Ship Smarter to Canada and North America

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Jet Worldwide's logistics team is committed to helping Canadians expand to global markets by shipping to and from Canada. Our online resources reflect our best in class logistics support for shipping to and from North America. In this post, we provide an extensive review of things to consider when regarding international shipping from Canada.

Jet Worldwide: Canadian Logistics support and North American shipping options by a trusted partner with over 40 years of experience.


Shipping from Canada to USA:  FAQ's

How Long Does It Take for Shipments from Canada to US? 

The transit time from Canada to the USA can be as fast as next day. Ground shipments average between 2-7 business days. 

How Much Does It Cost to Ship from Canada to US?

The cost of shipping from Canada depends on the size and weight of the shipment, service, carrier and other factors. Contact our team for a comparison rate for shipping from Canada to the USA.

sample shipping rates Canada to USA 2024

The Cheapest Shipping from Canada to USA

The cheapest option for individuals shipping small packages is via Canada Post surface. Ground shipping offers the lowest cost for heavier packages. Partial and full truck loads Canada to USA are best for palletized freight. 

Step-by-Step Guide When Shipping from Canada to US

This post contains in depth information with necessary insights for shipping to the USA.

Cheap Shipping from Canada with JetShip.

Jet ship provides low cost for economy express and LTL shipping. Contact our team for details.

shipping rate USA

Benefit from having a Canadian partner to support your logistics processes northbound, southbound and within Canada.

  • Have a Canadian address to receive, store, consolidate and ship your orders
  • Useful resource for managing your Amazon Removal orders (see below)
  • Ship your goods in bulk for storage and domestic distribution on demand
  • When ever you think: "I wish we had a partner in Canada." Consider Jet!

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Navigation tips: All sections listed below include in-page links to section referenced. 

Disclaimer: The information in Jet Worldwide online content, including this post, is for general information only.

Jet-vanThe key elements for shipping Internationally from Canada include customs declaration and choosing a carrier with international expertise.

The common elements of shipping within Canada or internationally from Canada include:

  1. The dimensions of the package (height, length, width)
  2. The weight of the package
  3. The address of both the shipper and receiver

Note: When shipping Internationally, the majority of packages are shipped via air (versus ground for domestic shipments). As a result, international packages are often subject to a higher chargeable weight than for the same size shipment shipped domestically.


Additional Elements Required for International Shipments

In addition to the standard information required for shipping domestically, international shipments require you to declare your items for import to the destination country (and, for some shipments, Export Canada declaration). This can take different forms, such as a CN22 for postal shipments or an “Invoice for Customs”. When Shipping Internationally, you’ll also need to know:

  1. The contact name and phone numbers of the shipper and receiver (in addition to the address).
  2. A specific description of the items being shipped.
  3. The value of your items.
  4. Your items’ country of origin.

Note: Jet Worldwide’s logistics team has been providing international transport for over 40 years. Our focus is finding international logistics solutions for companies shipping to and from Canada and North America. It is our mission to connect people, parcels and businesses around the world!

Read More About Requirements for Customs Invoice


Describing your Item(s)

In most cases, a simple description of the item or items you want to ship will do the trick, but you’ll want to get more specific to avoid complications and delays. Additionally, if it is an obscure item that – for example – may be specific to your industry, it can be helpful to describe how the item is used. Even better, there is a globally recognized system to describe your item called the Harmonized System Code (see next section). This is a language our friends at customs understand!


Harmonized System Code (HS)

The Harmonized System Code is: “An international [reference] developed by the World Customs Organization, which is arranged in six-digit codes allowing all participating countries to classify traded goods on a common basis.” - wto.org

Find the HS Code you’re looking for, so that you can best describe your item. We recommend checking in with your international customer before shipping – as they will be the actual importer of the goods – to confirm the most appropriate HS Code to be applied.

HS code vector image Understanding HS codes

HS Codes determine duty, admissibility, and whether or not a shipment should be physically examined.


Valuing your Item(s)

When shipping Internationally, one of the first questions you might ask yourself is "What value should I declare?" The declared value, along with the HS Code, are the biggest factors in assessing duty and the import process. Over-declared values result in needless costs and under-declared values could lead to significant delays and fines.

Note: Customs generally requires a unit value for each item being sent.

declared value vector Verify you are Declaring the correct value

Transaction Value and Landed Costs

When you’re asked for the value of your item (or items), usually, you’re being asked for the item’s Transaction Value or Declared Value. Meaning, the actual cost of the item that you bought or are selling. If you sell your product for $200 and want to ship it, the Transaction Value is $200. Remember to always use the correct Currency Code.

With regards to assessing duty and taxes on an item, customs will use what is called the CIF Value (meaning Cost plus Insurance plus Freight charges). This is also known as the Landed Cost, and it is the sum of the Transaction Value, plus the Cost of Insurance, plus the Cost of Shipping.

Let’s take our example of the item sold for $200 Canadian dollars: we know the Transaction Value is $200, now, let’s say the Cost of Insurance is $10 and the Cost of Shipping is $40. Add those up. And you get a CIF Value, or Landed Cost, of $250.

Transaction Value: $200
+ Cost of Insurance: $10
+ Cost of Shipping: $40
= CIF Value (Landed Cost): CAD$250

If the Transaction Value includes the cost of insurance and shipping, you should include that the Transaction Value is the CIF Value.

When you’re shipping by courier or post, the Cost of Shipping is often unknown. In that case, most customs will apply a standard cost per kg rate. Know that this cost could be more or less than the actual Cost of Shipping.

Value for duty for non-resident imports to Canada.

Similarly to the HS Code, before you start your International Shipping, we recommend you consult with the receiver about what value is being declared. Learn more about methods of valuation.

Read More About Methods of Valuation


Product Samples, Warranty Parts and Used goods

When it comes to samples or gifts, you might think these items have a $0 Transaction Value, because they are “free” or “priceless”, but customs will demand that each item has an actual value. To come up with an appropriate dollar amount, you can start by looking at the transaction value of identical or similar items. If that isn’t possible, or if you’re looking to ship specific high value commodities, there are a few other methods you can consider, but for those, we recommend you get in touch with an experienced specialized carrier like Jet Worldwide.

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Shipping E-commerce Orders Internationally

More American and Canadian businesses who are selling products internationally via online platforms such as Shopify. Benefit from having direct access to Canada, Japan, UK and Europe!  

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jet canada amazon removals to USA

Managing Canadian Returns for International Online Orders

Jet Worldwide provides simplified return processing for your Canadian customers.

Contact our Canadian team to build customized return processes including confirmation of receipt and disposition handling and options including consolidation for return, ecological disposal, resale, and/or storage.

Managing Canadian Amazon Removal Orders back to the USA

  1. Set up an account with Jet Worldwide
  2. Direct your removal orders to our Canadian Address
  3. Have consolidated goods returned to you via low cost ground

Country of Origin

Say you sell an item on your website that you originally purchased from a supplier and you want to ship to your customer in Germany. Most of the time, you’d be right to assume that the Country of Origin of the item is Canada, that is, if you don’t know where the product - or its parts - were made. But what if you knew where the product was made? And why does this matter? Depending on the Country of Origin, goods can actually benefit from one of Canada’s duty Free Trade Agreements.

The country of origin ≠ from where the goods are shipped. The country of origin refers to where the the goods were made, grown or produced and helps establish if goods qualify for preferential duty free import under one of Canada's many free trade agreements.

certificate origin vector Understanding a certificate of origin

SHIP FROM ORIGINFrom where goods were shipped vs country of origin

For international customs clearance purposes, the country of origin refers to the country of manufacture. For example, Jet Worldwide helps a company that makes specialty guitars. These Canada-made guitars have been shipped for Duty Free clearance to Europe, Australia and the US thanks to Canada’s Free Trade Agreements.

 

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Import Clearance to The Destination Country

All goods exported from Canada are subject to customs clearance to assess admissibility, duty and taxes. By default, the receiver - or importer of the goods - will be charged the applicable duty and taxes (known as Delivery Duty Unpaid or DDU*). See trade terms and default EXW* below.

However, the shipper or exporter of the goods can choose to pay the duty and taxes on behalf of the receiver by selecting a Delivery Duty Paid option (known as DDP* or DTP*). A delivery duty paid option is a service offered by private carriers, but not Canada Post.

While duty rates are important, often the local sales tax is more significant and applies even to items imported duty free. VAT regiments are applied so the consumers pay the tax. Businesses - in most cases - are able to claim back sales tax or value added tax if the goods are intermediary parts for production.

For e-commerce all orders shipped to the UK and Europe are subject to VAT. Contact our team to ship consolidations direct from USA and Canada.


How is duty calculated?

Duty is generally a percentage typically applied to the CIF Value or Landed Cost of your item based on the item’s description (as discussed above).

  • Duty: Based on a variety of factors including the Description of the Goods, its CIF Value and its Country of Origin. Read more: Understanding import duty and how it is calculated
  • Value Added Tax: Accessed on CIF Value + Duty
  • Import Fees: Can include such items as a brokerage fee, entry preparation and/ or carrier disbursement fee.

Once duty has been assigned, there is usually a Value Added Tax to pay. This tax can be as high as 20% (as it is in most European countries, for example). Often, tax regiments often allow business (if goods are not for final consumption) to claim back back the the value added tax.

In addition to the Duty Fee and Value Added Tax, there are often Import Fees that will be charged to the receiver. If a customs broker is needed, there is also a Brokerage Fee.

When a common parcel carrier is used, customs entry is usually included, but they often charge a fee of around 2.5% to 3% (with a minimum charge) of the amount they pay on behalf of the receiver This is often referred to as the is known as Carrier Disbursement or Administrative Fee.

For information on shipping to a specific country or region, contact Jet's team.


Export Declaration from Canada

Export Clearance, or, as it’s often referred to, Export Declaration is sometimes required when exporting or shipping from Canada.

When shipping goods from Canada valued over CAD$2000 (or otherwise restricted), Canadian Customs and Statistics Canada requires shippers (exporters) to declare the export via CERS. If you’re an individual looking to ship over CAD$2000 worth of goods, you’ll have to register with customs as an exporter.

Read More About CERS Export

When shipping from Canada to the USA, a Canadian Export Declaration is not required.


Understanding Shipping Terms and Who Will be Paying Duty and Taxes

When you are exporting, the default method of shipping is Ex Works (or EXW*), meaning the receiver/ importer will be responsible for all import fees, duty and taxes. Keep this in mind when sending that sample or warranty part to your customer as they may not appreciate having to pay the import fees.

The disadvantage of paying import fees on behalf of the receiver is that the bulk of the import fees are often from a value added tax that the importing business may otherwise be able to claim back.

INCOTERMS:

*DDU, DDP and EXW are terms known as Incoterms®, a registered trademark of the International Chamber of Commerce/ICC. It is useful to at least understand the existence of Incoterms and visit ICC’s website if further explanation is needed.

Read More About International Shipping Terms


Import to the USA from - and via - Canada

All shipments to the USA must be cleared by US Customs and Border Patrol /USCBP). Most shipments valued under $800 can be cleared duty free via section 321 informal entries. Read more about things to consider when shipping to the to USA from Canada.


Canada's Free Trade Agreements

Canada has trade agreements with most of the world's major economies including, of course, the USMCA/ CUSMA North American Free Trade Agreement.

The good news is that Canada’s newest Free Trade Agreements make declaring a Country of Origin much easier by allowing the Certification of Origin to be included on the shipping paperwork.

The ability to ship Canada Origin goods to over 30 major economies duty free is a major competitive advantage for Canadian Companies. If you’re a Small Business Shipping Internationally, getting familiar with the available Free Trade Agreements can make it easier to reach foreign markets and can save your international customer import duty (and ultimately lower the cost of your product).

Read More About Canada Free Trade Agreements

Note: Just being shipped from Canada to the USA does not automatically grant duty free import. To qualify for duty free import, the goods must be valued under $800 USD. Goods that qualify as Canadian origin under the country of origin rules outlined in the USMCA agreement can also be imported duty free.

Read more about goods shipped from Canada versus Canadian origin goods.


Canadian Customs Portal to Facilitate Imports to Canada - CARM

Canada's free trade agreements benefit both imports and exports. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) project modernizes the import process of commercial goods.

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Best Shipping Options from Canada to the USA

Contact our team for logistics support to Canada, From Canada and across North America.

The major options for shipping from Canada include:

  • Postal shipping either via Canada Post (or cross border direct shipping via USPS)
  • Air cargo via a freight forwarder or integrator: Best for urgent shipments over 50 kg
  • Air shipping via FedEx, UPS and DHL: Best for packages under 50 kg
  • Ground shipping via for heavy parcels via UPS or FedEx ground
  • Trucking full truck loads. less than truckloads
  • Rail for large consistent commercial orders

Canada Post Service Options to the USA

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Canada Post is generally the best option for individuals shipping small parcels and personal item
  • Minimal tracking, customer support and specialized services.
  • Purolator: A division of Canada Post that offers international shipping via partner carriers, such as UPS.
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FedEx and UPS Canada

FedEx and UPS are - by fare- the dominate carries for shipping from North America. Along with DHL, they offer reliable shipping options from Canada. FedEx and UPS international shipping options from Canada includes air express and economy options.

Note that FedEx and UPS ground shipments do not include entry preparation for shipments valued over $800 USD.

FedEx and UPS Service options to the USA include:

  • Air express/ next day to major metropolitan areas
  • Standard/ Economy air to the USA (delivery usually within 3 business days)
  • International Ground (delivery within 6 business days)

Jet Worldwide Canada

Jet Worldwide is a trusted brand that has been providing international shipping and integrated logistics solutions for over 40 years.

  • Jet Worldwide provides innovative best in class international and logistics support to and from Canada and globally.
  • Jet helps Canadian sellers ship their e-commerce orders direct to major markets.
  • LTL rates, courier and Canadian reverse logistics

contact jetship


Resellers and Third Party Logistics

There are many "resellers" and third party logistics providers who can assist with shipping from Canada.

  • Resellers: Resellers core expertise is in how to rank in search engines and have a way for individuals on small companies to compare costs via various carriers. This is a popular option for individuals and occasional shippers.
  • Third Party Logistics Providers:The major "3PL" include such names as Kuhn and Nagel, Agility Holdings, Expeditors International, XPO Logistics, DSV as well as FedEx, UPS and DHL's forwarding divisions. Companies who ship ocean freight shipments may, for example, use the same forwarder for their shipping from Canada.

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Getting quote for International Shipping from Canada

Jet Worldwide gives access to all companies seeking shipping quotes logistics support for parcels pallets, and online orders.

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