parcel (5 kg) shipped to Madrid from Montreal.

Carrier and Service	Secureship’s Rate (CAD)	Carrier’s Rate (CAD)	Delivery Time (business days)
Canada Post Xpresspost	$117	$188	8
FedEx International Economy	$129	$444	5
FedEx International Priority	$172	$493	2.5
FedEx International Connect Plus	$122	$408	5
FedEx International First	$656	$656	1.5
UPS Expedited	$204	$433	5
UPS Express Saver	$217	$461	2.5
UPS Express	$228	$485	2

The table also shows another way of saving a lot of money: extend the parcel’s transit time.

How to Pack Goods to Arrive Unbroken

Recipients do not want to receive damaged goods, so it is worth taking the necessary time to package them so they arrive at the destination unbroken.

If you follow the three key points outlined below, the goods should arrive in the recipient’s hands as you packed them:

• Separate fragile items using packaging peanuts or wrap them in bubble wrap; place items at least 5 cm apart.
• Use a sturdy, unused box as a used one could have lost half of its rated strength.
• Ensure the box is sealed in the shape of an ‘H’ (see below); employ certified packing tape (avoid duct tape or masking tape).

The pictures below demonstrate three easy things to remember when packing goods - use bubble wrap; select a new, sturdy box; and tape all flaps securely.

Note
If you have insured the shipment, it is important to secure the parcel as per ISTA 3A packaging standards.

A Shipment’s Paperwork

All international shipments require at minimum two documents: the shipping label and commercial invoice.

Shipping label

Should the shipping label be incorrect or incomplete, the parcel delivery may be delayed, or returned to Canada.

So, we recommend:

• Ensure you have the recipient’s correct and complete address
• Provide a return address
• Add your phone number in the event of any issues

Commercial invoice (CI)

A commercial invoice describes the goods being shipped and states their values, and this enables customs to assess VAT or duties owed on the goods.

Again, missing or confusing information may postpone the parcel’s delivery, to the chagrin of the recipient.

Check out Secureship’s Guide to Shipping to Spain to learn what other documents your shipment may require.

Conclusion

Canadians have many options when shipping parcels to Spain - Canada Post, UPS, and FedEx. Each of those have their advantages and disadvantages, but if you let Secureship find the best option for your time lines and budget, your shipping will be much cheaper and you will save heaps of time. Your biggest responsibility will be packing the goods so they arrive undamaged, which is simple but requires a modicum of care. After you pick one of Secureship’s shipping options, the system will guide you through the paperwork. Two key documents are the shipping label and commercial invoice. Careful completion of those should enable the parcel to enter Spain without issue.