Canada Post customs fee: what you pay and why
When a parcel sent to Canada by post owes duty or tax, Canada Post collects it on behalf of the CBSA and adds its own handling fee. Couriers charge brokerage instead. Thresholds differ by mode and by where the parcel ships from.
Last reviewed 2026-11-09 · built from the sourced knowledge base · Not legal, tax or customs advice.
Quick answer: What is Canada Post's C$9.95 fee?
A handling fee per dutiable or taxable mail item, on top of the duty and tax.
Sources: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca, canadapost-postescanada.ca
Thresholds
- Mail: up to C$20 duty- and tax-free. Courier from US/Mexico: up to C$40 free; up to C$150 duty-free with GST/HST. Courier from elsewhere: C$20. Sources: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Taxes and fees
- GST 5%; HST 13% (ON), 14% (NS), 15% (NB, NL, PE). Sources: canada.ca
- Canada Post: C$9.95 per dutiable or taxable item. Sources: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca, canadapost-postescanada.ca
- DHL Express: 2.75% of duty and tax, min C$18 (no DHL account). Sources: mydhl.express.dhl
- UPS and FedEx entry fees are value-banded (reported C$19.10 and C$17.25 for C$40.01-60). Unconfirmed Sources: assets.ups.com, jetworldwide.com
US Surtax Order (2026)
- 15%, 25% or 50% on 700+ listed US-origin goods, applying even below the thresholds; GST is computed on value plus surtax. Refunds and adjustments for casual goods use Form B2G. Sources: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
- Businesses can seek remission on qualifying inputs (CN 25-19, updated 8 Oct 2026); this is not for consumer purchases. Sources: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Different thresholds and fees
- Canada: C$20 by post, up to C$40/C$150 by courier from the US or Mexico. Sources: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
- Posts charge flat handling fees (Royal Mail £8, Parcelforce £12, Deutsche Post €7.50, PostNL €10, Canada Post C$9.95, USPS $9.35). Couriers usually charge a percentage with a minimum. Sources: royalmail.com, dhl.de, postnl.nl, cbsa-asfc.gc.ca, about.usps.com
- Courier examples: FedEx UK greater of £12.90 or 2.5%; DHL Express UK 2.5% (min £11 for non-account customers); UPS US 2.5% (min $17.50); DHL Express Canada 2.75% (min C$18). Sources: fedex.com, mydhl.express.dhl, ups.com, mydhl.express.dhl