Use this **U.S. to Canada Shipping Cost Calculator** to estimate the total landed cost of shipping a package from the United States to any Canadian province, factoring in carrier rates, duties, taxes, and brokerage fees.
U.S. to Canada Shipping Cost Calculator
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Calculate to see the detailed breakdown.
U.S. to Canada Shipping Cost Formula
Total Landed Cost (TLC) = Base Carrier Rate (BCR) + Brokerage Fee (BF) + Customs Duty (CD) + Import Taxes (TAX)
BCR = (Weight × $5/lb + $15 Flat Fee) × Service Multiplier
CD = Declared Value × Duty Rate (%)
TAX = (Declared Value + CD) × Provincial Tax Rate (%)
TLC = BCR + $25 + CD + TAX
Formula Sources: CBSA (Duties & Taxes), UPS/FedEx Rate Structure Examples
Variables Explained
- Package Weight (Lbs): The physical or dimensional weight of the package, used by carriers to determine the base shipping charge.
- Declared Value (USD): The value of the goods being shipped, used by Customs to calculate duties and taxes.
- Estimated Import Duty Rate (%): The percentage rate applied to the Declared Value, based on the product’s HS Tariff Code.
- Destination Province Tax Rate: The combined GST, PST, or HST rate (e.g., 5% GST in Alberta, 13% HST in Ontario) applied to the product’s value plus duties.
- Shipping Service Speed: A multiplier to adjust the Base Carrier Rate based on service level (e.g., Express is more expensive).
Related Calculators
What is Total Landed Cost?
The Total Landed Cost (TLC) is the final, all-in cost of a product when it arrives at the customer’s door. For shipping from the U.S. to Canada, the TLC extends far beyond the simple postage fee paid to the carrier. It critically includes the various cross-border fees mandated by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the carrier’s processing charges.
Understanding TLC is crucial for Canadian consumers and U.S. e-commerce businesses alike. Hidden costs like brokerage fees, customs duties, and provincial sales taxes (GST/PST/HST) can significantly inflate the price, sometimes adding 20% to 40% to the initial sticker price. Our calculator helps predict these costs to prevent unexpected bills upon delivery.
How to Calculate U.S. to Canada Shipping Cost (Example)
- Determine the Base Carrier Rate (BCR): Based on weight (10 lbs) and service type (Standard), BCR = (10 × $5 + $15) × 1.0 = $65.00 USD.
- Calculate Customs Duty (CD): With a declared value of $150 and a 5% duty rate, CD = $150 × 0.05 = $7.50 USD.
- Calculate Import Taxes (TAX): Using the 15% HST rate in Nova Scotia, the tax base is ($150 Value + $7.50 Duty) = $157.50. TAX = $157.50 × 0.15 = $23.63 USD.
- Add Brokerage Fee (BF): Most carriers charge a flat fee for clearing the package. We assume a $25.00 USD fee.
- Sum the Total Landed Cost (TLC): TLC = $65.00 (BCR) + $25.00 (BF) + $7.50 (CD) + $23.63 (TAX) = $121.13 USD.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Why is shipping from the U.S. to Canada so expensive?
- The high cost is primarily due to three factors: the distance and infrastructure costs associated with cross-border transport, the carrier’s high base rates, and the mandatory inclusion of duties, taxes, and specialized brokerage/customs clearance fees.
- What is a Brokerage Fee?
- A brokerage fee is a charge by the shipping carrier (or a third-party broker) for preparing customs documentation, submitting declarations to the CBSA, and facilitating the clearance of goods into Canada.
- Is there a duty-free limit for imports to Canada?
- Yes. For items shipped via mail/courier, items under $20 CAD are typically duty and tax-free. For items cleared under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the threshold is higher, but duties are only zero if the product qualifies as “Made in the U.S.A.”
- Do I have to pay both GST and PST?
- It depends on the province. Some provinces (like Ontario) use a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), which is a single tax. Others (like Alberta) only charge the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). Our calculator uses the total provincial tax rate.