Low‑Value Import Threshold Increased to $3,300

Summary#

These are final regulations called Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Customs Act (Low Value Shipment Threshold) (SOR/2024-199) that formally raise the low‑value import threshold from $2,500 to $3,300. They codify changes the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has been using since July 1, 2020 and were published in the Canada Gazette on October 23, 2024.

What it does#

• Changes references to the low‑value shipment amount from $2,500 to $3,300 in the Accounting for Imported Goods and Payment of Duties Regulations.
• Updates the Fees in Respect of Mail Regulations so that commercial mail fees apply only when the estimated value for duty exceeds $3,300.
• Amends the Proof of Origin of Imported Goods Regulations so that importers of commercial goods valued at $3,300 or less do not need a separate written origin statement to claim preferential tariff treatment under Canada’s free trade agreements; a commercial invoice showing origin is acceptable unless the shipments are part of a scheme to avoid the rules.
• States these changes are treated as having come into force on July 1, 2020 (they formalize practices already in effect under Customs Notice 20-15).

Who's affected#

• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which administers customs processing and updated its systems and guidance.
• Businesses that import goods, including online sellers and small and medium enterprises.
• Customs brokers, freight forwarders and courier companies who process low‑value shipments.
• Consumers who buy items from overseas via e‑commerce — more low‑value parcels may clear faster and with less paperwork.
• It’s unclear if any other groups are significantly affected beyond the trade and delivery sectors named above.

Note: CBSA’s regulatory analysis said these changes align rules across import streams and do not increase costs for small businesses.

Why it matters#

• More packages with a value for duty at or below $3,300 can move through customs with fewer documents and simpler checks. That usually means faster delivery and less paperwork for importers and couriers.
• Claiming duty‑free treatment under free trade agreements for small commercial shipments is simpler because a commercial invoice that shows origin is now enough.
• The change brings Canada into line with the low‑value threshold used by the United States and Mexico under CUSMA, which can simplify cross‑border e‑commerce and courier operations.
• Because the rules are retroactive to July 1, 2020, they formalize practices already applied to shipments since that date.