This article compares costs, transit times and the step-by-step process so you can easily switch shipping methods and cut operating costs from your warehouse.

Comparing costs and transit times

When shipping from Canada to the US, especially from Mississauga (Ontario), you have two common options to reach US customers: ship directly with Canada Post’s cross-border service (handed to USPS at the border), or use a consolidation service to bring parcels into a USPS facility in the US.

Shipping costs and surcharges

For small and medium parcels, combining Canadian economy services with cross-border shipping offers a big rate advantage.

• Canada Post (with onward handover): Rates start at a very accessible level, especially from Mississauga. The price depends on the parcel’s actual weight and size. The biggest advantage is that you don’t pay extra for manual cross-border consolidation.
• Using USPS directly (through a consolidator): Although USPS domestic rates within the US are very cheap, you must add the cost of transport from Mississauga across the US border and the handling fee at the transfer warehouse. If you ship fewer than 20 orders a day, these consolidation costs wipe out USPS’s price advantage.

Total transit time and tracking

• Delivery time: Average transit time from Canada to the US is usually 7 to 12 business days, depending on the destination state.
• Tracking: Both methods provide a tracking number for buyers to follow online. With Canada Post, the tracking number is synchronised and can be tracked on the USPS system once the parcel enters the US, so your customers always have up-to-date information.

Duties and customs procedures

On the Canada to US route, you only pay the shipping charge from the warehouse. The recipient in the US is responsible for paying any US import duties and taxes that apply to the order. This means the cost shown at checkout is purely the shipping cost.

Step by step: switching from USPS to Canada Post

To make the switch without affecting your customers’ shopping experience, follow these standard steps:

Step 1: Prepare product information and classify your goods

Before creating labels, check that your products are allowed. Items banned on every route include drugs, cash, dangerous goods and cremated remains. If your products contain lithium batteries or are food, check the specific rules carefully so US customs doesn’t hold them at the border.

Step 2: Standardise packing to save money

Shipping costs depend heavily on box size. Use cartons that fit your products as closely as possible. At professional fulfillment warehouses, basic carton packing is usually included in the service, saving you the time of packing at home. Heavy goods or special items that need wooden crating carry a surcharge.

Step 3: Create labels and complete the customs information

Instead of printing USPS labels, log into your shipping partner’s portal to create Canada Post labels. Fill in all the details:

• The recipient’s full name and address in the US.
• A detailed product description (not a vague “gift” or “items”).
• The declared value of the goods, used to calculate duties at the border.

Step 4: Get the tracking number and update your customer

As soon as the label is created, the system issues a unique tracking number. You can set this to be sent automatically to your customer by email or text so they can follow their parcel.

Step 5: Drop off at the warehouse or request a pickup

You can bring your goods to the warehouse in Mississauga or schedule a carrier pickup. Once received, the goods are sorted and processed for export to the US.

Complete fulfillment in Mississauga for e-commerce shop owners

If you handle everything yourself, from printing labels and packing to taking parcels to be shipped, it costs a lot of time and opportunity. Handing this process to a professional fulfillment provider in Mississauga helps you run more efficiently.

Soleil Transportation offers fulfillment in Canada from our warehouse at 2446 Cawthra Road, B1U8, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5A 3K6. We support shop owners from storage and packing to delivery to customers in the US and Canada, from just $5 CAD per order.

For domestic orders within Canada and to the US, we also offer shipping from $35 per parcel, so you can reach customers across North America at competitive prices. Every order can be tracked online with your order or booking number, so you stay in control.

For detailed advice on the best Canada to US shipping solution for your business, contact Soleil Transportation on +1 888-998-5199 or at info@soleiltransportation.com. Our team will help you set up the most efficient and economical shipping process.