Montreal is a leading North American city with a large demand for USA goods. Although located within only an hour of the USA border, shipping from the USA to Montreal can be expensive and difficult due to cross border issues.
Jet Worldwide helps companies find low cost express delivery from the United States to Montreal, Quebec and across Canada. Our services utilize a variety of options from trucking companies, USA address receiving and forwarding to Canada, and cross border solutions.
Jet provides dedicated low cost delivery solutions from New York, California, Florida and across the USA to Montreal, Laval, Brossard and across Canada. Talk to our trusted logistics team serving Quebec and Canada logistics and returns.
A trusted brand for over 40 years. Save more by utilizing the best shipping modes and processes. Strengthening your transportation team - even if you are a team of one! Contact our team for an initial consultation.
In this post we review:
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for general information only.
As part of the USMCA (the "new NAFTA), Canada has raised their low value duty threshold ( de minimis threshold) to $150 CAD (around $110 USD). Local sales taxes will still apply (but often times, businesses can claim this charge back). This higher duty free threshold helps businesses and e-commerce merchants in the United States and Canada.
Goods of USA origin can be imported duty free. Read more about the difference between from where goods are shipped versus their origin.
When shipping to Canada, there are common Canadian import fees to consider. These fees include Canadian duty, federal and provincial taxes, and entry fees. Consignments shipped from the USA, shipments valued over $40 CAD are subject to taxes, and most carriers charge around $15 CAD for import processing.
It's important to be aware of the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) duty-free import to Canada. While many assume that parcels shipped from the USA should be duty-free, this only applies to goods made in the USA accompanied by a CUSMA/USMCA Certification of Origin. Useful information and benefits of including a certificate of origin.
The best option for individuals shipping small packages is usually the United States Postal Service (USPS). They offer low-cost fixed rate options from the USA to Montreal. Shipments sent via USPS are imported to Canada and delivered to Montreal via Canada Post.
Another option is to utilize FedEx and UPS, the largest carriers in the USA. They offer international ground, and air shipping options.
For sending a pallet or several pallets, the best option is often less than truck load or LTL
Learn about the best option from Jet Worldwide's Canadian logistics team.
Accompanying PDF Presentation: Shipping to Canada
The US Postal service offers low cost delivery for small parcels shipped from the USA to Montreal. Shipments sent via the USPS are imported to Canada and delivered to Montreal via Canada Post.
US Postal Services to Montreal include:
Shipments from United States Postal Service are imported and delivered to Canada via Canada Post.
Jet Worldwide gives access to all companies seeking shipping quotes between the USA and Canada for parcels pallets, e-commerce support. Fill in form below to get the support you need!
To receive a personalized shipping quote for your online orders, simply reach out to Jet. Be sure to provide us with as many details as possible, including shipping volume, item(s) being shipped, and the average value and weight of each parcel. Let us solve your uniquely Canadian shipping needs.
FedEx and UPS are the largest carriers in the USA and the only private carriers with national networks.
FedEx and UPS shipping options Canada from the US include:
Get a comparison quote for economy express to Canada
The challenge in using FedEx and UPS is that they can be expensive for small and medium sized companies who are looking for time definite delivery to Montreal.
Less than truck load is often the best choice for sending a pallet or several pallets to Montreal and across Canada. Read more about the benefits of shipping LTL to Canada.
The common import fees to Canada for online orders shipped from the USA include Canadian duty, federal and provincial taxes and entry fees. Read more about Canadian Import Fees.
Jet Worldwide provides reverse logistics solutions from Canada to the USA. The challenge for many on-line sales to Canada is managing the relatively low volume returns. Jet provides a Canadian address and simple low cost return processes from Canada.
The issue for sending to Canada is that all shipments valued over $40 CAD are subject to taxes. Most carriers charge around $15 CAD for import processing. See note above on new duty free and tax free thresholds under USMCA. See chart below.
Customs entry preparation is included for most express air shipments sent from the USA to Canada. However, packages sent via ground service do not include customs processing.
For some packages, it is actually less expensive to send express to Montreal - rather than ground - due to the entry processing cost imposed by FedEx Ground and UPS ground in Canada.
Many people assume that, because of the North American Free Agreement, that parcels shipped from the USA to Montreal and Canada should be duty free. The duty free status only applies to goods made in the USA and that are accompanied by a CUSMA/ USMCA Certification of Origin and other supporting paperwork.
The key provisions of CUSMA /USMCA (i.e. new NAFTA) include:
Canadian Customs (CBSA) has harmonized the value for which formal proof of origin is waived at CAD$3300, for all of Canada’s current Free Trade Agreements (including CUSMA)
This means that, proof of origin documentation (i.e., Certification of Origin, Certificate of Origin, origin declaration), is not required in order to apply preferential tariff treatment for shipments valued at CAD$3,300 or less.
For commercial importations valued at CAD$3300 or less, customs will accept a certifying statement on the Commercial Invoice stating that the goods originate in the United States and qualify for preferential treatment under CUSMA.
The statement must include either the country of origin for the imported goods, reference that the request is being made under CUSMA provisions. Here is a sample statement:
“I hereby certify that the goods covered by this shipment qualifies as an originating good for the purposes of preferential treatment under Canada European Free Trade Agreement CUSMA”
Important Note: Claims for preferential tariff treatment over the CAD$3300 low-value threshold must be supported by the applicable proof of origin required by CUSMA . Refer to the Canadian Customs CBSA ‘Origin of Goods' webpage to confirm the requirements for your shipment.
Basically, if the item is grown, raised or made in the three North American countries, it can be transited duty free between the three North American Countries.
The rules of origin can get complex - especially when the goods contain non-North American origin parts and labour. The importer, exporter or producer are three parties than can certify origin. Confirm with CUSMA experts to ensure their goods qualify as originating before shipping.
On-line sales to Canada demand a return solution without fixed costs with a simple address and processes to manage the returns. Jet Worldwide helps international retailers manage and serve their Canadian customers with full (bi-lingual) support.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) online portal streamlines the process of importing commercial goods to Canada.