How to ship to Canada from the U.S.

Learn about customs, duties, and the documents required for cross-border shipping.

Learn about customs, duties, and the documents required for cross-border shipping.

Ship to Canada with FedEx

Canada is close, the paperwork is pretty simple, and there's little separating us but land—which makes shipping to our North American neighbors cost-efficient. Best of all, the demand is there. Most Canadian residents live within 100 miles of the U.S. border, and many of their online purchases come from U.S. retailers.


U.S.-to-Canada shipping: Key considerations

When shipping from the U.S. to Canada, businesses need to plan for shipping costs, delivery times, customs paperwork, restrictions, and packaging. FedEx makes cross-border shipping easier with tools to estimate duties, generate customs forms, and select the right delivery option.


How much does shipping to Canada cost?


The cost of shipping from the U.S. to Canada depends on many factors including package weight, dimensions, destinations, and service speed. Use our rate tool to get a quote.


How long does it take to ship from the U.S. to Canada?


Options aren’t all about cost, of course. You also want to delight your customers with faster delivery. And that can mean delivery overnight, delivery on a certain day, or even delivery by a certain time. With FedEx, you’ve got delivery options.


What Canadian customs forms are required?


Things are more likely to go right if you get the documentation right. So get started on customs forms for Canada provided by FedEx. And here’s a list of customs documentation we’ve put together so you know what to expect:

  • Canada Customs Invoice
  • Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Freight/Cargo Manifest
  • Canada Customs General Agency Agreement and Standard Trading Conditions
  • One-Time Canada Customs General Agency Agreement (valid for only one shipment)
  • Bill of Lading (for freight shipments)

What are the shipping restrictions to Canada?


First you need to know what import restrictions Canada has. Usually, countries prohibit or restrict items that are illegal or dangerous. However, laws vary by country, and what cannot be shipped to Canada may be OK to ship somewhere else. For specifics, see our Canada prohibited and restricted items list and the FedEx Freight Series Rules Tariff.


What packaging is best for shipping to Canada?


Of course, the first factor is what you’re putting in the package. But know this: Even a small difference in package size or weight can make a big difference in your shipping cost. So choose lightweight packaging that’s the right size for your items. It’s a good idea to brush up on some packaging tips and options.



Why choose FedEx for U.S.-to-Canada shipping

At the end of the day, we want whatever’s best for your business. But as you’re researching how to ship to Canada, make sure you’re considering the speed, discounts, and brokerage options you can get from FedEx. 

Speed

Get envelopes, packages, or freight delivered within hours or days, depending on your delivery flexibility and budget.


Flexibility

When you ship parcels to Canada with FedEx, you get customizable service options to fit your particular delivery needs.


Efficiency

With FedEx, Canada customs clearance is streamlined, thanks to a number of brokerage options available to you.


Simplicity

FedEx shipping to Canada offers you simple pricing and flexible billing options.



First time shipping to Canada?
Use FedEx International Shipping Assist.

First time shipping to Canada? Use FedEx International Shipping Assist.


How to ship to Canada with FedEx: Your options and delivery times

Are you shipping envelopes to Edmonton? Pallets to Port-Cartier? Whatever your need, FedEx has a full range of options ready to go.

With multiple ways to ship from the U.S. to Canada, FedEx has deliveries that range from same-day service with FedEx® International Next Flight, to cost-effective options like FedEx International Ground® in 2–7 days. Express services such as FedEx International Priority® deliver in 1–3 business days. The best service depends on your package weight, delivery urgency, and budget.

FedEx delivery times Canada
(Business Days/Hours)
Shipment type (Envelopes/package/freight) FedEx Shipping Service
Within hours, 24 hours a day to most areas Envelopes, packages, or freight FedEx® International Next Flight
1–3 business days with delivery as early as 10 a.m. Envelopes or packages FedEx International First®
1–3 business days by close of business Envelopes or packages FedEx International Priority®
2–5 business days Envelopes or packages FedEx International Economy®
2–7 days Envelopes or packages FedEx International Ground®
3 days Envelopes or packages (less than 70 lbs.) FedEx® International Connect Plus (FICP)
1–3 business days with delivery as early as 10 a.m. Freight (over 150 lbs.) FedEx International Priority® Freight
Within 5 business days Freight (over 150 lbs.) FedEx International Economy® Freight
Fast-transit delivery typically within 1–3+ business days with delivery options of 10:30 a.m. or 5 p.m. LTL freight (over 150 lbs.) FedEx Freight® Priority
Cost-effective delivery typically within 3–6+ business days with delivery options of 10:30 a.m. or 5 p.m. LTL freight (over 150 lbs.) FedEx Freight® Economy

FedEx International Ground Shipping to Canada

  • To all Canadian business and residential addresses
  • Time-definite delivery in 2 to 7 international business days
  • Flexible brokerage and billing options
  • Clearance entry fee discounts

FedEx Freight (LTL): U.S.-to-Canada Cross-Border Freight

  • Less-than-truckload shipping to most of the Canadian population directly
  • Fastest published transit times from the U.S. to Canada of any nationwide LTL service with FedEx Freight® Priority
  • Pallet-level tracking
  • Brokerage-inclusive and broker select options


FedEx® International Connect Plus (FICP):
E-commerce shipping to Canada

Need a cross-border shipping solution for your e-commerce business? FedEx International Connect Plus might be just the ticket. Here are a few reasons it's ideal for shipping retail products to Canada:

  • Day-definite delivery
  • Typical transit time of 3 days to Canada
  • Simple, transparent pricing

  • End-to-end tracking visibility
  • No residential surcharges
  • For shipments less than 70 lbs.


FedEx freight forwarding for Canada: Air, ocean & customs brokerage

FedEx Trade Networks® has you covered—to and from Canada—including:

  • Customs brokerage
  • Supply chain solutions
  • Service via air or ocean
  • Trade solutions

Learn about our international freight forwarding service.




Simplify shipping with brokerage-inclusive options

FedEx offers brokerage-inclusive options for ground and freight shipments to Canada. Our experts manage customs paperwork, clearance, and compliance so you avoid delays and extra costs.


FedEx tools & resources for shipping from the U.S. to Canada

Calculate fees before shipping internationally.

The earlier you know your international shipping expenses, the earlier you can plan for how to cover them, make a profit, and maintain competitive prices.


Save time and money by submitting customs documents electronically ahead of shipments.

FedEx Electronic Trade Documents (ETD) lets you upload customs forms in advance, helping reduce border delays and paperwork errors when shipping to Canada.


Get a returns strategy in place for Canadian customers.

FedEx® Global Returns for businesses can give Canadian customers an easy way to send items back and can help improve satisfaction and simplify cross-border logistics.


Explore shipping to other countries where you could do business.

Once you've expanded into Canada, you continue to grow internationally with tools and services for cross-border shipping worldwide.


Learn how the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement makes North American trade easier.


Sign up to get trade-related info and updates delivered to your inbox, with FedEx Regulatory News.



Ready to expand your business to Canada?

Let us help you find the best shipping solution to make it happen. Please call customer support or schedule a call with a sales rep for a time that works for you.


FAQs about shipping to Canada*

*The FAQs apply to parcel shipments. For information concerning LTL shipments, call your sales rep or review the FedEx Freight Series Rules Tariff.