How Much Does It Cost to Ship to Canada? (Price Guide)

What it costs to ship to Canada depends on what you are sending and how fast it needs to arrive. A postcard and a one-pound parcel sit at opposite ends of the price list, and USPS sells several products between them.

The figures below come from USPS Notice 123, the official price list effective October 4, 2026, and were checked on Oct 14, 2026. They are retail prices for Canada, which USPS places in Price Group 1. The Postal Service updates prices about twice a year, so check the current Notice 123 before you ship.

Mail that is flat, light and has no value beyond paper is the cheapest to send. Postcards and one-ounce letters share a price, and a heavier letter steps up from there.

A large envelope (a flat) is priced by weight under First-Class Mail International. It suits documents, photos and printed material that stay flat.

Pieces that are rigid, not rectangular or not uniformly thick are priced as packages instead, so a lumpy padded mailer may not qualify for the flat price.

For anything with contents or heft, the choice is between First-Class Package International Service and Priority Mail International. The first is the cheaper option for light parcels. The second adds more weight allowance, flat rate boxes and faster service.

Flat rate envelopes and boxes are priced by the container, not by weight, which helps when you are sending something dense. A medium box can be worth the money if you can fill it. For a light item, a weight-based price is usually lower.

• Weight and size. Heavier parcels move up the price table, and bulky pieces may be priced as packages.
• Service level. First-Class Package International is the entry option; Priority Mail International costs more.
• Flat rate or weight-based. A flat rate box ignores weight inside its limit.
• Extras. Insurance, tracking and signature services are separate fees listed in the same price notice.
• Customs. Canada may charge duties or taxes on the receiver's side, and you must complete the customs form accurately.

Every package to Canada needs a customs declaration, and the contents, value and your return address all need to be on it. The Canadian border agency can charge the recipient duty and sales tax on arrival, and USPS postage does not cover those. If you ship a gift or a sale to a buyer, tell them to expect a possible bill. Check Canada's rules for the specific item, since some goods are restricted.

Compare your parcel against the First-Class Package price before you reach for a flat rate box. Use the lightest box that protects the contents, since extra size can push a parcel into a higher bracket. If you ship often, a commercial account or a shipping platform may give lower prices than the retail table shown here, though those prices are not in this guide. A courier such as UPS or FedEx is another option, and their prices should be compared by entering the weight and ZIP code on their sites.