Canadian card collectors have it harder than their American counterparts in one key area: buying from US sellers. Here's everything you need to know to buy smart.
The Import Duty Reality
When you buy cards from American sellers and they ship to Canada via USPS, Canada Post, or any carrier:
Under CAD $20 (roughly USD $15): Generally duty-free
CAD $20–$150: Subject to de minimis rules. Often cleared without duty if declared accurately.
Over CAD $150: Subject to customs duties (typically 0% for sports cards from USA under CUSMA/USMCA trade agreement) plus 5% GST and potentially provincial taxes.
In practice, cards from the USA usually clear customs without issue, but you may receive a bill for taxes on higher-value purchases.
CUSMA / USMCA: Good News for Canadians
The Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA, formerly NAFTA) means most goods produced in North America have 0% import duty. Sports cards manufactured in the USA typically qualify.
The remaining cost is tax (GST + provincial), not duty.
Buying from Canadian Sellers
Buying from Canadian sellers (like Card Source Canada) means:
- No customs delays
- No import duties
- No surprise tax bills
- Faster shipping
- Disputes handled under Canadian consumer protection law
This is why buying from Canadian sellers often ends up cheaper than from US sellers, even if the card price is slightly higher.
Our Commitment
Card Source Canada ships from Moncton, NB. Every purchase stays within Canada and avoids all the headaches above.
