Work through the questions that affect a shipment from Canada to the US. Check customs paperwork, who pays duties and carrier requirements before you ship.
Your guide to cross-border shipping from Canada. Built from real client questions and carrier conversations.
Important Disclaimer
Part n Parcel is a shipping optimization brokerage, not a customs brokerage, licensed customs broker, or legal advisor. This guide is based on our experience working with Canadian e-commerce businesses shipping to the U.S. and reflects our current understanding of carrier processes and customs requirements. Regulations, tariffs, and carrier practices change without notice. For anything specific to your products, HS codes, duty rates, or customs classifications, work directly with your carrier's brokerage team or a licensed customs broker.
Why has everything changed?
The U.S. suspended de minimis duty-free treatment for eligible shipments valued at $800 USD or less. Low value alone no longer makes a shipment duty-free. Your carrier or broker must use the appropriate customs entry process, which may be formal or informal, with the required shipment information.
Qualifying goods can clear at 0% duty under CUSMA, but applicable Section 232 or Section 338 tariffs can still be charged. CUSMA documentation does not override an import prohibition.
As of September 30, 2026: Certain Canadian-origin products are now prohibited from entering the US. This affects specific products, not all Canadian shipments. The September 29 import ban is separate from the 50% Section 338 tariff, which still applies to other listed Canadian goods. Before shipping, have your broker check your 10-digit US tariff code, origin and import date against the current lists.
CPSC eFiling applies to imported products that require a compliance certificate under applicable safety rules, not every consumer product. Check the exact product and certificate requirement with CPSC's Regulatory Robot and your broker. Confirm the filing process before shipping; a label does not prove submission.
How can we help?
Pick whichever fits where you are right now.
Walk me through everything
Step-by-step guide covering product type, carrier selection, duties, costs, paperwork, and setup checklists. About 5 minutes.
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UPS and FedEx brokerage contacts, support numbers, rate discounts, key links, and what to do if something goes wrong.
CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) can provide preferential duty treatment for goods that meet its rules of origin. Have your carrier's brokerage team confirm the claim and required documentation. Applicable Section 232 or Section 338 tariffs can still be charged, including the 50% Section 338 tariff on listed goods. Certain Canadian-origin products have been prohibited from entering the US since September 29, 2026. CUSMA documentation does not override an import prohibition.
How to do it: Download a fillable CUSMA certificate from your carrier (UPS fillable form | FedEx fillable form), then contact your carrier's brokerage team (listed below) to help you complete it. They do this every day and will walk you through the fields. Once it's filled out, submit it to them and ask about a blanket certificate, which covers all shipments of the same goods for up to 12 months.
US customs now needs safety certificate information for many consumer products
CPSC eFiling applies to imported products that require a compliance certificate under applicable safety rules, not every consumer product. Check the exact product and certificate requirement with CPSC's Regulatory Robot and your broker. Confirm the filing process before shipping; a label does not prove submission.
Three steps, in order1. Find out which rules apply to your product. CPSC's free tool tells you in a few questions: CPSC Regulatory Robot. If no safety rules apply, you're done.
2. Choose the filing method with your broker. For products that require a compliance certificate, your broker can file the full certificate data (Full PGA Message Set), or reference a certificate stored in the CPSC Product Registry. Registry registration is not required for the Full PGA method.
3. Confirm how your broker or carrier files the data. The Reference PGA method needs three identifiers: Certifier ID, Product ID and Certificate Version ID. The registry does not transmit to customs by itself. Entering identifiers or printing a label does not prove filing. Confirm the workflow for your carrier and service, including any required document upload. See ShipStation's current CPSC guide and CPSC's filing FAQ.
Certificate, testing, and Product Registry questions. Questions about the fields in your shipping platform go to your platform's support team.
FDA Prior Notice (food and dietary supplements)
Required
Food Prior Notice: check whether your shipment requires it
Food, beverages and dietary supplements imported into the US generally require FDA Prior Notice before arrival, subject to the FDA's exemptions. Confirm who will submit Prior Notice: your business, broker or carrier, and verify that it is filed on time. Without it, your shipment gets held at the border, and carriers can return it entirely. Facility registration requirements may also apply to your business.
Cosmetics and skincare
Cosmetics are not subject to the food Prior Notice requirement. Separate FDA requirements, including applicable MoCRA registration and product listing, may apply. The FDA can inspect imported cosmetics. Products that make health claims (like "anti-aging" or "acne treatment") may be classified as drugs by the FDA, which has different requirements. Don't assume you're in the clear. Check with your carrier's brokerage team.
What to do
Talk to your carrier's brokerage team about the specific FDA requirements for your product type. They handle this regularly and will walk you through what's needed. Your carrier may charge for FDA or other government-agency processing. Applicable fees depend on the carrier, service and required clearance process. UPS FDA clearance fees are discounted through your Part n Parcel account.
Upload customs documents proactively. Halfway down the page, click the yellow "Upload Documents" button. Select "One Time NAFTA/CO" as the document type (that's UPS's label for CUSMA/USMCA certificates).
Published rates for entry preparation, disbursement, and other clearance services.
Your Discounts
Part n Parcel UPS Brokerage Discounts
Fee Type
Export to USA
Import to Canada
Entry Preparation
✓ Discounted (Ground only. routine Air/Express entry preparation is generally included)
Standard rates
Disbursement Fees
✓ Discounted
✓ Discounted
Additional Tariff Lines
✓ Discounted
✓ Discounted
FDA Clearance Fees
✓ Discounted
Standard rates
These discounts are applied automatically through your Part n Parcel account.
UPS Express includes brokerage
UPS Express Air and FedEx Express generally include routine customs clearance or entry preparation in the shipping rate. Duties, taxes, disbursement, government-agency processing and other non-routine clearance charges may still apply. Confirm the applicable service terms. The discounts above on entry preparation only apply to UPS Ground, since routine Air/Express entry preparation is generally included; confirm your service terms.
Uploading documents to UPS
Use the International Forms & Certificates page to upload your CUSMA certificate and other customs paperwork electronically. Click the yellow "Upload Documents" button and select "One Time NAFTA/CO" for CUSMA certificates. You can also email certificates directly to usmca@ups.com.
Using ShipStation? You can attach customs documents to the order itself: open the order's Customs section, upload the file before you print the label, and ShipStation sends it to UPS with the label. ShipStation's walkthrough.
FedEx
FedEx Logistics (Trade Networks) - US Customer Service
Published rates for entry preparation, disbursement, and other clearance services.
Your Discounts
FedEx Brokerage Discounts
FedEx Express generally includes routine customs clearance; ancillary charges may still apply. FedEx Ground charges it separately, as a clearance entry fee on each shipment. The published fees are on the rate card linked above.
For high-volume shippers, ask FedEx whether an account-specific brokerage arrangement or discount is available. Contact FedEx US Customer Service to discuss:
Each company is approved individually. Your Part n Parcel account manager can help walk you through the process and determine if your volume qualifies.
FedEx Express includes brokerage
FedEx Express generally includes routine customs clearance. Duties, taxes and applicable ancillary clearance charges may still appear on your invoice. FedEx Ground charges brokerage separately. Confirm which brokerage, Power of Attorney and credit arrangements are needed for your carrier, service and account.
Uploading documents to FedExBefore shipping (proactive): Use the Electronic Trade Documents portal to upload customs paperwork in advance. This attaches documents to the shipment electronically so they're ready when the package arrives at customs.
After shipping (reactive): If a customs case is already open and documents are needed, email them to paperwork@fedex.com. This only works once FedEx has the package and a case number is generated. You can also use the Electronic Trade Documents portal as a backup if pouch-attached documents aren't getting scanned.
Using ShipStation? You can attach customs documents to the order itself: open the order's Customs section, upload the file before you print the label, and ShipStation sends it to FedEx with the label. ShipStation's walkthrough.
Using a different platform?
If you use Shopify Shipping or another shipping tool, contact their support team for help with customs fields and DDP/DDU configuration. The same customs information is required regardless of platform.
Something went wrong?
Shipments get held, duties get overcharged, paperwork gets lost. Here's who to call depending on the problem. Not sure which carrier? Check the tracking number on your label. UPS tracking starts with "1Z". FedEx tracking is 12 to 14 digits.
Shipment held at customs or missing paperwork
Contact your carrier's brokerage team. They handle customs clearance and can tell you exactly what's missing.
Carrier rate questions, carrier recommendations, account optimization, and anything not covered here. We're your first call.
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What are you shipping?
This helps us flag any extra requirements. Some products (like food, skincare, toys, or electronics) need additional government filings before they can enter the US.
Heads up: FDA requirements
Your product type may require extra steps before shipping.
Choose your carrier
Both UPS and FedEx can clear your goods through US Customs. Here's how they compare for cross-border shipping.
UPS
FedEx
Brokerage included?
Express: Routine clearance generally included; ancillary charges can apply. Ground: No, charged separately.
Express: Routine clearance generally included; ancillary charges can apply. Ground: No, charged separately.
Best for
Heavier shipments, consistent volume
Time-sensitive, lighter parcels
Brokerage arm
UPS Supply Chain Solutions
FedEx Logistics (FedEx Trade Networks)
Setup needed
Confirm brokerage and POA arrangements for your service
Confirm brokerage, POA and credit arrangements for your service
What is a Power of Attorney (POA)?
A POA is a form you sign that gives your carrier's brokerage team legal permission to clear your goods through US Customs on your behalf. Ask your broker which POA or other authorization is needed for your shipment and service.
Confirm credit arrangements
Ask your carrier or broker whether a credit application or other payment arrangement is needed to advance duties and taxes. Requirements depend on the service and account.
Who pays the duties?
This is the single biggest decision you'll make for cross-border shipping. It affects your customer experience, your costs, and your risk.
DDPRecommended
Delivered Duty Paid
You (the shipper) pay all duties, taxes, and brokerage fees upfront. Your US customer sees zero extra charges at delivery. Clean checkout experience.
DDUUse with caution
Delivered Duty Unpaid
Your US customer gets billed for duties and taxes on delivery. Many customers refuse to pay, and when they do, those charges come back to you.
Know The Risk
DDU charges come back to you
When a US customer doesn't pay the duties, the carrier bills it back to the shipper (your company). As the account holder, you are legally responsible for unpaid customs charges. We've seen clients get hit with thousands in unexpected rebilling because of this.
Our Pick
Ship DDP
You'll need to account for duty and brokerage costs in your US pricing strategy. Your customers get a clean checkout with no surprises, and you avoid the risk of chargebacks and unpaid duties landing on your account. Talk to your Part n Parcel account manager about how to approach this for your business.
Three types of costs
Every cross-border shipment to the US can have up to three layers of cost on top of your shipping rate. Here's what they are and where they come from.
Duties
Government charge based on product type
Taxes
State/local sales or use tax (separate from customs)
Brokerage
Fee for clearing customs
Duties
Duties depend on your product's tariff classification and origin. Qualifying goods can clear at 0% duty under CUSMA, but applicable Section 232 or Section 338 tariffs can still be charged. The 50% Section 338 tariff remains on other listed Canadian goods outside the September 29 import ban. Ask your carrier's brokerage team to confirm the rules for your product. Paying duties does not make a prohibited product eligible to enter.
Taxes
State and local sales or use tax is separate from customs clearance; CBP does not collect state sales tax on imports. Whether you must collect it depends on the sale and applicable state rules. Confirm your obligations with a tax adviser.
Need exact rates?
Check your carrier's published rate card or contact their brokerage team directly. Your Part n Parcel discounts are applied on top of the published rates.
Your cross-border checklist
Here's everything you need based on your selections.
Start Here
Get your CUSMA certificate on file
Have your carrier's brokerage team confirm that your goods qualify for CUSMA and that the required certification is on file. Qualifying goods can clear at 0% duty, but applicable Section 232 or Section 338 tariffs can still be charged. Missing documentation can mean paying duties you could otherwise avoid.
Download a fillable CUSMA certificate
Your carrier has a ready-to-fill PDF you can download and complete. Their brokerage team will help you fill it out. They do this every day and know exactly what goes in each field.
✓ Download the fillable CUSMA/USMCA Certificate of Origin from your carrier (links above)
✓ Contact your carrier's brokerage team to help you fill it out (they'll walk you through it)
✓ Give your broker the completed certification for eligible goods. Confirm how it is linked to shipments and how the preference is claimed at entry; a saved certificate alone is not proof of a claim.
✓ Ask about a blanket certificate, which covers all shipments of the same goods for up to 12 months (instead of filing per shipment)
✓ Check with your carrier about renewal requirements (certificates can expire or need updating when product details change)
Documentation risk
What happens without this
Missing or incomplete origin documentation can prevent a valid preference claim and lead to duties or clearance delays. Confirm qualification and the entry claim with your broker before shipping.
2. Set up brokerage
3. FDA requirements
Your products require FDA compliance
Food, beverages and dietary supplements generally require food Prior Notice, subject to exemptions. Cosmetics have separate FDA requirements, including applicable MoCRA registration and product listing; they do not require food Prior Notice. These requirements are product-specific and the process has several steps that need to be done correctly.
What to do
Contact your carrier's brokerage team to discuss the specific FDA requirements for your product type. They handle this regularly and will walk you through what's needed. Your Part n Parcel account manager can also help connect you with the right contacts.
FDA clearance fee
Your carrier may charge for FDA or other government-agency processing. Applicable fees depend on the carrier, service and required clearance process. Fees vary by carrier and service type. Check your carrier's published brokerage rate card for current pricing: UPS rate card | FedEx rate card. UPS FDA clearance fees are discounted through your Part n Parcel account.
Don't Skip This
Shipments can be returned without proper FDA documentation
If your FDA paperwork isn't in order, carriers can and will return your shipments. This has happened to Part n Parcel clients shipping food products. The carrier can't clear FDA-regulated goods without the right filings, and the result is returned packages, wasted shipping costs, and unhappy customers. Get your FDA requirements sorted with your carrier's brokerage team before your first shipment.
3. US safety certificates (CPSC)
New Requirement
US customs now needs safety certificate information for many consumer products
CPSC eFiling applies to imported products that require a compliance certificate under applicable safety rules, not every consumer product. Check the exact product and certificate requirement with CPSC's Regulatory Robot and your broker. Confirm the filing process before shipping; a label does not prove submission.
✓Find out which rules apply to your product. CPSC's free tool tells you in a few questions: CPSC Regulatory Robot. If no safety rules apply, you're done. Nothing to file.
✓2. Choose the filing method with your broker. For products that require a compliance certificate, your broker can file the full certificate data (Full PGA Message Set), or reference a certificate stored in the CPSC Product Registry. Registry registration is not required for the Full PGA method.
✓3. Confirm how your broker or carrier files the data. The Reference PGA method needs three identifiers: Certifier ID, Product ID and Certificate Version ID. The registry does not transmit to customs by itself. Entering identifiers or printing a label does not prove filing. Confirm the workflow for your carrier and service, including any required document upload. See ShipStation's current CPSC guide and CPSC's filing FAQ.
Check your filing process before shipping
Confirm your broker or carrier can transmit the required certificate data for your shipment. Certificate or registry questions go to CPSC at eFilingSupport@cpsc.gov. Questions about the ShipStation fields go to ShipStation support. Note: if you select "Apply changes to open orders" in ShipStation, these values overwrite what's already on those orders' customs declarations.
3. Shipping platform setup
When creating a US-bound shipment in your shipping platform (ShipStation, Shopify Shipping, or whichever tool you use), you need to fill in the customs section. The field names may vary slightly, but every platform asks for the same core information:
✓Description of goods: Plain English, be specific (e.g., "men's 100% cotton t-shirt, size L" not just "clothing")
✓HS Code: A standardized product classification number that US Customs uses to determine your duty rate. Every product has one. Ask your carrier's brokerage team to help you find yours, or look it up yourself at hts.usitc.gov.
✓Country of Origin: Enter the actual country of manufacture or production under the applicable origin rules. Shipping from Canada does not make a product Canadian-origin or CUSMA-qualified. Confirm the origin and any preference claim with your broker.
✓Declared value: Per item, in the currency shown. Must match your commercial invoice.
✓Incoterm (shipping terms): This setting controls who pays duties and taxes. "Incoterm" is just the industry word for shipping terms. You have two options: DDP (you pay all duties and taxes, your customer sees no extra charges) or DDU (your customer pays duties on delivery). We recommend DDP.
✓Applicable CPSC filing: Confirm whether your product requires a compliance certificate. For Reference PGA filing, provide Certifier ID, Product ID and Certificate Version ID through the broker/carrier's supported workflow. Full PGA filing is an alternative.
✓Customs documents (ShipStation, FedEx or UPS): For paperwork beyond the CUSMA certificate you keep on file with your carrier, like a pro forma invoice, attach it in the order's Customs section before you print the label. ShipStation sends it to the carrier with the label. ShipStation's walkthrough.
Double Check This
DDP vs DDU: get this right
The incoterm setting in your shipping platform controls who gets billed for duties. If you intend to ship DDP but the setting says DDU, your customer gets a surprise bill at delivery. If they refuse to pay, those charges come back to you. We've seen clients get billed thousands because of a checkbox misconfiguration. Double-check this on every shipment, especially if you're switching from DDU to DDP.
Need help with your shipping platform?
Contact your platform's support team for help with customs tab setup and DDP/DDU configuration. For questions about HS Codes or what to declare, contact your carrier's brokerage team instead. If you use ShipStation: 1-512-975-3001 or support@shipstation.com.
4. Paperwork for every shipment
✓Commercial invoice: Product description, quantity, value, HS Code, country of origin. This is the core document customs reviews.
✓CUSMA Certificate of Origin: On file with your carrier's brokerage team (not attached to every shipment, just on file).
✓Shipping label: Accurate sender and recipient details, matching the commercial invoice.
✓Applicable FDA documentation: For food and dietary supplements requiring Prior Notice, retain the confirmation and provide it through the carrier/broker's required process. Cosmetics follow separate FDA requirements and do not require food Prior Notice.
✓Applicable CPSC documentation: Verify that the broker/carrier has the required certificate data and will transmit it for the entry. A saved product record or label is not proof of filing.
5. Who to call
6. Common mistakes to avoid
!No CUSMA Certificate on file: You may miss CUSMA savings without the required documentation. Qualifying goods can clear at 0% duty, but applicable Section 232 or Section 338 tariffs can still be charged.
!Missing or incorrect country of origin: This can cause clearance delays, an incorrect duty assessment or loss of a preference claim. Confirm actual product origin with your broker.
!Shipping DDU without understanding the risk: Unpaid duties get billed back to you as the shipper. Your customer walks away, you pay.
!Declared value doesn't match invoice: Triggers customs holds, delays, and potential penalties.
!HS Code missing or wrong: Wrong product classification means wrong duty rate. Get this right the first time.
!Missing applicable FDA documentation: Food requiring Prior Notice may be refused or held without it. Check the requirements for your product; cosmetics do not require food Prior Notice.
!Missing required safety certification or filing: CPSC still enforces compliance certificates. Its current guidance says missing eFiling data alone initially produces warnings rather than automatic entry rejection. Non-compliant products remain subject to enforcement.
!DDP/DDU misconfigured in your shipping platform: One wrong checkbox means your customer gets billed when you intended to pay, or vice versa. Verify the incoterm on every shipment.
7. If you get charged incorrectly
Incorrect duty or tariff charges happen more often than they should. Here's where to go:
Keep your documentation
When disputing charges, you'll need your commercial invoice, CUSMA certificate, and the carrier's invoice showing the charges in question. The more documentation you have, the faster the resolution.
Reminder
Part n Parcel is a shipping optimization brokerage. We are not a customs brokerage, licensed customs broker, or legal advisor. Regulations, tariffs, and carrier practices change without notice. For anything specific to your products, classifications, or regulatory requirements, work directly with your carrier's brokerage team or a licensed customs broker. Questions? Email us at hello@partnparcel.com.
US shipping involves more than the label price. Send one recent carrier invoice for a free review of your shipping rates and extra fees.
