Tunisia is the smallest country in North Africa, but also the most northerly. This proximity to ancient Rome made its varied agricultural products, particularly olives, quite valuable to the Roman Empire. Modern Tunisia continues to cultivate olives, but also welcomes tourists, who enjoy relaxing on its Mediterranean beaches and visiting the famed sacked city of Carthage.
E-commerce activity in Tunisia has been a slow start compared to others in the region; however, the majority of Tunisians use the internet and 64% of them are on social media. This can only encourage more e-commerce especially as Tunisia's diverse and export-orientated economy depends on the EU for 72% of its trade.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Tunisia through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Tunisia. 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 Tunisia
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Jun 1, 2023
8:49 am
Bizerte, BI, TN
Delivered
May 31, 2023
7:18 am
Kairouan, KA, TN
In transit
May 30, 2023
9:03 pm
Sousse, SO, TN
International Clearance
May 30, 2023
8:14 am
Sfax, SF,TN
In transit
May 30, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
May 29, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
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 Tunisia before shipping any goods.
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:
If a gift without commercial value is shipped to Tunisia from Canada, the amount of duty and taxes owed on the shipment will be determined on 10% of its estimated value. This is only if the estimated value is 2,000 TD or less (about $875 CAD).
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
Gifts received by an individual in Tunisia will have duty and taxes incurred. The amount of duty and taxes is calculated on 10% of the estimated value of the gift. This is only valid if the estimated value is 2,000 TD or less (about $875 CAD).
Shipments from Business-to-Business
A gift shipped from a business in Canada to a business in Tunisia will incur duties and taxes regardless of its value.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
If a business in Canada ships a gift to an individual in Tunisia, the parcel will be charged duties and taxes no matter its value.
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
Miguel ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Tunisia City 01001 Tunisia
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 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
If your shipment contains multiple gifts, be sure to wrap and tag each one separately.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Tunisia City 01001 Tunisia
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 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
Personal effects of Tunisian citizens returning permanently to Tunisia will be allowed duty and tax free entry up to a limit of 30,000 TD (about $13,100 CAD).
Eligible duty and tax exempt effects include:
Footwear and clothing
Furniture and other items required to run a household
The exemption is allowed provided:
The claimant has lived outside of Tunisia for at least 1 year, and has not visited Tunisia for more than 120 days during their time away
The applicant is 18 years of age or older
He or she has never before benefited from this exemption
The rules for Canadians moving permanently to Tunisia are similar to those for Tunisian nationals. The major difference is the maximum allowable claim: 15,000 TD or less (about $6,550 CAD).
Moving Temporarily
Students
Canadian students moving to Tunisia to study may ship their personal effects exempt from duty and taxes provided they are in a quantity and quality deemed suitable for the purposes.
Goods allowed the exemption include new and used:
Clothing and footwear
Bedding and other linens
The student must also follow the conditions below:
Provide proof of acceptance at an educational institution in Tunisia
The shipment arrives in 1 consignment
Ensure that the goods arrive in the country within 1 month of his or her arrival
Non-students
Foreign non-students may ship their personal effects to Tunisia for a period of no longer than 3 months if they wish to avoid payment of duty and taxes.
NOTE: An extension of up to 9 months may be granted to the temporary visitor with an application to authorities and a payment of a fee.
Tunisian nationals may enter temporarily with their personal effects exempt from duty and taxes provided:
The value of goods is 2,000 TND or less (about $875 CAD)
The amount of goods is for personal use, i.e. it is clearly not a commercial shipment
The individual was at least 18 years of age when he or she was last in Tunisia
He or she has been outside of Tunisia for a minimum of 1 year without having been in Tunisia for more than 183 days during the previous year
Moving Permanently
Canadians moving permanently to Tunisia may enter with their household items exempt from duty and taxes if their value is 15,000 TND or less (about $6,550 CAD). Also, the goods must enter Tunisia within 2 years of when the individual took up residence in the country.
Household items include:
Personal effects - clothing, footwear, memorabilia
Furniture and appliances
Tunisian citizens who return to Tunisia to live permanently may enter with their personal effects exempt from duties and taxes.
Personal effects are considered items used to furnish a household as well as clothing and footwear.
The conditions for the duty and tax exemption include:
The exemption has never been claimed before
The individual has been outside of Tunisia for a minimum of 1 year without having stayed within Tunisia for more than 120 days during their time away
The claimant is at least 18 years old
The value of the shipment is 30,000 TD or less (about $13,100 CAD)
Personal Effects Checklist
They are imported strictly for the use of the individual and/or his or her family
The amount of goods is clearly for the household only, and is not in a commercial quantity
The shipment arrives no more than 30 days before and 90 days after the arrival of the owner of the goods
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Tunisia City 01001 Tunisia
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Commercial Sample 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
Advertising Material
Advertising material that is destined for fairs, trade shows, and other exhibitions may enter Tunisia duty and tax free provided it is a temporary import.
Materials may stay in the country for no longer than 1 year (extensions are possible).
Advertising Material Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for Resale' (see sample)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Tunisia City 01001 Tunisia
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 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
Equipment in need of repair or adjustments may be shipped to Tunisia from Canada exempt from duty and taxes. The piece of equipment must be re-exported to Canada after the work has been completed.
Items Under Warranty
Items from Tunisia that are repaired under warranty in Canada will be exempt from duty and taxes when they re-enter Tunisia provided the work was done at no charge and within the time limits stated in the warranty.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Items no longer under warranty that are repaired in Canada will incur GST on the cost of repairs and any parts required for the repair. When the equipment is returned to Tunisia, it will then be charged duties and taxes from the local customs authorities.
Sending Product for Repair to Tunisia
Equipment shipped to Tunisia from Canada for repair or adjustments will be duty and tax free provided it is returned to Canada once the repairs are done.
Returning Repaired Product to Tunisia
If equipment from Tunisia was repaired in Canada under a warranty and free of charge, it is allowed a duty and tax free return to Tunisia.
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 Tunisia or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Tunisia City 01001 Tunisia
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 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 into Tunisia are allowed a duty and tax free exemption if the goods are re-exported to Canada within 1 year of their arrival. (Extensions of this time limit are possible, but a portion of the duties and taxes will be incurred.)
Also, it is expected that the items will leave Tunisia unchanged aside from normal wear-and-tear.
Goods that typically qualify for temporary importation include:
Commercial samples
Equipment used for experiments or testing
Items that will be displayed at meetings, symposia, trade fairs, or other gatherings
Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Tunisia, 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 (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.
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 the 2 options listed above, 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 aside for normal wear-and-tear; maintenance and minor repairs are allowed under certain conditions
If an ATA Carnet is used, the goods may stay no longer than 1 year in Tunisia
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
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Tunisia City 01001 Tunisia
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 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
All shipments of sold goods will be liable to duty and tax charges no matter their value.
If a shipment has no commercial value, the duties and taxes owed are calculated by estimating the parcel's value then dividing it by 10. This is valid for parcels with a maximum estimated value of 2,000 TD (about $875 CAD).
Occasional Shipper
Occasional shipments of sold goods are allowed entry into Tunisia to both businesses and individuals. However, all shipments regardless of their value will incur duty and taxes (there are no thresholds below which no duty or taxes are collected).
Regular shipper
Anyone who regularly ships goods to Tunisia should consult a licenced Tunisian customs broker to ensure that the transaction occurs within the customs laws of the country.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 Tunisia City 01001 Tunisia
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 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 Tunisia. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Tunisia, 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.
No specific form required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
Goods declared as prohibited will not be allowed to enter Tunisia. On the other hand, restricted goods may enter the country, but have quantity limits or other rules governing their entry.
Prohibited Items
Weapons of any sort
Explosives
Psychotropic substance
and narcotic drugs
Counterfeit goods
Tunisian currency
Second-hand clothing
Henna
All products of palm trees
Materials that are counter
to the morals, health,
and safety of the public
Materials or products that could harm Tunisian security
To calculate the duties and taxes owed on shipments entering Tunisia, customs authorities use the CIF value of the goods. That is, the sum of the customs value plus insurance amount plus freight costs.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
When you ship a parcel to Tunisia, you will be able to predict the duties and taxes owed by the recipient by using the CIF value calculation above.
Thresholds
There are no thresholds (de minimis values) on imports entering Tunisia. This means no matter the value of the shipment, duties and taxes will be incurred.
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 Tunisia 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.
