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Shipping to Canada from US: Complete 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know about shipping packages from the United States to Canada, including rates, customs, and delivery times.
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Shipping to Canada from US: Complete 2026 Guide
Canada is the most common international destination for US shippers. Here's everything you need to know about cross-border shipping.
Why Canada Is Different
Unique considerations:
- Proximity: Closer but still international
- USMCA: Trade agreement reduces duties
- Bilingual: English and French requirements
- GST/HST: Sales tax on imports
Carrier Options & Rates
USPS to Canada
| Service | Transit | 1 lb Rate | 5 lb Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class Package | 6-10 days | $14.50 | N/A |
| Priority Mail Intl | 6-10 days | $32.50 | $48.75 |
| Priority Mail Express | 3-5 days | $52.75 | $68.50 |
UPS to Canada
| Service | Transit | 1 lb Rate | 5 lb Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3-7 days | $25+ | $38+ |
| Expedited | 2-5 days | $45+ | $65+ |
| Express | 1-2 days | $75+ | $95+ |
FedEx to Canada
| Service | Transit | 1 lb Rate | 5 lb Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground | 3-7 days | $22+ | $35+ |
| Express Saver | 2-3 days | $48+ | $68+ |
| Priority | 1-2 days | $72+ | $92+ |
atoship Canada Savings
| Carrier/Service | Retail | atoship | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Intl | $32.50 | $27.63 | 15% |
| UPS Standard | $25.00 | $18.00 | 28% |
| FedEx Ground | $22.00 | $15.84 | 28% |
Canadian Customs & Duties
USMCA Benefits
The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement means:
- Most goods: Duty-free with proper documentation
- Certificate of Origin: Required for USMCA benefits
- Made in USA: Qualifies for preferential treatment
De Minimis Threshold
| Value (CAD) | Duty | GST/HST |
|---|---|---|
| Under $20 | No | No |
| $20-$150 | No | No* |
| Over $150 | Maybe | Yes |
GST/HST Rates by Province
| Province | Rate |
|---|---|
| Alberta | 5% GST |
| British Columbia | 12% (5% GST + 7% PST) |
| Ontario | 13% HST |
| Quebec | 14.975% (5% GST + 9.975% QST) |
Required Documentation
All Shipments
For USMCA Benefits
Specific Products
Provincial Shipping Considerations
Remote Surcharges
| Region | Carrier Surcharge |
|---|---|
| Northern territories | $15-40 |
| Rural addresses | $5-15 |
| Islands (BC, NL) | $10-25 |
Address Formatting
Canadian addresses require:
Name
Street Address, Unit #
City, Province Postal Code
CanadaExample:
John Smith
123 Maple Street, Unit 4
Toronto, ON M5V 2K1
Canada
Best Carrier by Use Case
Small, Lightweight
Winner: USPS First-Class Package- Under $15 for lightweight
- 6-10 day transit
- Basic tracking
Regular Packages
Winner: UPS Standard or FedEx Ground- Cost-effective for weight
- 3-7 day transit
- Full tracking
- Lower dimensional weight impact
Express Delivery
Winner: FedEx Priority or UPS Express- 1-2 day transit
- Money-back guarantee
- Priority customs clearance
High Volume
Winner: atoship multi-carrier- Compare all options
- Batch processing
- Lowest rates
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Ignoring Dimensional Weight
Solution: Use smallest box possible, UPS uses 166 factorMistake 2: Missing USMCA Documentation
Solution: Include Certificate of Origin for duty-free entryMistake 3: Wrong Province Abbreviations
Solution: Use official 2-letter codes (ON, BC, QC, etc.)Mistake 4: Forgetting French Requirements
Solution: Include French on product labels for QuebecCross-Border E-commerce Tips
For Online Sellers
Returns from Canada
- Use prepaid return labels
- Include all customs docs for return
- Consider Canadian return facility
- Budget for return shipping costs
Conclusion
Shipping to Canada is straightforward with the right preparation. Use atoship to compare rates across USPS, UPS, and FedEx, saving up to 89% on cross-border shipping while ensuring compliance with Canadian customs requirements.
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