Due to recent regulatory changes and heightened enforcement by U.S. Customs, many parcels entering the United States from Canada, particularly those containing regulated products, are receiving increased scrutiny. Requirements and enforcement practices are changing frequently and are not always applied consistently across carriers or ports of entry.
What This Means for Your Shipments
Please be aware of the following:
- InterFulfillment does not control U.S. Customs decisions, inspection practices, or regulatory changes.
- Delays, documentation requests, holds, and returns may occur at any time—even for products that have cleared without issue in the past.
- These risks apply whether you ship using InterFulfillment’s carrier accounts or your own.
Shipping Options & Duties
InterFulfillment can ship to the U.S. using UPS or FedEx under our carrier accounts. In these cases, duties and taxes are not prepaid recipients are responsible for any applicable charges.
If shipping to the USA using your own UPS, FedEx, or other accounts, you may choose to ship Duties Paid (DDP) if your carrier and service level support it, allowing duties and taxes to be billed to you rather than the recipient.
Strong Recommendations
To reduce clearance risks, especially for regulated or high-volume product lines:
- Consider using a U.S.-based 3PL or warehouse for inventory primarily destined for U.S. customers.
- Consult with a customs broker, compliance advisor, or legal counsel to ensure your products meet all relevant U.S. regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, USDA, or other agency rules).
Mandatory Customs Data
All cross-border shipments must include complete and accurate customs information, regardless of the carrier account used:
- HS Code for each product
- Country of Origin for each product
- Declared Value reflecting true transaction value
- FDA information is required when applicable
Missing or inaccurate information greatly increases the likelihood of holds, inspections, and returns.
Carrier & Customs Limitations
Once a shipment is picked up by the carrier, control transfers entirely to the carrier and U.S. Customs. InterFulfillment cannot influence or prevent:
- Carrier delays, routing changes, or returns
- Duties, taxes, or fees assessed by U.S. authorities
- Customs holds, inspections, seizures, or regulatory interventions
U.S. Customs is legally permitted to detain or examine packages without prior notice or explanation.
Our Commitment to You
While we cannot control customs or carrier processes, InterFulfillment will:
- Prepare shipments according to all known requirements at the time of dispatch
- Assist with documentation, including HS Codes, Country of Origin, and Declared Values
- Continue monitoring U.S. import changes and share updates that may help reduce disruptions