How to Ship to Canada from the US
Canada is the #1 international shipping destination from the US — proximity, language similarity, and similar consumer habits make it the natural first cross-border move for ecommerce sellers. But Canadian customs, GST/HST collection, and carrier choice all affect the final cost and delivery experience. Here's how to ship to Canada the smart way.
The de minimis threshold in Canada is $40 CAD for duty/tax exemption — anything above that will have the recipient pay GST/HST at delivery unless the seller collects and remits it (via programs like DDP).
Typical 1 lb cost
$15-$30 USD depending on service
Typical transit
3-10 business days
Carrier Options to Canada
USPS Priority Mail International
Cheapest for packages under 4 lbs. 6-10 days transit. Customs clearance via Canada Post.
UPS Standard to Canada
Better for packages 2-70 lbs. Handles Canadian customs automatically. 2-7 business days.
FedEx International Ground
Similar to UPS Standard. Good for predictable business-to-business. 3-7 days.
DHL eCommerce Worldwide
Cheap for lightweight (under 2 lbs) ecommerce parcels. 4-8 days. Delivery by Canada Post final mile.
Customs Forms Required
CN22 required for all shipments. CN23 + commercial invoice for items over $400 USD.
Commonly Prohibited Items
- ✕Cannabis (recreational) — legal in Canada but import from US is restricted
- ✕Prescription drugs without Canadian import license
- ✕Certain wildlife products (ivory, fur from endangered species)
- ✕Used mattresses/bedding
- ✕Live plants without phytosanitary certificates
Canada-Specific Shipping Tips
- 💡 Declare accurate value on customs form — undervaluing triggers CBSA (Canada Border Services) audits
- 💡 Canadian GST/HST applies to imports over $40 CAD — recipient pays at delivery unless seller uses DDP
- 💡 Address format: postal codes use letter-digit-letter digit-letter-digit (e.g. K1A 0B1)
- 💡 French is required by law on labels to Quebec — consider bilingual packaging for QC destinations
- 💡 UPS and FedEx include customs clearance in the rate — USPS does not (Canada Post handles it, slower)
Frequently asked questions
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