Shipping to the U.S. by Canada Post: can you still claim CUSMA?
Last checked 13 October 2026
Quick answer
Not through the simple mail process, from 22 October 2026. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says that from that date, goods claiming duty-free treatment under a free trade agreement are excluded from its new informal entry process for mail. A postal shipment claiming CUSMA has to go through another entry process instead, such as CBP’s Entry Type 13 or a formal entry. (CBP e-commerce FAQ)
Courier and freight shipments are different: they are cleared through the carrier or a customs broker, which can still claim CUSMA for goods that qualify. (CFIB)
This guide explains the paperwork. It does not tell you whether your goods qualify — that is the certifier’s determination, not ours.
What changed for mail
The United States no longer lets low-value parcels in duty-free. CBP says the suspension of duty-free “de minimis” treatment applies to postal and non-postal shipments alike. (CBP e-commerce FAQ)
To clear mail, CBP set up a new informal entry process for postal shipments:
- It took effect on 24 July 2026.
- It covers mail valued at US$2,500 or less that is eligible for informal entry. Mail worth more than US$2,500 must be cleared by formal entry.
- From 22 October 2026, merchandise for which duty-free treatment is claimed under a free trade agreement is excluded from it. Before that date, those claims could use it, with the extra data CBP asks for.
(CBP e-commerce FAQ, last modified 2 September 2026)
CBP says excluded shipments must be entered under another process, such as an Entry Type 13 or a formal entry. Entry Type 13 is a voluntary CBP test, running since 22 September 2026, for mail worth US$2,500 or less, and it does accept free trade agreement claims. But only parties with the right to make entry can use it, and it requires an import bond. (CBP e-commerce FAQ; CBP notice INT-057)
What that means if you mail parcels
Claiming CUSMA on a mailed parcel after 22 October means using one of those other processes, which in practice means a customs broker, or an importer set up with a bond. For a small parcel, that can cost more than the duty it saves. If you send low-value parcels by mail and want to claim CUSMA, ask Canada Post or a customs broker how they handle it now.
Older guidance you may find online says postal shipments paid tariffs regardless of CUSMA. It was written for the tariffs and mail rules of 2025, which have since changed. Check the date on anything you read.
Courier and freight shipments
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business notes that commercial couriers such as UPS, FedEx and DHL can still apply CUSMA exemptions. (CFIB) The importer makes the claim, and for shipments over US$2,500 a certification of origin is required to support it. (19 CFR 182.14)
For commercial shipments of US$2,500 or less, the United States does not require a certification, though records must still be kept. See: do you need a CUSMA certificate under US$2,500?
Shipping by courier or freight? Fill in the form and download a ready-to-sign PDF.
Make my certificate →Sources
- E-Commerce Frequently Asked Questions — U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Implementation of Entry Type 13 Test in ACE for U.S. Mail Processing (INT-057) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- 19 CFR 182.14, Exceptions to certification of origin requirement — Code of Federal Regulations
- What Canadian businesses need to know about the loss of the U.S. de minimis exemption — CFIB
OriginCert prepares the document. It does not decide whether your goods qualify.