Please note that information in this section is subject to change at any given moment, without notice, in accordance with Canadian customs regulations.

Import

The following items are considered as prohibited importations within Canada.

• Obscene material 
• Coin, base or counterfeit
• Goods manufactured or produced by prison or forced labor
• Used or second-hand mattresses and materials therefrom
• False description of geographical origin of goods and goods with trademarks
• Used or second-hand motor vehicles (subject to specific customs' restrictions)
• White phosphorous matches 
• Hate propaganda

For more information, please consult: Memoranda Series D9, Prohibited Importations.

All prohibited export goods, for Canada, follow the applied international rules. 

Note, this is subject to the ILR (Import Local Regulations) at the destination country.

Policy on Shipments to Sanction countries
For information on prohibited exports to any of the below listed Sanction Countries, please contact CA193-SANCTIONS@MSC.COM.

• Afghanistan 
• Belarus
• Cuba
• Libya
• Myanmar
• Russia
• Sudan
• Syria
• Venezuela

Policy on Arms and Arms-related equipment cargoes
Any of the below items will require approval from the Sanctions team (CA193-SANCTIONS@MSC.COM), regardless of Origin or Destination.

• Any cargo under HS Code 93
• Arms and Arms-Related materials and equipment of all types
• Items intended for military purposes or for a military end-user
• Any item which, because of its design or characteristics, could be confused with any of the above, by a non-expert eye or mind (ex. Paintball equipment)

Find local information on empty return depot locations by container type and condition based on the below chart. 

To make things as easy as possible, we have provided this information by city. 

For empty return locations please consult our empty return location guide:

If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact your local agency who will be happy to help.

CONTAINER TYPES

DV = Dry 8'6 Standard

HC = Dry 9'6 High Cube

OT = Dry Open Top

FR = Dry Flat Rack

RE = Reefer 8'6 Standard

HR = Reefer 9'6 High Cube

Ports and terminals
MSC operates services to and from the following Canadian ports and terminals, with local teams across Canada in each location to support our customers.

PORT OF LOAD	Terminal 1	Terminal 2	Terminal 3	Terminal 4
Montreal, QC (TERMONT)	Maisonneuve	Viau
Montreal, QC (MGT)	Racine
Saint John, NB	Rodney
Vancouver, BC	GCT Deltaport	DP World Vancouver (Centerm)	GCT Vanterm	DP World Fraser Surrey
Prince Rupert, BC	Fairview
Halifax, NS	PSA Halifax
Corner Brook, N.L.	Corner Brook Western

What is VGM?

Verified Gross Mass or VGM refers to the exact, verified weight of a packed container. For safety reasons, vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been verified.

In line with SOLAS (Safety of Lives at Sea) regulations, all marine terminals in the Canada are now allowed to use their certified scales to record Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of shipments. Download our VGM policy and terminal guidelines for more information.

What do I need to include in my VGM instructions?

You must include the following on all VGM instructions:

• Booking or Bill of Lading (BL) number
• Container number
• VGM + weight measurement unit (lbs. or kgs.)
• Responsible Party Name
• Digital signature of the authorized signatory in all CAPITAL LETTERS

How can I submit my VGM instructions?

• myMSC (No Fee, official MSC channel) 
• EDI (via INTTRA; GT NEXUS; Cargo Smart) 

Guidelines for submitting your VGM instructions

• MSC prefers to receive a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) before cargo is delivered. This helps to avoid any unexpected weighing charges being levied against the cargo at the Canadian Port of Loading, which will be billed to the Shipper of Record.
• Any Shipper of Record-signed VGM will override any VGM derived.
• For cut-off, please refer to our cargo cut-off information. 
• There are currently no Canadian terminals with a “NO VGM” policy. 
• All rail late gates will only be considered for approval when a VGM is submitted by the Shipper of Record before 12:00 noon, local time, on the day of the cargo cut-off.

MSC admin fees and costs 

• Late VGM Submission Fee: 50 USD per container 
• VGM Misdeclaration Fee: 200 USD per container

Questions about VGM?
Please contact our Canadian Service team, ca193-export.service@msc.com.

What is detention?
Detention is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s container (full or empty) outside the marine terminal, rail ramp or container yard. This charge is also applicable while the container is under Canadian customs inspection or if the container is stopped for safety reasons and must undergo reworking or transloading or other container reworking.
To initiate a dispute, please contact CA193-demurrage.detention@msc.com. Please include the container number in question, bill of lading and invoice number, with a brief description as to the reason for dispute.

What is demurrage?
Demurrage is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s container inside the marine terminal, rail ramp or container yard. This charge is also applicable while the container is under Canadian customs hold or if the container needs to be reworked for safety reasons.

To initiate a dispute, please contact CA193-demurrage.detention@msc.com. Please include the container number in question, bill of lading and invoice number, with a brief description as to the reason for dispute.

What are storage charges?
Storage charges occur when the container is kept on-site for longer than the free time allotted by the terminal, depot, container yard or rail yard. Storages charges are invoiced and handled directly with the terminal, depot, or container/rail yard, unless MSC Canada is responsible for the door delivery of the shipment. In which case, storage will be invoiced by, and payable to MSC.
 
Paying detention and demurrage charges through E-Pay 
To pay by credit card, wire transfer or PayCargo please visit our ePay platform and enter the requested information. Our user guide and template are available for download to guide you through the process. Both you and our Freight Cashier team will receive the payment confirmation.

Detention and demurrage: updated payment policy 

Please note that the MSC Canada finance department will no longer accept cheque copies or written guarantees to release shipments from Detention and Demurrage hold.

The following options are available for release of shipment:

• For immediate release, payment must be submitted by credit card.
• If the payment cannot be done by credit card, payment by ACH, Wire Transfer or via PayCargo. However, the shipment will be released only after funds clear.