Which is the cheapest courier from Canada to Germany?

Shipping has so many variables no one can ever say which is always the cheapest courier; however, one thing for certain is that Canadian shipping broker Secureship always finds the cheapest courier for you. But there are other ways to save on shipping, like increasing the delivery time and reducing the size of the parcel. And to ensure your parcel enters Germany without issues, it is important to include a complete and truthful commercial invoice and abide by German customs regulations, a summary of which you can find on Secureship’s website.

Table of Contents

• How to Find the Cheapest Courier to Germany
• How to Save on Shipping
• How to Ship to Germany
• Conclusion

How to Find the Cheapest Courier to Germany

When shipping from Canada, the easiest way to find the cheapest courier to Germany is by using Secureship’s estimator.

With this intuitive, on-line tool, you will have half-a-dozen options within minutes. And with Secureship’s bulk buying agreement with FedEx, UPS, and Purolator, you will find tremendous savings off of their retail prices.

How to Save on Shipping

Besides choosing Secureship as your shipping broker, there are other steps to save on shipping.

Delivery time

Slower deliveries, even by a few days, can dramatically lower shipping rates. But for a substantial saving, consider sea freight for your parcel; however, this could result in deliveries to Germany of a month or more.

Smaller parcels

A smaller parcel does not mean lighter, which of course ship for less, but it is unrealistic to reduce the quantity of goods you ship. However, if it is all possible, reducing the size of the box could make for a cheaper parcel to ship.

The reason is due to dimensional weight, and in simple terms is a result of the calculation of a box’s size compared to the weight that determines its cost to ship.

Think of it this way: A box filled with feathers would cost more to ship than the equivalent weight of gold in a much smaller box.

How to Ship to Germany

Shipping to Germany is little different than anywhere else and quite like shipping to anywhere in the EU. And that's largely due to Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

Packaging

Packaging is straightforward if you are shipping non-breakables. However, if the shipment is fragile or particularly valuable, these guidelines should ensure the parcel’s safe arrival.

• Wrap individual items in bubble wrap or packaging peanuts
• Place each item a minimum of 5 cm apart and the same distance all of the box’s six surfaces
• Use specially designed packing tape to seal the box in an ‘H’ as shown below

Commercial invoice

While preparing a commercial invoice for parcels to Germany is not unique, it is very important and worth reminding people.

As you cannot enter a foreign country without a passport, nor can a parcel without a commercial invoice.

Fortunately for you, as a Secureship customer, this document is produced when we act as your broker.

Customs regulations

Countries vary in what they disallow across their borders. A sampling for Germany includes:

• Potatoes
• Caviar from sturgeon
• Milk and cheese

Compared to Canada, European nations impose a hefty value added tax on imports (VAT), which for Germany is 19% and applies even if the shipment’s value is very low.

Regarding duties, CETA has reduced many of them on Canadian goods (tobacco products and alcoholic beverages a notable exception); and there is a de minimis value of €150 (about $225 CAD, as of October 2025).

Conclusion

Depending on the day, cargo, and delivery time, any one courier may be cheaper than the others. But to ensure you are paying the least possible, have Secureship find the cheapest courier for you – which could be a 50% savings off the courier’s retail price. You can also employ strategies like avoiding expensive overnight deliveries and making the box as small as possible. If your shipment is delayed or returned to Canada, that could be costly, and that can be prevented by providing a clear and correct commercial invoice with the parcels. It is also important to abide by German customs rules.