Paying FedEx Duties Online: A Guide for Canadian Residents in 2023

If you have ordered an item from another country, you may have to pay shipping duties on your package. These duties are specific taxes and fees that are applied to your package by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and are usually paid through the shipping company. However, you might be wondering if it's possible to pay FedEx duties online in Canada.

If FedEx is responsible for shipping your package into Canada, you might receive an invoice from FedEx for the shipping duties. Luckily, you can easily pay your FedEx duties online to avoid any further delays.

Now, I will explain exactly how you can pay your FedEx duties online in Canada, discuss how shipping duties are calculated, and answer some commonly asked questions about international shipping.

Depending on the value and origin of your package, you may receive an invoice from FedEx asking you to pay the shipping duties. If you have a FedEx account, you might receive a text, email, or online notification with the invoice. Otherwise, you will receive a paper invoice by mail.

As the shipping handler, FedEx is responsible for collecting the duties owed and passing them on to the CBSA. Until you pay the duties, the CBSA will hold your package, causing potential delays.

To avoid customs delays, customers have the option to pay their FedEx duties online in Canada. This eliminates the need to wait on hold during a phone call or visit a local customs office in person. Once you complete the payment, your package will be released and continue its journey to you.

I remember a time when I had to pay additional duties on a pair of snow boots that I ordered from ASOS and had shipped from the UK. Since I already had a FedEx online account, it was easy to take care of the fees, and my package resumed its delivery the following business day.

If you receive an invoice, here's what you need to do to pay your FedEx duties online in Canada:

- Create an online account with FedEx.

- Log in to your FedEx online account.

- Find the invoice number for your duties bill.

- Use your credit or debit card to pay your FedEx shipping duties.

If you don't frequently use FedEx, chances are you don't have an online account with them. Fortunately, 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 on FedEx's Canadian website.

After creating your FedEx account, you might be required to complete a two-step verification process, which involves verifying your phone number or email address. Once the verification is complete, you can log in to your FedEx online account and access your shipment details on your dashboard.

If you haven't received a notification about the shipping duties in your online account, you can use the FedEx online database to find the invoice. Check your duties bill for a nine-digit invoice number in the upper right-hand corner.

Enter this number into the search bar on the FedEx website to find the associated bill. Double-check to ensure it matches the invoice you received.

Once you have verified the bill, click on the 'Pay' button. You will be prompted to make the payment using your credit or debit card. If the information you provided is correct, your payment should be processed and posted within a few minutes.

In my opinion, paying your FedEx duties online is the most convenient option as it is quick and easy. However, if you are not comfortable with technology, you can also pay your FedEx duties over the phone by calling FedEx Canada at 1-800-463-3339. A representative will assist you in making the payment using your credit or debit card.

Generally, once you pay your shipping duties, your package should be released for shipment on the next business day. If it is the weekend, you might have to wait until Monday for your package to be released. Therefore, if possible, it is advisable to pay the duties earlier in the week.

Shipping duties refer to charges levied on certain international shipments received in Canada. While smaller and lower-value packages may be exempt from duty fees, most larger shipments or higher-value packages incur additional costs in the form of duties.

The most prevalent shipping duty you will encounter is the GST/HST taxes applicable to the province where the package is delivered. You can find more information on this at [Link 1].

The amount of duties owed depends primarily on the package's value. When shipping internationally, sellers are typically required to include an invoice with the package. Customs agents examine this invoice to determine the duty fee, which the customer must pay.

If you are making an international purchase, your package will fall into one of two main shipping categories:

- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): In this category, the seller assumes responsibility for all shipping-related costs, including international duties. This is often used for higher-value items to facilitate a seamless transaction for the customer.

- DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): If you receive an invoice from customs, your package falls under this category, indicating that the duties were not paid by the seller. Consequently, it becomes the customer's responsibility to settle the duties.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) states that smaller gifts are exempt from shipping duties, provided their value is less than . However, if the package's value exceeds , the customer will be liable for applicable duties on the amount exceeding . More details can be found at [Link 2].

Paying shipping duties is a common aspect of international purchases and travel. While many sellers and shippers may offer to cover the duties, some customers may need to assume personal responsibility for their FedEx shipping duties.

If you're looking for additional ways to save on international shipping, check out my comprehensive list of the finest international package forwarding services at [Link 3].