International · CA

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

How long does USPS take to Canada?
Priority Mail International: 6-10 business days. First-Class Package International: 1-3 weeks. Priority Mail Express International: 3-5 business days.
Does the recipient pay duties/taxes?
Yes, unless you use DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) services. Over $40 CAD threshold, recipients pay GST (5%) + provincial tax (HST or PST) at delivery.
What's the cheapest way to ship to Canada?
USPS First-Class Package International for items under 1 lb. For heavier items, DHL eCommerce or UPS Standard beat USPS.
Do I need a customs form?
Yes, for every package. CN22 for items under $400, CN23 for higher-value items. USPS, UPS, and FedEx all provide this during label creation.
Can I ship food to Canada?
Most food is allowed but requires declaration. Meat, dairy, and some plant-based products face restrictions. Check CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) rules before shipping food.

Other International Destinations

GB
United Kingdom
MX
Mexico
DE
Germany
FR
France
AU
Australia
JP
Japan

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