{"id":3692,"date":"2026-05-24T07:21:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T11:21:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expertshipping.ca\/expedier-usa-2026-guide-post-cour-supreme\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T05:25:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T09:25:50","slug":"us-postal-service-2026-supreme-court-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expertshipping.ca\/en\/expedier-usa-2026-guide-post-cour-supreme\/","title":{"rendered":"Shipping to the U.S. in 2026: A Post-Supreme Court Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you regularly ship packages from Canada to the United States? On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration under the\u2019International Economic Emergency Powers Act<\/em> (IEEPA). Many Canadian SMEs then hoped for a return to the old system, particularly regarding the threshold \u00abde minimis\u00bb<\/strong> of $800 under $ US, which had previously exempted small packages.<\/p>\n

The reality is more nuanced. Three months after the decision, the exemption de minimis<\/em> has not been restored, a new universal fee of 10 % has gone into effect, and customs processing times have increased. For a Canadian shipper, navigating this new landscape requires specific strategies.<\/p>\n

Here is the complete guide to ship to the United States in 2026<\/strong> no unpleasant surprises \u2014 based on official announcements from carriers, recent executive orders, and feedback from the field.<\/p>\n

What the Supreme Court Really Changed (and What It Didn't)<\/h2>\n

The decision of February 20, 2026 invalidated the use of the IEEPA to impose tariffs. In response, the U.S. administration withdrew the IEEPA duties and replaced them, effective February 24, 2026, with a universal duty of 10% under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974<\/em>, valid for a maximum period of 150 days.<\/p>\n

In short, the name of the fee has changed, but the cost for your packages remains high.<\/p>\n

The de minimis exemption remains suspended<\/h3>\n

As of August 29, 2025, the United States has suspended the exemption de minimis<\/em> which had previously exempted commercial shipments valued at less than $800 from duties and taxes. This suspension was established by an executive order separate from the IEEPA\u2014and was therefore not affected by the Supreme Court\u2019s ruling. A presidential decree issued in the spring of 2026 even formally confirmed the extension of this suspension.<\/p>\n

In practical terms, Every commercial package shipped from Canada to the United States is now assessed and taxed<\/strong>, regardless of its value.<\/p>\n

New costs to factor into your selling prices<\/h2>\n

There are now three categories of fees to consider for your cross-border shipments. Ignoring them means quietly eroding your profit margin.<\/p>\n

1. The universal right to 10 % (Section 122)<\/h3>\n

Applied to the declared customs value of the goods. For a package valued at 150 CAD, expect approximately 11 CAD in additional duties, excluding shipping.<\/p>\n

2. Fare increases by carriers<\/h3>\n

UPS and FedEx implemented a general rate increase (GRI) averaging 5.9% in Q3 2025 and Q1 2026, respectively, on December 22, 2025, and January 5, 2026. In practice, several industry analysts note that the actual impact is closer to 8\u201312% year-over-year, due to new rules on additional handling fees and \u00aboversized package\u00bb surcharges, which have been extended to shipments exceeding 10,368 cubic inches in volume. Purolator, for its part, implemented an average increase of 5.7% in Q3 on December 1er<\/sup> September 2025, and adjustments for LTL freight effective September 1er<\/sup> January 2026.<\/p>\n

3. Brokerage and processing fees<\/h3>\n

With the end of the de minimis<\/em>, Even small packages require a complete customs declaration. Carriers now charge for these services on a case-by-case basis, typically between $10 and $25 per shipment, depending on the service selected.<\/p>\n

A summary table to help you make pricing decisions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Package type<\/th>\nBefore August 29, 2025<\/th>\nSince May 2026<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Commercial shipment < 800 $ US<\/td>\nDuty-free<\/td>\n10% fee (%) plus brokerage commission<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Commercial shipment > 800 $ US<\/td>\nApplicable laws<\/td>\nRights + 10 additional %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Personal gift < $100 $ US<\/td>\nExempt<\/td>\nExempt (between individuals)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Document<\/td>\nExempt<\/td>\nExempt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Documentation Requirements That Can No Longer Be Ignored<\/h2>\n

Canada Post now requires a Declaration ID (13-character code)<\/strong> before a label can be produced for the United States. This code verifies that duties have been prepaid by a qualified partner recognized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).<\/p>\n

For each package, be sure to include the following items:<\/p>\n