Raheel Ladak
7 mins read
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Rizwan Datoo is a logistics and fulfillment consultant at eShipper specializing in D2C and B2B shipping solutions. He supports startups and established brands by simplifying complex shipping challenges and building efficient, reliable supply chains.
Remember those long weeks of waiting for customs paperwork and deliveries? Those days are over. In addition to Amazon and Walmart, major shipping carriers are now handling cross-border logistics more efficiently.
Just moving products across borders isn’t enough. You need real strategies. Create smooth shopping experiences for international customers. Provide reliable customer support. Offer payment options that make sense locally.
With cross-border operations between Canada and the U.S., our North American logistics network makes it easier than ever to keep your business running smoothly from coast to coast.
You’re looking at significant unrealized revenue, and all you have to do is to ensure that your products reach across the border.
So, how massive is this cross-border opportunity?
Well, trade between the United States and Canada hit $52 billion in 2023. Cross-border transactions are growing 18% faster than domestic online sales. And this trend extends beyond North America.
According to a report published by Juniper Research, international e-commerce will nearly double in size, from $1.6 trillion in 2023 to $3.3 trillion by 2028. While you’re competing in crowded U.S. markets, Canadian shoppers are spending 23% more per transaction than their American counterparts.
Most sellers tend to overlook this profitable opportunity. In today’s marketplace, market expansion is no longer optional; it’s essential.
Learn in detail about shipping costs for cross-border transactions if you are an Amazon or Walmart seller.
The best way to do cross-border shipping between Canada and the United States opens the gateway to a convenient entry point for e-commerce companies for global expansion.
Crossing this border is easier to sell through than entering distant markets, due to established trade alliances, good transport infrastructure, and buyers with similar buying habits.
However, businesses must still navigate market differences, build the right operational foundation, and address competitive challenges to achieve meaningful results.
The proximity and familiarity between these neighboring markets shouldn't mask the real work required. Companies need to understand regional preferences, establish proper fulfillment capabilities, and develop strategies to stand out in competitive landscapes.
While the Canada-U.S. corridor offers advantages over more complex international expansions, success still demands thoughtful preparation and execution.
Canadian market size
Analysts estimate that Canada's online retail market could reach $81.5 billion by 2032, having generated about $39 billion in the previous year.
US Market Size
Americans spent over $1.192 trillion shopping online in 2024; that is twice what they spent just five years ago.
How Much Shopping Happens Online
In Canada, roughly 12% of all retail purchases now happen online, which suggests that customers enjoy the experience of shopping from the comforts of their homes.
Where Canadians Shop
Canadians buy about a third of their online purchases from foreign stores, mainly in the US and China.
Canadian Shopper Numbers
Around 29 million Canadians shop online regularly, creating a solid customer base for international sellers.
Amazon's Warehouse Network
Amazon operates 175 large warehouses throughout North America, illustrating the extent of infrastructure you require for efficient cross-border shipping.
Infrastructure Spending
Amazon invested $2 billion in constructing new American warehouses recently, illustrating how costly it is to establish proper fulfillment operations.
Fulfillment Industry Growth
Organizations that manage online retailers' shipping and storage generated $123.69 billion globally in 2024, with an annual growth rate of roughly 14%.
North American Fulfillment Business
These fulfillment centers generated $23.33 billion in 2022 in North America by itself, and they continue to grow at a rate of nearly 14% annually.
Amazon's Electronics Dominance
Amazon controls approximately half of all online electronics sales in the U.S., giving it significant influence over pricing and customer expectations.
Different Market Conditions
The way business works varies between the two countries, so sellers need different approaches for each market.
What It Takes to Succeed
Running a successful cross-border operation requires good inventory tracking, reliable shipping partners, and understanding how each platform works.
This can help businesses compete globally without spending huge amounts on their international shipping systems. Sellers can use these platforms' warehouses and delivery services to send products worldwide.
Possible methods:
With Amazon's FBA Export program, sellers don't have to do any additional work to ship goods to customers globally. When someone in another country buys a product, selling on Amazon FBA in Canada and the U.S picks it from its warehouse and ships it overseas.
The buyer sees all costs upfront, including shipping and import fees.
For bigger international expansion, sellers can use Amazon's Global Selling program. This means storing products in Amazon warehouses in Europe and other regions. Sellers must handle tax registration in each country first.
Amazon takes care of customs forms, tracking, and delivery. They spread inventory across different warehouses to speed up delivery and keep shipping costs lower for customers.
Before you can start selling, you need to register on the right Amazon site, Amazon.ca if you're targeting Canada or Amazon.com for the US.
This means getting your tax paperwork in order and setting up your bank account so Amazon can pay you.
You'll also want to spend time looking at what other sellers charge for similar products and think about how you'll handle customer questions when they come in.
So, you’ve figured out what’ll sell south of the border and when folks will be looking for it. Now comes the part where you get your stuff across the line and into Amazon’s U.S. warehouses without a big headache.
Get Your Products Ready on Our Side
Before you send anything, double-check Amazon.com’s FBA requirements. They’re a bit different from Amazon.ca.
Set Up Your Shipment in Seller Central (U.S.)
You’ll need to be logged into your Amazon.com seller account, not the .ca one.
You’ve got a few choices here:
Whoever you pick will need:
Deal with U.S. Customs
Get It to Amazon’s Door
Quick Tip:
If you ship regularly from Canada to the US, open a US Importer of Record account with a broker to avoid delays. Without it, you risk packages being held at the border until the courier sorts out the paperwork.
Once you’ve sent your products off to Amazon’s fulfilment centres, they spread them out across their warehouses so they’re nice and close to your customers.
That way, when someone orders, Amazon ships from the nearest spot.
From your side, it’s pretty straightforward:
Why this works well for Canadian sellers:
Walmart introduced cross-border shipping in 2024, transferring big containers from China to America. The service links Chinese factories with Walmart's US distribution centers, making it easier for sellers to deliver goods to American consumers.
Delivery times vary by location. West Coast deliveries take around 40 days, Midwest shipments need 50 days, and East Coast orders require 58 days.
Walmart gets better shipping rates than most companies, saving sellers money on transportation costs.
Walmart Marketplace International is expanding into more countries, letting sellers list products in the US, Mexico, Chile, and Canada through one account.
Their fulfillment service now moves shipments straight from Chinese ports to US warehouses, eliminating extra handling steps and reducing costs for sellers.
Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS):
Walmart vs Amazon Considerations
| Aspect | Walmart | Amazon |
| Works with eShipper | Yes, it works greatYou can pick your own shipping company and get better deals | Barely worksAmazon makes you use their shipping most of the time |
| Ships to Other Countries | Just the US and Canada mostlyNot many other countries yet | Ships everywhereOver 100 countries, warehouses all over |
| How Fast Does It Get There | Takes 1-3 weeksNormal speed for international | Takes 5-14 daysFaster if the customer has Prime |
| Customs and Taxes | You handle the paperworkeShipper can help, but still complicated | Amazon does it allThey handle 95% of customs without problems |
| Returns from Other Countries | Pain in the neckCustomers pay $25-50 to send stuff back | Pretty easyPrime members return stuff for free |
| Different Money Types | Most of the time, only US dollars are accepted.Not many payment options | Takes 25+ currenciesLocal payment methods in each country |
As we move further into cross-border freight shipping, we're venturing into a universe of factors that have nothing to do with just tossing an e-commerce fulfillment package in the mail.
Freight shipping is most relevant when you are sending larger volumes of goods to replenish inventory in FBA warehouses.
Difference: Amazon sends smaller, quicker batches for variety. Walmart sends in higher volumes for cost efficiencies.
Walmart needs a freight bill of lading for every shipment, one per location only. Don’t combine shipments from different places. You must also have a GS1 Company Prefix to generate GTINs and UPCs for product setup.
Each product must have a readable barcode, either a 12-digit UPC or a 14-digit GTIN, on the outer packaging. Unscannable labels will delay shipments.
No branding from other marketplaces or fulfillment centers. For warehouse shipments, use 40" x 48" 4-way, Grade A solid-wood pallets. Max 2,100 lbs and 72" height.
Orders must ship within two business days. No delays unless pre-approved. The timer starts as soon as you receive the order.
Make use of accurate valuations and classification codes. Recognize duty rates and abide by import/export regulations in both nations.
Plan for peak seasons, weather, and customs delays; they can all impact your tight two-day shipping window.
The main difference between these retailers is clear: Amazon gives you more flexibility with processing times, while Walmart demands faster turnaround. Both demand strict documentation and labeling attention, but Walmart's two-day rule makes planning more important.
Modern cross-border shipping relies heavily on technology to manage complex global logistics networks. The right technology tools can transform what was once a complicated, mistake-prone process into a smooth, automated operation.
These systems help businesses compare rates from multiple carriers, automatically choose the best shipping option, and track packages in real-time across different providers.
These platforms track stock levels across multiple warehouses and locations, automatically trigger reorders when inventory runs low, predict future demand based on market trends, and connect directly with online marketplaces and sales channels for seamless operations.
Fewer Mistakes
When software handles documentation and compliance checks, human errors drop significantly. This means fewer delays, fines, and customer complaints.
Lower Costs
Smart routing algorithms find the most cost-effective shipping methods, while automated carrier selection ensures businesses always get competitive rates.
Time Saving
Staff no longer spends hours on repetitive tasks like manually creating shipping labels. They can focus on more strategic work instead.
Easy Growth
Automated systems handle increased shipping volumes without requiring proportional increases in staff. A business can ship 10 times more packages without hiring 10 times more people.
Better Compliance
Automated checks catch regulatory issues before shipments leave the warehouse, reducing the risk of penalties and rejected packages.
Purpose: Demonstrate how technology drives modern shipping operations
Features to Highlight:
This dashboard would showcase how businesses can manage complex international shipping through a single, intuitive interface that handles everything from rate shopping.
Let's outline the real cross-border shipping problems you'll face and provide workable freight solutions for each.
Best Practices for Navigating Product Restrictions:
Documentation Needs:
Best Practices for Handling Exchange Rate Changes
Payment Processing:
International Returns:
Language and Cultural Constraints:
International e-commerce requires navigating different regulatory and tax structures. For international operations to be sustainable, proper planning and compliance are essential.
The USMCA agreement gives businesses real advantages when trading across borders. Companies can get reduced tariffs on products that qualify and enjoy faster customs processing.
But products must meet origin requirements like usually 40-75% North American content is depending on what you're selling.
United States
Every state has its own sales tax rules. Since the 2018 Wayfair court case, businesses must collect sales tax in states where they sell more than $100,000 or have 200+ transactions per year. Tax rates go from 0% to over 10%, depending on where you're selling.
Canada
Federal GST runs 5%, plus provincial taxes that vary by province. Foreign businesses must register for GST/HST once they sell more than $30,000 yearly. Quebec has its own separate provincial tax system.
US Requirements
Different government agencies watch over various products - the FDA handles food and medical devices, the CPSC covers consumer goods, and the FCC manages electronics. Many products need approval or testing before you can sell them.
Canadian Requirements
Health Canada oversees food, drugs, and consumer products. Most items need CSA certification or similar safety marks. Consumer products must show information in both English and French.
Companies can work through subsidiaries, branches, or representative offices. Each option has different tax and legal effects. Most business activities need specific licenses or permits in both countries.
Working with local tax and legal experts helps you handle these requirements while avoiding expensive mistakes. Due to the complexity of cross-border business, expert advice is essential for success.
International customers often have additional concerns about ordering from foreign sellers. Addressing these concerns proactively is crucial for success.
Transparent Communication:
Local Presence Indicators:
Reviews and Social Proof:
Market Research:
Localization Efforts:
For cross-border e-commerce sellers, eShipper stands out as a reliable logistics and prep service partner that simplifies complex international operations.
From managing customs paperwork to streamlining shipping directly into Amazon warehouses, eShipper makes global selling efficient and cost-effective.
Expertise and Infrastructure:
eShipper brings deep industry knowledge and a vast logistics network to the table. They partner with leading carriers like UPS, FedEx, and Canada Post, ensuring seamless cross-border movement of goods. Their platform is built for international sellers, with
Cost Efficiency:
eShipper helps sellers effectively reduce costs through:
Scalability and Flexibility:
Whether you're expanding into a new country or handling seasonal demand spikes, eShipper scales with your business. Their services offer:
With eShipper, your products can go straight from the prep center into Amazon warehouses in the US, Canada, or elsewhere, no matter where your inventory starts. Their all-in-one system lets you monitor everything from a single screen, while their team handles the paperwork, customs, and carrier negotiations.
Cross-border shipping opens the door to real opportunities for Canadian online businesses to grow.
You can connect with customers around the world through Amazon FBA’s international services, Walmart’s global marketplace, or by building your own eCommerce shipping network.
It’s not always about picking the cheapest or the fastest route; it’s about finding a balance that makes sense for your customers and your bottom line. That’s where eShipper comes in.
We make it easy for Canadian businesses to ship worldwide with confidence, so you can focus on growing while we take care of the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
Consider your budget, the amount of time customers are willing to wait, whether packages arrive undamaged, and the type of experience you wish to offer when deciding what truly works for your business.
You can sell anywhere and maintain the profitability of your business with good international shipping. This gives you an advantage over competitors who only enter their home markets.
Amazon's cross-border program lets you sell products to customers in other countries through their international websites.
A customer in another country orders your product and receives it for shipment. When the package passes through customs, officers inspect its contents and collect taxes. The customer then receives delivery by local postal services.
Customs paperwork that details the item you are sending and its value must be filled out. The entire procedure usually takes 1 to 8 days.
Yes, but profits per item are lower due to shipping costs. However, you reach a million more potential customers worldwide.
It works best when you sell unique products that people can't find locally. Most sellers use international shipping to grow their business rather than to maximize immediate profits.
Business-to-Consumer (B2C) refers to companies selling directly to individual customers, such as buying shoes from Nike’s website. Business-to-Business (B2B) involves companies selling products or services to other companies, like office supply wholesalers supplying businesses. Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) describes individuals selling to other individuals, for example, selling used items on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
