The United States Postal Service (USPS) is popular among sellers and shoppers sending packages worldwide. Whether you're wondering if USPS shipping to Canada is still possible or if you're searching for cheaper cross-border shipping options this guide is bound to help you.
Let's dive in!
Yes, USPS offers shipping services that allow packages to be shipped from the USA to more than 180 countries, including Canada.
If you’re after a fast delivery service for your packages, the Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG®) and Priority Mail Express International® are the best options for you. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for affordable shipping options, then you may want to consider Priority Mail International® and First-Class Package International Service®.
Specific requirements and procedures may vary based on the USPS service you choose and the contents of your shipment. However, these are the typical steps you can follow:
Keep Customs Information Handy. Once your package arrives in Canada, it may go through customs clearance by Canadian authorities. In case customs authorities need more information or documentation, be prepared to cooperate with any requirements they request.
As mentioned in the earlier part of this article, USPS offers numerous shipping options to Canada. However, while the sellers mostly handle the shipments, you must also understand your options to help reduce your cross-border shipping expenses as a Canadian customer.
USPS Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) is USPS's premier international service, known as the fastest international option. It offers dependable and date-specific delivery to Canada, ensuring shipments arrive precisely when needed.
USPS Priority Mail Express International ranks as the USPS's premier international service, famous for its unmatched speed and efficiency. Priority Mail Express International is the ultimate choice for urgent shipments demanding swift and guaranteed delivery. It delivers packages to most Canadian destinations within an impressive timeframe, offering overnight to 2-day delivery.
USPS Priority Mail International is a faster international shipping option compared to First-Class Package International Service, making it a better choice for Canadian customers looking for quicker delivery services to Canada. It offers a substantial increase in weight capacity, accommodating packages weighing up to 70 pounds, allowing for the shipment of a broader item range, including heavier merchandise or larger parcels.
USPS First-Class Package International Service is affordable for sending small parcels and lightweight items to Canada. This service offers a cost-effective solution for shipments with a maximum weight limit of up to 4 pounds.
First-Class Mail International Service offered by the USPS is an efficient and affordable option for sending letters, postcards, and small parcels to international destinations, including Canada. Although it's frequently used for mailing lightweight products, it offers a valuable way of bringing together individuals and organizations globally through exchanging letters and small packages, promoting global connection and trade.
If you're ordering books or any printed material, M-Bags are a cost-effective and efficient solution to consider. It's ideal for people looking to send newspapers, magazines, books, or other printed matter. These specialized bags allow the consolidation of multiple items into a single shipment, reducing costs per unit. With Airmail M-Bags, senders benefit from straightforward, budget-friendly means of distributing printed materials to Canadian recipients.
USPS extends its convenient Flat-Rate Boxes to international shipments destined for Canada. These boxes simplify shipping by allowing senders to pay a flat rate, regardless of the package weight or its final destination in Canada.
This uniform pricing structure is especially advantageous for shipping heavier items, as it provides cost predictability and eliminates the need for complicated weight calculations. This straightforward and budget-friendly option offers a hassle-free shipping process for those looking to ship to Canada without the concern of fluctuating costs based on weight or distance.
It’s important to know how much the shipping cost will be for your US packages bound for Canada. Thus, we’ll help you by providing the details you need. Check out this table for the pricing list:
| USPS International Shipping Services | Shipping Rates |
| GXG | Prices start at $71.10 |
| Priority Mail Express International | Prices start at $56.00 |
| Flat-rate option using free flat-rate envelopes starting at $54.75 | |
| Priority Mail International | Prices start at $42.10 |
| Flat-rate option using free flat-rate envelopes and boxes (envelopes and small boxes up to 4lbs, medium and large boxes up to 20lbs) starting at $30.35 | |
| First-Class Package International | Retail prices start at $15.75 |
| First-Class Mail International | Standard-sized postcards start at $1.50 |
| Airmail M-Bags | You don't have to reach a certain minimum weight when using M-bags. However, if it weighs less than 11 pounds, you must still pay the applicable 11-pound postage fee. Meanwhile, the maximum weight is 66 pounds, but lower limits apply to specific countries. |
Refer to this table to know the USPS’s shipping time from the US to Canada for all its services.
| USPS International Shipping Services | Shipping Time* |
| GXG | 1-3 business days |
| Priority Mail Express International | 3-5 business days |
| Priority Mail International | 6-10 business days |
| First-Class Package International | 2-8 business days |
| First-Class Mail International | 2-8 business days |
| Airmail M-Bags | 4-8 weeks |
(Note that details may change as per the shipping company’s advice. Please refer to USPS for more updates on their shipping services.)
Yes, USPS Tracking provides tracking information for packages even if they have already entered the Canadian border. USPS Tracking is designed to provide tracking updates through the shipping journey, including when they are in transit to international destinations like Canada.
However, the tracking information may be transferred to the local postal service, Canada Post, once the package arrives in Canada, which will continue to provide tracking updates when shipping packages within Canada.
In such cases, USPS Tracking may not provide detailed tracking information within Canada. Still, you can continue to track the package using the tracking number provided by USPS through Canada Post's tracking system or website. So, while USPS Tracking works for shipping parcels to Canada, the tracking details may change once within the Canadian postal system.
Yes, USPS can deliver packages to Canada Post office boxes. When sending a package from the United States to Canada and specifying a Canadian Post office box as the delivery address, USPS will coordinate with Canada Post to ensure the package reaches the correct box.
Suppose you use the Canada Post Office as your Canadian address when ordering from the S. In that case, it's important that you provide the complete mailing address, including the post office box number, accurately and in the right format. Additionally, it's advisable to check with USPS for any specific guidelines or requirements when addressing packages to Canada.
If you feel like all the details mentioned above are quite too much for you, we know how you feel! We understand how important it is to find the most convenient shipping service to process your cross-border shipments.
That’s what Shippsy does best compared to other carriers! Our service combines all the factors Canadian customers wish for when shipping packages: fast shipping times, cheap shipping rates, and overall exceptional service.
Shippsy is dedicated to giving you a cross-border experience that lets you truly enjoy shopping and shipping from the USA. Plus, there’s another thing you would love about us: we handle customs clearance for you while you sit and wait for your package.
More customers are becoming pros in shipping as they continue to use Shippsy. How could they not be? Shippsy offers the easiest steps in shipping packages to Canada. Here’s how:
Step 1. Create Your Free Shippsy Account. Create your free account by going to Shippsy’s homepage and clicking the Get Started button. Remember to use your exclusive US shipping address and Shippsy number when you’re ready to checkout your items.
Step 2. Pay The Shipping Costs. When everything is ready, you may proceed to pay for your handling fees and the applicable tax and duty.
Step 3. Claim Your Package. Once your parcels arrive in Canada, go to your assigned Shippsy branch with your order pickup sheet to claim your box.
Save money with Shippsy! Refer to this table and enjoy our shipping rates which are lower than your local post office.
| Parcel Pickup Service Personally claim your package anytime. (any one of our branches) | Ontario | British Columbia | Quebec |
| $6.99/package* + tax(for packages up to 10 lbs) *You may request three or more shipments on the same day to get a 25% discount on the handling fee. | $7.99/package* + tax (for packages up to 10 lbs) *25% bulk discount does not apply to this region. | $9.99/package* +tax (for packages up to 10 lbs) *25% bulk discount does not apply to this region. | |
| Mail Out Service Shippsy will forward your packages to Canada Post for the final package delivery for extra convenience. | Delivery to your doorstep comes with a small additional fees **Shippsy will only mail out small packages weighing not more than 50 lbs. All packages over 50 lbs have to be picked up from our Canadian warehouses. | ||
Shippsy wastes no time as we make sure we ship your imported goods from the US to your final destination.
Shippsy’s delivery trucks take the fastest route while ensuring that your parcels are safe and secured. Thus, your parcels will arrive in Canada within 2-4 business days*. We provide tracking numbers so you can monitor your parcel movement in real-time.
*Delivery time can vary depending on your location and weather conditions. Delivery may take 4-7 business days for British Columbia and 5-7 business days for Quebec.
Any Canadian customer would love to ship their US packages to Canada in the easiest way possible. While the USPS offers shipping services to Canada, Shippsy provides the best experience for you in terms of time, convenience and money saved. Get your free Shippsy account today!
Aman looks after the content marketing department at Stallion Express. He is passionate about helping businesses grow by providing informative and up-to-date trends in the eCommerce industry. Outside the office, you can find him on the soccer field cheering on Real Madrid.
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