How I Shop Items from the U.S.

We paid $5 USD per package that was received on our behalf and the items were rerouted to a UPS store in Lewiston, NY, about a 10 minute drive past the border. When more and more packages started to be sent, we realized that $5/package was adding up – and fast. We chatted with the UPS store and found out that purchasing a more permanent option directly with the store was an option. We would receive a formal address with a unit number for all future delieries. This is the address I now use as a secondary billing address on my credit card for online shopping.

We pay $120 USD every 6 months and share the box with other family members who also use it to ship packages within the US. We can access our mailbox 24/7 thanks to a key to the building. A simple 1-2 day notification to the store is required so they can ensure your packages are stored in an accessible locker. I try to coordinate my visits on weekends when the store is open, so if I need to return any clothing purchases, the return process is a breeze and can be done on site (they have WiFi and you can get access to a printer).

Large items such as the Anthropologie mirror – or any piece of furniture – can be shipped and held without additional fees but must be picked up during regular hours.

Get yourself a NEXUS Pass. So you’ve shipped your item to the US, saved yourself with a better shopping discount and avoided shipping fees, but you have to get it back into Canada. And all those duties. Now what? Get yourself a NEXUS pass. For only $50, this pass is good for 10 years and in the case of the Buffalo border, gives you access to special lines getting in/out of the two countries which in itself is worth the investment. 

While I can’t officially confirm this, both Adam and myself agree that there tends to be a larger leniency allowance for goods brought into the country with a NEXUS pass vs. without. We also find that taking back merchandise mid-week close to 9PM results in lower chances of paying duties vs. a weekend time slot. Do note that you must declare all items in your car/truck with a NEXUS pass. If they randomly search your car and items have not been declared, the pass is immediately revoked.

If you do any sort of air travel, this clearance also comes in handy for breezing past security lines and in most cases, is a speedier process since you’ve already been vetted by both country’s defence personnel.

For those who don’t live close to the border or the road trip isn’t worth your time, there are some forwarding companies in the US that will ship your parcel to Canada. I have not personally used any of these sites so I can’t vouch for them, but US GO Buy is a name that is used a lot. Do note that you can and should expect to pay full duty on all the items you’re bringing over.

Upcoming trip to the US? If there’s an item you’ve got your eye on and want to have it ready for you ahead of your trip, ship the item to your hotel. Having worked in events and PR, I know that hotel properties will accept packages in your name up to 3 weeks ahead of your arrival. When checking in, let them know they’re holding parcels for you and they can collect them and have them brought to your room. I do this for almost every trip to the US and have never run into a problem.

In regards to this specific mirror, we shipped it to the UPS store in Lewiston. Since it’s 7 feet tall and is packaged with bubble wrap, styrofoam and a wooden palette, the delivery package was more like 9 feet long which made transportation difficult. We rented a cube van and brought it back on a weekend. Thankfully, we did snag the mirror at 30% off so the duties weren’t as harsh as we had banked on!