What carriers charge to clear a parcel into Canada
Duty and tax are only part of the bill at the door. Compare the brokerage fees UPS, FedEx, DHL and Canada Post add on top, from each carrier's own fee list.
| Carrier | Fees | Added at the door |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Post | Handling fee: $9.95 | $9.95 |
| UPS UPS Standard | Entry preparation fee: $31.45 Disbursement fee (3.7%, at least $7.75): $7.75 | $39.20 |
| UPS UPS Express, Express Saver and Expedited | Disbursement fee (3.7%, at least $12): $12.00 | $12.00 |
| FedEx FedEx Express and FedEx Ground | Disbursement fee (3.1%, at least $12): $12.00 | $12.00 |
| DHL DHL Express | Customs clearance (2.75%, at least $18): $18.00 | $18.00 |
- Mail: Charged only when the parcel owes duty or tax. Mail has lower duty and tax free limits than courier parcels, so the amount owed can differ.
- UPS Standard: The entry fee follows the value for duty. A parcel that owes nothing may clear without one.
- UPS Express, Express Saver and Expedited: Routine clearance is included for up to three product lines.
- FedEx Express and FedEx Ground: FedEx's fee list names no entry fee by value. Goods another government agency must clear add $17.10.
- DHL Express: For a buyer without a DHL brokerage account; with one the least is $12. Goods another government agency must clear add $16.
Fees in Canadian dollars, before tax on the fees. Estimates, not customs advice.
The fee lists
Where these numbers come from
UPS
From the UPS Canada Rate and Service Guide, daily rates, customs brokerage for the importer, dated September 6, 2026. UPS Standard parcels, and parcels from other couriers that UPS clears, pay an entry preparation fee by value for duty. UPS Express, Express Saver and Expedited include routine clearance for up to three product lines. The disbursement fee is 3.7% of the duty and tax UPS pays for you, at least $7.75 on UPS Standard and $12 on the express services. Each product line from the fourth adds $6.
| Value for duty | Entry preparation fee |
|---|---|
| $0 to $20 | $0.00 |
| $20.01 to $40 | $7.00 |
| $40.01 to $60 | $19.75 |
| $60.01 to $100 | $23.55 |
| $100.01 to $150 | $31.45 |
| $150.01 to $200 | $35.90 |
| $200.01 to $350 | $70.25 |
| $350.01 to $500 | $78.15 |
| $500.01 to $750 | $93.15 |
| $750.01 to $1,000 | $105.25 |
| $1,000.01 to $1,600 | $124.20 |
| $1,600.01 to $2,500 | $141.30 |
| Each further $1,000 | $9.75 more |
FedEx
From the FedEx Canada 2026 rate changes, clearance services and related fees (Canada), in effect from July 20, 2026. The disbursement fee is 3.1% of the duty and tax FedEx pays for you, at least $12, on FedEx Express and FedEx Ground. Each line over three adds $5.60, and goods another government agency must clear add $17.10 an entry.
DHL
From the DHL Express Service and Rate Guide 2026, Canada, customs services, valid from January 1, 2026. When DHL pays the duty and tax for a buyer without a DHL brokerage account, it charges 2.75% of them, at least $18 ($12 with an account). Each line after three adds $5.50, and goods another government agency must clear add $16.
Canada Post
From Canada Post's page on customs duty, taxes and exemptions, updated August 1, 2023. Canada Post charges a handling fee of $9.95 on each mail item that owes duty or tax, and nothing when it owes none.
Questions
Good to know
What is a brokerage fee?
When a parcel owes duty or tax, the carrier pays it to the government for the buyer and clears the parcel through customs. It then charges the buyer for that work before handing the parcel over. The fee comes on top of the duty and tax.
Who pays it?
The person who receives the parcel, at the door, unless the seller paid the duty, tax and fees at checkout. Stores that charge them at checkout avoid surprise bills and refused parcels.
Why is mail often cheaper to clear?
Canada Post charges one flat handling fee, and only when the parcel owes something. Couriers charge for clearing, and some by value. Courier parcels from the US get higher duty and tax free limits, though, so the amount owed can be lower.
How do I find what my parcel owes?
Use the free shopper checker. Enter the product, where it was made and the price, and copy the duty and tax into this page.
Are these the fees I will pay?
They are the carriers' published list fees on the dates shown. Accounts with their own rates, fuel and other surcharges, and goods another government agency must clear can change them. This is an estimate, not customs advice.