Here's the Cheapest Way to Ship to Canada in 2024

Shipping to Canada is a pain, eh? It doesn't need to be. With a little planning, you can start shipping your products cross-border to your Canadian customers and grow your business.

If you're looking for the cheapest way to ship to Canada from the United States, your best option for a 5lb package is going to be USPS flat rate boxes or the Easyship Flat Export Rate.

But there are other options, depending on your needs, so it's best to compare and evaluate. In this article, we'll cover the various options for shipping to Canada, so you can provide the best options for your customers.

Shipping to Canada Basics

Regardless of the nature of the package that you intend to send to Canada, it would help if you understood various metrics that determine to ship to Canada's cost.

Understanding multiple facets and rules for shipping to Canada helps online businesses unravel the cheapest way to ship parcels in Canada. Below are some important things to know as you plan to send your parcels to Canada.

How Long Does Shipping to Canada Take?

Depending on the courier and the service you use, it can take anywhere from 1 to 25 days to ship to Canada from the United States. Major express couriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL all offer next-day shipping services to assure packages arrive as quickly as possible. However, these services will be the most expensive options for eCommerce merchants.

More affordable shipping options like Flat Rate Export, UPS Ground or USPS Priority Mail International can take anywhere from 6 to 15 days.  

How much does it cost to ship to Canada?

The cost of shipping to Canada depends on a few variables, including package size and weight, delivery distance and timeframe, and the courier service you choose. For 5 pound package, the cost will be anywhere from around $30 for standard services and up to $170 for next-day overnight services.

Get a Free Shipping Quote.

Things to Consider

Apart from the cost and time took to send your shipment, it would be best if you also watched out for various shipping rules to Canada. Your first consideration should be completing customs declaration forms with accurate details on the content of your package.

Secondly, note that Canada has several restricted items that cannot be shipped into the country. Ensure that the shipment doesn't contravene or breach the laid-out protocols.

You should also take great consideration if your package contains fragile products. If this is the case, make sure that your courier is well-informed. Remember that sending fragile packages can affect the possibility of using the cheapest way to ship to Canada.

What to Know About Canadian Tax and Duties

If you are shipping cross-border to Canada, you'll need to understand the Canadian taxes and duties that may be due. On every shipment, there will be a 5% Tax on goods over a threshold of 20 CAD.

The duty threshold will be 20 CAD and will apply at various rates in the categories of fashion, health & beauty, home appliances, home décor, and luggage. Many categories will not have duties due, including watches, cameras, dry food & supplements, and more. You can find the full list in our guide to shipping to Canada.  

The fastest way to get a quote is to use the Easyship Duties & Taxes Calculator in Canada. Below is an example of the taxes and duties due on shipment in the health and beauty category worth $150.

Do FedEx, UPS, or USPS Ship to Canada?

You can choose from various couriers when shipping your packages to your customers in Canada. Note that the cost of shipping will be dependent on your choice of courier. UPS, FedEx, and USPS all ship to Canada. With various shipping options from these couriers, you can easily find one that suits your budget, delivery timeframes, and needs.

Below are some shipping options and their estimated cost for deliveries to Canada.

What's the Cheapest Shipping Option from the USA to Canada?

eCommerce businesses operating from the US and looking to send products to Canada should consider several aspects to discover the cheapest way to ship parcels in Canada.

The best place to start for estimating shipping costs to Canada is by using the Easyship shipping rate calculator.

Following this, you should then explore the couriers' operations, shipping times, and additional services to settle on one that suits your shipping needs. Look out for additional services from couriers such as tracking and free deliveries during weekends. You should also take advantage of any service that facilitates the cheapest way to ship to Canada from the US.

That said, by looking at the example comparison table below, you can see that one of the most affordable way to ship to Canada is Flat Export. Alternatively UPS Standard offers the best value and will get the package to the destination sooner.

In this example, we will look at the rates for a 5-pound package from New York, US to Toronto, Canada.

6 Canada Shipping Tips for Cheap Shipping

Sending your shipment to Canada successfully goes beyond finding a reliable and affordable courier. You should consider several factors and avoid mistakes that can frustrate the shipping process. Some tips for cheap shipping include;

1. Provide your online customers with various courier options and rates, including customs duties for them to choose from.
2. Print accurate customs forms to eliminate possible errors in the delivery package. Easyship can also help you with this.
3. Ship with multiple couriers.
4. Ensure your shipment avoids losses. Easyship offers up to $5,000 in insurance cover for shipment.
5. Partner with Easyship for seamless shipping.
6. Take note of products that can lead to additional costs.

Getting the cheapest way to ship to Canada is certainly not straightforward. However, the tips provide insightful ideas on how you can facilitate seamless order fulfillment from the US to Canada.

How to Ship to Canada with Easyship

Easyship is proud to be the premier shipping and logistics partner, collaborating with a global network of more than 250 couriers. This extensive reach has enabled us to negotiate some of the industry's most significant shipping discounts with leading couriers. By partnering with us, you can reduce your shipping expenses by up to 91%.

Alongside unbeatable discounts, Easyship provides a range of user-friendly shipping tools. Each is designed to help you effortlessly take your shipping experience to the next level:

1. Shipping Rate Calculator: Check out our favorite tool above! Easily compare shipping rates from different carriers to find the most cost-effective option
2. Comparison Tool: Compare the range of unique shipping services offered by each courier, considering factors beyond cost
3. Insurance: We offer insurance coverage of up to $10,000 to help ensure peace of mind during transit
4. Tracking: From custom-branded tracking emails to automatic message alerts, Easyship keeps your customers in the loop from start to finish
5. Shipping API: With its developer-friendly design, Easyship’s API enables you to seamlessly incorporate powerful shipping and logistics capabilities into your existing infrastructure

Don't let shipping complexities hold your online store back. Join Easyship today and take advantage of our extensive network, unbeatable discounts, and powerful shipping tools. Upgrade your shipping game with Easyship and take your delivery experience to the next level!

Sign up for a free Easyship account today and let us help you make an informed decision on the cheapest way to ship to Canada and beyond.

Shipping to Canada FAQ

What cannot be mailed to Canada?

Like most countries, Canada has a list of shipping restrictions & prohibited items. you should be aware before you send your goods. Restricted items include Counterfeit Goods, Currency, Explosives, Firearms, and Vehicles. Prohibited items include Drugs, Hate Propaganda And Cultural Property, Objectionable Publications, and Used Or Second-Hand Mattresses.  

How much is tracked shipping to Canada?

You can track your shipments for free from most couriers. With Easyship, merchants also gain access to global tracking which is often faster and more accurate than the leading couriers.

Does USPS flat rate ship to Canada?

Yes, you can use USPS flat rate to ship to Canada. The pricing will be based on the type of envelope or size of the box that you choose to use with Priority Mail International Flat Rate.

How are customs fees calculated in Canada?

Customs fees are the Duties due when shipping certain products to Canada. The fee will be based on the product category. For example, the following categories will have duties: fashion, health & beauty, home appliances, home decor, and luggage.

If you found this article informative, you might appreciate the following:

• What’s The Cheapest Way To Ship To The UK?
• 10 Most Popular International Shipping Services
• The Cheapest Way to Ship to Japan