
When you are shipping parcels to Canada from the USA, it is important that you consider the kind of mailing class that you want to use along with the required postage. With USPS international shipping classes, you get to send your parcels to their destinations in no time. Not only does USPS work best for letters and envelopes, but it is also great for shipping packages internationally. Additionally, you also get to choose your mailing class depending on how soon you want the parcels to be shipped. If you are sending parcels to Canada, then here is a breakdown of the postage to Canada from US.
Postage to Canada From US

Sending packages internationally through USPS services is not much of a hassle if the postage paid is accurate. You obviously do not want your package to be sent back due to improper postage. As the amount of postage you end up paying depends on the weight, shape, and size of the package, you need to make sure that you calculate the accurate postage you need to pay. Furthermore, you need to pay extra if you want faster delivery. Also, the location of the destination has an impact on the postage as well, i.e., the farther the distance, the more the postage.
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If you have never shipped any parcel to Canada before, then this guide will help you find out how to send postage to Canada from USA along with finding out the rate of the international shipping services, how to calculate the postage prices, and the number of stamps that you might need to ship the parcels.
How to Calculate USPS Postage to Canada From US
You can calculate postage for your packages in the following way:
Select a Shipping Service
The first step towards sending an international package is to select which kind of shipping service you want based on the contents that you wish to send. For more information on USPS international shipping rates and services, you can check out this page.
Price of Letter and Envelopes Postage to Canada From US
If you are sending letters and envelopes, then USPS is the best mailing service that guarantees international delivery. The first class postage to Canada starts for $1.30 for a letter weighing 1 oz. You can buy one Global Forever postage stamp for this letter which has the same price, or you can also use 3 US First Class Forever stamps which cost 58 cents. Also, remember that the letters must be shipped in a standard letter-sized envelope. If the size of the mail is irregular, then based on the size of the envelope, you are charged extra for the postage.
Another important point is if the letters are non-machinable, i.e., letters that cannot be processed by the machine will have an additional surcharge of $0.30.
For more information on the postage prices of the letters and envelopes based on the weights, you can check out this link from USPS.

Price of Packages for Postage to Canada From US
When you are sending postage to Canada from USA, the postage amount is calculated based on the size, shape, and weight. If you wish to add any additional features to your package such as extra insurance, faster delivery, registered mail, etc., then you have to pay extra depending on what you choose. Just in case, you have no idea how much you must pay for shipping and postage, then you can use the USPS price calculator to find out the postage. The USPS flat rate boxes for priority mail are also great for international shipping if you do not want to deal with any “postage due” issues.
Weight Your Package
After selecting a mailing class, you need to properly pack all your items carefully and then weigh them accurately. Do not forget to measure the shape and size as well. You do not have to measure the size and shape if you are using priority flat rate boxes. Make sure that you do not overstuff your parcels as the flaps must fold properly without tearing. You can measure your parcels anywhere be it the retail outlet that sells postage stamps or the local post office.
Calculate USPS Postage to Canada From US
After measuring the parcels, you can use the USPS international pricing calculator to estimate the postage to Canada from USA.
- Global Express Guaranteed starts at $67.80 which guarantees delivery within 1-3 days
- Priority Mail Express International starts at $45.95 for sending flat rate packages that weigh 4 lbs. The estimated delivery time is 3 to 5 days
- Priority Mail International starts at $28.50 which delivers parcels within 6 to 10 business days. You can send flat rate envelopes and small boxes that weigh 4 lbs.
- For First Class postage to Canada, the postage price is $1.30 for 1 ounce. The large envelopes can go up to 15. 994 ounces with a starting price of $2.60
How to Calculate Postage on the Usps Postage Calculator
- To calculate the postage from Canada to USA, visit the usps postage calculator
- Select the destination country as Canada
- If you are sending a package box, then enter the weight of the package. If you are sending a letter, then you should enter $0.00.
- Enter the date on which you want the package to be mailed
- Then select the kind of package you are sending, i.e., flat rate, envelope, postcard
- If you have selected the option to calculate the price based on the size and shape, then you enter the weight, size, and shape of the package on the next page
- On the next page, you will be able to see the shipping options available to send your package
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Add Any Extra Services
If you feel like adding any extra services to add to your shipping, then you can go for it. Some commonly used extra services are mailing certificates, extra insurance, registered mail, etc. Signing up for any of these extra services ensures the safety and security of your packages.
Purchase Postage
With click and ship, you can buy postage for your parcels. Using this online postage service, you can buy postage from the comfort of your home, which saves you some time as you won’t have to make trips to the local post office.
What Stamps Can You Use for Shipping Postage to Canada From Us?
Without a proper postage stamp, the packages won’t be shipped to the destination. When you are shipping a package from USA to Canada, the postage rates are relatively cheaper than in other countries.
Based on the weight of your package, you can use the required number of postage stamps. The number of stamps used on the letters makes up for the parcel’s postage rate.
- If you are sending a letter that weighs 1 ounce, then one Global Forever Stamp would be enough as the price of the stamp covers the postage stamp($1.30). You can also use 3 standard First class forever Stamps(58 cents each). But you will be overpaying for your letter by 44 cents
- For a standard envelope, if the weight exceeds 3 ounces(known as flats), then you have to pay $0.53 for every additional ounce. The starting rate for shipping flats is $2.40 and you will need two Global Forever Stamps(overpay of 20 cents).
What are Forever Stamps?
Forever stamps were first found in the year 2007 by the postal services. The forever stamps are used as postage stamps on first class letters. These stamps are non-denominational, i.e., they are independent of the increase in postage rates. For example; if you purchased a postage stamp in 2020 for 55 cents, and there has been an increase of 3 cents in 2021, then you can still use Forever stamps on first class letters without having to pay an extra 3 cents. You can check out all the forever stamps on the official USPS stamps page.
These postage stamps can be brought in many forms such as sheets, booklets, singles, or coils. Customers will need to attach extra postage to the parcels that they send internationally, as international postage has a higher value when compared to domestic postage.
Canadian Postage Stamps
If you want to check out some of the popular Forever/Permanent stamps available in Canada, then you check it through this link. You can buy these stamps in pairs or groups. Although there are a few websites that also sell single stamps apart from groups, the only place that you can get single postage stamps is at the post office.

Other Cheap Ways to Ship Postage to Canada From Us
When you think of shipping postage to Canada from USA, USPS can be one of the best modes to ship your packages. But other mailing services deliver packages at a low cost and have rather faster delivery. Other mailing services such as UPS and FedEx also deliver to Canada but the amount that you need to pay for postage depends on which mailing class you use. These services have a significant price variation but the time taken to deliver the package is the same. According to many customers, USPS priority international has a pocket-friendly budget when compared to other services such as UPS or FedEx. The only drawback of USPS priority international is that the time taken to deliver the parcel is 2 weeks approximately whereas FedEx and UPS take 3-4 days.
For Packages That Are Within 3 Lbs
If you are shipping postage to Canada from USA within 3 lbs, then we recommend using USPS Priority mail international or priority mail express international.
For Packages That Are More Than 3 Lbs
FedEx and UPS are great shipping services to send packages to Canada as they have many delivery options. These services offer a guaranteed delivery that reaches the destination within 2-10 days.
Limitations
While shipping packages internationally, you must be aware of shipping items that are classified as prohibited and restricted.
Restricted Items
A restricted item refers to those items which are allowed based on providing certain documentation. These items required proper authorization or a valid document to get across the customs. Some of the goods that are classified as restricted are:
- Dead animals
- Diamonds
- Drugs
- Intoxicants
- Live animals
- Tobacco and much more
Prohibited Items
If an item is prohibited, then you are not allowed to ship it by any means and if found to do so, the item will not be returned and the Canadian government has the right to seize or destroy it.
- Poisonous substances
- Any obscene material
- Live animals
- Firearms
- Bee keeping apparatus
- Prison made goods, etc
Conclusion
If you are shipping postage to Canada from USA, then a budget-friendly method is to go for USPS mailing services. Although other services provide faster delivery, you might end up paying a lot more for postage when compared to USPS. Make sure to weigh your package properly along with following the size and shape requirements. If you fail to do so, an extra charge will be imposed on your packages which thereby, increases the delivery time.
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Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)
The price of a first class forever stamp is $1.30 which is similar to the first class domestic stamp.
The best mailing class for sending letters is Priority International Mail or Express Mail.