How Canadian Shopify Stores Ship to the US Now That De Minimis Has Ended

As of 12:01 a.m. on August 29, 2025, goods shipped to the US no longer qualify for duty-free de minimis treatment, whatever their value or country of origin. For Canadian Shopify brands that ship individual orders to US customers, every parcel now carries duties.

Trucks crossing a large bridge under a clear sky

Published Aug 29, 2025. Author: Ecomm Guys. 4 min read.

Key Points

The US executive order of July 30, 2025 suspends duty-free de minimis treatment for all countries from August 29.
Courier shipments now need a formal or informal customs entry with all duties, taxes, and fees paid.
Postal shipments are charged duties through the carrier, using either a percentage of value or a flat amount per item for the first six months.
Canada Post says all postal shipments to the US under US$800 now need prepaid duties before they cross the border.
Country of origin and HS codes on every product are now essential.

What Changed on August 29

The White House announced on July 30 an executive order suspending duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments from every country. Until now, most shipments valued at US$800 or less could enter the US without duties and with minimal paperwork. US Customs and Border Protection confirmed in its guidance that from 12:01 a.m. on August 29, goods of all countries no longer qualify for that exemption. That applies regardless of value, country of origin, mode of transport, or method of entry.

Two long-standing exemptions remain. Travellers can still bring back up to US$200 in personal items, and individuals can receive genuine gifts worth US$100 or less duty free. Neither helps an online store selling to customers.

Courier and Postal Shipments Work Differently

For shipments sent by courier or freight, CBP now requires a formal or informal entry filed electronically, along with payment of all applicable duties, taxes, and fees. Your courier or customs broker handles the filing, but the cost and paperwork land somewhere, either on you or on your customer.

For shipments sent through the international postal network, the carrier collects and remits duties. The White House fact sheet sets out two methods. One is a percentage duty based on the tariff rate for the product's country of origin, and the other is a flat duty of US$80 to US$200 per item, depending on that rate. The flat option is available for six months only.

What Canada Post Requires

Canada Post says all postal shipments to the US valued under US$800 now need duties prepaid before the package crosses the border. Its FAQ explains that this is handled through its partner Zonos, which issues a declaration ID showing the duties have been paid. Shipping labels created through Canada Post's delivered duty paid tools already include it. Canada Post also says country of origin is now a mandatory field for international shipments.

Canada Post's FAQ notes that duties paid on a shipment aren't refunded if the item is resent, and that returns crossing into the US again need a new declaration. Factor that into your returns policy for US customers.

Set Up Your Shopify Store for It

Shopify added the ability to collect duties and import taxes at checkout for all plans earlier this year, and lets you include duties in product prices instead. Either way, the aim is that your US customer knows the full cost before paying.

Add country of origin and an HS code to every product. Without them, duty calculations are guesses.
Decide whether to collect duties at checkout or build them into US prices, and test the result on a real order.
Review shipping rates for US orders, since entries and brokerage may add cost per parcel.
Update your shipping and returns policies so US customers know duties are prepaid and how returns work.
Ask your courier how it bills duties and brokerage, and whether delivered duty paid service is available.

Model the Cost Per Order

For a small order, a fixed entry or brokerage fee can be a large share of the order value. Run the numbers for your typical US order size. You may decide to set a minimum order for US shipping, encourage larger baskets with a free shipping threshold, or move some inventory to a US fulfilment partner so orders ship domestically.

Today and This Week

Today, check that every product has country of origin and an HS code. This week, choose between duties at checkout and duty-inclusive pricing, test both on a real order, and update your policies. Then review your US order economics so the next few months don't quietly erode your margin.

Need help setting up duties and US shipping in Shopify? Book a call with our team.

Sources

Fact Sheet: Suspending the De Minimis Exemption for Commercial Shipments Globally The White House, July 2025
CSMS # 66065494: Suspension of Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries US Customs and Border Protection, August 2025
Shipping to the U.S.: duty updates FAQ Canada Post
Shopify Editions Summer '25 Shopify, May 2025