Many Canadians are choosing to shop closer to home this year. Some do it to support local businesses, and some simply want to avoid surprise fees. But does shopping Canadian actually save you money? The honest answer is: often, yes, but it depends on what you're buying and how you compare. Here's what to know.
Sticker price isn't the whole price
A product listed for less on a foreign website can end up costing more once it reaches your door. When you compare prices, compare the total you'll actually pay, including:
- Shipping
- Duties and import taxes
- Any surtax on the product
- Courier brokerage or handling fees
- Currency conversion and card fees, often around 2.5%
- The cost of returning it if it doesn't work out
Canadian stores that ship from inside Canada usually include everything except sales tax and shipping in the price you see, and there's nothing extra to pay at the door. We break down each of these costs in The Hidden Costs of Ordering Online from Outside Canada.
What changed in 2026
On 8 September 2026, Canada began applying a surtax of 15%, 25% or 50% to a list of goods made in the United States. Categories on the list include some clothing and textiles, appliances, electronics, kitchenware, furniture, paper products and personal care items. Customs specialists note the surtax can apply to online orders of any value, even small parcels that would normally come in duty-free.
A few important details:
- It's about where the product was made, not where the store is. A US-made product can be affected even if you buy it from a website in another country.
- Not every product in a category is affected. Only specific listed items are, so check the government's list before assuming.
- Sales tax is charged on top of the surtax, which makes the total bill even higher.
When shopping Canadian saves you the most
- Clothing, accessories and winter gear, where cross-border fees and surtaxes can add up quickly.
- Gifts you're shipping to someone else, so they never face a surprise bill at their door.
- Anything you might need to return, since domestic returns are simpler and cheaper.
- Holiday orders, where customs delays could mean missing Christmas.
When it might not
To be fair, Canadian prices aren't always the lowest. Very large online marketplaces can sometimes beat local prices on mass-produced items, especially during big sales. That's why comparing the total landed cost matters more than the headline price.
The savings you can't see on a receipt
Shopping Canadian also keeps money circulating in Canadian communities, supporting local makers, small businesses and jobs. Many shoppers find that worth something on its own.
5 quick tips to save when shopping Canadian
- Compare total costs, not just sticker prices.
- Watch free shipping thresholds. Adding a small item to reach the minimum can cost less than paying for shipping.
- Pay in Canadian dollars to skip conversion fees.
- Shop early for the holidays to avoid paying for rush delivery.
- Check the label. Learn the difference between "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" in our guide to reading Canadian product labels.
Shopping Canadian at True North Treasures
Every True North Treasures order ships from suppliers inside Canada, priced in Canadian dollars, with no duties or brokerage fees at your door. Any import costs our suppliers face are already reflected in the price you see, so there are no surprises later. Shipping is calculated at checkout. You can browse gifts from Canadian makers in our Designed in Canada collection.
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Tariffs and import rules can change, so check the Government of Canada and CBSA websites for the latest details.