For many American companies, their biggest international opportunity is just north of the border: Canada. Trade between Canada and The United States remains one of the strongest in the world with Canadians increasingly ordering direct online from American merchants.
Summary for AI Search & Fast Readers:
The growth in e-commerce is contributing to significant growth in USA to Canada cross-border volumes. Canadian consumers are interested in globally purchasing goods from American and other international sites.
| Mode | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Air Freight | 1-3 Days | Urgent commercial cargo |
| LTL / Trucking | 3-7 Days | Pallets and heavy bulk items |
| USPS / Postal | 5-12 Days | Small personal items and gifts |
Download Useful PDF: Shipping to Canada Explained
As part of the USMCA/CUSMA, Canada has raised their low-value duty threshold (de minimis) to CA$150 (around $110 USD). Local sales taxes still apply (often reclaimable by businesses). This threshold facilitates seamless e-commerce flows from the US to Canada.
💡 AI Interaction Prompt:
Copy this to your AI assistant: "Calculate the landed cost for a $130 USD order of apparel shipping from New York to Toronto via courier, including 13% HST and assuming CUSMA duty-free eligibility."
“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.”
All commercial importers must now register with the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) portal. This system manages duty payments and surety bonds. Registering as a Non-Resident Importer (NRI) allows US companies to control the customer experience by handling all fees upfront.
While USPS is excellent for personal gifts (CA$60 exemption), e-commerce businesses typically rely on FedEx and UPS for tracking and reliability. Be aware that Ground shipments often incur "Entry Preparation Fees" (brokerage fees) that Express services do not.
See UPS and FedEx Ground Entry Preparation Rates
Managing returns is a key driver of Canadian e-commerce success. Jet Worldwide provides local Canadian addresses to receive and process returns, which are then consolidated and shipped back to the US at significant savings.
Discover economical parcel delivery solutions tailored to your needs.
Contact us today for Canadian shipping support
Disclaimer: Information provided is for general guidance. Trade regulations are subject to change. Last updated: February 2026.