How to ship to Canada from the US (2026)

Canada is the #1 international destination for US shippers and easily the easiest international lane to ship - shared border, English-speaking customs, well-trodden carrier networks. The complexity is mostly in the duty + tax billing decision (who pays GST/HST, you or your buyer) and picking the right carrier for the weight bracket.

This guide walks through carrier choice, customs paperwork specific to Canada, and the de minimis thresholds that determine when small shipments skip duty entirely.

Step 1: Pick the carrier

Three carriers are realistic for US-to-Canada shipments: USPS, UPS, FedEx. DHL Express ships the lane but rarely wins on price for parcels destined for Canada (their network is denser elsewhere).

USPS Priority Mail International

6-10 business days. Hands off to Canada Post for final delivery. The cheapest option for parcels under 4 lb to most Canadian addresses. Tracking is patchy after the package crosses the border.

Best for: Lightweight low-urgency e-commerce. The bracket where USPS dominates.

UPS Worldwide Expedited / UPS Standard to Canada

UPS Standard to Canada is the dedicated Canada-only service: 2-5 business days, full UPS tracking, NAFTA infrastructure density. Worldwide Expedited is the same service brand-wise with full tracking and faster transit.

Best for:Mid-weight (4-30 lb) or time-sensitive shipments. UPS's Canada network is the strongest of any US carrier.

FedEx International Ground

2-7 business days, full tracking. Pricing very close to UPS Standard; the winner flips per shipment.

Best for: Same use case as UPS Standard - quote both per shipment, pick the cheaper one.

Quote all three side-by-side in the international shipping calculator. The cheapest carrier for a specific shipment varies by ZIP, weight, and dimensions; don't pick by habit.

Step 2: Fill out the customs declaration

Same three fields as any international shipment - contents description, declared value, HS code. Canada specifics worth knowing:

Contents description (be specific)

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) processes everything coming in. Vague descriptions delay clearance the same as any country. "2× cotton t-shirts, men's size L" clears faster than "clothing."

Declared value (in USD or CAD)

Carriers will convert if you declare in USD. The declared value is what duty + tax gets calculated against, so accuracy matters - both for compliance and for honest landed-cost expectations for your buyer.

HS tariff code (helpful, not always required)

Canada uses 10-digit HS codes domestically but accepts the 6-digit international classification. CBSA processes with HS codes faster than without; supply one if you can.

Step 3: Decide DDU vs DDP

Canada applies two taxes to most imports: GST (5% federal) plus PST or HST depending on the province (varies 0-15% combined). Duty applies separately based on the HS code and country of origin.

DDU - Delivered Duty Unpaid

The Canadian buyer pays duty + GST/HST to the carrier on delivery before they can take possession. Cheapest for you. Worst buyer experience - the buyer ordered a $50 USD item and gets a $15 CAD invoice on delivery.

DDP - Delivered Duty Paid

You pre-pay the duty + tax at label print time. UPS and FedEx support DDP to Canada; USPS doesn't. More expensive upfront but cleaner buyer experience - especially valuable for e-commerce where repeat purchases matter.

The Canada de minimis rules (when small shipments skip tax)

Canada has two separate de minimis thresholds:

• Duty: CAD$150 (~USD$110). Shipments under this skip duty entirely.
• Tax (GST/HST): CAD$40 (~USD$30) by courier; CAD$20 (~USD$15) by post (USPS).

Practical implication: a US-to-Canada shipment under ~$30 USD via courier (UPS / FedEx) typically skips both duty and tax. Same shipment via USPS skips both only if under ~$15 USD. The thresholds favour courier shipments for low-value e-commerce.

Step 4: Print the label and the commercial invoice

International labels need both the carrier label and a commercial invoice. shiponline.app prints both as a single PDF; the label goes on the parcel surface, the invoice typically in a clear plastic pouch on the outside for UPS and FedEx.

1. 1

   Tape label flat on largest surface

   Single piece of clear packing tape over the whole label. Don't crease.
2. 2

   Attach commercial invoice to outside

   Clear plastic pouch (carriers sell these or you can use a clear envelope taped on). Some couriers attach automatically at sorting; including a copy outside speeds clearance.
3. 3

   Drop off at carrier dropoff or schedule pickup

   Same dropoff points as domestic shipments. USPS will collect from your home/business for free; UPS and FedEx pickups are $5-15/month for recurring.

Common US-to-Canada shipping questions

How long does shipping to Canada take?

USPS Priority Mail International: 6-10 business days. UPS Standard / FedEx International Ground: 2-5 business days (often faster for major Canadian cities). UPS Worldwide Expedited: 1-3 business days, guaranteed.

Can I ship to Canadian PO boxes?

Only USPS (via Canada Post handoff) can deliver to Canadian PO boxes. UPS and FedEx can't deliver to them. If your buyer's only address is a PO box, you're on USPS.

What items are restricted shipping to Canada?

• Alcohol (heavily restricted; most carriers won't ship).
• Cannabis and CBD products (some restrictions vary by province).
• Firearms, ammunition, and weapon accessories.
• Used vehicles (commercial import process required).
• Certain food + agricultural products (CBSA inspection required).

Each carrier maintains its own prohibited-items list - check before quoting if your contents are anywhere near these categories.

Do I need an EORI number / customs broker for shipping to Canada?

For low-value e-commerce shipments, no - the carrier handles all customs paperwork. For high-value commercial shipments (typically $2,500 USD+), CBSA may require formal entry which a customs broker handles. Most small-business shipments fall well below that threshold.

For the full international shipping walkthrough including EU + Asia, see How to ship internationally from the US.