Importing machinery and equipment into Canada
Many machinery tariff items enter Canada duty-free, but machinery brings its own checks: used equipment must arrive free of soil, electrical machines need an accepted safety mark, and wooden crates must be treated. Here is what to check.
- Dutyoften free, check the item
- Usedmust be free of soil
- Cratestreated, marked wood
Customs rules change — confirm with the official sources on this page or with a licensed customs broker before you ship.
Two ways to get this done
Do it yourself
Everything you need is on this page, step by step, from official government sources.
Read the guideLet a broker handle it
A licensed customs broker can classify your equipment, check duty relief and clear every shipment. Free quote, no commitment.
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What applies to machinery
Many machinery tariff items carry no duty at the general rate — but not all of them, GST still applies, and surtaxes can apply depending on origin. Check the exact 10-digit tariff item for your machine.
Read the details
Used machinery and equipment must arrive clean: the CFIA requires imported items to be free of soil and plant matter to keep pests out. Soiled commercial equipment can be refused entry or sent to an approved cleaning facility.
Electrical machinery needs a certification mark accepted in Canada before it can be used or sold — provinces enforce this, such as Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority. The crates, pallets and dunnage it ships on must meet Canada’s wood packaging rules.
Importing machinery, step by step
Classify the machine
Find the 10-digit tariff item: the general rate is often free for machinery, but parts and some machines differ.
Clean used equipment
Have used equipment washed and inspected before it ships: more than a fine film of dust can fail the CFIA’s soil-free standard.
Check the electrical approval
For electrical machinery, check for a certification or field-evaluation mark recognized in Canada. A CE mark is not accepted for electrical safety.
Check the wood packaging
Wood crates, pallets and dunnage must be debarked, treated by an approved method and carry the IPPC mark.
Temporary use? Ask about relief
Equipment brought in for a short job, a demo or a trade show may qualify for the CBSA’s temporary importation relief — ask before it ships.
Common checks
From the Customs Tariff, the CFIA and the CBSA.
- New machinery
- Tariff item (often duty-free), GST, electrical approval if electrical
- Used machinery and equipment
- Free of soil and plant matter (CFIA D-95-26)
- Wood crates, pallets, dunnage
- Debarked, treated, IPPC-marked (CFIA D-98-08)
- Temporary use in Canada
- Possible relief under the CBSA’s temporary importation program
Dirty used equipment gets refused
The CFIA’s standard is strict: soil, mud or plant parts on used machinery can mean refused entry or mandatory cleaning at an approved facility, at your cost. Clean it before it leaves.
Common questions
Is machinery duty-free in Canada?
Often, at the general rate — but check the exact tariff item. GST applies either way, and surtaxes can apply to some origins.
Can I bring equipment in for a trade show without paying duty?
Possibly. The CBSA’s temporary importation program can relieve duty on goods brought in for a limited time. Conditions apply.
Is a CE mark enough for electrical equipment?
No. Canada requires a certification or field-evaluation mark recognized here; CE is a manufacturer’s self-declaration and isn’t accepted for electrical safety.
Can a broker handle heavy equipment?
Yes. A customs broker can classify the machine, check relief programs and coordinate inspections. Get a broker quote.
Check where you stand
See which import requirements apply to your shipments.
Keep reading
The next steps most people take from here.
Importing
The whole path to importing commercial goods into Canada, in order.
Read →Do I need a customs broker?
No law requires one. What a licensed broker does, and what importing on your own involves.
Read →Import readiness
Check your import readiness: CARM, RPP security, classification, permits.
Read →Get a quote
Describe your shipments and we will connect you with a licensed customs broker.
Read →