If you’re ordering an item from across the border or overseas, then you may be required to pay shipping duties on your package.
Shipping duties are special taxes and fees applied to your package by the Canada Border Services Agency and are typically paid through the shipping company. But can you pay FedEx duties online in Canada?
If FedEx is handling the shipment of your package into Canada, then you may receive a mailed or emailed invoice for shipping duties from FedEx. You can easily pay your FedEx duties online to prevent any further delays.
Below, I’ll show you exactly how to pay your FedEx duties online in Canada, explain how shipping duties are determined and answer a few other commonly asked questions about international shipping.
How Can You Pay FedEx Duties In Canada?
Depending on the value of your package and where it’s coming from, you may receive an invoice from FedEx asking you to remit payment for shipping duties. If you have an account with FedEx, then you may receive a text, email, or online notification with the invoice. Otherwise, you’ll receive a paper invoice in the mail.
As your shipping handler, FedEx must collect the duties you owe and pass them on to the CBSA. Until you’ve remitted payment for the duties, the CBSA will hold your package, which can cause irritating delays on your part.
To cut down on customs delays, customers can pay their FedEx duties online in Canada. This will save you from having to wait on a phone call holding line or from having to visit your local customs office in person. Once you pay your duties, your package will be released and continue on its way to you.
How To Pay FedEx Duties Online In Canada
One time, I had to pay some additional duties on an order of ASOS snow boots that I had shipped in from the UK. Since I already had a FedEx online account, it was simple to take care of the fees, and my package was back on the road the next business day.
If you receive an invoice, here’s how to pay your FedEx duties online in Canada:
- Create a FedEx online account
- Log into your FedEx online account
- Look up the invoice number for your duties bill
- Pay your FedEx shipping duties with your credit or debit card
Step 1: Sign Up For A FedEx Account
If you don’t use FedEx often, then you probably don’t have an online account with the shipping company. Thankfully, signing up for an account takes less than five minutes and will make it easier to track future shipments. You can sign up for an account using FedEx’s Canadian site.
Step 2: Log Into Your FedEx Account
After signing up for your FedEx account, you may be asked to complete a two-step verification process by verifying your phone number or email address. After this verification is complete, you should be able to log into your FedEx online account and view all of your shipments in your dashboard.
Step 3: Enter The Invoice Number Of Your FedEx Bill
If you haven’t received a notification through your online account of the shipping duties, then you can look up the invoice using the FedEx online database. Take a look at your duties bill, and you should see a nine-digit invoice number in the upper right-hand corner.
Enter this number into the FedEx search bar, find the associated bill, and double-check to make sure that it matches the invoice that you received.
Step 4: Pay The Bill
Once you verify the bill, click on the ‘Pay’ button. From here, you’ll be prompted to pay the amount of the invoice with your credit or debit card. As long as the information you provided is correct, then your payment should be processed and posted in a few minutes.
Other Ways To Pay FedEx Duties In Canada
In my opinion, paying your FedEx duties online is the way to go, as it’s quick, simple, and easy. If you’re not as tech-savvy, though, you can pay your FedEx duties via phone by calling FedEx Canada at 1-800-463-3339.
From here, you’ll be able to speak with a representative and pay your invoice using your credit or debit card.
How Long Does It Take For My Package To Be Released After Paying Duties?
Generally speaking, your package should be released for shipment the next business day after you pay your shipping duties. If it’s the weekend, you may have to wait until Monday before your package is released. So, if possible, pay the duties earlier on in the week.
What Are FedEx Duties?
Shipping duties are charges that are applied to certain international shipments that are received in Canada. While smaller, lower-value packages may not be charged duty fees, most higher-value packages or larger shipments will come with some added duties costs.
The most common shipping duty you’ll pay is the GST/HST taxes for the province that you’re getting the package shipped to.
The amount of duties you owe depends primarily on the value of the package. For international shipments, most sellers are required to ship an invoice with their package. Customs agents view this invoice and then assess a duty fee, which the customer must pay.
DDP vs. DDU
If you’re purchasing internationally, there are two main shipping categories that your package will fall under:
- DDP – Delivered Duty Paid
- DDU – Delivered Duty Unpaid
If you received an invoice from customs, then your package falls under the DDU category, as the duties were not paid by the seller. Therefore, duties are the customer’s responsibility to pay.
With DDP shipments, the seller handles all shipping-related costs, including international duties. This is often used for higher-value items, as companies want to make the transaction as smooth as possible for the customer.
Are Gifts Exempt From FedEx Shipping Duties?
According to the CBSA, smaller gifts are exempt from shipping duties. As long as the value of the package is less than $60, then no shipping duties will be applied. However, if the value of the package is more than $60, the customer will have to pay applicable duties on the amount over $60.
Conclusion – Canadians Can Easily Pay FedEx Duties Online
Paying for shipping duties is a common part of international travel and purchasing items from other countries. Although many sellers and shippers may offer to take responsibility for the duties, some customers may have to take personal responsibility for their FedEx shipping duties.
Looking for more ways to save money on international shipping? Keep on reading to see my list of the best international package forwarding services next!
