Mail forwarding from the US to Canada works in three ways: a United States Postal Service (USPS) change of address, a package forwarding company, or a mail center that holds your mail and ships it north on request. USPS only forwards letters and postcards abroad, so parcels need a forwarding service, and Canadian duties and taxes may apply on arrival.
This guide explains what USPS will and will not forward, how a mail center forwards your items, which carrier to choose, and what the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) charges when your mail crosses the border.
What are your options for mail forwarding from the US to Canada?
| Option | What it forwards | Address you use | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS change of address | Letters and postcards only | Your old US address | No parcels, no catalogs, no magazines abroad |
| Package forwarding company | Mostly parcels | A suite number at a warehouse | Built for online orders, less for letters |
| Mail center (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency) | Letters and parcels, on request | A street address with your mailbox number | USPS Form 1583 and ID checks |
A Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) is a business registered with USPS to receive mail for its customers. You rent a private mailbox (PMB) there, and the mail center forwards what you ask for.
Does USPS forward mail to Canada?
Only in part. Under the USPS International Mail Manual, unregistered letters and postcards that do not seem to contain merchandise may be redirected to a foreign address without extra postage. Domestic periodicals, USPS Marketing Mail and Package Services must not be forwarded to another country: they go back to the sender (International Mail Manual 762).
Two other USPS rules matter when you move to Canada:
- If you move outside the United States, you must file your change of address in person at a Post Office before you leave.
- Standard forwarding lasts 12 months, and USPS does not forward sensitive items from government agencies and financial institutions, such as IDs, credit cards and bank statements (USPS, Standard Forward Mail).
So a change of address can bring some letters to Canada, but not your online orders, and it ends after a set period.
How does a US mail center forward your items to Canada?
- You rent a mailbox at a mail center in the United States and complete USPS Form 1583 with two IDs.
- Letters and parcels arrive at your US street address.
- You see each item online and choose: open and scan, forward, pick up, shred or recycle.
- For a forward, you pick the carrier and the mail center ships the item to your Canadian address.
YogoMailbox is a virtual mailbox platform that gives you a real street address at a local mail center in Canada or the United States, with mail scanning and forwarding.
The main gain over a change of address is control: you decide item by item, you can scan letters instead of shipping paper, and parcels can travel too. If you are new to this kind of service, start with what a virtual mailbox is and how it works. If you still need the address itself, our guide to a US address for Canadians compares the options and the paperwork.
Courier or mail: which carrier should ship your items?
The carrier changes more than speed. CBSA treats courier shipments and mail differently.
By courier (for example UPS, FedEx or DHL): a courier approved by CBSA can account for your personal shipment and pay the duties and taxes for you. Customs clearance or brokerage fees charged by a courier are separate from duties and taxes, and CBSA does not set them, so confirm them with the courier (CBSA, importing casual goods by courier).
By mail (an international USPS service, delivered in Canada by Canada Post): CBSA assesses the item, and Canada Post collects the amount owing before or at delivery. Canada Post adds a handling fee of CAN$9.95 per mail item that owes duty or tax (Canada Post, customs duty, taxes and exemptions). When duty or tax is owed, a CBSA Postal Import Form (E14) is attached to the item (CBSA, importing by mail).
For a quick comparison of the four main carriers, see choosing FedEx, UPS, DHL or USPS.
What duties and taxes apply to forwarded mail?
Thresholds depend on how the item travels. Amounts are in Canadian dollars and refer to the value for duty (CBSA, CUSMA low value shipments, page modified 25/11/2025).
| Shipped from the US by | Value for duty (CAD) | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Courier | Up to $40 | No duty, no tax |
| Courier | Above $40 to $150 | No duty, taxes apply |
| Courier | Above $150 | Duties and taxes apply |
| $20 and under | No duty, no tax | |
| Above $20 | Duties and taxes apply |
Other points from official sources:
- A gift from a friend or relative worth CAN$60 or less is exempt; duty and tax apply to the amount above CAN$60 (Canada Post).
- Splitting one purchase into several small shipments to stay under the limit is not allowed (Canada Post).
- Alcohol, tobacco products, cannabis products and publications follow other rules (CBSA).
How can you lower the cost of forwarding?
- Scan before you ship. Many letters only need to be read. An open and scan request avoids shipping paper across the border.
- Combine parcels. One box often costs less than several. Read how to consolidate shipments before you forward.
- Pick the carrier for the item. A light envelope and a heavy box rarely fit the same service. Compare the duties threshold, the tracking and the delivery estimate.
How do you get started?
- Compare mail centers and plans on the pricing page. Each mail center sets its own prices.
- Prepare a photo ID, a proof of address and, for a US mailbox, a notarized Form 1583.
- Sign up, then forward your first item from your account.
This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice. For your own case, check the CBSA source linked above.
FAQ
Can USPS forward packages to Canada?
No. Under the International Mail Manual, Package Services, periodicals and USPS Marketing Mail addressed to a domestic address are not forwarded to another country. They are returned to the sender.
Who pays duties on a forwarded parcel?
You do, as the importer. A courier approved by CBSA can account for the shipment and remit duties and taxes on your behalf; ask the courier about its fees. For mail, Canada Post collects the amount online before delivery or at delivery.
Is the Canada Post handling fee a tax?
No. The CAN$9.95 handling fee is charged by Canada Post on each mail item that owes duty or tax. It is added to the duty and tax assessed by CBSA.
Can I split an order to stay under CAN$20?
No. Canada Post states that splitting a purchase into smaller shipments to stay under the CAN$20 limit is not allowed.
Last updated: 5/11/2026
Sources: USPS International Mail Manual 762, USPS Standard Forward Mail, CBSA CUSMA low value shipments, CBSA importing by mail, CBSA importing casual goods by courier, Canada Post customs duty, taxes and exemptions.