What documents do you need to ship from Canada to the USA in 2026?

Shipping goods from Canada to the United States requires more than a shipping label. Most commercial shipments need a commercial invoice, an accurate product description, an HS/HTS classification, the country of origin, and a declared customs value. A USMCA certification of origin may also be required when claiming preferential tariff treatment.

Depending on the goods, additional documentation may include a packing list, an air waybill or bill of lading, and permits or declarations required by U.S. regulatory agencies such as the FDA or USDA.

With the suspension of the U.S. de minimis exemption in August 2025 and additional tariff measures introduced in 2026, accurate customs documentation has become even more important, including for low-value shipments.

Canada-to-USA shipping documents: key requirements at a glance

Requirement	What you need to know
Commercial invoice	Essential for most commercial shipments entering the United States
Detailed product description	Must clearly identify the goods, including their material and intended use when relevant
HS/HTS classification	Determines tariff classification and helps establish applicable duties
Country of origin	The country of shipment is not necessarily the country of origin
Customs value	Even free samples may require a declared customs value
USMCA	Eligible goods may qualify for preferential tariff treatment
De minimis	Shipments valued at $800 USD or less no longer automatically qualify for duty-free entry
Regulated products	FDA, USDA/APHIS, or other agency requirements may apply
Additional tariffs	Certain goods may be subject to additional U.S. tariffs introduced in 2026

What documents are required to ship from Canada to the United States?

Most commercial shipments from Canada to the United States require the following documents and customs information:

1. Commercial invoice
2. Detailed description of the goods
3. HS code and, where applicable, the corresponding U.S. HTS classification
4. Country of origin
5. Declared customs value
6. USMCA certification of origin, when preferential treatment is claimed
7. Packing list, when applicable
8. Air waybill or bill of lading
9. Product-specific permits, certificates, or regulatory declarations, when required

Not every shipment requires the same documentation.

The exact requirements depend on the goods being shipped, their origin, value, tariff classification, intended use, and the identity of the U.S. importer.

Which customs documents do you need for your type of shipment?

Shipment type	Commercial invoice	HS/HTS	Origin	USMCA	Potential additional requirements
Goods sold to a U.S. customer	✓	✓	✓	If eligible	Product-specific requirements
Commercial samples	✓	✓	✓	If eligible	Product-specific requirements
Canadian-manufactured products	✓	✓	✓	Verify eligibility	Product-specific requirements
Goods imported into Canada and re-exported	✓	✓	✓	Requires careful assessment	Product-specific requirements
Food products	✓	✓	✓	If eligible	FDA / Prior Notice
Medical devices	✓	✓	✓	If eligible	FDA requirements
Plants and certain agricultural products	✓	✓	✓	If eligible	USDA / APHIS

What changed for Canada-to-USA shipments in 2026?

U.S. customs requirements and tariff policies have undergone significant changes since 2025.

For Canadian businesses exporting to the United States, three developments deserve particular attention.

1. The suspension of the U.S. de minimis exemption

Since August 29, 2025, shipments valued at $800 USD or less no longer automatically qualify for duty-free entry under the U.S. de minimis exemption.

Affected shipments are now subject to applicable customs duties, taxes, and fees.

This change has important implications for Canadian e-commerce businesses, manufacturers, and companies shipping commercial samples or replacement parts.

2. Additional U.S. tariffs introduced in 2026

Since July 24, 2026, the United States has imposed an additional 10% tariff under Section 301 on most affected goods, including products imported from Canada.

Goods qualifying for duty-free preferential treatment under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) remain exempt from this particular measure.

As a result, verifying USMCA eligibility has become increasingly important for Canadian exporters.

3. Certain sector-specific tariffs may apply despite USMCA eligibility

Since August 22, 2026, the United States has also imposed 50% tariffs under Section 338 on certain Canadian products.

Affected categories include selected plastics, furniture, electronics, paper products, industrial machinery, wood products, textiles, and sporting equipment.

Unlike the general Section 301 measure, qualifying for USMCA preferential treatment does not automatically exempt goods from these Section 338 tariffs.

The scope of the affected products was further modified in September 2026.

Is a commercial invoice required for shipments to the United States?

For most commercial shipments, the commercial invoice is the primary document used for U.S. customs clearance.

It provides U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the customs broker with the information needed to identify the goods, establish their value and origin, and determine the appropriate customs treatment.

What information should a commercial invoice include?

A properly prepared commercial invoice should generally include:

• Shipper’s name and address
• Consignee’s name and address
• Importer information, if different from the consignee
• Accurate description of each product
• Quantity
• Unit price and total value
• Currency
• Country of origin
• Appropriate HS/HTS classification
• Terms of sale
• Applicable Incoterm
• Any additional product-specific information required for customs clearance

Avoid vague product descriptions

Generic descriptions can lead to additional customs inquiries and potential clearance delays.

• Parts too vague
  Recommended description: Stainless steel replacement valve for industrial pump
• Samples too vague
  Recommended description: Non-sterile plastic laboratory sample tubes, samples not for resale
• Clothing too vague
  Recommended description: Men’s knitted T-shirts, 100% cotton

Globex Tip: Your commercial invoice should describe the goods clearly enough for someone unfamiliar with your business to identify what is being shipped.

Which HS or HTS code do you need when shipping to the USA?

The Harmonized System (HS) is the international classification system used to identify goods traded across borders.

Its first six digits follow an internationally harmonized structure.

The United States uses the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to classify imported goods in greater detail and determine the applicable tariff treatment.

Your product’s classification can affect:

• Applicable customs duty rates
• Eligibility for preferential tariff treatment
• Additional tariffs
• Regulatory requirements
• Import restrictions

The U.S. tariff schedule is updated regularly.

For example, the U.S. International Trade Commission had published 20 revisions of the 2026 HTS by September 28, 2026, reflecting changes to the U.S. tariff framework throughout the year.

Using an outdated classification or assuming that previously applicable duty rates remain unchanged can expose businesses to unexpected costs.

Globex Tip: Never select an HS code solely because its description appears similar to your product. Material composition, function, manufacturing characteristics, and intended use may all affect classification.

How do you determine the country of origin?

The country a shipment leaves from is not necessarily the country of origin of the goods.

This distinction is particularly important for Canadian distributors, importers, and businesses involved in cross-border e-commerce.

Consider a Montreal-based company that purchases accessories manufactured in China, stores them in a Canadian warehouse, and subsequently sells them to a U.S. customer.

Information	Country
Shipping location	Canada
Warehousing location	Canada
Destination	United States
Country of manufacture	China
Potential country of origin	China

Simply storing, repackaging, or re-exporting products from Canada does not automatically make them Canadian-origin goods.

In 2026, correctly determining the country of origin is particularly important because it can directly affect applicable duties and additional U.S. trade measures.

Do you need a USMCA certification of origin to ship to the USA?

A USMCA certification of origin is not required simply to ship goods to the United States. It becomes important when preferential tariff treatment is claimed for qualifying goods.

There is a fundamental difference between: shipped from Canada and qualifying for preferential treatment under USMCA.

To qualify, goods must satisfy the agreement’s applicable rules of origin.

Even when a product meets those requirements, preferential treatment is not automatically granted. The importer must claim the applicable treatment and support that claim with the required certification of origin.

Why has USMCA compliance become more important in 2026?

For many Canadian exporters, USMCA compliance now has a greater financial impact.

Before the introduction of additional U.S. tariffs, some businesses did not consistently claim preferential treatment because their products already entered the United States at low or zero duty rates.

That situation has changed.

With the introduction of the additional 10% Section 301 tariff, determining whether goods qualify for duty-free preferential treatment under USMCA has become more important.

Who should be the importer of record for U.S. shipments?

The Importer of Record (IOR) is the party responsible for customs entry and the import compliance obligations associated with that entry.

Identifying the IOR before shipping is especially important when a Canadian business sells directly to U.S. customers.

The parties involved should establish:

• Who will act as the importer
• Who will appoint or work with the customs broker
• Who will pay customs duties and applicable fees
• Which terms of sale apply
• Which Incoterm has been agreed upon

DAP vs. DDP: what’s the difference?

Under DAP (Delivered at Place), the seller generally arranges transportation to the agreed destination, while the buyer is normally responsible for import customs clearance and the associated duties.

Under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), the seller assumes broader responsibility for import formalities and associated costs.

In 2026, preparing a Canada-to-USA shipment involves much more than attaching a commercial invoice to a package.

With over 30 years of experience in domestic and international transportation, Globex Worldwide Courier helps Canadian businesses manage their shipping needs to the United States, from time-sensitive parcels and recurring commercial shipments to regulated goods and more complex freight movements.

Shipping to the United States and unsure which documents you need?

Speak with a Globex shipping specialist before your next shipment.

FAQ: shipping from Canada to the USA

1) Can I ship a package from Canada to the USA without a commercial invoice?
For commercial shipments, a commercial invoice or equivalent customs information is generally required. Exact documentation requirements depend on the goods, the nature of the shipment and the applicable customs entry procedures.

2) What is the difference between an HS Code and an HTS Code?
The Harmonized System (HS) is the international classification framework, with six-digit codes harmonized internationally. The U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) provides the more detailed classifications used to determine the tariff treatment of goods imported into the United States.

3) Can I declare a free sample with a customs value of $0?
Not automatically. A free sample may still have a value for customs purposes. Its description and declared value must accurately reflect the goods and comply with applicable customs valuation rules.

4) How can I calculate U.S. import duties on goods shipped from Canada?
To determine potential U.S. import duties, you generally need the product’s HTS classification, actual country of origin, customs value, potential USMCA eligibility and any additional tariffs in effect at the time of importation.

5) Can a Canadian business ship DDP to the United States?
Depending on its import arrangements, a Canadian business may be able to ship under Delivered Duty Paid terms. However, it must first determine how the Importer of Record requirements, customs brokerage arrangements, duties and other U.S. import compliance obligations will be handled. Choosing an Incoterm does not, by itself, resolve those regulatory obligations.