The Cost of sending to the US from Canada

 

To day, I asked Co-Pilot, "What does it cost to sed a package from Canada to the US right now? Are there any hoops that I have to jump through? For example an artwork/painting valued at $300."

Short answer: Sending a painting as a gift from Canada to the U.S. will cost you regular Canada Post shipping fees (around $20–$60 CAD depending on speed and size) plus new U.S. duties, even though it’s a gift. Since the declared value is $300, you’ll need to fill out customs paperwork and prepay duties before it crosses the border.

Here’s the detailed breakdown for you:

📦 Shipping Costs

• Canada Post rates for a medium parcel to the U.S. typically range from $20 CAD (surface, slow) to $60 CAD (Xpresspost, faster) depending on weight, dimensions, and delivery speed.
• Couriers like FedEx or UPS are usually more expensive but faster.

🛃 Customs & Duties

• Big change in 2025: The U.S. suspended its duty-free threshold of US$800. That means all shipments from Canada now require duties to be assessed and prepaid, even if they’re gifts.
• Your package, valued at $300 CAD (~US$220), will be subject to U.S. import duties. The exact rate depends on how customs classifies the item (perhaps under “artwork” or “paintings”).
• Canada Post now uses the Zonos Prepay app to collect duties in advance so your package isn’t delayed.

🎁 Gift Exemption Rules

• Gifts can sometimes qualify for reduced duties, but only if:
• They’re sent to an individual person (not a business or organization).
• They’re clearly marked as a gift on the customs declaration.
• The declared value is reasonable and truthful.
• Even then, with the new rules, gifts are not automatically duty-free anymore.

📝 What You’ll Need to Do

1. Fill out a customs declaration form at Canada Post (include description: “Original painting – gift”).
2. Declare the value ($300 CAD). Even though you’re not selling it, customs requires a fair market value.
3. Prepay duties through Canada Post’s system (they’ll calculate it for you).
4. Package securely—artwork should be well protected to avoid damage.

In short: You’ll pay shipping plus U.S. duties, and you’ll need to complete customs paperwork. The “gift” label helps, but it doesn’t exempt you from duties anymore.

Let’s pin down the duty side so you know what you’re agreeing to.

🎨 Duty Estimate for a $300 CAD Painting

• Classification: Original artwork (paintings, drawings, pastels) usually falls under HS Code 9701.
• U.S. duty rate: For original paintings, drawings, and pastels, the U.S. tariff is 0%. That means no duty is charged on the artwork itself.
• Other fees: Even though the duty rate is 0%, you’ll still need to complete customs paperwork and prepay any processing or brokerage fees through Canada Post’s system. These are usually modest (often under $10–$15 CAD).

📦 What You’ll Actually Pay

• Shipping: $20–$60 CAD depending on speed and size.
• Duties: $0 (for original paintings).
• Customs/Brokerage fees: Small handling fee (~$10–$15 CAD).

✅ Bottom Line

Sending your $300 CAD pet painting as a gift to the U.S. should cost you roughly $35–$75 CAD total, depending on the shipping option you choose. The “hoops” are mainly filling out the customs declaration and prepaying the small processing fee.

So — the good news is that original artwork isn’t hit with import duties. You’ll just be covering postage and a minor customs fee.

Would you like me to walk you through how to fill out the Canada Post customs form step by step so you’re ready when you ship it?

Sources: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule – Chapter 97 (Works of art, collectors’ pieces, antiques).