Trade Agreement:CETA (Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement)
Guide to Sending Parcels to Portugal
The mighty Atlantic Ocean washes heavily upon Portugal's major coastline. Centuries ago, many of its brave sailors set forth into those dangerous waters and made huge contributions to the world map - Magellan, da Gama, Henry the Navigator, to name a few.
Portugal's long and storied history is now firmly anchored in the modern era, with e-commerce continuing to grow strongly. The country's future certainly looks as sunny as its famed Algarve.
Shipping Rates
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Portugal
through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Portugal. 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 Portugal
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 Portugal before shipping any
goods.
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Feb 21, 2026
8:49 am
Guarda, GU, PT
Delivered
Feb 20, 2026
7:18 am
Leiria, LE, PT
In transit
Feb 19, 2026
9:03 pm
Viseu, VI, PT
International Clearance
Feb 19, 2026
8:14 am
Faro, FA, PT
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 to Portugal duty-free as long as they
have no commercial value.
Document shipments include:
Bids
Diplomas
Driver's licence
Examination papers
Visa applications
Certain items may be shipped duty-free if they abide by the
restriction shown in the table below:
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
Only for intercompany use or if they have no commercial
valueMust 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
Tickets for football (soccer) matches, concerts, or stage
performances may be sent, but to a 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 (Technical)
Only the appropriate number of manuals are allowed.
Negatives
Only negatives, slides or print films being sent to a press or
publishing agency are allowed. If the items have had value added
through press or editorial charges, they then require an
invoice.
Newsletters (Company)
Only intercompany documents for use within the company and with
no commercial value are allowed Shipments from a publisher or
printing company are considered non-documents
Newspapers
Only those for non-commercial purposes are allowed
Stationery
Stationery must be personalised with no commercial value and
the number of pieces is appropriate for non-commercial use
Parcels shipped as gifts to Portugal of €45 EUR (about $65 CAD)
or less will be duty-free.
Alcohol, tobacco products, cosmetics and perfumes may be shipped as
gifts within certain restrictions as shown in table below.
Item
Restriction
Tobacco products
50 cigarettes
25 cigarillos (cigars weighing a maximum of 3 g per unit)
10 cigars or 50 g of smoking tobacco
Alcoholic beverages
Distilled beverages and spirits with maximum alcohol content of
22% (1 L maximum)
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 $73 CAD)
or less will be duty-free with some restrictions for certain products
such as alcohol, tobacco products, cosmetics and perfumes.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
Shipments to a business in Portugal from a business in Canada do not
classify as gifts and will incur duties and taxes.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
Shipments from a business in Canada to an individual in Portugal 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
Jose Saramago Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 10 1100-135 Lisboa Portugal
Phone: 84 24 37563474
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 should be wrapped and tagged
individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Jose Saramago Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 10 1100-135 Lisboa Portugal
Phone: 84 24 37563474
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
Portuguese citizens returning to live permanently in Portugal can
import their personal goods free of duty and tax providing:
They are used and have been owned for 6 months or more
They have lived outside of Portugal for 1 year or more
Personal goods are declared within 12 months from the date on which
returning citizens establish residence
Personal effects are for the use of its owner and his or her family.
They include items such as:
Household furniture and appliances
Portable instruments of mechanical arts or liberal professions
necessary for the exercise of the profession
Excluded from exemption on duty and tax are:
Alcoholic products
Tobacco and tobacco products
Materials for professional use
Moving Temporarily
Students
Students may ship their personal effects to Portugal if they move
there temporarily to study.
Personal effects are considered to be:
Household goods such as linens, shoes, and clothing
Educational materials (paper and pens, computers and books)
Furniture that a student would use, like a desk and chair
NOTE:The student exemption may be
granted several times in each school year.
Moving Permanently
If you are moving to Portugal having lived outside 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 goods may not be lent, sold or given away for at least after
your arrival.
The goods must match your social and economic status.
Your effects must arrive in Portugal within 1 year of having
obtained a Residence or Work permit AND no later than 3 months after
you arrive in Portugal.
Goods cannot be shipped until all documents have been accepted by
Portuguese authorities and they have approved their entry.
You must be in Portugal 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)
Jose Saramago Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 10 1100-135 Lisboa Portugal
Phone: 84 24 37563474
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Personal effects being delivered to my new address.
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
5 Pairs
Personal Effects: 5 pairs of various types of shoes
IN
$40.00
1 Each
Personal Effects: Arc'terix Winter Jacket
CA
$478.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Personal Effects Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $678.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Food, Chocolate, Candies
Food and food items like chocolate and candy can be shipped to
Portugal providing they follow the rules and standards established by
the European Union.
You May Ship
Bread, cakes, biscuits, chocolate, and confectionery (including
sweets) providing they do not contain meat products
Food supplements
Meat extracts and meat concentrates
Olives stuffed with fish
Pasta and vermicelli without meat products
Broths
Honey*
Powdered baby milk and food, and foods for special medical diets*
Cured, cooked, or smoked fish*
*Maximum of 2 kg
Do Not Ship
Meat and meat products
Milk and milk products
Food, Chocolate, Candies Checklist
Clearly indicate 'Food' on the commercial invoice in the General Description
or Remarks section (see sample)
Ensure that your food, chocolate, or candies may be imported into the
country
You are not shipping commercial quantities (for any duty & tax exemption)
Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Ship To
Invoice
Jose Saramago Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 10 1100-135 Lisboa Portugal
Phone: 84 24 37563474
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 aim is to encourage people to place orders of the
samples, not sell them.
Samples shipped to Portugal may qualify for duty-free entry 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
consignment
The goods are supplied directly from outside Portugal
They must be consumed or destroyed during demonstration or exported
within 12 months of entry
Before shipping commercial samples to Portugal, you must ensure:
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
Jose Saramago Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 10 1100-135 Lisboa Portugal
Phone: 84 24 37563474
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 Portugal is
straightforward. Duty and taxes are exempt because of the European
Union's inward processing rules. Inward processing means items shipped
from Canada to Portugal for repair will be duty-free.
Free warranty repairs done in Canada and returned to Portugal will not
incur VAT.
Items Under Warranty
As Canada and Portugal have a free-trade agreement (CETA), repairs
under warranty returning to Canada from Portugal 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
Portugal 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 Portugal
Sending equipment for repair to Portugal is fairly easy and exempt of
duty and taxes are exempt because of the European Union's inward
processing rules.
Returning Repaired Product to Portugal
Equipment repaired in Canada under a warranty will not incur duty and
taxes when they re-enter Portugal.
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 Portugal or exported to Canada (depending on
which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Jose Saramago Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 10 1100-135 Lisboa Portugal
Phone: 84 24 37563474
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 importation of certain goods into Portugal, without
incurring duties or taxes, is allowed for a period of up to 24 months.
This may include an article shipped to Portugal for improvement, or
for exhibition.
The following list includes goods that are often part of a temporary
import:
Commercial samples
Professional and scientific equipment
Items that will be used or displayed at an exhibition, fair, or
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 or during a public
exhibition such as a trade show booth
Advertising shipped for display at a trade fair or exhibition may be
sent using an ATA carnet. Temporary imports must follow the conditions
below:
The goods are not to be altered except through natural wear-and-tear
Goods may not stay in Portugal longer than 24 months
Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Portugal you can
pick from 1 of the 2 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. More details
are shown in the table.
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 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 6 months in Lebanon
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
Jose Saramago Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 10 1100-135 Lisboa Portugal
Phone: 84 24 37563474
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 to Portugal is €150 (about $225
CAD). This means that duty is only incurred if the value of the
shipment is above €150.
Starting 1 July 2021, all shipments, regardless of value, will incur
VAT.
Occasional Shipper
If only you ship occasionally to Portugal, for example, items sold on
eBay, there isn't too much you need to do. You will need to:
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).
NOTES:
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 Portugal, we suggest you seek
advice from a licenced customs broker in Portugal.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Jose Saramago Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 10 1100-135 Lisboa Portugal
Phone: 84 24 37563474
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 Portugal. A COO
proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in
Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Portugal, 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 Portugal 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 & 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 Portugal, all shipments will incur VAT. Most products will be
charged at a 23% VAT rate, however some are eligible for a reduced
rate of 16% and others 13%.
Regarding duty, shipments with a CIF value of €150 (about $225
CAD) or below, incur no duty charges.
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 (GCT)
23%
Tax Exemption (De minimis Value)
€0 - effective July 1st, 2021
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
CETA is a trade agreement between the EU and Canada. As a result, most
shipments from Canada enter Portugal duty-free.
Excise Duty
Portugal imposes excise duties on:
Alcoholic beverages and beverages containing added sugar or other
sweetening matter
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 Portugal from Canada can take between 2-3 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.
