North Carolina and Canada share a strong economic connection with over $6 billion per year in exports to Canada.The North American Free Trade Agreement (USMCA-CUSMA) makes shipping to Canada from North Carolina more accessible than ever. North Carolina has a strong economic relationship with Canada, with Canada being one of the state's top trading partners. The top North Carolina exports to Canada include machinery, transportation equipment, and e-commerce online orders.>
This blog explores North Carolina shipping options for delivery to Canada and the Canadian customs clearance processes.
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Shipping to Canada from North Carolina - Expert Tips and Guidelines
Best options for shipping to Canada from North Carolina include:
- Air freight: This is the fastest option but time frame is not much different than a dedicated truck.
- Trucking: The best option for large commercial orders.
- USPS is best for individuals shipping small packages and personal items to Canada
- FedEX and UPS ground are low cost but do not include customs entry preparation
- Air Courier is best for commercial packages up to around 40 pounds
Get a trucking or courier rate from Jet Worldwide.
Disclaimer: The information in Jet Worldwide online content, including this post, is for general information only.
North Carolina companies becoming a Canadian Importer or Record
Canada’s non-resident importer program enables United States exporters to obtain a business number and act as the “importer of record.” Being able to act as the importer of record removes the burden of customs clearance from the Canadian customer and can facilitates the sale.
View Jet's useful video that covers everything from HS codes, export declarations, free trade and best shipping options. Video presentation:Shipping USA to Canada
How can I get lower shipping costs from North Carolina to Canada?
- Use a shipping cost calculator to compare rates from different carriers.
- Ship smaller packages to reduce the volume weight. Read about chargeable weight.
- If you are shipping a large volume of packages, you may be able to negotiate a discounted rate directly with the major carriers.
- Consider using a third-party shipping service that can provide both savings and - more important - logistics support. Contact Jet's team.
- Consider using ground transportation instead of air shipping. Ground shipping is usually less expensive than air shipping, but it keep in mind the longer transit time to western Canada. Also, ground shipments are charged a customs entry fee.
I hope these suggestions help! Is there anything else we can help with?
Managing Canadian Amazon Removal Orders back to North Carolina
Simplified processing for your Amazon Removal Orders and returns
Contact our team to develop solutions for Canadian returns of online orders.
Read more about a solution for your Canadian removal orders. A Canadian address, consolidation and shipping back to the USA via low cost ground.
Can I consolidate my online orders to Canada and Cross Border Ship from North Carolina?
Companies can consolidate their orders via a single customs entry by becoming a non-resident importer. The process involves shipping via LTL or full truck load, single clearance in Canada followed by domestic distribution.
Read more about valuation for non-resident imports to Canada.
Get a Consultation on Your Cross-Border Shipping Needs!
Duty Free Import to Canada via USMCA/ CUSMA
It is possible to ship items from North Carolina to Canada duty-free if the goods qualify as originating under the "rules of origin" in the USMCA / CUSMA.
Read more: UNDERSTANDING CANADIAN IMPORT FEES
The Most Favoured Nation (MFN) duty/ tariff rates of Canada are generally applicable for imports from the USA . Goods that meet CUSMA rules of origin can qualify for preferential duty free import to Canada.
Read more: Customs duty explained and how it is calculated
Read more: Certification of origin and why it is needed.
=Check out the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) page regarding origin requirements.
CBSA CARM Registration
The CARM system facilitates payment of duty and taxes. Registration is mandatory for commercial imports from the USA and elsewhere.
In CARM importers assign a customers broker and provide a surety bond (or deposit). Learn more about CARM.
Other things to know when shipping to Canada from the Carolinas include:
- Importer of record: The importer of record includes having to obtain an importer number. If to direct to consumers, the consumer can be the importer of record
- Federal and provincial sales taxes (read about Canadian import fees)
- Provincial licenses may be required even if selling direct to consumers
- Health Canada approvals for related products
- Safe Foods for Canadians Act certifications for some food items
- Tariff classification for all imports (read more about HS Codes)
- Country of Origin must be declared for all imports
- Valuation is an important part of the declaration to the CBSA (read more about valuation)
- Labeling for goods to Canada may require both French and English
- Certification of origin if duty free import requested under CETA
Discounted LTL quotes: Canada from North Carolina
Jet Worldwide's team generates rates for parcels, LTL large packages Canadian logistics support.
Shipping from North Carolina to Canada via USPS
Canada is the largest international destination for US Postal parcels. USPS offers a great choice for Texans shipping to Canada. Among the most popular US Postal Service post options from North Carolina is the International Flat Rate Boxes to Canada.
Different duty assessment for goods shipped via USPS versus Courier (see above regarding the new USMCA duty-free thresholds).
For shipments shipped via USPS for import via Canada Post, duty is assessed differently than for parcels shipped via parcel carriers / courier:
- CAD 20 (around USD 14.75) and under: duty- and tax-free
- Above CAD 20 duties and taxes apply
USPS shipments from North Carolina are imported to Canada and delivered in Quebec via Canada Post.
Importing parcels from North Carolina to Canada via Canada Post
All parcels mailed to Canada are potentially subject to duty and/or taxes. . Canadian Customs (CBSA) collects provincial sales taxes (PST) and Harmonized Sales Taxes (HST) according to the province of residence on most taxable imports valued at over CAD 40. See note above on new duty-free threshold under the new NAFTA / USMCA.
Dutiable and taxable items mailed to Canada are subject to a handling fee of CAD 9.95 per dutiable or taxable parcel. If charges are applied, the parcel will be delivered along with a CBSA Invoice (E14). Canada Post collects the fees on behalf of the CBSA and accepts payment online via credit card and other methods.
For those who have read about the free trade agreement between Canada and the USA (namely NAFTA and USMCA), it often comes as a surprise that their shipments are subject to duty. To qualify for duty free entry under NAFTA, the goods must be accompanied by a NAFTA Certificate of Origin.
Click here for everything you need to know about Shipping to Canada!
Shipping Aerospace industry parts from North Carolina to Quebec Canada
Jet Worldwide assists North Carolina shippers with low-cost express delivery of urgent aerospace parts and equipment for delivery from North Carolina to Bombardier and their suppliers in Canada.
Sending gifts from North Carolina to Quebec and Canada via USPS
The personal connections between North Carolina and Quebec are stronger than ever thanks to shared employees, employers, universities and tourists. Gifts between individuals can be considered duty and tax exempt, not otherwise restricted and valued under CAD 60. To qualify as tax exempt, the gift must be sent to the recipient personally and include a card or other notice indicating that it is a gift. Advertising material and alcohol cannot be cleared as tax exempt gifts.
Shipping from North Carolina to Canada via FedEx or UPS
FedEx and UPS are by far the most dominant carriers in North America and have extensive operations throughout North Carolina. They also have a sizeable presence inQuebec and, along with Purolator, are market leaders in the Canadian Market.
The “shipping from USA to Canada offer” via FedEx and UPS are similar. Both companies offer air express delivery, economy air delivery and ground delivery.
FedEx USA shipping options North Carolina to Canada include:
- FedEx International Priority to Canada: 1-2 business days
- FedEx International Economy Canada: 2-3 business days
- FedEx International Ground Canada from North Carolina: Up to 6 business days. See graphic above for sample rates for entry preparation of ground shipments to Canada that may apply.
UPS USA North Carolina shipping options to Canada Include:
- UPS Worldwide Express: Morning delivery to main cities
- UPS Worldwide Saver: End of day delivery to main cities
- UPS Worldwide Expedited: 2 Day delivery to main cities
- UPS Standard to Quebec: Up to 6 days Ground. See graphic above for sample rates for entry preparation of ground shipments to Canada that may apply.
Clearance and entry fees to Canada via UPS and FedEx
Carrier clearance fees in Canada vary by the service type. Jet Worldwide can help North Carolina shippers minimize entry fees through single entry consolidated entry. Jet Worldwide can receive and store shipments from North Carolina in our Montreal facilities for on-demand distribution within Quebec and throughout Canada.
Typically, there are three elements to standard parcel clearance:
Entry preparation Fee To Canada
- No charge for express shipments
- Charge for ground shipments based on value of shipment (see below)
Canadian Duty
- Calculated using the HS Tariff System and can be as high as 20% for clothing
- Many are surprised to learn of duties and how USMCA country of origin duty free is rarely used for parcel shipments from the USA to Canada.
Taxes
- GST, HST, PST: Sales tax is applied based on destination of parcel
Get a better Understanding of Common Canadian Import Fees
In general, express shipments to Canada are not charged an entry preparation fee by the carrier. However, ground shipments sent via FedEx and UPS to Canada are subject to an entry preparation fee.
The cost advantage of shipping parcels from North Carolina to Quebec via ground service is diluted by the Canadian clearance cost and shipping delay.
Exact FedEx ground and UPS ground entry preparation fees can be found online and can be negotiated for high volume shippers.
For Texan companies with regular volume to Canada, it may be best to establish a high-volume parcel import and distribution process. This type of “zone skipping” has the added benefit of lower per shipment clearance cost- especially for shipping from North Carolina to Montreal and Quebec, Toronto and across Canada. North Carolina companies can establish themselves as a foreign importer of record and do one consolidated entry for many individual parcels.
The most efficient routing for regular parcel flows is via consolidating parcel volumes for a single shipment for single entry cross border entry. After clearance, the goods can be transferred to a Canadian domestic carrier for delivery across Canada.
Shipping from North Carolina to Canada for Quebec and Canadian companies
There is a demand from Canadian companies who are looking for cost effective solutions for receiving goods from their many North Carolina suppliers. Often, ground is too uncertain and air is too costly. Contact Jet Worldwide for a low-cost express solution that includes entry preparation and delivery in 1-3 days from the USA to Canada.
The Canadian Customs online portal which is designed to streamline processes and a useful too for Canadian importers. Read more about CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM)
Canadian storage and distribution
For specific items, many shippers in North Carolina can find it cost effective to store and distribute their goods stored in Canada for on demand distribution. For information on Canadian warehouse solutions, contact our parcel logistics team.
Let Jet Worldwide manage your Canadian Returns.
Sending online orders from North Carolina to Canada
Canada is the largest international market for most US based e-commerce merchants using on-line shopping platforms including Shopify, Big Commerce and Wix. USPS offers discounts via such e-commerce shipping platforms and is the lowest-cost choice for small parcels.
For e-commerce sellers using Shopify, USPS offers value for small parcels.USPS offers low-cost shipments to Canada for packages under 10 to 20 pounds.
