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Cross-Border Shipping Between Canada and the US — Simplified

CanadiEx handles the complexity of Canada-US cross-border shipping so you can grow in both markets without drowning in customs paperwork. USMCA expertise, duty management, DDP capability, and end-to-end tracking.

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Shipping from Canada to the US

The US is the world's largest e-commerce market. Canadian brands with the right logistics partner can reach US customers quickly and cost-effectively without establishing a US warehouse footprint.

Benefits for Canadian Brands

  • Access to the largest e-commerce market in the world
  • Lower shipping costs vs. US domestic warehousing for Canadian brands
  • Ship Amazon.com FBM orders directly from Toronto
  • No need to maintain a US warehouse for lower-volume brands
  • USMCA preferential tariff rates on qualifying goods
  • Section 321 de minimis clearance for small parcel shipments under $800 USD

How a Canada → US Shipment Works

1

Your inventory ships out of our Toronto warehouse toward the US border

2

We prepare all required export documents (CUSMA/USMCA certificate, commercial invoice, export declaration)

3

Carrier crosses the border and clears US Customs (CBP) on entry

4

Package is delivered via US domestic carrier leg to your customer

5

Tracking is continuous — your customer sees a single tracking number end to end

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Shipping from the US to Canada — Customs, Duties & DDP

Selling to Canadian customers from the US requires navigating CBSA rules, GST/HST, and provincial taxes. CanadiEx makes it invisible to your customers.

Customs Clearance

We work with licensed Canadian customs brokers to clear your shipments at the border. Commercial invoices, HS codes, and origin declarations are prepared correctly the first time.

Duty & Tax Management

We calculate import duties and taxes in advance so there are no surprises for your customers. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping available — we collect duties at checkout, not at delivery.

CBSA Compliance

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) compliance is built into every shipment. We ensure accurate valuation, correct country of origin declarations, and compliant documentation.

Fast Canadian Delivery

Once cleared, shipments are distributed through our Toronto hub to Canadian customers via Canada Post, Purolator, UPS, or FedEx depending on destination and service level.

USMCA / CUSMA

USMCA: The Trade Agreement That Saves You Duties

Most Canadian and US brands can ship between the two countries at zero or reduced duty under USMCA — but only if documentation is done correctly.

What USMCA Is

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA, known as CUSMA in Canada) replaced NAFTA in 2020. It is a free trade agreement that eliminates or reduces tariffs on qualifying goods moving between Canada, the US, and Mexico.

Rules of Origin

To claim USMCA preferential tariff rates, goods must meet rules of origin requirements — meaning they must be substantially produced in Canada, the US, or Mexico. We verify origin eligibility for every cross-border shipment.

Certificate of Origin

To claim USMCA benefits, a Certificate of Origin (or CUSMA certification statement on a commercial invoice) is required. CanadiEx prepares this documentation automatically for qualifying shipments.

De Minimis Thresholds

Small parcel shipments under $40 CAD enter Canada duty and tax free. Shipments under $150 CAD enter duty-free (but GST/HST may apply). US de minimis is $800 USD. We apply the correct threshold for every shipment automatically.

Carrier Options for Cross-Border Shipping

We are carrier-agnostic and route each shipment through the best option for your cost, speed, and service requirements.

UPS

UPS

Cross-Border Specialist

UPS has deep cross-border infrastructure with brokerage at all major Canada-US border crossings. Ideal for commercial shipments and time-sensitive deliveries. UPS Standard is cost-effective for B2C.

FedEx International

FedEx International

Premium Speed

FedEx International Priority and Economy connect Canada and the US with customs clearance included. Strong for high-value goods requiring guaranteed delivery timelines.

DHL Express

DHL Express

Global Network

DHL's global network makes it a strong choice for shipments involving international origins or destinations beyond Canada and the US. Competitive for heavier cross-border parcels.

Canada Post / USPS

Canada Post / USPS

Cost-Effective Small Parcels

The Canada Post and USPS bilateral agreement provides cost-effective delivery for lighter, non-urgent cross-border parcels. Ideal for B2C e-commerce where delivery speed is secondary to cost.

Common Cross-Border Mistakes We Prevent

These errors cause delays, fines, seized shipments, and unhappy customers. CanadiEx's compliance process is designed to prevent them before they happen.

Incorrect HS Codes

Wrong Harmonized System codes lead to incorrect duty calculation, clearance delays, and potential fines. We use verified HS codes for your product categories and flag any ambiguous classifications.

Undervaluing Goods

Declaring a false low value to avoid duties is illegal under both CBSA and CBP regulations. It exposes you to seizure, fines, and carrier blacklisting. We always declare accurate commercial values.

Missing USMCA Documentation

Failing to include a valid USMCA/CUSMA origin certification means you pay full MFN duty rates even on qualifying goods. We prepare origin documentation automatically for every eligible shipment.

Ignoring Provincial Tax Rules

Canadian GST, HST, and PST rules vary by province. Failing to account for these in DDP pricing leads to delivery failures when customers refuse to pay unexpected charges at the door.

Prohibited Item Oversights

Certain products face import restrictions in Canada or the US — specific food products, health supplements, electronics with radio frequency components, and more. We screen shipments for restricted items before they reach the border.

Cross-Border Shipping FAQs

Answers to common questions about Canada-US shipping.

Can you ship from Canada to US customers for our Amazon.com FBM orders?
Yes. We regularly fulfill Amazon.com FBM orders from our Toronto warehouse to US customers. We handle export documentation, carrier selection, and customs clearance on the US side. Tracking uploads to Seller Central in real time.
What is DDP shipping and should we offer it to Canadian customers?
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means you collect import duties and taxes at checkout rather than the customer paying them at delivery. We strongly recommend DDP for Canadian customers — surprise duty charges at delivery are a leading cause of refused packages and chargebacks.
How long does cross-border shipping between Canada and the US take?
Standard cross-border transit is typically 2–5 business days depending on carrier and destination. Expedited options (UPS Expedited, FedEx International Priority) can achieve 1–2 business day delivery. Transit times assume no customs holds.
Do you handle customs brokerage, or do we need our own broker?
We work with licensed customs brokers in both Canada and the US. For most standard commercial shipments, broker fees are included in our cross-border service rates. For complex classifications or high-volume import programs, we can introduce you to our dedicated broker partners.
What products cannot be shipped cross-border?
Prohibited and restricted items vary by direction and product category. Common restrictions include certain firearms components, agricultural products, regulated health products, alcohol, and items subject to trade sanctions. We screen every shipment and flag restricted items before they cause a problem at the border.

Ship Between Canada and the US — Without the Headaches

CanadiEx handles customs, duties, USMCA documentation, and carrier selection so you can focus on selling in both markets. Get a cross-border quote today.

Get a Cross-Border Quote