Export documents for electronics from Canada, and the lithium battery rules
By Tech Trove · Updated · 5 min read
Quick answer
A commercial export of electronics from Canada needs a commercial invoice, a packing list and a transport document, and usually a certificate of origin. Shipments worth CAD 2,000 or more going to countries other than the US generally need an export declaration filed through CERS. Devices with built-in lithium batteries ship as UN3481, which adds air-freight packing and labelling rules.
What should be on the commercial invoice?
Mistakes here are the most common cause of customs delays. The names on the invoice must match the buyer’s licence and the transport document exactly.
- Full names and addresses of the seller, buyer and consignee.
- Invoice number, date and shipping term, for example CIF DAFZA.
- A plain description of each line, with brand and model.
- HS code, quantity, unit value and line total, with the currency stated.
- Country of origin for each line. This is where the goods were made, not where they shipped from.
When is a Canadian export declaration required?
Commercial goods valued at CAD 2,000 or more and going to a country other than the United States generally have to be reported to the Canada Border Services Agency through the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS). Controlled goods have to be reported regardless of value. Your freight forwarder can usually file on your behalf, so agree who is responsible before the goods leave.
Which HS codes apply to common electronics?
Classification is decided by the customs authority in each country, and national tariffs add more digits. Use this table as a starting point and confirm the full code with your broker.
| Product | HS code (first six digits) |
|---|---|
| Video game consoles and controllers | 9504.50 |
| Headphones and earphones | 8518.30 |
| Smartphones | 8517.13 |
| Instant print cameras | 9006.40 |
| Vacuum cleaners with a built-in motor, up to 1,500 W | 8508.11 |
How do lithium battery rules affect electronics shipments?
Lithium batteries count as dangerous goods in transport, even inside a finished product. Batteries contained in equipment, such as a controller or a handheld, ship as UN3481 under IATA Packing Instruction 967 when flown. Small cells and batteries, up to 20 Wh per cell and 100 Wh per battery, generally fall under Section II, which has lighter requirements than Section I. A statement of compliance is also required on the air waybill when one is used.
Carriers can be stricter than the IATA rules, and the rules change with each annual edition. Check the current regulations and your carrier’s acceptance policy before you book, especially on mixed pallets.
What should you ask your supplier for?
- Copies of the draft invoice and packing list before the goods ship.
- The HS code for every line.
- Confirmation of who is filing the export declaration.
- Battery details for anything shipped by air, if your forwarder asks for them.
Common questions
Do I need a certificate of origin for electronics?
Often, yes. Many destination countries, including those in the Gulf, ask for one. It states where the goods were made, which is usually not the country they shipped from.
Do game consoles count as dangerous goods?
A console with no battery generally does not, but controllers and handhelds contain lithium batteries, so those shipments are subject to the lithium battery rules when flown. Ask your forwarder how they want the shipment declared.
Sources
- Canada Border Services Agency: exporting goods
- IATA: lithium batteries
- World Customs Organization: HS nomenclature
This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice. Rates and rules change, so confirm the details with a licensed customs broker or your freight forwarder before you ship.