For many Quebec companies, the largest exports market - by far - is the United States. Quebec companies in general are largely focused on exports with exports to the US representing around 20% of Quebec’s GDP.
Quebec companies rely on low cost parcel shipping solutions from Quebec to the US.
Texas, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Vermont are among the leading US trading partners of the province of Quebec.
Jet Worldwide Quebec provides low cost economy express shipping from Canada for delivery to the USA.
So close… but yet so far…
Even with the renewed NAFTA - USMCA, shipping to the US from Canada require full regulatory compliance with US customs (US-CBP) and other US government agencies.
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Things to consider when shipping
Shipping Quebec to US
Visit our other industry leading blogs for more specific information regarding international shipping to and from Canada (or contact our team for information).
Documentation for shipping parcels
from Canada to the USA
At a minimum, all parcels shipped to the US from Quebec and Canada must be accompanied by an invoice for customs clearance.
The basic elements of an invoice for customs include:
- Date of shipment
- Name, address, telephone number of shipper
- Name, address,telephone number of consignee
- Detailed description of item(s) being sent
- Value of the item(s)
Keep in mind that some categories of items (such as food and drugs) may require additional information (see below).
Shipping from Canada via Canada Post.
When sending from Canada to the USA via parcel post, a postal customs form (CN22) must be completed. Canada Post shipments to the US are imported and delivered by the US Postal Service (USPS). Contact Jet for assistance with your customs paperwork for your parcel to The US.
Other shipping documentation that may be required for parcels shipped from Canada to the USA:
B-13 Export Declaration:
A Canadian B-13 CERS export declaration is not required when shipping parcels to the USA from Canada.
Prior Notice (FDA PN) for food items from Canada to The US
When sending foodstuffs to the USA, you must first register with the United States Food and Drug Administration. All foodstuffs sent to the USA must include a “Prior Notice” authorization number.
Commonly referred as the “PN Number," this number must be included on the invoice along with a copy of the confirmation (which can be obtained from the FDA website).
CUSMA Certification of Origin / COO process for parcels to Canada with low-value shipments
For low value shipments (see graphic below), a COO as outlined above is not required. In its place, customs will accept a shorter certifying statement added to the commercial invoice (or any shipping document):
“I hereby certify that the goods covered by this shipment qualifies as an originating good for the purposes of preferential tariff treatment under USMCA/CUSMA.”
Read more about USMCAUS customs Form 3325 for Trade Show Items
If you wish to send Trade Show related items, such as displays, you must include a Customs Form 3325.
Note: Jet Worldwide provides special dedicated Trade Show Services - including dedicated time specific pickup/ delivery, repacking etc.
Paperwork for “Other Government Agencies”
There are over 40 US government departments that have unique requirements necessary for your goods to clear customs. The most common of the “other government agencies” involved in clearance of your goods include:
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Fish and Wildlife
HOW DOES THE VALUE OF YOUR PARCEL AFFECT THE CLEARANCE IN THE USA?
Customs entries can be broadly defined in 3 categories:
Parcels shipped to the US valued under$800 USD: Section 321
Most shipments valued under $800 can be imported to the US duty free. The entry is referred to as a “Section 321.” Contact our team to get information on Section 321 entries.
Parcels to the US over $800 but less than $2,500 US: Informal entry
Informal Entry is required and duty will be assessed.
US Parcels from Canada valued over $2,500 US: Formal Entry
Shipments containing restricted goods and/or valued over $2,500 must be cleared using a “formal entry.” A formal entry must be made in the name of the importer and usually requires a power of attorney from the importer to allow the carrier broker to make entry on their behalf.
Formal Entries are much more complex and demanding. Many importers prefer to have such shipments cleared by their designated customs broker.
Even if customs preparation is included, Fedex and UPS brokerage charge additional fees for such things that include:
- Fish and Wildlife clearance
- FDA clearance
- Warehouse Entry
- Complex or multiple line entries
Note: When shipping to the USA from Canada, many shipments are subject to approval of other government agencies and - regardless of value - require a formal entry. For food items to the USA, please see note above regarding "prior notice requirements." Contact Jet for information on restricted items to the USA.
Carrier shipping options
from Canadafor delivery to the USA
The main options for sending parcels to the US from Canada include Canada Post (least expensive for small items), Fedex/ UPS (Good ground service but expensive express), Jet Worldwide economy express parcel shipping to the USA and special services), and direct cross border shipping.
As our industry leading blog proves, our team presents unbiased shipping advice to further our mission of connecting people, parcels and businesses around the world.
Sending with Canada Post from Canada to the USA:
Lowest cost option for small “packets” to the USA. The service is by far the best value for small shipments but have limited tracking and customer support. Canada Post becomes less cost effective as shipments get heavier than around 3 kg.
Canada Post Parcel Delivery options to The USA include:
For parcels to The US under 2 kg
- Canada Post Small Packet - USA Air
- Canada Post Tracked Packet - USA: 1-2 week delivery
For parcel post shipping of shipments over 2 kg
- Canada Post Expedited Parcel - USA: 1 week delivery
- Canada Post Xpresspost - USA: Up to 3 business days
Canada Post shipments are delivered by the US Postal Service. Customer service support is limited to on-line tracking only.
Delivery from Canada to the USA via FedEx & UPS Canada
FedEx and UPS dominate the market for delivery to the USA and offer reliable ground and air transport from Canada to the USA. While their ground services offer great value, their air express services can be expensive for small and medium sized Canadian companies. Get a quote for economy air shipping to the US from Quebec.
FedEx Ground and UPS Standard US Delivery from Canada
The ground delivery options from FedEx and UPS offer the lowest price - especially for larger parcels valued under $800 USD. Delivery via ground to most areas of the US are delivered within 6 business days.
For ground shipments above $800, FedEx and UPS charge an entry preparation fee which can average between US$30 and US$40 (plus applicable duty and taxes).
The entry preparation cost is included for most shipments sent via express from Canada to the US.
FedEx Canada and UPS Canada express US delivery
FedEx and UPS have the largest overnight delivery options from Canada to the USA. To major cities, they offer next day morning, afternoon and delivery before close of business. While reliable and well known, their express services can be expensive for small and medium sized businesses.
Clearance of ground shipments to The USA from Canada:
For most shipments valued under $800 to the USA from Canada, ground service includes clearance (see note above on valuation). Ground service is especially cost effective for heavier parcels to the USA.
Express services include clearance entry preparation but may be subject to additional fees for other government agencies and non-standard entries (see above).
Sendingfrom Quebec tothe US via Jet Worldwide:
Jet Worldwide offers alternatives for shipping to the US including air economy express (delivery in 1-3 days with customs entry preparation included), border entry, and express consignment clearance.
Jet has partners with the world’s leading carriers and local US agents to be able to provide reliable economy express delivery and special pickup/ storage and distribution options to the USA.
Jet worldwide offers low cost delivery from Canada as well as US domestic pickup and forwarding shipping to Canada.
Our unique network across the USA can provide dedicated pickups, storage, repacking, relabeling and domestic delivery. Read about Section 321 entry to the USA.
- Direct border entry to the USA and connection to The USPS
- ECCF Clearance from Vancouver to Los Angeles, Toronto to New York and Chicago
- Contact our team for rates and information on sending to the USA.
Purolator Delivery to the USA from Canada:
Purolator does not have a major presence in the USA and resells the services of other carriers for their deliveries to the USA (mostly UPS).
- Low cost parcel shipping from Canada to the USA
- US domestic distribution services
- Special services: Dedicated time specific pickups, repacking, re-delivery, storage and distribution.
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