Raheel Ladak
17 mins read
8 mins read
Sahiba Cuccria is a Marketing and Content specialist at eShipper. She creates clear, practical content that helps businesses understand complex shipping processes and improve their supply chain efficiency.
As a Canadian seller, you’ve likely noticed the surge in cross-border shipping fees with the United States. According to Grandview Research, the global logistics market is likely to reach USD 5,951.0 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2024 to 2030. This means demand for fast, reliable, and cost-effective shipping is only going to increase.
However, with new regulations, evolving tariffs, and the upcoming end of the De Minimis program under Section 321, your shipments to the U.S. may attract unexpected costs. While CUSMA exemptions still apply for certain goods, any product outside the criteria can be subject to hidden customs charges.
If you’re not prepared, these fees can affect your shipments and your customer experience too. As a seller, that’s the last thing you’d want for your business.
To help you navigate better, this guide will break down the direct vs. hidden costs of cross-border shipping fees, show you where sellers like you might face additional charges, and offer practical strategies to reduce these fees to ensure you stay compliant every step of the way.
When shipping products to the U.S., some costs are transparent:
Other costs are less obvious and can catch sellers off guard, including:
Understanding these distinctions can help you manage your shipping strategy as a seller and avoid unexpected expenses.
Brokerage fees (Canada/U.S. shipments) now apply to most shipments, except where express or expedited services include them. As a seller you should be aware that:
Canadian goods shipped to the U.S. may be subject to:
Tariff stacking hierarchy allows up to 32 tariff numbers per commodity, which creates complex duty calculations.
Example Table: Duties and Fees Impact
| Product Scenario | Duties/Fees without CUSMA | Duties/Fees with CUSMA |
| Canadian-made, China-sourced components | $887 | $0 |
| Canadian-made, non-CUSMA | $1,000+ | $0 |
| Canadian-made, CUSMA-certified | $0 | $0 |
Note: Misrepresentation of a product’s country of origin can trigger penalty charges and additional scrutiny from customs authorities. Additionally, if a product is 50% Canadian and 50% Chinese in origin, duties and fees may still apply even under the CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement), depending on whether the product meets CUSMA's "rules of origin" requirements for preferential tariff treatment.
As a seller, you may also face:
For instance, Canadian appliance prices have risen due to U.S. counter-tariffs and rising steel prices. According to the BBC, refrigerators and freezers increased by 2% on average, and dishwashing and laundry appliances rose 4.5% year-over-year.
Shipments billed in USD may incur conversion charges depending on the bank or payment processor used. This adds to the hidden cost of cross border shipping fees.
Demand for Canadian-made goods is increasing due to trade tensions and tariffs. Canadians prefer domestic products, creating an opportunity for you as a seller:
You can capitalize on this trend but should carefully manage cross border shipping fees to maintain competitiveness.
Data from Statistics Canada shows:
As a small business owner, you may need strategies to reduce hidden customs charges and remain competitive internationally.
| Fiscal Year | Total De Minimis | Total De Minimis Value (USD) |
| 2020 | 636.7M | 67B |
| 2021 | 771.5M | 43.5B |
| 2022 | 685.4M | 46.5B |
| 2023 | 1B | 54.5B |
| 2024 | 1.36B | 64.6B |
| 2025 (May–June) | 59.3M | 6B |
The decline in 2025 reflects the end of Section 321, meaning more shipments are now subject to brokerage and customs charges.
Sellers looking to manage cross border shipping fees efficiently can rely on eShipper’s tailored services. At eShipper, solutions are designed to minimize hidden customs charges, simplify customs clearance, and ensure smooth delivery to U.S. customers.
Continue using carriers like USPS and DHL eCommerce, with customs clearance handled in advance by a licensed broker.
Benefits:
How it works:
What this means for you as a seller:
Additionally, you should:
Always declare the sale price of your goods, not the purchase cost. Under-declaring may seem tempting, but it can trigger penalties, re-assessments, and even seizure of shipments.
A broker ensures your HTS codes, tariff classifications, and certificates of origin are correct. Mistakes in these areas are one of the top reasons sellers get hit with unexpected duties or reprocessing fees.
Ask your logistics provider for a full landed cost estimate (including duties, brokerage, and surcharges) before confirming shipments. This gives you price transparency and avoids surprises that eat into profit margins.
Tariff rules under Section 232, reciprocal tariffs, and the recent removal of the U.S. De Minimis threshold can change quickly. By monitoring updates—or relying on a partner like eShipper that tracks them—you prevent last-minute costs.
Many multi-carrier platforms provide detailed reporting on your shipments. Reviewing these reports helps identify recurring hidden fees such as reattempt charges or dimensional surcharges, so you can adjust your shipping strategy.
Sellers often overlook the fact that carriers may waive or reduce certain handling fees for high-volume shippers. Even small businesses can benefit by consolidating through a platform like eShipper to access enterprise-level discounts.
A Canadian appliance seller shipping to the U.S. initially used DDU. Hidden fees, including brokerage fees and tariffs, caused delivery delays and customer complaints. By switching to DDP, consolidating shipments, and pre-submitting documentation, the seller eliminated hidden charges and improved delivery experience.
| Fee Type | Canada → U.S. | U.S. → Canada |
| Brokerage Fees | Applies except DDP | Applies except express services |
| Tariffs | 35% non-CUSMA | Reciprocal tariffs may apply |
| Storage Fees | Possible for delayed customs clearance | Same |
| Oversize Package | Yes | Yes |
| Delivery Reattempt | Yes | Yes |
Navigating cross border shipping fees can be challenging for you if you are a Canadian seller, especially with the end of the De Minimis program and evolving tariffs and duties. Hidden customs charges, brokerage fees, and other handling costs can impact your shipments if not carefully managed.
By using DDP shipping, verifying CUSMA eligibility, consolidating shipments, and submitting accurate documentation in advance, you can minimize unexpected charges and ensure smooth delivery to U.S. customers. Staying informed about tariffs, fees, and regulatory changes is essential for maintaining competitiveness.
With the right strategies and solutions offered by leading logistics solution providers like eShipper, you can continue exporting efficiently to the U.S. while keeping costs manageable.
Costs vary depending on carrier, service type (DDP or DDU), package size, and destination. Hidden customs charges and brokerage fees may apply.
Fees not immediately visible when creating a shipping label, such as customs brokerage, storage, or oversize surcharges.
Examples include brokerage fees, tariffs for non-CUSMA goods, delivery reattempt charges, storage fees, and currency conversion fees.
Use DDP services, verify CUSMA eligibility, consolidate shipments, and pre-submit all customs documentation
