Introduction

Many international shoppers are surprised to learn that some retailers and couriers simply do not ship to the United States. Restrictions, compliance issues, and rising cross-border costs often block direct delivery. This guide explains how to ship to the U.S. when other countries canada, and how ShipByMail enables reliable access to U.S. delivery even when merchants refuse to ship internationally.

Why Some Countries Can’t Ship to the U.S.

Several factors prevent direct shipping to the United States:

• Regulatory compliance: FDA, customs, and import regulations make food, supplements, cosmetics, and electronics difficult to ship.
• Courier limitations: Some postal systems and private couriers suspend U.S.-bound services due to cost or risk.
• Retailer restrictions: Many stores only ship domestically or to limited regions.
• Customs complexity: Duties, taxes, and documentation requirements deter sellers from offering U.S. shipping.

As a result, shoppers are blocked at checkout even when items are legal to import.

How Package Forwarding Solves the Problem

Package forwarding creates a legal workaround:

1. You shop locally (Canada, Mexico, or another supported country).
2. Your order ships to a local forwarding address.
3. The forwarder exports the package to the U.S. on your behalf.

This removes retailer and courier limitations while keeping shipments compliant.

How ShipByMail Helps You Ship to the U.S.

ShipByMail is a cross-border package forwarding service designed specifically for situations where direct shipping is unavailable.

Step-by-Step Process with ShipByMail

1. Create a ShipByMail account
   You receive a personal warehouse address in supported countries such as Canada or Mexico.
2. Shop from local or restricted retailers
   Use your ShipByMail address at checkout—even if the store does not ship to the U.S.
3. Package received and logged
   Once the parcel arrives, it is uploaded to your ShipByMail dashboard.
4. Provide customs details
   You enter item descriptions, values, and upload invoices. ShipByMail prepares the export paperwork.
5. Choose shipping and pay DDP
   Duties and taxes are calculated upfront (Delivered Duty Paid), avoiding surprise charges at delivery.
6. Shipment delivered to the U.S.
   Your package clears customs and arrives at your U.S. address.

What You Can Ship to the U.S. Using ShipByMail

ShipByMail supports a wide range of items, subject to U.S. regulations:

• Apparel and footwear
• Electronics and accessories
• Personal care and cosmetics
• Non-perishable food (with FDA rules applied)
• Collectibles and retail merchandise

Restricted items (alcohol, tobacco, certain foods, and controlled goods) are screened before shipment.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Under-declaring item value: Leads to delays or penalties.
• Ignoring product restrictions: FDA and CBP rules still apply.
• Assuming avoids duties: Commercial shipments are not duty-free.
• Waiting too long to submit customs info: This delays processing.

ShipByMail dashboard prompts help reduce these errors.

Why ShipByMail Is Different

• Designed for U.S. imports when others stop shipping
• DDP checkout (duties and taxes paid upfront)
• Multiple origin countries for flexible routing
• Clear compliance workflow for FDA and customs
• Ideal for shoppers, expats, and cross-border buyers

FAQs

Conclusion

When retailers or countries can’t ship to the United States, package forwarding is the most reliable solution. ShipByMail bridges the gap by providing compliant, transparent, and predictable shipping to the U.S even when direct delivery is unavailable.

Next step: Create a ShipByMail account and regain access to international shopping without borders.

What Is the FDAs Role in Food Imports?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting public health by regulating food products entering the United States. Any edible item shipped across the border commercially or personally may be subject to FDA review.

When food is shipped from Canada to the USA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) works with the FDA to determine whether the shipment complies with U.S. food safety laws, labeling rules, and import requirements.

Key point:
Personal use does not exempt food shipments from FDA oversight.

How FDA Regulations Affect Shoppers Buying Food From Canada

1. FDA Prior Notice Is Often Required

Most food shipments entering the U.S. must have FDA Prior Notice submitted before arrival. This applies even to small packages shipped by mail or courier.

If Prior Notice is missing or incorrect:

• The shipment may be held
• Delayed for inspection
• Returned to sender
• Refused entry

2. Not All Food Products Are Allowed

Some edible items are restricted or prohibited due to safety, contamination risk, or regulatory classification.

Common categories that face issues:

• Homemade or unlabeled foods
• Fresh or perishable foods
• Meat, poultry, and dairy products
• Items with unapproved additives
• Foods making health or medical claims

3. Labeling Matters

FDA requires proper labeling, including:

• Product name
• Ingredient list
• Net quantity
• Manufacturer or distributor information
• Country of origin

Missing or non-compliant labels can trigger FDA holds.

Common Canadian Food Items Shoppers Ask About

Generally Allowed (with proper declaration)

• Packaged snacks (chips, candy, cookies)
• Shelf-stable, commercially packaged foods
• Factory-sealed chocolates
• Some vitamins and supplements (non-medicated)

Frequently Restricted or Flagged

• Fresh cheese and dairy
• Jerky, meat snacks, or meat-based broths
• Honey (depending on origin and processing)
• Herbal products with medicinal claims
• Homemade foods or bakery items

Important: Approval is case-by-case and not guaranteed.

Step-by-Step: How to Ship Edible Food From Canada to the USA Safely

Step 1: Verify the Food Is Shelf-Stable

Avoid perishable, refrigerated, or fresh items unless you understand FDA risk.

Step 2: Check Labeling

Ensure the product is commercially packaged with clear ingredient labeling.

Step 3: Declare the Item Accurately

When creating the shipment:

• Use precise food descriptions
• Declare the correct value
• Upload the purchase invoice if requested

Step 4: Expect FDA Review

Even compliant shipments may be inspected. This is normal and not an error.

Step 5: Plan for Delays

FDA inspections can add time. Food shipments should never be time-sensitive.

Common Mistakes Shoppers Make

• Assuming personal use means no FDA rules
• Shipping homemade or unpackaged food
• Using vague customs descriptions like snacks
• Shipping restricted items without checking regulations
• Expecting guaranteed delivery for edible products

Shipping from Canada to the U.S. can feel complicated, but it becomes easy once you understand a few basic ideas: de minimis rules, tariffs, and how tools like Zonos calculate fees. This guide breaks everything down in plain language so anyone can follow along.

1. What Is the De Minimis Rule?

The U.S. has a rule called de minimis. It decides whether a package entering the United States must pay duties.

• In the past, items worth under USD $800 often entered duty-free.
• Recent policy changes mean many courier shipments (like UPS, FedEx, DHL) no longer get automatic duty-free treatment.
• Postal shipments (Canada Post USPS) still follow a different system and may be cheaper for lightweight consumer goods.

Takeaway: The de minimis rule is not guaranteed for courier shipments anymore, but postal shipments still use a simplified system.

2. What Are Tariffs?

A tariff is a tax charged when goods cross a border.

There are two main types of tariffs when sending items from Canada to the U.S.:

A. Courier Tariffs (UPS, FedEx, DHL)

• The item is assigned an HS code (a global product classification).
• The U.S. applies its standard tax for that product.
• Extra fees may apply depending on where the item was made.

B. Postal Tariffs (Canada Post → USPS)

Postal packages use a simpler tax called an IEEPA tariff. Instead of looking up a detailed product code, a percentage is applied to the items value.

Example: An item from China might use a 30% IEEPA rate.

Takeaway: Couriers use detailed tariff rules; postal shipments use simpler percentage-based tariffs.

3. What Is Zonos and How Does It Help?

This is the process that we use to calculate tariffs

Zonos is a tool that calculates duties and fees automatically. Many shipping platforms use it.

For Canada Post shipments, the calculation works like this:

1.  log into your ShipByMail account. Your U.S. shipping information will be managed through your dashboard.
2. Send your items to your ShipByMail suite in Canada. Once received, the system will prompt you for item details needed for customs.

The result shows exactly what you will pay before shipping.

Takeaway: Zonos makes it easy to know your taxes ahead of time.

4. How to Choose the Best Shipping Method

Choose Postal (Canada Post) if:

• You want the simplest duty calculation.
• You are shipping a low-value item.
• You want to avoid complex courier fees.

Choose a Courier (UPS, FedEx, DHL) if:

• You need fast delivery.
• You are shipping business items.
• You prefer end-to-end tracking.

Tip: Postal is usually cheaper. Couriers are faster but have more fees.

5. Step-by-Step: Shipping from Canada to the U.S. (Using ShipByMail)

1. Package your item securely.
2. Choose postal or courier based on your needs.
3. ShipByMail collects item details (description, value, country of origin) and automatically prepares the customs declaration form. online (description, value, where it was made).
4. The system (or Zonos) will show what you must pay.
5. Print the label, attach it, and drop off the package.

Final Summary

• De minimis used to mean duty-free under $800, but this now depends on how you ship.
• Tariffs are taxes on imported goods. Couriers use detailed rules; postal uses simpler percentages.
• Zonos helps you see duties before shipping.
• Choosing the right method depends on speed, cost, and simplicity.

Shipping from Mexico to the USA has become increasingly common for U.S. expats, online shoppers, and small business resellers. Whether you want to send authentic Mexican textiles, family gifts, or resale inventory, the process can feel overwhelming without the right partner. This is where a Mexican parcel forwarder like ShipByMail Mexico comes in offering a safe, simple, and cost-effective way to move your packages across the border.

With professional services like consolidation, repacking, and UPS 5-day expedited delivery, parcel forwarding gives you access to Mexico’s rich product selection without the stress of navigating international shipping on your own.

What Is a Mexican Parcel Forwarder?

A Mexican parcel forwarder is a logistics service that provides you with a local Mexican address. Instead of dealing directly with international couriers, you ship or drop off your items at this address, and the forwarder takes care of sending them safely to the USA.

Unlike traditional courier shipping, a parcel forwarder can:

• Consolidate multiple parcels into one shipment to save money.
• Repack items to reduce weight and avoid oversized fees.
• Give you access to Mexican stores that don’t ship abroad.

Benefits of Using a Parcel Forwarder in Mexico

Choosing a parcel forwarder in Mexico offers several key advantages:

• Consolidation & Repacking Combine multiple orders into one package for lower costs.
• Access to Local Mexican Products From tequila and handicrafts to limited-edition beauty products.
• Faster Delivery With ShipByMail, enjoy UPS 5-day expedited service to the U.S.

Who Uses Mexican Parcel Forwarders?

A wide variety of people benefit from these services, including:

• U.S. expats in Mexico who need to send items back home.
• Families shipping gifts or important documents to relatives.
• Amazon and eBay resellers sourcing inventory from Mexican markets.

How ShipByMail Makes It Easy

At ShipByMail Mexico, we’ve streamlined the process:

1. Simple Registration Sign up in minutes and receive your Mexican address.
2. Transparent Pricing No hidden fees what you see is what you pay.
3. Reliable Support Our customer service team is always ready to help.

You’ll always know where your package is with our easy-to-use tracking system.

FAQ

Q: Can a parcel forwarder ship any product from Mexico?
A: Most products can be shipped, but some restricted items (flammables, perishables, etc.) cannot. Always check before sending.

Q: What items cannot be shipped?
A: Prohibited items include hazardous materials, cash, and certain electronics with batteries.

Q: How do I track my package?
A: ShipByMail provides a tracking number through UPS so you can monitor your parcel every step of the way.

Conclusion

Using a Mexican parcel forwarder like ShipByMail gives you a safe, reliable, and affordable way to ship from Mexico to the USA. Whether you’re shopping for authentic Mexican products, sending gifts, or running a resale business, ShipByMail Mexico makes cross-border shipping simple.

👉 Ready to start? Sign up today and ship your first package with confidence.