Does Amazon Canada Ship to the US? (Yes, Here‘s How It Works)
As an American customer, you may come across an item on Amazon.ca that you‘d like to purchase and have shipped to you in the US. Or as a Canadian seller, you may get requests to ship your products on Amazon.ca to American buyers.
So here‘s the quick answer:
Yes, Amazon.ca sellers can ship to the United States. Thousands of sellers deliver orders to the US every day through Amazon.
However, there are some important factors to consider as a buyer or seller when ordering cross-border through Amazon. In this detailed guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know as an American shopper or Canadian seller, including:
- Pros and cons of buying on Amazon.ca as a US customer
- How shipping to the US works for Canadian sellers
- Costs of international shipping and returns
- Using Amazon Prime subscriptions internationally
- Tips for smooth ordering and delivery
As an experienced cross-border seller myself, I‘ll also provide plenty of tips, statistics, and insights from my years of managing international orders between the US and Canada. Let‘s dive in!
Buying on Amazon.ca: Considerations for US Customers
Ordering as an American customer on Amazon.ca is straightforward – you can browse and purchase just like on Amazon.com. Your account, shipping, and payment details carry over automatically.
However, there are some important pros and cons to weigh when buying internationally:
Potential Benefits of Buying from Amazon.ca
Access to different selection: Amazon.ca may have products not available on Amazon.com, especially items from Canadian brands.
Lower prices in some cases: After conversion rates, some items may be cheaper when buying from Canada.
Amazon Prime perks: Prime members can access deals and pricing only for subscribers, even when ordering internationally.
Digital content: As a US Prime member, you can stream Prime Video and read Kindle ebooks from Amazon.ca at no extra cost.
Potential Drawbacks of Buying from Amazon.ca
Higher shipping costs: Standard shipping to the US starts around $7 CAD (~$5 USD), but many sellers charge $15-$30+ for international delivery.
Taxes, duties, and import fees: Products shipped to the US often incur additional customs charges billed separately after delivery.
Longer shipping times: Global shipping generally takes 1-2 weeks, sometimes longer if delayed in customs. No expedited options.
Difficult returns: You‘ll pay ~$15-$30+ to return items to Canada yourself. Refunds can take weeks.
| Buying Domestically (Amazon.com) | Buying Internationally (Amazon.ca) |
|---|---|
| Lower domestic shipping costs | Higher international shipping costs |
| Fast 1-2 day Prime shipping | Potentially slower 1-2+ week delivery |
| No duties or import fees | Possible duties, taxes, and import fees |
| Easy free returns | Expensive return shipping back to Canada |
Should Americans Buy from Amazon.ca?
Buying from Amazon.ca can make sense in some situations:
- If you want an item not available on Amazon.com
- To compare pricing in both countries
- When total costs are still cheaper from Canada
It may not be worth it if:
- Heavy/high value items where shipping eats up savings
- You rely on fast Prime shipping
- You may need to return the item
- Buying domestically is more convenient
Overall, weigh the pros and cons carefully for your specific purchase. International delivery involves more time and costs, but for many items, Amazon.ca is a great option for US shoppers.
How Amazon Canada Shipping to the US Works for Sellers
As a Canadian seller, you can choose to ship your products from Amazon.ca to customers in the United States. Here‘s a quick overview:
Enable international shipping in Seller Central for each marketplace you want to reach.
Set separate shipping rates for US shipments to account for higher costs. Offer faster rates too.
Use FBA or self-fulfillment. FBA handles logistics but has fees. Self-shipping saves costs but is more work.
Provide tracking and delivery estimates to meet customer expectations.
Consider customs paperwork for commercial shipments to the US.
Offer return shipping – provide prepaid labels or refund return costs to boost satisfaction.
Thousands of Canadian sellers ship to the US successfully. In 2021 alone, Canadians sold over $21 billion CAD worth of goods directly to US consumers (source).
Fulfilling US orders does require some additional effort but gives you access to a huge pool of American buyers seeking great products from Canadian sellers like you.
Next, let‘s explore some best practices and tips for smoothly shipping orders from Canada to the US.
How to Ship Amazon Orders from Canada to the US with Ease
As an experienced cross-border seller, I‘ve fulfilled many US orders through Amazon over the years. Here are my top recommendations for making it a success:
Enroll in Amazon‘s International Selling Program
Amazon‘s International Selling program gives you access to millions of American customers. Once enrolled, you can easily:
- List eligible products for sale on Amazon.com
- Set separate shipping rates and delivery estimates for US orders
- Have Amazon collect any applicable sales tax
There are no additional seller fees to reach US shoppers. You only pay Amazon‘s referral fees on any sales.
Use Fulfillment by Amazon for simplicity
With Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), products are stored in Amazon‘s US warehouses. That means:
- Prime-eligible for fast shipping
- Amazon handles picking, packing, and shipping
- Customers get tracking info and delivery estimates
FBA provides the easiest way to tap into US demand. However, FBA fees tend to be higher than self-fulfillment.
Price accordingly for the US market
When selling internationally, always adjust pricing to account for:
- Higher costs of global shipping
- Currency conversion rates
- Any customs requirements
- Different customer expectations
Higher prices internationally can cover elevated shipping costs while still providing value. Make sure to set prices specifically for the US marketplace.
Understand fulfillment models
For self-shipping orders to the US, you have two main options:
| Merchant Fulfillment | Dropshipping |
|---|---|
| You hold inventory and ship directly to customers | A supplier ships orders for you without holding inventory |
| Full control over shipping process | Less work but less customization |
| Cost-efficient for high volumes | Useful for heavy/bulky products |
| Requires customs paperwork | Supplier handles cross-border logistics |
Choose the right approach based on your specific products, volumes, and resources.
Provide tracking and fast shipping
American customers expect transparency into shipping and fast delivery:
Meeting these expectations is key, so always provide:
- Tracking numbers for every shipment
- Realistic delivery estimates
- Clear messaging if delays occur
Offering expedited shipping options is highly recommended, even at premium rates. This caters to customers who need faster delivery.
Get the customs paperwork right
Shipping commercial goods to the US does involve some export/import requirements:
Export documentation like the Canada Customs Invoice (CCI)
Duty payments collected based on product categories and value
Regulated or restricted items may have special requirements
The good news is Amazon and carriers like USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL handle much of this on your behalf, especially for FBA shipments. But having an understanding of US customs and import regulations helps avoid issues.
Make returns easy for customers
Returns are much more difficult internationally – customers pay ~$15-$30+ to ship back to Canada, and refunds can take weeks. That‘s why it‘s crucial to offer:
Prepaid return labels – Make returning dead simple for customers
Sell non-final sale items – Avoid restocking fees that discourage returns
Refund return shipping – Reimburse eligible costs so customers don‘t pay out of pocket
Providing exceptional return service should be standard practice for Canadian sellers shipping to the US. This directly impacts your reviews and long-term business.
Shipping Cost Examples: Canada to US vs Domestic
To give you an idea of how much more international customers pay, here‘s a comparison of estimated shipping rates for 5 lb and 10 lb packages from Canada to the US vs domestic shipping costs:
| Shipping Method | 5 lb Package | 10 lb Package |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Canada to US | $14.55 CAD | $21.73 CAD |
| Amazon US Domestic | $5.99 USD | $10.20 USD |
| Canada Post to US | $28.95 CAD | $47.95 CAD |
| Canada Post Domestic | $17.29 CAD | $23.04 CAD |
So you can expect US customers to pay $10-$30+ more compared to domestic Canadian shipping. That‘s why setting higher shipping rates for American orders is recommended to cover elevated costs.
As a seller, being aware of these rate differences helps you provide accurate delivery estimates and set pricing appropriately. Remember, customers are happy to pay for reasonable shipping – you just need to communicate expectations upfront.
Using Your Amazon Prime Membership Internationally
Both US and Canadian Prime members receive benefits only in their home country by default. However, your Prime account does provide some helpful perks when ordering internationally:
For US members ordering on Amazon.ca:
- Access to Prime-exclusive deals and pricing
- Stream Prime Video and read Kindle ebooks
- Possibly reduced cost shipping via Amazon Global (US to Canada only)
For Canadian members ordering on Amazon.com:
- Ability to view Prime-only deals and pricing
- Watch Prime Video and Kindle content
- Shop from a wider selection of sellers and products
So having a Prime membership in your home country still offers some advantages when shopping internationally. Just don‘t expect full Prime shipping benefits outside of the country where you subscribed.
Many savvy shoppers also use Prime tactically when buying cross-border:
- Order the item shipped domestically first with fast Prime delivery
- Then arrange forwarding service to ship internationally in bulk
This avoids slow direct international shipping. Just be aware of any forwarding fees.
Tips for a Smooth International Experience
Here are some of my top cross-border ordering tips after years as an Amazon seller:
For US customers shopping on Amazon.ca:
Carefully check that the seller can ship to the US before purchasing
Factor in all additional fees – don‘t assume cheap shipping
See if the item is available on Amazon.com first before ordering internationally
For expensive/fragile items, pay extra for tracking and insurance
Avoid final sale items in case returns are needed
For Canadian sellers shipping US orders:
Research demand and pricing in the US marketplace
Get approved for Amazon Global or self-ship with a US fulfillment center
Offer fast expedited rates – US customers pay for speedy delivery
Provide a great returns experience with prepaid labels and refunds
For both buyers and sellers:
Understand currency conversion rates and tax implications
Check that your Amazon account is configured properly in each country
Know customs processes and import/export regulations
Carefully read policies for international orders, returns, and logistics
And remember:
Communication is key – provide shipping status updates and delivery estimates
Patience goes a long way – cross-border logistics often take longer
Small inconveniences are expected – as long as the end result is positive
With some care and planning, thousands of US and Canadian buyers and sellers trade successfully on Amazon every single day. Following these tips will ensure your international orders proceed smoothly.
