What does the landed cost include when buying from Canada?

Think of it as the price at your warehouse, not the price at the factory. For Canada to United States, that means product price plus freight, insurance, duty, clearance, and final delivery. The gap between the two is usually 20-40% — which is why the itemized breakdown in the calculator matters.

What are the import duties and taxes from Canada to United States?

Import duties from Canada to United States depend on the product's HS code and its value. Canada and United States trade under standard WTO most-favored-nation (MFN) duty rates. Typical duty rates range from 2-15% depending on HS code (Section 301 tariffs may add 7.5-25% on Chinese goods). Value-added tax (VAT) or Goods and Services Tax (GST) may also apply at the destination. The calculator on this site automatically estimates duties for your shipment.

How long does sea and air freight take from Canada to United States?

Transit depends on method and routing: Sea freight typically 15-28 days. Air freight 3-7 days depending on the route. Sea freight is the slow but economical choice; air freight trades cost for speed. Add 2-5 days on either end for pickup, loading, and customs release when planning your timeline.

Where does cargo from Canada enter United States?

The standard gateways for this lane are Vancouver, Montreal, Prince Rupert, Halifax → Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Seattle. Beyond the main pair, alternate ports may offer faster clearance or cheaper handling depending on the season. Ask your forwarder for a gateway recommendation based on your final delivery address.

Are there any trade agreements between Canada and United States that reduce duties?

Canada and United States trade under standard WTO most-favored-nation (MFN) duty rates. If a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) exists, your goods may qualify for reduced or zero duty rates provided you have a valid Certificate of Origin.

Are there special US tariffs like Section 301 or the $800 de minimis rule to know about?

Yes, and they change the math. Canada and United States trade under standard WTO most-favored-nation (MFN) duty rates. Base rates fall in the 2-15% depending on HS code (Section 301 tariffs may add 7.5-25% on Chinese goods) range. For low-value parcels, the $800 de minimis threshold means no duty or formal entry — but it is per-recipient per-day, and high-frequency shippers get flagged. Section 301 lists are product-specific: check whether your HS code is on the list before quoting a landed price.

Trade Route Guide

Import & Shipping Cost from Canada to United States | Free Calculator 2026

Importing from Canada to the US is rarely as simple as the factory quote suggests. Once you layer in freight, insurance, customs duty, clearance fees, and inland delivery, the total can land 15-35% above the invoice price. Here is what a real Canada-to-US shipment looks like when every cost layer is on the table.

Try the Calculator ↓Pre-filled for Canada → United States

Read our country-specific import guides

Breaking Down Your Landed Cost from Canada to the US

Here is how $10,000 worth of goods from Canada ends up costing: Product cost: $10,000. Sea freight (LCL, 2 CBM): $500. Marine insurance (0.5%): $50. Customs duty (8% estimate): $800. Customs broker fee: $150. ISF filing: $35. Inland trucking to warehouse: $300. Total landed: $11,835. That is an 18% add-on before warehousing or FBA prep fees. Use the calculator above with your specific numbers for a precise estimate.

Tariffs and Duties on Canada Goods Entering the US

Canada and United States trade under standard WTO most-favored-nation (MFN) duty rates. If you are importing from Canada, the duty calculation starts with the HS code classification. For goods subject to Section 301 tariffs, additional duties of 7.5-25% apply on top of base rates depending on the product category. I have seen importers lose thousands by misclassifying a single component — a "machine part" versus "electric motor" can carry a 5% versus 15% rate difference. For shipments under $800, the de minimis threshold means zero duty. Do not split shipments to game the rule — that is a red flag that can trigger CBP audits.

Shipping from Canada: Sea versus Air Cost Comparison

Here is a real scenario from my files: a 2 CBM shipment of consumer electronics from Canada to Los Angeles runs roughly $400-600 for LCL sea freight taking 14-18 days. The same shipment by air cargo runs $1,200-1,800 but arrives in 3-5 days. If your product value is low and margins are thin, sea freight wins every time. But for high-value time-sensitive goods, air freight's faster inventory turnover can offset the higher shipping cost. The sweet spot is mid-volume shipments using a freight forwarder's consolidated LCL service.

Pitfalls I Have Seen Importers Miss

After 20 years in this business, the same mistakes keep coming up: (1) Forgetting that the US uses FOB valuation for duty — if your freight cost is embedded in the product price you might be overpaying duty. (2) Not checking if their product qualifies for duty drawback (up to 99% refund on re-exported goods). (3) Assuming the freight forwarder handles everything — you still need to file ISF 72 hours before loading. (4) Ignoring FDA or CPSC requirements for regulated products. The calculator handles duty and freight, but regulatory compliance is on you.

Why Import from Canada? A Practical Cost Reality Check

Over the past decade, I have watched Canada evolve into a competitive sourcing destination for US importers. The calculation isn't just about unit price — it's about total pipeline cost. When you factor in duty rates ranging from 2-15% depending on HS code (Section 301 tariffs may add 7.5-25% on Chinese goods), the numbers tell a different story than what you see on the factory invoice. Let me walk through what actually hits your P&L statement.

Ports and Customs Entry Points

Your cargo enters through major US gateways: Los Angeles and Long Beach for West Coast imports, New York and Newark for East Coast, and Savannah for Southeast distribution. Key ports on this lane: Vancouver, Montreal, Prince Rupert, Halifax → Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Seattle. I always advise clients to land cargo as close to their final distribution point as possible — a $400 container drayage from LA to Phoenix beats $1,200 cross-country trucking from Savannah.

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Disclaimer

Duty rates, shipping costs, and VAT rates are estimates for reference only. Actual costs depend on specific HS code classification, current carrier rates, fuel surcharges, exchange rates, and country-specific customs regulations. Consult a licensed customs broker for accurate quotes.

Rates last updated September 2026. Sources: national customs authorities, EU TARIC, and official tariff schedules. Verify with your customs broker before shipping.