Shipping to the USA from Canada: 2026 Guide (Courier vs. Postal vs. Trucking)

To help answer the many inquiries we get on shipping to the United States from Canada, here is our updated 2026 guide to US customs, USMCA / CUSMA free trade, and how to choose the right carrier.

Benefit from best-in-class logistics support between Canada and North America. Whether you are an e-commerce seller or an industrial manufacturer, choosing between postal, courier, or trucking is the first step to optimizing your costs.

Read about new Section 338 tariffs: September 2026 update

Read more about the new Entry Type 13 for postal imports to the USA

📥 Download the PDF guide: Principles of Importing to the USA

The big three: courier vs trucking vs postal

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best option depends on your volume, weight, and urgency.

Comparison table: shipping modes to the USA

How to choose your mode: a four-question test

Run every Canada-to-USA shipment through these four questions in order. The first "yes" usually points to your mode.

1. Is it over 100 kg or palletized? Ship LTL or FTL trucking and appoint a broker in advance.
2. Does it need to arrive in one to two days, or is it high value? Use express air courier with integrated brokerage.
3. Is it a commercial parcel between 2 kg and 68 kg with no rush? Courier ground is economical, but price it with the entry preparation fee included, not the base rate.
4. Is it a light, low-value item under 2 kg? Canada Post packet usually wins on landed cost by avoiding residential surcharges and most brokerage fees.

2026 US customs timeline: what changed and when

2026 has been the most active year for US import rules in a generation. These are the dates that change how a Canada-to-USA parcel clears and what it costs.

• February 2026 The US Supreme Court strikes down the IEEPA tariffs. US Customs begins processing refunds for duties collected under those orders.
• February to July 2026 A temporary Section 122 tariff of 10 percent bridges the gap on most imports.
• July 24, 2026 The Section 122 tariff expires and is replaced by Section 301 tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent on about 60 economies, with product exemptions.
• July 2026 The "Inactive for Entry Purposes" rule takes effect: an Importer of Record with no entry in a 366-day period cannot transmit an entry (CSMS number 69241265).
• September 22, 2026 The voluntary Entry Type 13 pilot begins for postal imports to the USA.
• October 22, 2026 Entry Type 13 becomes mandatory for regulated mail: Partner Government Agency goods, Chapter 98 or 99 of the HTSUS, or any Free Trade Agreement duty-free claim.
• July 1, 2027 The statutory repeal of the 800 USD de minimis takes full effect. It is already administratively suspended for all countries.

As of July 2026 the overall US effective tariff rate stood near 6.7 percent, down from its early-2026 peak, while about 80 percent of imports from Canada and Mexico cleared duty-free by claiming USMCA preference. In other words, rules of origin, not carrier choice, are now the largest lever on your landed cost.

Required documentation for US customs

The most common reason for delays is paperwork. Whether you ship by post or courier, accuracy is key.

1. The commercial invoice

This is the passport for your goods. It must include:

• Shipper and consignee: full name, address, and phone numbers.
• Description: a clear description of the items. Do not use general terms such as "gift, shirt, sample, toys etc"
• Value: Most often, the correct value to declare is the transaction value (the amount paid or payable for the goods) in USD or CAD.
• Country of origin: where the goods were manufactured, not where they ship from.

2. Other government agencies (PGA)

If you ship specific commodities, you need more than customs clearance:

• FDA (Food and Drug Administration): required for food and snacks. You must file "Prior Notice" and obtain a PN number before shipping.
• FCC: for electronics that emit radio frequencies.
• Fish and Wildlife: for goods made from animal products or mother of pearl.

Duty on shipments to the USA: USMCA (CUSMA) and 2026 
Section tariffs

Understanding the current duty rules can save you and your customers significant money.

All imports are subject to a duty assessment

All shipments from Canada are now subject to a US customs entry and duty assessment, regardless of value. The main duty types to consider:

• Most Favoured Nation (Column 1): the base rate applied according to the HS classification of the goods.
• Section 301 (2026): tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent on imports from about 60 economies. Tariffs are changing often, so verify the current rate before quoting.
• Section 232 (steel and aluminum): tariffs on goods made from non-US-origin steel and aluminum.
• Section 338 and other measures: additional duties, such as Section 338, that change often.

USMCA / CUSMA preference

If your goods are made in Canada or Mexico, they qualify for duty-free import under the USMCA agreement, which shields them from the base MFN duty. You must provide a valid certification of origin.

• Read more about USMCA / CUSMA rules.
• What is a certificate of origin?

Importer of Record to the USA

If the value of the goods entering the USA exceeds 2500 USD, there must be a clearly defined Importer of Record (IOR). The IOR usually submits a Power of Attorney (POA) authorizing their customs broker to make entry on their behalf, via Form 5106. Note that the receiver or consignee is not always the Importer of Record.

For example, if the client you sold the goods to asks you to ship directly to their customer, the consignee would not be the IOR.

Update on inactive Importer of Record (effective July 2026)

An importer that has not submitted an entry within a 366-day period is viewed as inactive. IORs with this "Inactive for Entry Purposes" status are ineligible to transmit an entry. Source: Cargo Systems Messaging Service CSMS number 69241265.

Can a Canadian company be the Importer of Record to the USA?

Yes. A Canadian company can register as a Foreign Importer of Record with US Customs by assigning a broker (Form 5106) and obtaining a customs surety bond, with a continuous-bond minimum of 50000 USD. This lets the Canadian seller act as importer and deliver duty paid, just like a domestic supplier. Even when clearing goods through a Foreign Importer of Record, customs requires the IRS or EIN number of the consignee.

Frequently asked questions