🇺🇸 United States → 🇨🇦 Canada
USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement)
Compliance path
USMCA replaced NAFTA on 2020-07-01. Originating goods qualify for 0% MFN duty provided the USMCA Certificate of Origin / origin declaration is included. De minimis on courier-imports into Canada is CAD 20 for duty (CAD 40 for taxes).
Commonly shipped items on this lane
1. Can I bring goods from United States to Canada?
Travellers entering Canada from United States are subject to Canada's personal allowances and declaration rules. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) sets allowances for alcohol, tobacco, and personal goods. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel.
- Alcohol allowance: 1.14 L
- Cigarette allowance: 200
- Personal-goods allowance: ~USD 200
- Cash declaration threshold: USD 7500
2. Can I post goods from United States to Canada?
Parcels move through Canada's postal-customs flow. Typical transit time on this lane is 4 days. Every international parcel needs a CN22 (under ~USD 300) or CN23 (above) customs declaration. Use accurate descriptions and HS codes — vague labels are the single biggest cause of postal customs holds.
CBSA assesses duties and taxes on imported postal items. Items valued under CAD $20 are generally duty and tax-free. The Canada Post Corporation Act governs postal import rules. Certain items (batteries, aerosols, dry ice) may be restricted by postal regulations.
3. Can I import commercially from United States to Canada?
Yes. Commercial importers into Canada need an importer of record, a customs declaration filed with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and goods classified to the appropriate HS code. Some categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, chemicals, weapons, art) require additional permits or certificates.
4. Duties, VAT/GST and de minimis
Originating goods qualify for USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) preferential duty — often 0% — provided rules-of-origin criteria are met. Canada levies 5% VAT/GST on commercial imports. Postal / courier de minimis: CAD $20.
Canada's de minimis threshold is very low at CAD $20 for duties and taxes. The CUSMA/USMCA agreement raised the threshold for goods from the US and Mexico: CAD $150 for duties and CAD $40 for taxes. Commercial shipments above CAD $3,300 require formal entry.
5. FTA + rules of origin
USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) is in force on this lane. To claim preferential duty, the goods must meet the agreement's rules of origin (typically a regional value content threshold or a tariff-shift test) and the importer must hold a Certificate of Origin or origin declaration.
See: All FTAs
6. Documents you may need
- Commercial invoice (every commercial shipment).
- Packing list.
- Transport document — air waybill (AWB) or bill of lading (B/L).
- Customs declaration (filed by importer of record or broker).
- Certificate of Origin or origin declaration to claim USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) preference.
- Sector permits where applicable: phytosanitary, veterinary, medicines, telecom, weapons, art.
- Importer EORI / tax-ID where required by Canada.
7. Common problems on this route
- Undervaluation flagged at clearance, leading to revaluation and back-duty.
- Incorrect HS classification — duty rate moves up an entire tariff line.
- Missing origin documentation: FTA preference lost, MFN duty assessed.
- Vague descriptions on CN22 / CN23: parcel held pending clarification.
- Sanctions / dual-use screening for sensitive commodities.
- Biosecurity holds on food, plant, animal and wood-packaging items.
- Lithium-battery air-cargo refusal for non-compliant packaging.
8. High-risk item categories
- gold jewellery — restricted
- gold jewellery — restricted
Generally restricted categories into Canada:
- Firearms (requires Firearms Declaration or import permit)
- Certain food, plant, and animal products (CFIA permits required)
- Tobacco products (provincial taxes apply)
- Cannabis (legal domestically but cannot be imported/exported internationally)
- Prescription medications (personal-use supply limit of 90 days)
- Vehicles (must meet Transport Canada safety standards)
9. Official sources
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — destination customs authority.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — origin customs authority.
- Canada country profile — full source panel and rule index.
- FTA registry — search for USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement).
10. Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring goods from United States to Canada as a traveller?
Yes. Travellers from United States entering Canada are subject to Canada's personal allowances and declaration rules. Alcohol allowance: 1.14 L. Cigarette allowance: 200. Personal goods allowance: ~USD 200. Declare anything above these limits at the red channel.
Can I send a parcel from United States to Canada?
Yes — parcels move through Canada's postal-customs flow. Typical transit: 4 days. De minimis: CAD $20. Always attach a CN22 or CN23 declaration with accurate description, value, and HS code.
Can I import commercially from United States to Canada?
Yes. Commercial imports into Canada require an importer of record, customs declaration via Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), commercial invoice, packing list, and HS-classified goods. USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) preferential duty is available if origin requirements are met.
What duties and taxes apply on this lane?
Originating goods qualify for USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) preferential rates (often 0%). Canada levies 5% VAT/GST on commercial imports. De minimis below CAD $20.
Do I need a Certificate of Origin?
Yes — to claim USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) preferential duty, the consignment must be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin or origin declaration meeting the agreement's rules-of-origin criteria. Without it, MFN duty applies.
What is Canada's cash declaration threshold for travellers?
Travellers entering Canada must declare cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 7500.
What documents should I prepare?
Minimum: commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (AWB or B/L), and customs declaration. Add a Certificate of Origin if claiming FTA preference. Sensitive categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need sector-specific permits or certificates.
What can go wrong on this lane?
Common problems: undervaluation flagged at clearance, incorrect HS code triggering a higher duty, missing origin documentation losing the FTA preference, parcel held for vague description on CN22/CN23, sanctions / dual-use screening on certain commodities, and biosecurity holds on food / plant / animal products.
Country profiles
Reference only — not legal or customs advice. Customs rules change frequently. Always verify against the destination's customs authority before acting on any rule on this page.