Cross-border shipping is facing extra challenges this holiday season, and Canadian senders should be aware before shipping gifts or customer orders to the United States.

This year, major couriers have advised that parcels entering the U.S. may experience longer delays, stricter customs inspections, and a higher chance of unexpected duties or taxes. These complications apply to both personal gifts sent to loved ones and commercial parcels being shipped to customers.

At ShipTime, we value every shipment our members send, and we want to ensure you have the information needed to avoid delays, added costs, and unhappy recipients.

Why Cross-Border Shipments Are More Complicated This Year

Higher parcel volumes and updated customs screening procedures are contributing to:

– Longer wait times at U.S. border processing facilities

– More frequent inspections

– Increased scrutiny of declared values and descriptions

– A higher chance that exemptions may not be honoured

– Duties and taxes applied if packages are opened for verification

 

Even packages that would typically be exempt,  including gifts, may still be opened and assessed. Leading to unwanted charges. 

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truck crossing border

How This Impacts Personal Gifts

If you’re sending a holiday gift to a loved one in the U.S., be aware that:

– Shipments may be delayed

– Customs may open packages, even when marked as gifts

– Duties or taxes may be applied if the package is flagged

 

We know how important it is for holiday gifts and orders to arrive on time, without unexpected costs. This year, the risk of delays and added charges is higher than usual.

giftcards

A Better Option for Cross-Border Holiday Gifts

To avoid border complications for personal gifting, consider choosing a digital alternative this year, E-gift cards:

– Arrive instantly

– Bypass all customs requirements

– Carry no duties or taxes

– Guarantee a smooth experience for both sender and recipient

This can help ensure your holiday gesture reaches loved ones without risk of delay.

If You Still Need to Ship, ShipTime Can Help

However, if you still need to ship gifts or orders to the U.S., ShipTime provides powerful tools to help you navigate the process with confidence. 

– Our Duties and Taxes Calculator gives you visibility into potential costs before you ship

– Our automatic HS Code finder helps ensure accurate classifications for smoother customs processing. 

– You can compare discounted courier rates from top couriers in one place

– If you have any questions along the way, our bilingual Heroic Supportâ„¢ team is available to assist. 

 

With the right tools and support, you can Ship Smarter even in a challenging cross-border season.

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Ship With Confidence This Season

While cross-border shipping conditions are more challenging this year, ShipTime remains committed to helping you navigate them. Whether you’re sending personal gifts, customer orders, or business parcels, our tools and team are here to support a smooth and informed shipping experience.

Ship Smarter – with ShipTime, we are a true partner beyond just discounted rates. We provide a best in class platform packed with features and backed by our legendary Heroic Support™ team. You can sleep easy with ShipTime’s best-in-class customer care. Our bilingual team is available by phone, live chat, or email Monday – Friday from 8:30AM to 8PM EST.