Estimate your total landed cost for goods imported into Canada.
Select a Category…
Computers & Tablets (0%)
Mobile Phones (0%)
Video Games & Consoles (0%)
Cameras (0%)
Books (0%)
Clothing/Apparel (18%)
Footwear/Shoes (18%)
Toys & Hobbies (8%)
Furniture (9.5%)
Auto Parts (6%)
Jewelry (11%)
Sporting Goods (6.5%)
Bedding & Linens (15.5%)
Antiques (>100 years old) (0%)
General Home Goods (5%)
Average/Other (7%)
Alberta (5% GST)
British Columbia (5% GST + 7% PST)
Manitoba (5% GST + 7% PST)
New Brunswick (15% HST)
Newfoundland & Labrador (15% HST)
Northwest Territories (5% GST)
Nova Scotia (15% HST)
Nunavut (5% GST)
Ontario (13% HST)
Prince Edward Island (15% HST)
Quebec (14.975% GST+QST)
Saskatchewan (5% GST + 6% PST)
Yukon (5% GST)
Canada Post typically charges $9.95. Couriers like FedEx/UPS vary.
Base Value (CAD):$0.00
Duty Rate Applied:0%
Import Duty Amount:$0.00
Sales Tax (GST/HST/PST):$0.00
Carrier Handling Fee:$0.00
TOTAL LANDED COST:$0.00
*Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on general CBSA categories. Actual duties are determined by the border officer based on the HS code classification.
function calculateDuties() {
// 1. Get Inputs
var valInput = document.getElementById('itemValue').value;
var categoryRate = document.getElementById('productCategory').value;
var provinceTaxRate = document.getElementById('province').value;
var handlingInput = document.getElementById('handlingFee').value;
var isCUSMA = document.getElementById('madeInNorthAmerica').checked;
var resultArea = document.getElementById('results-area');
// 2. Validate Inputs
if (valInput === "" || isNaN(valInput) || parseFloat(valInput) < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid monetary value for the goods.");
return;
}
// 3. Parse Numbers
var valueCAD = parseFloat(valInput);
var dutyPercentage = parseFloat(categoryRate);
var taxRate = parseFloat(provinceTaxRate);
var handlingFee = handlingInput === "" ? 0 : parseFloat(handlingInput);
// 4. Apply Logic
// CUSMA/USMCA Logic: If made in North America, Duty is generally 0% for most consumer goods.
// Note: Taxes (GST/HST) still apply.
if (isCUSMA) {
dutyPercentage = 0;
}
// De Minimis Thresholds (Simplified)
// If shipped by courier: < $20 CAD is duty/tax free.
// If shipped by mail: < $20 CAD is duty/tax free.
// Between $20 and $40 (Courier only) might be duty free but taxes apply.
// For this general calculator, we will apply standard calculation but user can see 0 if value is 0.
// We will stick to the standard math: Duty = Value * Rate.
var dutyAmount = valueCAD * (dutyPercentage / 100);
// Tax is calculated on the (Value + Duty) in Canada
var valuePlusDuty = valueCAD + dutyAmount;
var taxAmount = valuePlusDuty * taxRate;
var totalImportFees = dutyAmount + taxAmount + handlingFee;
var totalLandedCost = valueCAD + totalImportFees;
// 5. Update UI
document.getElementById('displayBaseValue').innerHTML = "$" + valueCAD.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('displayDutyRate').innerHTML = dutyPercentage + "%";
document.getElementById('displayDutyAmount').innerHTML = "$" + dutyAmount.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('displayTaxAmount').innerHTML = "$" + taxAmount.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('displayHandling').innerHTML = "$" + handlingFee.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('displayTotalCost').innerHTML = "$" + totalLandedCost.toFixed(2);
// Show results
resultArea.style.display = "block";
}
Understanding Import Duties and Taxes in Canada
Shopping online from international retailers (like those in the USA, China, or Europe) often comes with a surprise bill upon delivery. This bill is collected by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and usually includes Duty, Sales Tax (GST/HST/PST), and a Handling Fee charged by the courier.
1. What is Duty?
Customs duty is a tariff imposed on goods crossing international borders. The rate depends entirely on the type of product (classified by an HS Code) and the country where the product was manufactured.
For example, electronics like laptops and cameras are often duty-free, whereas clothing and footwear can attract duty rates as high as 18%.
2. The CUSMA (USMCA) Advantage
Under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), goods that are manufactured in the USA or Mexico are typically eligible for duty-free entry into Canada.
Important Distinction: Just because you bought an item from a US website does not mean it was made there. If you buy a t-shirt from a US store but the label says "Made in Vietnam," the CUSMA duty exemption does not apply, and you may pay the full 18% duty.
3. Sales Tax (GST, HST, PST)
Even if your item is duty-free, you must almost always pay sales tax. The government treats imported goods the same as goods bought locally. The tax rate depends on your province of residence:
Province/Territory
Tax Rate
breakdown
Alberta, Nunavut, NWT, Yukon
5%
GST only
Ontario
13%
HST
BC, Manitoba
12%
5% GST + 7% PST
Quebec
~14.975%
5% GST + 9.975% QST
Atlantic Provinces (NS, NB, PEI, NL)
15%
HST
Saskatchewan
11%
5% GST + 6% PST
4. Carrier Handling Fees
To clear your package through customs, the carrier (Canada Post, FedEx, UPS, DHL) acts as your broker. They charge a fee for this service, which is separate from the government taxes.
Canada Post: Typically charges a flat fee of $9.95 CAD per taxable package.
Couriers (FedEx, UPS, etc.): Often charge a "Brokerage Fee" which can range from $10 to upwards of $50 depending on the value of the item, unless you chose a shipping method that included brokerage.
5. Exemptions (De Minimis)
By Mail: Goods valued at $20 CAD or less are generally duty and tax-free.
By Courier: Under the new CUSMA rules, goods shipped by courier from the USA/Mexico valued under $40 CAD are duty and tax-free. Goods between $40 and $150 may be duty-free but are still subject to sales taxes.