Ecommerce Shipping to the USA & Canada

Why choose Asendia for shipping to the USA and Canada?

Strong partnerships with final-mile carriers

We leverage trusted local carriers, from USPS and Canada Post to commercial partners, including Broad Reach, part of the Asendia family.

Affordable and tracked delivery options

With e-PAQ Select, e-PAQ Plus, and e-PAQ Elite enjoy reliable tracking and competitive pricing tailored for e-commerce.

E-commerce expertise you can trust

We specialise in cross-border logistics for online retailers, helping you grow with confidence in the US and Canadian markets.

Simplified customs and duties handling

We support DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), reducing friction for your customers and minimizing delays.

Easy and convenient returns

Flexible return solutions help build trust with your North American shoppers.

Sustainable shipping

Aligned with science-based reduction initiative (SBTi), we embrace a continuous process to commit to more transparency and accountability.

No more duty-free for shipments under $800

Previously duty-free low-value parcels are no longer exempt. Every package now pays applicable taxes and duties.

Duties must be paid upfront

U.S. Customs no longer accepts payment on delivery. Use the DDP model (Delivered Duty Paid) to avoid delays and ensure a smooth delivery experience for your customers.

Customs documentation is mandatory and must be accurate

Include the following in every shipment:

Harmonized System (HS) code
Country of origin
Full commercial invoice
Manufacturer ID (MID)

Incomplete or inaccurate data = delays, returns or penalties.

You must designate an importer of record (IOR)

An IOR must be registered in the U.S. and file through the ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) system to clear goods efficiently.

Postal disruptions may occur

Some postal services have temporarily paused U.S. shipments due to the complexity of the new customs regulations. Plan accordingly.

What you can do now

✔ Update your documentation workflows
✔ Switch to the DDP model if you haven’t already
✔ Inform your customers of potential changes and timelines

UK and Europe to the United States

How to ship ecommerce parcels to the USA

Successful USA shipping starts before the parcel leaves the warehouse. Retailers need accurate product and origin data, a clear approach to duties and taxes, an appropriate customs entry route and a delivery service that keeps the shopper informed.

The same four decisions apply whether orders originate in the UK or the EU, but product origin—not only the dispatch country—can affect customs treatment.

1. Prepare data

Description, value, quantity, country of origin and classification.

2. Choose the model

Decide how duties, taxes and customer charges will be handled.

3. File correctly

Use the appropriate customs entry and qualified filing route.

4. Deliver visibly

Connect customs, tracking, last mile and returns.

USA customs update

What ecommerce retailers need to plan for in 2026

Duty-free de minimis treatment for goods valued at USD 800 or less was suspended for all countries from 29 August 2025. Imported goods are now subject to the applicable duties, taxes and fees, and non-postal shipments require the appropriate filing through the United States’ Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) by a qualified party.

Do not price a USA lane from transport cost alone. The landed cost can also depend on product classification, country of origin, declared value, applicable tariff treatment, entry method and who pays import charges.

Confirm the current requirements and service availability for your products before launch.

Regulatory reference: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — de minimis changes.

Lane planning

UK-to-USA and Europe-to-USA shipping checklist

Question	UK or EU dispatch	Why it affects the USA shipment
Where was the product made?	Record the actual country of origin for each item; it may differ from the warehouse country.	Origin can affect admissibility, tariff treatment and supporting data.
How is the product classified?	Use an accurate description and tariff classification rather than a broad retail label.	Classification helps determine the correct entry data and applicable duties.
Who pays import charges?	Define the customer proposition and the supported duties-and-taxes model before checkout.	Unclear charges can cause delivery friction, refusal or an unexpected margin cost.
Who is responsible for filing?	Confirm the carrier, broker or other qualified party and the entry method used.	Non-postal shipments need the appropriate ACE filing and responsible parties.
What happens after an exception?	Connect tracking, customer communication, delivery support and returns.	A clear workflow reduces avoidable delays and customer-service contacts.

Before enabling the lane

Four controls to put in place

Product master data

Maintain accurate descriptions, classifications, values and countries of origin at item level.

Checkout communication

Explain the delivery promise and how duties, taxes or other import charges are handled.

Operational hand-off

Validate required fields, labels, entry process and the parties responsible for customs filing.

Post-purchase journey

Map tracking events, customer notifications, exceptions and an accessible return route.

USA tariff update Customs clearance International parcel delivery Global returns

Frequently asked questions

Shipping ecommerce orders to the USA

Can ecommerce goods under USD 800 still enter the USA duty-free?

Not under the former global de minimis exemption. U.S. Customs and Border Protection states that duty-free de minimis treatment for shipments valued at USD 800 or less was suspended for all countries from 29 August 2025. The duties, taxes and fees that apply depend on the goods and entry.

Is shipping from the UK to the USA different from shipping from the EU?

The core planning steps are similar, but the dispatch location is only one factor. Product origin, classification, value, entry method and the chosen duties-and-taxes model can all affect the shipment.

What data is needed to ship ecommerce parcels to the USA?

Requirements vary, but retailers should be ready to provide accurate product descriptions, quantities, values, countries of origin and tariff classifications, plus the parties and information required by the selected entry route.

Does DDP mean the shopper will not face import charges on delivery?

A supported duties-paid model is intended to collect and settle applicable import charges through the agreed shipping process rather than at the shopper’s door. The exact responsibilities, charges and service availability should be confirmed for each lane and product.