Trade Agreement:CETA (Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement)
Guide to Sending Parcels to Austria
Austria is largely a mountainous landlocked country of south-central Europe. However, for its small size and population it has produced some notable musicians, artists, and scientists - Mozart, Klimt, and Freud to name a few. In modern times, Austrians have used their geography to foster champion downhill skiers in all of its variations.
So, while its winter athletes have been going downhill for decades, the country has consistently been one of the world's top 20 richest nations. No wonder then that over 90% of its citizens use the internet and spend more than $1,300 USD per person per year on e-commerce purchases - a number that continues to grow steadily.
Shipping Rates
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Austria
through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Austria. In case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking
information to Austria
Disclaimer
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this
page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Austria before shipping any
goods.
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Feb 21, 2026
8:49 am
Innsbruck, IN, AT
Delivered
Feb 20, 2026
7:18 am
Graz, GR, AT
In transit
Feb 19, 2026
9:03 pm
Salzburg, SA, AT
International Clearance
Feb 19, 2026
8:14 am
Vienna, VI, AT
In transit
Feb 19, 2026
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
Feb 18, 2026
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will
require different paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting
statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
Most documents can be shipped from Canada to Austria duty-free
provided they have no commercial value.
Document shipments include:
Bids
Driver's licence
Diplomas
Examination papers
Visa applications
Certain items may be shipped duty-free if they abide by the
restriction shown in the table below:
Item
Restriction
Airline tickets
Must be validated
Annual reports
Must only be shipped to shareholders or company officials
Blueprints
Must have no commercial value and are for intercompany use or
as a bid invitation (for example, architectural plans for an EU
contract)
Brochures
Must be for intercompany use or for non-commercial purposes
Business cards
A maximum of 15 business cards allowed
Cheques
Only personalised cheques allowed
Credit cards
Must be personalised
Event tickets (for concerts, stage performances or soccer
matches)
Maximum of 10 kg per shipment Tickets shipped from a printing
company to the ticket sales office or an organiser of an event
may not be sent as documents
Greeting cards and invitations
Only considered documents if personalised Non-personalised
invitations and greeting cards require an invoice
Manuals
Only if they are of a technical nature and in an appropriate
number for the purpose
Negatives
Only negatives, slides, or print films being sent to a press or
publishing agency are allowed They must not have had value added
through press or editorial charges
Newsletters (Company)
Only intercompany documents for internal use; must not have
commercial value Shipments from a publisher or printing company
are considered non-documents
Newspapers
Only those for non-commercial purposes are allowed
Stationery
Must be personalised with no commercial value and the number of
pieces is appropriate for personal use
Parcels shipped as gifts from Canada to Austria of €45 EUR
(about $65 CAD) or less will be duty-free.
Gift shipments have the following characteristics:
They are of an occasional nature
The items are for the personal use of the recipient and his or her
family
They are sent without any exchange of monies
Alcohol, tobacco products, cosmetics, and perfumes may be shipped as
gifts provided they respect the restrictions as shown in table below.
Items
Restrictions
Alcoholic beverages
Distilled beverages and spirits with maximum alcohol content of
22% (1 L maximum)
Tobacco products
50 cigarettes
25 cigarillos (cigars weighing a maximum of 3 g per unit)
10 cigars or 50 g of smoking tobacco
Perfumes or cologne
50 g or 250 mL
Coffee
500 g (Extracts and essences 200 g)
Tea extracts or essences
40 g
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
Shipments from individual to individual of €45 (about $65 CAD)
or less will be duty-free with some restrictions for certain products
such as tobacco products, alcohol, cosmetics, and perfumes.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
Shipments to a business in Austria from a business in Canada are not
considered as gifts and will incur duties and taxes.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
Shipments from a business in Canada to an individual in Austria will
incur taxes and charges regardless of the value of the gift.
Gift Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the
commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time (see sample)
List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one
individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Getreidegasse 9 5020 Salzburg Austria
Phone: +43 662 844313
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
Multiple gifts sent in one shipment of €45 (about $65 CAD) or
less will be exempt from duty and taxes. Each gift must be wrapped and
tagged individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Getreidegasse 9 5020 Salzburg Austria
Phone: +43 662 844313
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
If you are moving to Austria after having lived outside of the country
for 1 year or more, you may bring your used personal effects into the
country tax and duty-free.
The following conditions apply:
Your effects must arrive in Austria within 1 year of having obtained
a Residence or Work permit AND no later than 3 months after you
arrive in Austria
Your goods may not be lent, sold or given away for at least after
your arrival
Goods cannot be shipped until all documents have been accepted by
Austrian authorities and they have approved their entry
You must be in Austria at the time your personal effects arrive
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Ship To
Invoice
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Getreidegasse 9 5020 Salzburg Austria
Phone: +43 662 844313
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2027 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Permanent / Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Samples
Commercial samples are those that can only be used for demonstration
purposes. The goal is to promote products and solicit sales; not to
sell the samples.
Samples shipped to Austria may be exempt from duty and tax if:
They are of negligible value (up to €22 - about $35 CAD - and
no more than 10 kg in weight)
They are for encouraging orders related to the sample
There is no more than one sample of each style or quality in the
shipment
The goods are shipped directly from Canada
They must be consumed or destroyed during demonstration or exported
within 12 months of entry
Before shipping commercial samples to Austria, you must ensure the
following:
The commercial invoice must clearly state that the package contains
samples
Package is labelled: 'Mutilated Samples' or 'Marked Samples not for
Resale'
Commercial Sample Checklist
A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the
General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has
permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Getreidegasse 9 5020 Salzburg Austria
Phone: +43 662 844313
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Sending a piece of equipment for repair to Austria from Canada is
fairly easy. Duty and taxes are exempt because of the European Union's
inward processing rules. Inward processing means items shipped from
Canada to Austria for repair will be duty-free.
Free warranty repairs done in Canada and returned to Austria will not
incur VAT.
Items Under Warranty
As Canada and Austria are part of the EU free-trade agreement (CETA),
repairs under warranty returning to Canada from Austria are duty-free
and will not be charged GST.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
An item that is no longer under warranty and returns to Canada from
Austria will be charged GST. The GST will be charged on the value of
the repair and on any parts required for the repair.
Sending Product for Repair to Austria
Sending equipment for repair to Austria is straightforward and exempt
of duty and taxes because of the European Union's inward processing
rules. Inward processing means items shipped from Canada to Austria
for repair will be duty-free.
Returning Repaired Product to Austria
Equipment repaired in Canada under a warranty will not incur duty and
taxes when they re-enter Austria.
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General
Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under
the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the
item was first exported to Austria or exported to Canada (depending on
which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Getreidegasse 9 5020 Salzburg Austria
Phone: +43 662 844313
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Temporary imports of certain goods into Austria will be exempt from
duty and taxes for a period of up to 24 months. This may include an
article shipped from Canada to Austria for repair or an exhibition.
The following list include goods that qualify as temporary imports:
Commercial samples
Professional and scientific equipment
Items that will be used or displayed at an exhibition, trade fair,
meeting, or other similar events
Equipment required to evaluate and test the operation of other goods
and equipment
Tools and specialised equipment required for repairing, exploring,
producing, or manufacturing
Materials and goods to be used for entertainment
NOTE: Advertising material shipped for display at a trade fair or exhibition
may be sent using an ATA Carnet.
Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Austria, you can
pick from Option 1 or 2 of the Temporary Import Methods listed below.
Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following
methods requires you to complete a Commercial Invoice (CI). More
details below.
Option #
Temporary Import Method
Risk of paying
1
Commercial Invoice Only (no other documentation is provided)
High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily
2
Commercial Invoice + ATA Carnet
Very Low
1. Complete a Commercial Invoice (CI) only
This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.
NOTE:You should be aware that shipping using this
method doesn't guarantee that your items will be imported duty/tax
free. Not all brokers will clear goods as temporary imports (i.e.
UPS, Fedex, DHL) nor is it a guarantee that customs won't charge any
duties and taxes.
2. Commercial Invoice (CI) + an ATA Carnet
Completing an ATA Carnet is great option for items that frequently travel
in and out of the country. It's also great because once you have an ATA
Carnet, it is accepted by 176 countries worldwide making the application
process a one-time thing.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary
import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of
temporary nature.
ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of the article however, you can
find more information here: http://www.chamber.ca/carnet/
NOTE:It is highly recommended to get an ATA Carnet
for items that frequently travel in and out of the country and
especially so when it is valued over $2,500 USD
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary
import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of temporary
nature.
ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of this article. You can, however,
contact your local chamber of commerce and they will be able to guide
you along. You can also find more information here:` http://www.chamber.ca/carnet/
In addition to choosing option 1 or 2, the following conditions must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and VAT free exemption:
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo
no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than 1 year in Austria
NOTE:
If the above conditions are not followed, duties and taxes will be
charged as though the goods have been imported permanently.
Your Customs broker can clear goods of a temporary nature (FedEx,
UPS, DHL, etc. typically cannot clear goods
of temporary nature)
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written
in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods. (see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no
repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received
within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Getreidegasse 9 5020 Salzburg Austria
Phone: +43 662 844313
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2027
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
The duty threshold for shipments sent to Austria is €150 (about
$225 CAD). This means that duty is only applied if the value of the
shipment is above €150. Starting 1 July 2021, all shipments,
regardless of value, will be subject to VAT.
Occasional Shipper
If only you ship occasionally to Austria, for example, items sold on
eBay, there isn't too much you need to do. You must:
Include 3 copies of the commercial invoice with your shipment
Provide a detailed description of the goods on the commercial
invoice (in order to avoid customs delays).
NOTE: An Economic Operator
Registration and Identification (EORI) number is NOT needed if you are
shipping as a private individual.
Regular Shipper
If you regularly sell and ship goods to Austria, we suggest you
consult with licenced customs broker in Austria.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Getreidegasse 9 5020 Salzburg Austria
Phone: +43 662 844313
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This
process alone can be confusing and time-consuming. So we’ve narrowed
down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of
being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.).
Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's
destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the
commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels). These
are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document
pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the
system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled
good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a
controlled good and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US
Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Austria. A COO
proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in
Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Austria, it will
incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters
of credit for the goods. Otherwise, it is generally your choice
whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you
can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process
and ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties
and taxes.
Shipments to Austria have VAT and duty charges calculated using the CIF
method, i.e. the sum of the customs value plus insurance fees plus
freight costs.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By knowing the CIF value of a shipment, you will be able to predict the
duty and taxes owed by the recipient.
Thresholds
Some countries provide a duty and tax threshold (also called the de
minimis value), which means that below a certain amount no duty or
taxes are incurred on the import of that shipment.
In Austria, all shipments will incur VAT, however, shipments with a
CIF value of €150 CIF (about $242 CAD) or less will not incur
any duty.
NOTE: Alcoholic beverages, perfumes, and eau
de toilette are always subject to VAT, duties, and excise taxes.
Currency
Euro (EUR) - €
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
€150 (about $225 CAD)
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
20%
Tax Exemption (De minimis Value)
€0 - effective July 1st, 2021
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Canada has a free trade agreement with the EU (CETA) therefore a
reduced or zero rate of duty applies to most imports to Austria from
Canada.
Candy 0%
Chocolate 0%
Spirits Variable*
Wine Variable*
Tobacco Variable*
Books 0%
Documents 0%
Video Games & Consoles 0%
Laptops 0%
Tablets 0%
Smartphones 0%
Cameras 0%
Electronics Accessories 0%
Coats 0%
Beauty Products & Cosmetics 0%
Jewellery 0%
Shirts 0%
Pants 0%
Home Appliances 0%
Toys 0%
Sports Equipment 0%
*For alcoholic beverages: still and sparkling wine: 20%; spirits:
€1,200 (about $1,775 CAD) per hectolitre of pure alcohol + 20%
*For tobacco products: €58 (about $85 CAD) per 1000 cigarettes;
€100 (about $150) per 1000 cigars/cigarillos
You can purchase insurance
through Secureship, and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting
your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared
insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment, our
system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or
damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is
insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable,
if it doesn't meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased
through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to Austria from Canada can take between 3-5 business days
through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform. More
economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2
months to complete the delivery.
