How to ship to Canada with USPS as a reseller

A small package of goods to Canada, up to 4 lb and $400, goes by First-Class Package International Service: $18.48 for up to 8 oz with a label from a USPS-approved PC Postage provider, or $19.40 at the Post Office or through Click-N-Ship. From 33 oz, a Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope costs less if the item fits: $31.61 online, against $36.57 by First-Class Package International, though USPS offers no tracking on Flat Rate Envelopes. Heavier or pricier packages go by Priority Mail International, up to 66 lb, from $42.14 for 1 lb online, and every package of goods needs an electronic customs form with a 6-digit HS code for each item. The country's own rules to watch: province required in the address; valuables only insured.

Rules quoted from Canada's Individual Country Listing in USPS's International Mail Manual, read Oct 19, 2026. Prices from Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026; package prices are unchanged since the Jan 18, 2026 edition.

Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026

First-Class Package International, up to 8 oz, online: $18.48
Priority Mail International, 1 lb, online: $42.14
Heaviest package (Priority Mail International): 66 lb
Prepaid duties (USPS DDP): Optional

What you can and can't send to Canada

Goods on a country's prohibited list can't be mailed there, and a country can return or seize mail that breaks its rules even if USPS never published them (IMM 131.32-131.33). Here is what Canada's listing says about the goods resellers ship most, quoted from it, next to USPS's rule for every country where there is one. Other items on Canada's lists include commercial metal tags, gold bullion, margarine, used beehives, prison-made goods for sale, smoke makers for vehicles and strong vaping liquids; eggs for hatching, meat and pet food need certificates.

Books, magazines and other printed matter

“Reprints of Canadian or British works copyrighted in Canada.” (IMM Canada listing, Prohibitions)
“An issue of a publication in which more than 5 percent of its total advertising space is primarily directed to a Canadian market and which indicates:” and says where in Canada the advertised goods or services can be had, or on what terms. (IMM Canada listing, Prohibitions)

Every country: USPS treats books as goods, not documents: they need a customs form with a value (IMM 123.623). There is no Media Mail abroad: USPS's five international mail categories don't include it (IMM 141.1), so books pay the same package prices as other goods. Airmail M-bags (sacks of printed matter) are not offered to Canada (IMM Exhibit 261.3).

CDs, DVDs, records and film

Nothing on Canada's lists.

Every country: CDs, DVDs and other recorded or blank media always need a customs form and a value; USPS never counts them as documents (IMM 123.622-123.623).

Clothing, shoes, leather and fur

“Plumage and skins of wild birds.” (IMM Canada listing, Prohibitions)

Cosmetics, perfume and aerosols

“Shipments bearing caution labels indicating the contents are flammable.” (IMM Canada listing, Prohibitions)

Every country: USPS lists aerosols, nail polish, perfumes containing alcohol and hemp-based (CBD) products among items that can't be sent to any country (USPS international restrictions). Dangerous goods, such as flammable materials and compressed gases, are banned in all international mail (IMM 136.1).

Electronics and batteries

Nothing on Canada's lists.

Every country: Only new lithium batteries installed in the device they run, at most four cells or two batteries per package and 100 Wh per lithium-ion battery; no spare batteries, and no used, damaged or defective devices with lithium batteries unless manufacturer-certified refurbished. The outside of the package must not carry lithium battery marks or labels (IMM 135.62-135.64).

Jewelry, watches, coins and precious metals

“Coins; banknotes; currency notes; securities payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; gold, silver, platinum, manufactured or not; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles may be sent only in insured parcels.” (IMM Canada listing, Restrictions)

Every country: Valuables can't go by Priority Mail Express International; inexpensive costume jewelry with little precious metal ships like any other merchandise, and USPS says it “is accepted to countries that prohibit jewelry, but only at the sender’s risk” (IMM 134.2).

Antiques, art, stamps and collectibles

“Reproductions of Canadian postage stamps unless printed in publications in black and white only and with a defacing line drawn across each reproduction.” (IMM Canada listing, Prohibitions)
“Bees, postage stamps (canceled and uncanceled) and albums in which they are mounted, and parcels addressed to CFPOs.” Canada's listing says these can't be insured. (IMM Canada listing, Observations)

Knives, replica weapons and toy guns

“Replica or inert munitions, as well as other devices that simulate explosive devices or munitions, including replica or inert grenades or other simulated military munitions, whether or not such items are for display purposes.” (IMM Canada listing, Prohibitions)
“Firearms.” (IMM Canada listing, Prohibitions)

Every country: USPS says some knives and sharp instruments may be mailed to certain countries, under the conditions in each country's listing (IMM 137). Inert or replica grenades and military ordnance are banned to every country (IMM 136.2).

Brand-name, copyrighted and origin-marked goods

“Articles so marked as to create the false impression that they were made in Canada, the United Kingdom, or any other British country.” (IMM Canada listing, Prohibitions)

Every country: Counterfeit or pirated goods are prohibited to every country (IMM 136.3).

Food, supplements, medicines and health items

“All alcoholic beverages including wines, etc.” (IMM Canada listing, Prohibitions)
“Drugs and medicines must comply with Canadian law.” (IMM Canada listing, Restrictions)

Tobacco, vapes and lighters

“Non-refillable lighters or any other lighter that contains fuel. New lighters with no fuel may be sent.” (IMM Canada listing, Prohibitions)

Every country: Cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes can't be mailed abroad at all, whatever a listing says (IMM 136.4).

There is nothing on Canada's lists about toys or playing cards.

USPS says the burden is on the mailer to follow every country's rules, whatever a USPS employee says (IMM 131.4). The full lists: Canada in the IMM.

USPS services to Canada and their limits

From Canada's IMM listing (weight, size, insurance, M-bags, DDP) and Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026 (price groups). Global Express Guaranteed has been suspended since Sep 29, 2024.
Service	Price group	Weight limit	Size limit	Good to know
First-Class Package International Service	1	4 lb	24 in. long; length + height + thickness 36 in.	Value up to $400. Free electronic delivery confirmation to this country (IMM 252.22). No insurance. Customs form: PS Form 2976.
Priority Mail International	1	66 lb; Flat Rate Envelope and Small Box 4 lb, Medium and Large Box 20 lb	79 in. long; length + girth 108 in.	6-10 business days to many major markets (USPS). Tracking included, except on Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Boxes (USPS). Insurance: $200 included for merchandise; more can be bought up to $675. Customs form: PS Form 2976-A.
Priority Mail Express International	1	66 lb	59 in. long; length + girth 108 in.	Date-certain money-back guarantee offered (IMM listing). No coins, jewelry, watches or other valuables. Customs form: PS Form 2976-B.
First-Class Mail International	1	3.5 oz letters; 15.994 oz large envelopes	Letter and flat sizes	Documents and correspondence only: no merchandise of any kind (IMM 242.2).
Airmail M-bag	n/a	Not available	-	Not offered to Canada (IMM Exhibit 261.3).

Online prices need PC Postage. Commercial Base prices are for labels from a USPS-approved PC Postage product, “with the exception of Click-N-Ship service”, so Click-N-Ship labels pay the retail price for Priority Mail International and First-Class Package International alike (IMM 233.231, 252.25, 253.231).
Valuables: coins, precious metals, jewelry and watches can't go by Priority Mail Express International, and Registered Mail isn't offered for First-Class Package International Service or Priority Mail International (IMM 134, 332). Canada's own rule is under jewelry above.
Service alerts: USPS's international service alerts (updated Oct 2, 2026, checked Oct 19, 2026) don't list Canada among the 13 destinations where mail acceptance is suspended. Check it before a big shipment.

USPS prices to Canada

"Online" is USPS's Commercial Base price, for labels from a USPS-approved PC Postage provider. "Post Office" is the retail price, which Click-N-Ship also charges: USPS lists retail Flat Rate prices “at Post Office & Online” (USPS, IMM 233.231). Commercial Plus prices are the same as Commercial Base in this edition. First-Class Package International weights round up to the next ounce (IMM 253.12), so an 8.2 oz package pays the 9-16 oz price.

First-Class Package International Service, price group 1. Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026. Online saves $0.92 to $8.01.
Weight	Post Office	Online
1-8 oz	$19.40	$18.48
9-16 oz	$26.00	$24.69
17-32 oz (up to 2 lb)	$29.05	$27.65
33-48 oz (up to 3 lb)	$38.50	$36.57
49-64 oz (up to 4 lb)	$47.60	$39.59

Priority Mail International by weight, price group 1, weight not over. Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026.
Weight	Post Office	Online
1 lb	$43.55	$42.14
2 lb	$47.05	$45.51
3 lb	$50.45	$48.81
4 lb	$53.85	$52.12
5 lb	$59.05	$57.13
10 lb	$86.25	$83.46
20 lb	$140.65	$136.11
30 lb	$166.75	$161.35
44 lb	$212.65	$203.16
66 lb	$305.95	$280.87

Priority Mail International Flat Rate, Flat Rate price group 1. USPS's own Flat Rate packaging only; every envelope or box named in a row costs the same, and USPS suggests the padded envelope for clothing, books and boxed jewelry (USPS). Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026.
Packaging	Up to	Post Office	Online
Flat Rate Envelope: regular, padded, legal, window or small	4 lb	$32.65	$31.61
Small Flat Rate Box (also the DVD and Large Video boxes)	4 lb	$33.75	$32.66
Medium Flat Rate Box (top- or side-loading)	20 lb	$61.80	$59.69
Large Flat Rate Box (also the Board Game box)	20 lb	$75.15	$73.24

Three packages, priced

A paperback in a padded mailer, 14 oz: First-Class Package International Service $24.69; Priority Mail International by weight (1 lb) $42.14; Priority Mail International Padded Flat Rate Envelope $31.61. Cheapest: First-Class Package International Service, $24.69 online.
Jeans and a sweater, 2 lb 8 oz: First-Class Package International Service $36.57; Priority Mail International by weight (3 lb) $48.81; Priority Mail International Medium Flat Rate Box $59.69. Cheapest: First-Class Package International Service, $36.57, as long as the value is $400 or less.
Six hardcovers, 9 lb: too heavy for First-Class Package International. Priority Mail International by weight (9 lb) $78.00; Priority Mail International Medium Flat Rate Box (if they fit) $59.69. Cheapest: Priority Mail International Medium Flat Rate Box, $59.69.

Online prices, except the M-bag. Selling platforms and label services can charge their own rates. Domestic rates: postage calculator.

Customs form, HS codes and value

Which form: PS Form 2976 for First-Class Package International Service (up to $400), PS Form 2976-A in a 2976-E envelope for Priority Mail International, PS Form 2976-B for Priority Mail Express International. All must be printed electronically, by your label software, Click-N-Ship, Customs Form Online or the Post Office counter; hand-filled forms with a barcode are obsolete (IMM 123.11, 123.61).
What goes on it: full names and addresses, the category (gift, merchandise and so on), a detailed description with quantity, net weight and value for each item, and “the 6-digit WCO HS code for each item in the package unless otherwise specified in the individual country listing” (IMM 123.711). USPS's example: “Men's cotton shirts”, not “Clothes” (USPS).
Books and media count as goods: books, periodicals, CDs and DVDs need a form and a value even though they're printed or recorded (IMM 123.623).
Export filing: to Canada, enter the AES exemption “NOEEI 30.36” (IMM 526.2).
Canada's listing: “Pursuant to the Canada Customs Act and a need to heighten border security, Canada will deny entry of all postal items (except postcards) that do not bear complete sender and addressee information in roman letters and arabic numerals.”
Canada's listing: “Certain types of merchandise must be marked to show country of origin in the manner prescribed by the Canadian customs regulations.”

Addressing for Canada

“The name of the Canadian province in which the office of destination is located must appear as part of the address.” (IMM Canada listing, Observations)

Duties, taxes and fees: who pays

Normally the buyer, unless you prepay them with USPS Delivered Duty Paid. Canada's listing, under Delivered Duty Paid:

“Except as provided in 362, available for dutiable items sent as Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International, or First-Class Package International Service.”

Where to buy it: USPS sells Delivered Duty Paid only at a Post Office counter, in Click-N-Ship, through USPS APIs or in its Global Shipping Software (IMM 362), and the counter and Click-N-Ship charge the retail price: $43.55 instead of $42.14 for 1 lb by Priority Mail International (IMM 233.231). A PC Postage provider or marketplace “may choose to use alternative solutions, other than USPS DDP service” (IMM 362), so if you want to prepay the duties, check that yours can before you buy a cheaper online label.

If you opt in, USPS says the duties, taxes, fees “and a third-party service fee will be added to the cost of postage” (USPS).

Without prepayment, USPS's manual says: “The duties, taxes, import fees, and other charges, if applicable, are not included in the postage paid by the mailer,” and most countries charge the recipient a customs clearance and delivery fee on top (IMM 131.34, as revised Oct 19, 2026). USPS's Delivered Duty Paid page puts it plainly: if you don't prepay, “the recipient will have to pay the required amounts before they can get their package” (USPS). Apart from Delivered Duty Paid and the invoices below, USPS doesn't give out information on what other countries charge (IMM 131.34).

If the charges go unpaid: since Oct 19, 2026, when duties, taxes or import fees on your package haven't been paid in full and the customs authority, postal operator or broker in Canada seeks them from you or USPS, “the Postal Service (or its representative) will send an invoice to the mailer for such amounts” (IMM 424.1). You have to pay the whole invoice by its due date “even if the mailer disputes the assessment,” whether the package was delivered, lost, damaged or returned, and anything not paid by the invoice's due date draws interest at 6% a year (IMM 424.2, 424.4). A challenge to the amount goes to the party that set it, not to USPS (IMM 424.5). USPS made these changes in an interim final rule effective Oct 19, 2026 (Federal Register, 91 FR 66000); its online manual, dated Sep 7, 2026, didn't show them yet when we checked on Oct 19, 2026. More: when USPS bills the sender for unpaid duties.

Canada's listing: “Goods valued under 20 Canadian dollars are duty and excise tax exempt. Goods over 20 Canadian dollars will be subject to the applicable duties and excise taxes.”
Canada's listing: “For all casual and commercial goods valued at or under 1,600 Canadian dollars, Canada Post will collect assessed duties, excise taxes, and a handling fee from the addressee.”

General information from USPS's manual, not tax or customs advice.

Questions

What's the cheapest way to ship a package to Canada with USPS?

For a light package, First-Class Package International Service (up to 4 lb and $400 in value): $18.48 for up to 8 oz with a label from a USPS-approved PC Postage provider, or $19.40 at the Post Office or through Click-N-Ship, which charges the retail price (IMM 252.25). From 33 oz, a Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope costs less if the item fits: $31.61 online, against $36.57 by First-Class Package International, though USPS offers no tracking on Flat Rate Envelopes. Heavier or more valuable packages go by Priority Mail International, from $42.14 for 1 lb online (Notice 123).

Can I ship books to Canada?

Yes, but check these entries in Canada's listing. Prohibited: “Reprints of Canadian or British works copyrighted in Canada.” Prohibited: “An issue of a publication in which more than 5 percent of its total advertising space is primarily directed to a Canadian market and which indicates:” and says where in Canada the advertised goods or services can be had, or on what terms. Books need a customs form with a value (IMM 123.623). Airmail M-bags aren't available to Canada (IMM Exhibit 261.3).

Can I ship used clothing to Canada?

Yes, but check this entry in Canada's listing first. Prohibited: “Plumage and skins of wild birds.” Describe each piece on the customs form (USPS's example: “Men's cotton shirts”, not “Clothes”) (USPS customs forms).

Can I ship electronics with lithium batteries to Canada?

Only within USPS's limits: new batteries installed in the device, at most four cells or two batteries per package, 100 Wh per battery for lithium-ion, and no used, damaged or defective devices with lithium batteries unless manufacturer-certified refurbished (IMM 135.62-135.64). Canada's listing adds nothing on batteries.

Who pays duties and taxes on a package to Canada?

Normally the buyer, unless you prepay them. USPS Delivered Duty Paid lets you pay duties, taxes and fees when you buy the label (IMM 361); Canada's listing: “available for dutiable items sent as Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International, or First-Class Package International Service.” Otherwise duties aren't included in postage, most countries also charge the recipient a clearance fee (IMM 131.34), and “the recipient will have to pay the required amounts before they can get their package” (USPS). If the charges go unpaid and the destination seeks them from you or USPS, USPS will invoice you, and you have to pay it by its due date even if you dispute the amount (IMM 424, effective Oct 19, 2026).

Do I need an HS code to ship to Canada?

Yes. Every customs form needs at least the 6-digit HS code for each item unless the country listing says otherwise (IMM 123.711). With USPS's own tools (Click-N-Ship, Customs Forms Online or Global Shipping Software) you can skip the lookup: give a specific description, such as “Men's cotton shirts” instead of “Clothes”, and USPS assigns the code (USPS customs forms). Whatever tool picks the code, “the mailer remains solely responsible” for it being right (IMM 537.4).

Can I mail a trading card or other small item I sold to Canada in a letter?

No. First-Class Mail International takes only correspondence and documents: “No merchandise, whether dutiable or nondutiable, may be mailed using First-Class Mail International service” (IMM 242.2). The lowest-priced USPS service for goods is First-Class Package International Service, $18.48 online for up to 8 oz, with a customs form; the package has to be at least 6 inches long and 4 inches high (IMM 251.22).

Sources

Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026 from each official page below.

Free 1-page Reseller Cheat Sheet: fees on 8 platforms, Media Mail and stamp prices

What each platform takes from a $10, $25 and $50 sale, Media Mail 1-10 lb, Ground Advantage to Zones 1, 5 and 8, and the Forever stamp, on one printable page. The link appears as soon as you sign up.