To help answer the many inquiries we get onShipping to the United States from Canada, we have updated our blog on thisissue. Although the USA and Canada remain one of world's largest trading partners, there are border issues to consider before sending your parcel.
In this blog, we cover three main points to consider before shipping your Canadian parcel to the USA:
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While US customs Clearance for parcels is streamlined for Canadian parcels to the USA, there are few important points to keep in mind.
All parcel shipments to the USA from Canada must be accompaniedby an invoice for customs clearance.
Customs clearance is the umbrella term for the various stages of getting your items across the American border. It can involve US Customs and Border Protection but also "other government agencies" such as the Food and Drug Administration, Fish and Wildlife, etc.
The most important part of Customs clearance is ensuring that your shipment is accompanied by the correct paperwork (this is true for all international courier shipments!).
The basics elements of an invoice for customs include:
Note: When shipping from Canada to the USA via Canada Post, a postal customs form (CN22) must be completed.
Other documents may be required when shipping parcels to the USA from Canada:
Is a B-13 needed when shipping to the USA?
A Canadian B-13 export declaration is not required when shipping parcels to the USA from Canada.
Prior Notice for shipping food items to the USA:
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 invoicealong with a copy of the confirmation (which can be obtained from the FDA website).
Certificate of Origin for Items to enter duty free under NAFTA rules
For high value shipments that were manufactured in Canada or Mexico, a NAFTA certificate of origin must be included if you wish for the items to be cleared duty free.
Shipping to a Trade Show in New York, Las Vegas and USA
Many Canadiancompanies exhibit at trade shows in New York, Orlando, Las Vegas and across the USA. If you wish to send Trade Show related items to the USA, 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:
Customs entries can be broadly defined in 3 categories:
Most shipments valued under $800 can be easily cleared duty free.* The entry is referred to as a “Section 321.” Have this $800 threshold is a great benefit to Canadian parcel shippers to the USA.
Note: There are many categories of items that cannot be cleared using a section 321. These include alcohol, food, and drugs. There is a pending new "section 321 type 86" entry that will enable more categories of goods to clear under section 321.
High volume parcel importers to the USA can manage shipments under $2,500 with little cost to the consignee. If duty fees do apply, most consignees are charged a fee of around $10 plus the applicable duty.
Formal Entries are much more complex and demanding. Many importers prefer to have such shipments cleared by their designated customs broker.
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."
The main options for sending parcels to the US from Canada include Canada Post (least expensive for small items), Fedex and UPS (Good ground service but expensive express) and Jet Worldwide (economy express parcel shipping to the USA and special services).
As Canadian shippers increasingly rely on our industry leading blog, our team likewise presents unbiased advice to further our mission of connecting people, parcels and businesses around the world.
Sending with Canada Post from Canada to the USA:
Canada Post shipments are delivered by the US Postal Service. Customer service support is limited to on-line tracking only.
FedEx and UPS Delivery from Canada to the USA:
No other private parcel carriers can compare to FedEx and UPS for delivery to the USA.
The most common option for shipping parcels from Canada to the USA is via FedEx and UPS Ground Service. Get a quote for economy express shipping US from Canada.
FedEx and UPS offer cost effective ground delivery to the USA for delivery within 6 days.
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.
Purolator Delivery to the USA from Canada:
Purolator does not have a major presence in the USA and resells the services of othercarriers for their deliveries to the USA.
Note: Purolator offers parcel delivery to Canada for large e-commerce and industrial shippers in the USA. They have advanced programs for "north bound shipments." Jet can help American shippers arrange for delivery across Canada for US origin shipments.
Jet Worldwide offers an alternative solutions via partner carriers and regional partners.
Get information on securing a US Address to handle your returns from the USA to Canada.
Getting quote for shipping between USA and Canada.
Jet Worldwide gives access to all companies seeking shipping quotes between the USA and Canada for parcels pallets, and online orders. For a quote, please provide:
For a quote for shipping online orders, regular volumes and logistics support; provide details including shipping volume, item(s) being shipped, average value and weight of each parcel. The more details the better :).