The United States is the biggest export market for most Canadian brands, but the rules for shipping there have changed a lot since 2025. This guide explains what Canadian businesses need to know about shipping from Canada to the US in 2026: customs, duties, paperwork and the main ways to get orders to American customers.
Trade rules between Canada and the US have changed several times in 2025 and 2026. This guide is general information, current as of October 2026. Always confirm duties and requirements with your carrier or a licensed customs broker before you ship.
What changed: the end of the US de minimis exemption
For years, shipments worth up to US$800 could enter the US duty-free with very little paperwork, under what is called the de minimis exemption. That made it easy for Canadian online stores to ship small orders to US customers.
- August 29, 2025: the US suspended de minimis for shipments from all countries, including Canada.
- June 2026: US Customs and Border Protection moved the suspension into its regulations.
- July 1, 2027: a US law permanently repeals de minimis.
The result: every commercial shipment into the US now needs a customs entry, whatever its value, and any duties that apply must be paid.
Do you still pay duty? CUSMA and country of origin
Not always. Goods that qualify as originating under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA, called USMCA in the US) can still enter the US duty-free when a valid origin claim is made. What changed is the paperwork, not the trade agreement.
- Made in Canada and CUSMA-qualifying: usually duty-free with a correct certification of origin.
- Made elsewhere (for example in Asia) and shipped from Canada: duties are based on the country where the goods were made, not where they ship from.
- Some products: certain goods, such as steel, aluminum and some consumer products, face extra US tariffs that have changed often since 2025.
Paperwork you need for US shipments
| Document or detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Describes the goods, their value and the buyer and seller |
| HS / HTS code for each product | Decides the duty rate that applies |
| Country of origin | Decides whether CUSMA or other tariffs apply |
| CUSMA certification of origin | Needed to claim duty-free treatment for qualifying goods |
| Accurate product description and value | Avoids delays, fines and held shipments |
| Importer details | Who is responsible for paying duties and taxes |
DDP or DAP: who pays the duties?
Before you ship, decide who handles US customs charges:
- DAP (Delivered at Place): the customer pays any duties and brokerage fees when the parcel arrives. Cheaper for you, but surprise charges can lead to refused deliveries and unhappy customers.
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): you pay duties and fees up front, usually through your carrier, and build them into your prices. Customers get a smoother experience, like buying from a US store.
For online stores selling to consumers, DDP usually gives the best customer experience.
Ways to get your orders to US customers
| Option | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Ship each order from Canada | Parcels go from your Canadian warehouse to US customers by courier or post | Brands with modest US volume |
| Ship in bulk, then fulfill in the US | Send pallets to a US warehouse in one shipment and ship orders from there | Brands with large, steady US sales |
| Marketplaces | Send stock to Amazon.com or Walmart.com fulfillment centres | Sellers focused on US marketplaces |
| B2B to US retailers | Pallets and cartons shipped to US stores and distribution centres | Wholesale and retail suppliers |
Many Canadian brands start by shipping each order from Canada and only move stock into the US once volumes justify a second warehouse.
Tips for smooth Canada to US shipping
- Classify every product with the correct HS code before you start selling in the US.
- Keep proof of where your products are made, so CUSMA claims can be supported.
- Describe goods clearly on the invoice: “cotton T-shirt” instead of “clothing”.
- Choose DDP or DAP on purpose and explain it clearly at checkout.
- Work with a carrier or customs broker who handles US entries every day.
- Check tariff updates regularly, as rates and rules can change quickly.
How a 3PL helps with cross-border shipping
A 3PL that ships to the US every day can prepare shipping documents, work with carriers that clear customs, and ship your US and Canadian orders from the same inventory. Newsom 3PL offers cross-border fulfillment from our Mississauga warehouse, plus B2B shipments to US retailers and shipping services across North America. Selling on Shopify? See our guide to Shopify fulfillment in Canada.
Want to talk through your US orders? Request a quote and tell us about your products and where your customers are.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still a duty-free limit for shipping from Canada to the US?
No. Since August 29, 2025, the US no longer applies its US$800 de minimis exemption to shipments from Canada, so commercial shipments need a customs entry regardless of value. Goods that qualify under CUSMA can still be duty-free with a valid origin claim.
Do CUSMA goods still enter the US duty-free?
Generally yes, if the goods meet the CUSMA rules of origin and the claim is properly certified. Some products face separate US tariffs, so check your products with a customs broker.
Who pays US duties on my customer’s order?
It depends on your shipping terms. With DAP the customer pays on delivery; with DDP you pay up front through your carrier and include the cost in your prices.
Do I need a customs broker to ship to the US?
Most courier shipments are cleared by the carrier’s own brokerage service. For larger or regular shipments, many businesses work with a licensed customs broker.