Jetship Worldwide is a practical option for merchants who sell higher-value items in lower volumes and want a simple, Canada-wide delivery setup without warehousing complexity.
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Several key factors determine how much you’ll pay when importing to Canada:
The biggest difference between importing to Canada from the USA or Mexico and other countries lies in the USMCA/CUSMA free trade provisions.
But, for bulk import, there is little difference.
The default duty-free threshold for imports to Canada is CA $20. However, under the USMCA/CUSMA agreement, shipments from the USA or Mexico benefit from higher thresholds.
| Origin | Duty-Free Threshold | Tax-Free Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| USA and Mexico (courier) | CA $150 | CA $40 |
| USA and Mexico (postal) | CA $20 | CA $20 |
| Other countries | CA $20 | CA $20 |
Valuation determines the amount of duty and tax applied to imported goods. Many e-commerce orders from Asia are undervalued to stay below the CA $20 threshold, but stricter CBSA enforcement is expected.
It is important for sellers to properly declare the value of goods to avoid potential penalties or shipment delays. Learn more about declaring value for customs.
Canada maintains free trade agreements (FTAs) with most major economies, allowing preferential duty-free import for qualifying goods. Some of Canada’s key trade agreements include:
Goods valued under CA $3,300 may qualify for simplified origin certification under these agreements.
Note: Shipping from a country does not automatically qualify goods for duty-free import. Products must meet specific rules of origin defined in each agreement.
Even when goods qualify for duty-free entry, other import fees may still apply. Below is an overview of the most common charges when importing goods to Canada:
| Fee Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Duty | Charged on goods that are not eligible for duty-free import. |
| Tax | Federal and provincial sales taxes (GST/HST/PST) applied to all imports. |
| Entry Preparation Fee | Charged for customs clearance; typically included for express courier shipments. |
| Carrier Disbursement Fee | A fee for prepayment of duties/taxes (usually 2–3% of the amount paid, CA $10–CA $20 minimum). |
View sample FedEx UPS import fees (2025 PDF)
When sending in bulk shipments, sellers can save the entry preparation and disbursement fee.
The CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) portal is the Canadian Customs online system designed to simplify import processes, improve transparency, and provide importers with better control of their accounts and payments.
Through CARM, importers can:
Learn more about CARM advanced import processing.
Jet Worldwide helps businesses and individuals ship parcels, e-commerce orders, and documents to and from Canada with expert customs and logistics support.
Whether you're an online retailer, manufacturer, or logistics partner, Jet provides:
Disclaimer: The information provided by Jet Worldwide is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or regulatory advice. For official regulations, please consult the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
For expert guidance and support with your Canadian imports and exports, reach out to the Jet Worldwide team today.