U.S. Duties & Customs Processing for Canada Post Shipments

U.S. customs requirements for shipments entering the country through the international postal network changed on July 24, 2026.

For Canada Post shipments to the United States, the amount and payment of duties can depend on the shipment value, product classification, country of origin, and applicable U.S. trade measures.

These are U.S. customs requirements and are not a pricing change made by ShipTime or Canada Post.

What Changed on July 24, 2026?

New Postal Informal Entry Process

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) introduced a new postal informal entry process for eligible merchandise entering through the international mail network.

The process generally applies to eligible shipments valued at US$2,500 or less.

This does not mean the former US$800 de minimis exemption increased to US$2,500. The general de minimis duty-free treatment remains suspended.

The Temporary Section 122 Tariff Ended

The temporary 10% Section 122 import surcharge applied through July 24, 2026 and has now expired.

However, this does not mean Canadian goods are automatically free from additional tariffs.

New Section 301 Tariffs Took Effect

Also effective July 24, 2026, the United States introduced new Section 301 tariffs covering goods from a number of countries.

Many goods that are products of Canada are subject to an additional 10% Section 301 duty, unless an exemption applies.

Canadian goods entered duty-free under CUSMA/USMCA are exempt from this additional Section 301 tariff. Other product-specific exemptions may also apply.

For a broader explanation of current U.S. tariff rules, see our Current U.S. Tariffs & De Minimis Rules for Canadian Shipments article.

[INTERNAL LINK: Current U.S. Tariffs & De Minimis Rules for Canadian Shipments]

How Are Canada Post Shipments Handled?

Canada Post currently requires a Declaration ID for U.S.-bound parcels.

How applicable duties are handled depends in part on the shipment value.

Shipment Value	Current Canada Post Process
Up to US$800	The de minimis exemption does not apply. Applicable duties must be assessed and prepaid before the shipment enters the U.S.
US$800.01 to US$2,500	Eligible shipments can generally use the new U.S. postal informal entry process. A Declaration ID is still required. Under Canada Post's current process, these shipments are sent DDU and applicable duties are collected from the recipient.
Over US$2,500	Formal customs entry requirements generally apply and additional customs processing may be required.

Canada Post currently requires a Declaration ID even when duties are not being prepaid through its system.

Does Every Shipment Have Duties?

No.

The amount of duty depends on factors such as:

The country of origin of the goods
The product's HS/HTS classification
The declared value
Whether the goods qualify under CUSMA/USMCA
Whether Section 232, Section 301, Section 338, or another U.S. trade measure applies
Any product-specific customs exemptions

A shipment being valued below US$800 no longer automatically makes it duty-free.

Is the Country of Origin Important?

Yes.

Duties are based on where the goods originate, not simply the country they are shipped from.

For example, an item manufactured in another country and shipped from Canada may be subject to tariff rules associated with that country of origin.

Always provide the correct country of origin for every product in the shipment.

What About CUSMA/USMCA?

Canadian goods that qualify for duty-free treatment under CUSMA/USMCA are exempt from the current additional 10% Section 301 tariff on Canadian goods.

CUSMA eligibility does not necessarily exempt a shipment from every other U.S. duty, tax, fee, or customs requirement.

Make sure the product qualifies before claiming preferential treatment and provide supporting documentation when required.

Is ShipTime Increasing Its Prices?

No.

U.S. customs duties and tariffs are imposed under U.S. import rules. They are separate from ShipTime's transportation rates.

Depending on the shipment and service, customs-related charges may be calculated during shipment creation, collected separately, or assessed during customs processing.

Does This Apply to Other Couriers?

The postal entry process described in this article applies specifically to Canada Post shipments entering the United States through the international postal network.

FedEx, UPS, DHL, Purolator, and other commercial couriers use different customs-clearance processes and may have different brokerage, payment, and importer requirements.

Tips for U.S.-Bound Canada Post Shipments

Before creating your shipment:

Use detailed and accurate product descriptions.
Enter the correct country of origin for each item.
Confirm the correct HS code.
Enter an accurate value for the goods.
Confirm whether the product qualifies under CUSMA/USMCA.
Include supporting customs documentation where required.
Do not assume a shipment is duty-free because it is valued below US$800.
Make sure the recipient understands that additional customs charges may apply.

Need Help With a Canada Post Shipment to the U.S.?

If you're unsure what information to enter in ShipTime or need help understanding a duty shown on your Canada Post shipment, contact our Heroic Support™ team. We can help you review the shipment details and clarify the information available through ShipTime and the carrier.

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