Affordable Canada Shipping Companies

What would you do if the prices for commodities at your favorite store were significantly higher than in competing outlets? It would be an easy choice for me: I would jump ship- loyalty is damned! As it turns out, if you shop in the USA, you’re more likely to pay less than if you did so in Canadian stores. Yep, you read that right.
Okay, what about shipping? Shipping costs can be a significant deterrent when shopping online, mainly if the goods must be shipped across national borders. High shipping charges can offset potential savings.
Plus, the time and hassle involved in shipping goods internationally can be a significant source of frustration for any customer. As a result, you may be reluctant to shop online if you know you’ll have to contend with high or even hidden costs, including customs charges.
If you’re a price-conscious shopper, you might wonder, “What’s the cheapest way to ship to Canada?” USPS’s Flat Rate Box is the cheapest option, at $27.9. But generally, shipping costs depend on various factors. Let’s delve into some of these variables.

Choice of Courier

When shipping products to Canada, your shipping courier will impact the overall cost. For example, UPS and USPS offer competitive rates for shipping to Canada. FedEx also ships to Canada, but their rates are typically higher than UPS or USPS- although this depends on your service type. It’s also advisable to compare rates and options from different shipping couriers to ensure you get the best rate possible.
Also, note the delivery time, as some couriers may take longer to deliver to Canada than others. For example, USPS Priority Mail Express International has a delivery time of 6-10 days, while UPS Standard guarantees delivery in two days.

Package Size and Type

The size or weight of a package will also affect shipping costs. If you are shipping a small, lightweight item, it will cost less to ship than a large, bulky item.
Also, when shipping fragile items to Canada, you’ll have to use a method most likely to ensure your items arrive safely. In this regard, the cheapest option may not provide the level of protection your items need.
Sometimes, a more expensive shipping option may be the best for your needs. Sure, you’ll pay more, but the added cost pales the risk of damaging your package by taking a low-priced offer. Let me add that you should always compare the various available options before deciding to ensure you’re making the right choice.
Also, Canada restricts and prohibits the shipment of certain items. Prohibited goods include used mattresses, drugs, objectionable publications- the list goes on. Meanwhile, restricted products include:

• Currency
• Guns
• Counterfeit items
• Vehicles

This implies that while selecting the products to ship, you should try to stay within the bounds of the law. Otherwise, you might end up contravening legal protocols and paying the price.

Shipping Method

The shipping method you opt for will also affect your overall costs. For example, USPS First-Class Package International Service is cheaper for shipping smaller items, while UPS Ground charges less for larger items.
Most major shipping couriers offer expedited services, including next-day shipping. But if you’re an e-commerce merchant intending to ship packages to your customers in Canada, using such services can be costly or even prohibitive- especially from the customer’s perspective, given that they usually bear the shipping costs.

Customs Charges

Also, when shipping products to Canada, you will incur customs fees and duties by the government. These fees are based on the value of your shipment. For starters, expect to pay 5% in taxes for goods worth over 20 CAD.
Along the same lines, the duty threshold varies depending on the type of product being shipped. For instance, expect to pay 18% in duties for fashion or health and beauty products and 9% for home decor items. Meanwhile, jewelry attracts an 8% duty. Some categories, however, do not attract duties, including:

• Computers and accessories
• Dry food and supplements
• Sports gear
• Mobiles and tablets
• Books and collectibles

Fortunately, with the help of an online duty and taxes calculator, you can determine how much in taxes and duties you need to pay for your shipment. To avoid any surprises, research customs charges in advance. That way, you can make a more informed choice by factoring in the charges when shipping products to Canada. It would also help you determine whether buying locally is better than having the item shipped from the US.
Another consideration worth making is customs clearance fees. For instance, MyUSaddress charges $29 in addition to duty for their package forwarding service to your location.

Package’s Destination

When shipping packages, you need to know that shipping costs can vary based on the destination. For instance, if you live within the outer reaches of the country and expect delivery to your doorstep, it goes without saying that you’ll incur more charges.
This is because shipping companies charge higher rates for deliveries to areas they consider more difficult to reach. Additionally, packages going to northern regions of Canada will usually cost more to ship than those going south. Simply put, it costs more to transport goods to remote locations.
If you have multiple packages, consider shipping them simultaneously to keep costs low. Your shipping courier may also offer discounts for shipping in bulk. You may also take advantage of promotions that allow you to delay shipping payments for up to a month, depending on your courier.
Considering these variables, you can get the best possible rate when shipping packages from the US to Canada. And if you’re seeking a convenient way to shop at US retailers, check out our site at https://myusaddress.ca/. What’s more, you can pick up your items at our secure warehouse, or we can deliver them to your door in Canada. Sounds like a solid plan, right?

MyUSaddress,
808 Commerce Park Dr Ogdensburg, NY, US 13669,
+1 800-320-3014

US e-commerce merchants have a huge market waiting for them in Canada. Exploring this market opportunity is a great idea that many business owners nurse. However, the challenges associated with e-commerce require proper planning to ensure business success. Businesses need to properly plan how their products get to their customers, how to maintain customer satisfaction, and which companies in the US ship to Canada. These important factors and more need to be solved before businesses can tap into the growing e-commerce market in Canada.

A recent study estimates that the Canadian e-commerce market will likely hit $33.3 billion (USD) by 2024. With the enormous growth potential and undeniably expanding market scene, the Canadian e-commerce scene should be on every company’s radar. As a business owner in the United States, you should know what aspects of your business to refine, the shipping practices, and how to navigate the entire system.

The Basics of Shipping to Canada

When it comes to shipping products to Canada, US-based businesses can explore various options. It is left to each business owner to detect which option works best for them and how they intend to adapt existing practices into their business pipeline. Although there are many choices to pick from, how do you avoid trial and error and the losses of choosing the wrong shipping option? Below, we will tackle some basic questions that can guide you.

Are there products I can’t ship to Canada?

Yes. Canada is like many other countries with fairly strict shipping laws and practices. As a business owner, you should know the products that cannot be shipped to Canada based on restrictions and prohibitions. For example, Canada prohibits alcohol, ammunition, furs, collectible coins, etc. The prohibition means that this category of products cannot be shipped into the country.

Aside from the prohibition, the country also has shipping restrictions on some unprohibited goods like medicines and drugs. This shipping control may make it harder to provide medicines and drugs to consumers in Canada from the US.

Before you explore shipping goods into Canada, it is recommended to explore the full list of Canadian shipping restrictions and prohibited items.

What Paperwork do I need to ship goods into Canada?

All goods must have a customs declaration to ship them to the Canadian borders and market. The only exceptions are goods or envelopes weighing less than 16 oz (please note that some restrictions may apply according to Canadian law).

To get started, you can visit any shipping or logistics service provider’s website to download their customs documentation. You can also use a software solution to help in pre-filling the relevant information onto the document, especially if handling large orders. Submitting the documents may be physical or virtual, depending on the choice of logistics and shipping provider.

Please also note that the customs documents needed for shipping into Canada may vary based on the goods shipped, shipment type, and your logistics provider. Some of the basic documents you may need include;

• Bills of Lading (BOLs)
• Canada Customs Invoices (CCI), for commercial shipments worth over $2,500CAD.
• Commercial Invoices
• Electronic Export Information (EEI) forms. This replaces the Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED) form for controlled exports.
• Import permits. Specifically for products that fall under the Canadian Other Government Department (OGD) regulation.
• Manifest or Cargo Control Documents (CCDs). Required if shipping more than one package at a time.
• NAFTA Certificates of Origin. For NAFTA-eligible goods.
• Proof of Delivery (POD), in the event it isn’t handled directly on the Bill of Lading (BOL)

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Packages to Canada?

Shipping costs are largely due to the goods shipped, the logistics partner, weight, and classification. The shipping cost to Canada will include other things like duties, tariffs, taxes, and other fees. Other things to take into consideration include;

Duties, Tariffs, and Taxes

Goods imported into Canada may be subjected to duties and taxes, including;

• Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• Provincial Sales Tax (PST) for provinces not covered by a harmonized tax
• Harmonized Tax (HST), combines Goods and Services Tax (GST) and provincial taxes in some Canadian provinces.
• Quebec Sales Tax (QST), for goods destined for the Quebec province.

Entrepreneurs and business owners can further research applicable taxes by provinces to get an idea of what they should expect. With the GST tax reigning supreme, some of the few exceptions, according to the CBSA, include;

• Items valued at $20 CAD or less that aren’t intoxicating beverages, cigarettes, cigars, publications where the supplier requires registration under Excise Tax Act, manufactured tobacco, and goods split up under multiple shipments but under the $20 CAD limit.
• Gifts from friends and family located outside of Canada and valued below $60 CAD. To qualify, these items must be correctly labeled as gifts.

Fees

Asides from the tariffs, taxes, and duties, US business owners and shippers also need to consider associated fees. For example, your logistics partner often assesses customs brokerage fees and handling fees. These fees depending on the goods being shipped.

Who Pays Duties, Fees, Taxes, and Tariffs?

Duties and taxes are often paid by the sender (the e-commerce business or the individual). These amounts can also be paid through a third party, for instance, a logistics partner. On the other hand, logistics companies often help senders to select the responsible payment party for customs duties or taxes.

If you plan to assign these amounts to a third party, for instance, the receiver, you may inform your shipping partner ahead of time to ensure that appropriate paperwork is prepared for it.

It is important to note that Canadian sales taxes may be required from the sender. This is besides the fact that Canadian consumers may be responsible for such payments. For clarity, you may need to work closely with the consumer to ensure these amounts are properly remitted to the government.

Shipping to Canada can be stressful if you’re handling the process on your own. There are many logistics providers who will happily take on the stress at a fraction of the cost. If you have any questions about US Shipment and Freight Forwarding & Pick-Up Services, visit https://myusaddress.ca.

MyUSAddress,

850 Sophia St Prescott Ontario K0E1T0,

18003203014