The Savvy Shopper‘s Guide to Ordering from Amazon Canada and Shipping to the USA

Are you an American who has spotted the perfect item on Amazon.ca and wondered, "Can I get that shipped to me in the States?" Or are you a Canadian looking to order from Amazon.com and have it delivered up north?

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Wonder no more, because we‘ve put together the ultimate guide to ordering from Amazon across the US-Canada border. We‘ll cover everything you need to know, including:

  • If Amazon.ca ships to the USA (spoiler alert – they do!)
  • How much it costs and how long it takes
  • The differences between Amazon.ca and Amazon.com
  • Your options as a Canadian for getting Amazon.com orders delivered
  • How to manage returns when ordering from the other Amazon site
  • Switching your account between the US and Canadian Amazon marketplaces
  • Alternatives to Amazon for cross-border online shopping

By the end, you‘ll be a pro at snagging great deals from our neighbors! Let‘s dive in.

Does Amazon.ca Ship to the USA?

First things first – yes, Amazon.ca does ship most items to the USA! In fact, Amazon makes cross-border ordering between the US and Canada quite seamless.

As an American, you can log into your existing Amazon account on Amazon.ca. Your saved info like password and payment methods carry over. The site will automatically convert prices to US dollars.

When you go to check out, it will clearly display any additional fees like duties and taxes that you‘ll need to pay for international shipping. In most cases, these are calculated up front so there are no surprises.

However, not every single item on Amazon.ca can be shipped to the USA. Certain product categories are restricted from international shipping, like:

  • Some health and beauty items
  • Some food products
  • Hazardous materials like lithium batteries
  • Items from certain third-party marketplace sellers

But the vast majority of items will be eligible. The product listing and checkout process will make it clear if something can‘t be shipped to your location.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship from Amazon Canada to the US?

The cost of shipping from Amazon.ca to the US depends on a few factors:

  1. The item‘s size and weight
  2. Your selected shipping speed
  3. Applicable duties and customs fees

In general, standard shipping starts around $6.99 USD for smaller items. Two-day and overnight shipping will be more expensive.

Also keep in mind that items might be priced differently on the Canadian site. Even with the conversion to USD, the base price could be higher or lower than on Amazon.com. Factor that in when comparing total costs.

The key is that duties, taxes and fees are calculated and charged during checkout. You‘ll see the full estimated landed cost before placing your order. This prevents surprise charges upon delivery.

Is It Worth Ordering from Amazon.ca as an American?

Now that you know it‘s possible and how much it costs, the next question is – is it worth ordering from Amazon.ca instead of Amazon.com?

There are a few scenarios where it can make sense:

  1. The item is only available on the Canadian site. Certain brands and products are exclusively available to the Canadian market. If it‘s something you really want or need, Amazon.ca is the only way to get it.

  2. There‘s a significant price difference. Even with shipping and duties, sometimes an item is so much cheaper on Amazon.ca that it‘s still a better deal than buying domestically. Do the math to compare final costs.

  3. You need it faster than US shippers can accommodate. In some cases, even with the longer distance Amazon.ca can get orders to certain US locations faster than domestic shippers. Weigh the cost and speed of the different options.

  4. You‘re close to the Canadian border. If you live in a northern border state, sometimes it can be faster and cheaper to order from Canada. Shipping from Toronto to Detroit, for example, could be quicker than from Seattle.

However, for most standard orders, it still makes the most sense to stick with Amazon.com. You‘ll usually get better shipping speeds, lower costs, and easier returns. Only use Amazon.ca when the situation really calls for it.

Options for Canadians Wanting to Shop on Amazon.com

What about going the other direction? Can you order from Amazon.com if you‘re in Canada?

Yes! And you actually have a few options:

  1. Ship directly to your Canadian address. Amazon.com will happily ship most items to Canada. You‘ll see Canadian pricing, shipping costs, and import fees at checkout. However, not all US items can be exported.

  2. Use a freight forwarder. Services like Reship.com or CrossBorderPickups.ca will accept your Amazon.com order at a US address. They then forward the package on to you in Canada. This lets you access items that can‘t be exported.

  3. Ship to the border. If you live near the US-Canada border, you can have Amazon.com orders shipped to a holding company on the US side. You then pop over and pick up your items, bringing them back over yourself. This avoids brokerage fees and is often faster.

No matter which method you choose, returns back to Amazon.com are pretty seamless. You‘ll usually get a US return shipping label to send items back stateside.

Switching Between the US and Canadian Amazon Marketplaces

Here‘s a common scenario – you move between the US and Canada and need to update your "home" Amazon. Or you‘re just a deal-seeker who likes to compare prices on the two sites. Luckily, toggling between the two Amazons is simple!

Just look for the flag icon in the top left corner of the web page or in your app settings. Click it to select your preferred country. Your account information will travel with you, including Prime membership (although Prime benefits differ between the two countries).

The key thing to update is your default shipping address. Make sure it reflects your current country so that you see the right pricing and availability. You can easily add US and Canadian addresses to the same account for maximum flexibility.

Easy Returns for Amazon.com and Amazon.ca Orders

One of the biggest hesitations to ordering from abroad is the returns process. Will you get stuck with an item you don‘t want?

With Amazon, returns are actually quite straightforward even when crossing the border. The process is pretty much the same as domestic, and rarely costs you anything.

For returns from the US to Canada, you can choose to:

  1. Drop off with UPS or DHL using a provided shipping label
  2. Have DHL come pick up the package from your location
  3. Mail the item back yourself and be reimbursed up to $25 USD for shipping

For returns from Canada to the US, you‘ll be given a prepaid USPS return label. Just print it, affix it to your package, and drop off at any US Postal Service location.

In both cases, you‘ll get a full refund as long as the item is returned within the normal 30-day window and meets Amazon‘s standard return criteria. The cost of return international shipping is on them.

Alternatives to Amazon for US-Canada Shopping

Amazon is the biggest player for online shopping across the US-Canada border, but they‘re not the only option. A few alternatives to consider:

  1. eBay – eBay‘s Global Shipping Program makes it easy for Canadians to buy from US sellers and vice versa. Costs are clear and returns are straightforward. Just look for items with the Global Shipping badge.

  2. Etsy – The indie artisan marketplace also has robust international shipping options. Many US and Canadian crafters are happy to ship across the border. You‘ll see shipping costs when you enter your address at checkout.

  3. Retailer websites – Many larger brands like Nordstrom or Sephora have both US and Canadian online stores. You can easily toggle between them to compare prices and shipping options. Look for a flag icon or a link in the site footer.

  4. Freight forwarders – If you find an item on a site that won‘t ship to your location, services like ReShip.com, Shipito, or Stackry can help. They provide you a US address and will forward your order internationally for a fee.

  5. Good old in-person shopping! If you‘re able to cross the border yourself, you can access the best of both retail worlds. Just be aware of your duties and exemptions limits.

The Bottom Line on Cross-Border Amazon Shopping

While Amazon makes it simple to shop across the US-Canada border, there are still some logistical and cost considerations to keep in mind. In most cases, it‘s still easiest to shop from your home country‘s Amazon site.

But for those hard-to-find items, great deals, or time-sensitive shipments, it‘s great to know that ordering from the other side‘s Amazon is totally doable. With this guide, you‘re now prepared to get the best of both Amazons!

Happy cross-border shopping!