What Changed in 2025-2026
Two major policy shifts have fundamentally changed the economics of cross-border e-commerce into Canada
US Section 321 De Minimis Eliminated
August 29, 2025
The United States (not Canada) ended the Section 321 de minimis exemption under 19 USC 1321, which previously allowed shipments under $800 USD to clear US customs duty-free with minimal processing. US CBP, PwC.
The impact: Every individual parcel crossing the border now requires formal customs entry, adding $15-25 USD in brokerage fees per package. For brands shipping hundreds or thousands of orders monthly, this is a material cost increase.
25% US-Canada Tariffs
March 2025
The United States and Canada entered reciprocal 25% tariffs on a wide range of goods in March 2025 (USTR). This affects most consumer product categories.
The impact: Combined with brokerage fees, a $50 USD product can now cost the Canadian customer $30-40+ more than the sticker price when shipped per-parcel across the border. This drives cart abandonment and negative reviews.
True Cost of Per-Parcel Cross-Border Shipping (2026)
Your customer expected to pay ~$50. They are charged nearly double at the door.
The NRI Solution
The Non-Resident Importer program is how smart brands sell in Canada without a Canadian entity
How the NRI Program Works
Register as an NRI
Apply for a Canadian Business Number and import/export account. No Canadian incorporation required. Takes 5-10 business days.
Register for GST/HST
Obtain a GST/HST number to collect and remit Canadian sales tax. This also allows you to claim input tax credits on your import duties.
Bulk-Ship Inventory
Ship inventory in bulk to your Canadian 3PL. Customs clearance happens once on the entire shipment - not per-parcel. Duties are paid upfront.
Fulfill Domestically
Orders are fulfilled from within Canada using domestic carriers. Customers get fast delivery, no duties, and easy returns.
Why NRI Works
Eliminate per-parcel brokerage fees
Save $15-25 per order by clearing customs once in bulk
Zero surprise customer charges
Duties paid upfront - your customers never see an unexpected bill
Domestic shipping rates
Ship within Canada at 30-50% less than cross-border per-parcel rates
2-day delivery speed
Match Amazon-level delivery expectations across Canada
GST/HST input tax credits
Recover GST/HST paid on imports as input tax credits
Easy domestic returns
Customers return to a Canadian address - no cross-border hassle
The Cross-Border Math
See why pre-positioning inventory in Canada saves money and wins customers
Based on industry averages for US-to-Canada e-commerce shipments. Actual savings depend on volume, product type, and shipping zones. Sources: PwC Canada, Ottawa Logistics, Stord.
How HELVIA Helps
We handle the complexity so you can focus on growing your Canadian sales
NRI Coordination
Our customs broker partners handle your NRI registration, GST/HST setup, and ongoing import compliance.
Storage & Fulfillment
Secure warehousing in Barrie, Ontario with same-day processing, 99.8% accuracy, and multi-channel integration.
Canada-Wide Shipping
Domestic carrier network for 1-2 day GTA delivery and 3-5 day Canada-wide coverage at competitive rates.
Cross-Border Fulfillment FAQ
Cross-border fulfillment is the process of storing, picking, packing, and shipping products to customers in a different country. For US brands selling to Canada, this means either shipping each order individually across the border (per-parcel) or pre-positioning inventory in a Canadian fulfillment center and shipping domestically. The latter approach - which HELVIA specializes in - eliminates customs delays, brokerage fees, and surprise duties for your customers.