Buying model kits from Canada and forwarding them abroad may be possible if the retailer accepts your order and the exact kit is eligible for your destination and shipping service. Before you buy, check the kit’s scale and contents, confirm whether it includes paint, glue or other supplies, and ask ShipByMail about the exact product if you are unsure about eligibility.
What should you check in a model kit’s scale and box contents?
Check the retailer’s listing and, where available, the manufacturer’s information for the exact kit. Confirm the scale, kit version and listed contents match the model you want; don’t assume that two kits of the same subject have the same parts or included supplies.
Look for paint, glue or other extras in the contents list. If the listing is unclear, ask the retailer before ordering. Keep the product link and any details about the included supplies so you can share them with ShipByMail when checking forwarding eligibility. The fact that a kit is sold unassembled does not, on its own, confirm that it can be shipped to your destination.
Can model kits with paint or glue be forwarded internationally?
It depends on the exact product, its contents, the destination and the available shipping service. ShipByMail lists chemicals and flammable items among prohibited shipping categories, but that does not establish whether a particular kit or an included supply is allowed. Don’t assume that all model kits, paints or glues are either eligible or prohibited.
Before ordering, send ShipByMail the exact product link, the listed contents and your destination, and ask for confirmation. Check before you pay the retailer, especially if the kit includes paint, glue or another substance that may have shipping restrictions.
How do you use a Canadian address to buy a model kit?
If the retailer accepts your order and the kit is eligible, ordinary parcel forwarding may work:
- Get your personal Canadian address. Create a ShipByMail account or sign in, then copy the receiving address shown in your account, including your customer identifier exactly as displayed. If you already have an account, use the address assigned to you.
- Check the order before checkout. Confirm that the retailer accepts your payment method and your ShipByMail address, and check that the exact kit and destination are eligible. Review the kit’s contents and confirm any uncertain supplies with ShipByMail.
- Place the order and keep the details. Enter your full personal Canadian address at checkout and save the order confirmation and product information. The retailer ships the parcel to your Canadian address.
- Review the parcel and request forwarding. After ShipByMail processes the parcel, review the available parcel information and provide the destination and customs details requested. Submit a forwarding request, pay applicable shipping fees and other charges, and use the tracking information provided to follow the shipment.
The seller’s delivery to your Canadian address happens first; shipping from Canada to your home happens after you request forwarding. Retailer checkout acceptance, forwarding eligibility, shipping fees and delivery estimates can vary, so confirm the details that apply to your order.
For a general explanation of the forwarding process, see ShipByMail’s guide to parcel forwarding from Canada. If you want to understand package handling and repacking options, read about handling packages and repacking; check with ShipByMail about what is suitable for your kit rather than assuming a particular packing outcome.
What if a Canadian model-kit shop rejects your payment?
Ask ShipByMail whether Buy For Me (BFM), its assisted-purchase service, may be an option. Before proceeding, confirm that the retailer and exact kit are eligible, and check the current service fee, payment requirements and separate forwarding costs. BFM does not guarantee that a retailer will accept an order or that a kit is in stock.
Before you buy, verify the exact kit’s contents and ask ShipByMail about forwarding eligibility for your destination. You can also read about first-time customer experiences with ShipByMail.
