Vareya
Canada brands

CBSA export reporting (CERS) for Canadian brands sending stock to an EU warehouse

Canada requires most commercial exports to be reported through the Canadian Export Reporting System before they leave the country — here is what that means for a stock transfer to an EU warehouse.

Reporting the export before it leaves Canada

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) requires most commercial goods leaving Canada to be reported, generally through the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS) portal — an electronic system for submitting export declarations. Certain low-value or exempt goods do not require a full declaration, but a commercial stock shipment for a fulfilment operation typically does.

This is separate from, and happens before, the import declaration required on the EU side when the shipment reaches the warehouse in Breda.

What a brand needs to have in place

  • Register for CERS access (directly, or through a customs broker or freight forwarder who will file on the brand's behalf).
  • Classify the goods correctly for export reporting purposes.
  • Confirm whether any of the products require an export permit, separately from the general export declaration.
  • Plan for consolidated shipments where practical — this is generally simpler to report correctly than frequent small parcels.

Where Vareya's role starts

The CERS export declaration and any required export permits are the brand's responsibility, or that of its customs broker.

Customs clearance support is available for shipments into and out of Europe. Contact Vareya to discuss specific requirements.

Once the shipment clears into the EU and arrives at the warehouse in Breda, it is received and made available for fulfilment. Vareya uses ShipHero as its warehouse management system, fully integrated with Shopify.

Sources

  1. 1.Exporting commercial goods — Canada Border Services Agency
European fulfilment for Canadian brands Check your EU fulfilment fit

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Check your EU fulfilment fit