With more than 1,938 stores in the U.S., Target is one of the country’s largest retail chains, with a very strong customer base in Canada. However, Canadian consumers often have a difficult time shopping with Target due to the absence of physical stores in the country. Because of this, it’s common to ask if Target ships to Canada in 2022.
- Are there Target stores in Canada?
- Does Target ship to Canada?
- What is package forwarding?
- How can I get Target orders in Canada?
- Are there alternatives to getting Target orders in Canada?
- How much does it cost to get Target orders in Canada?
- What about customs or duty charges?
- Frequently asked questions about ordering from Target in Canada
Are there Target stores in Canada?
Target currently has no physical stores in Canada. Target Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of the retailer, shut down all operations in 2015 after losing $1 billion in the first year alone. There are currently no public plans to reopen Target stores in Canada. However, buyers can visit Target.com and shop online.
Does Target ship to Canada?
Target does not currently ship to Canada. The company introduced international shipping in October 2015, which allowed users in Canada to shop online and ship items to their local addresses. However, the service was discontinued in February 2020.
Currently, the company offers no direct shipping to Canada. Buyers, however, can still shop at Target and use package forwarding companies to get parcels delivered. This is a quick and easy way to get Target items delivered to your doorstep.
What is package forwarding?
Package forwarding is a service that involves a third-party provider and is used when the original seller does not offer international shipping. This could be due to a variety of reasons, including internal policies and geographical limitations. Canadian buyers can use package forwarding services to get goods delivered to Canada from the U.S. and other countries. Some popular options are PostScanMail and MyUS.
Also called freight forwarders, these companies offer a local address to the buyer and accept parcels on their behalf. These parcels are then shipped to the buyer’s address. Package forwarding companies work as middlemen, their only job is to ensure the parcel reaches the buyer. They take care of everything from booking a parcel to package labelling and consolidation.
Some companies may even buy items on your behalf and others may allow you to enter their address when shopping online. They usually charge based on the weight of the item. However, some may charge based on quantity or offer a fixed monthly quote. Moreover, freight forwarders can also store goods on behalf of consumers and forward them to other addresses.
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How can I get Target orders in Canada?
The easiest way to get Target orders in Canada is to hire the services of a packaging forwarding company. The first step is to find a reliable U.S. to Canada package forwarder. Pick a business that ships to your region and is affordable and reliable.
Sign up to a package forwarding service
Next, sign up for an account. The process is free, but you will typically have to choose a paid plan before you can access all features. The process usually takes a few minutes. However, you will be asked to provide details such as your Canadian address and phone number. Once done, you will be able to find details such as your shipment forwarder’s address. Once you have it, go to the online Target site and decide what you wish to purchase.
Shop online at Target.com
You may have to create a new account in order to shop online and use all the features the platform has to offer. Choose your desired product and finalize the purchase. Remember that you will have to pay in USD as the Target site does not offer CAD payments.
This means you will have to pay a conversion fee, which can be as high as 3%. It might be a good idea to find a credit card that offers low or no foreign transaction fees, especially if you intend to shop regularly at Target and other international stores.
Enter the freight forwarder’s address
Make sure to enter your freight forwarder’s address at the checkout. While Target offers cash on delivery, this option may not be suitable unless your freight forwarding service allows you to choose COD orders. In most cases, you will have to pay online. Target usually ships within 3 to 5 business days. Shipping is free on orders over $35 and some items may be eligible for 2-day or same-day delivery.
Shipping & delivery
You will get a notification when the parcel reaches the freight forwarder’s warehouse. Once received, your shipping forwarder will typically contact you. They’ll finalize the delivery date and provide delivery specifics. Some companies offer door-to-door delivery and some may require the buyer to collect the order from a nearby branch.
It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to receive the parcel. Get in touch with the company to confirm the delivery date. You may have the option to expedite the process. In most cases, the company will provide a tracking number that will allow you to track your parcel.
Are there alternatives to getting Target orders in Canada?
There are no other alternatives to getting Target orders shipped to Canada. You can carry goods if you visit the country or have a friend or family member deliver them on your behalf. However, this can end up being very costly, especially if it’s a large item. The cheapest option is to work with a freight forwarder.
How much does it cost to get Target orders in Canada?
The fees vary between companies and depend on a variety of factors, such as the weight of the parcel and your location. Freight forwarders provide a U.S. address that’s typically free but you will have to pay a shipping fee that can be between $6 and $20 per package. MyUS actually has a 20% discount on your first shipment, so that might affect the price of your oder.
There may be extra charges if the parcel goes above a specific weight limit or if the freight forwarder has to keep the parcel for a specific number of days. Most companies will keep a parcel for only 30 days for free. You will pay anywhere between $0.80 and $1 per day per item after the first 30 days.
How to save on fees
A great way to save money is to sign up for a monthly, half-year, or annual plan. These plans start as low as $10 per month, like PostScanMail, and go as high as $100 per month. Users get 2 to 20 free parcels per month and only have to pay a processing fee, between $1 and $3 per parcel. Long-term plans usually come with additional benefits such as more warehouse storage and faster delivery.
All in all, expect to pay $5 to $10 per parcel, in addition to the cost of the parcel and shipping to the U.S. address (if under $35). Long-term plans can be beneficial if you plan on being a regular shopper. Pay-per-plans are more suitable for one-time buyers.
What about customs or duty charges?
Buyers may also have to pay customs charges on certain purchases. There are little to no tariffs on goods manufactured in the U.S. due to the Canada-US-Mexico trade treaty. However, goods imported from other countries or products that contain components manufactured outside of the U.S. require the importer (buyer) to pay import duties.
Read more about how to avoid customs charges when ordering items from the US to Canada.
Frequently asked questions about ordering from Target in Canada
No, Target is no longer operational in Canada and has no physical stores in the country. The company entered the Canadian market with much fanfare. It acquired Zellers in 2013 and quickly opened 133 stores. However, the Canadian business failed and the organisation ultimately went bankrupt in 2015.
According to experts, poor planning is one of the main reasons why Target failed in Canada. The company expanded too quickly and couldn’t compete with local brands. It went from 0 to 133 stores in two years and faced supply chain issues, in addition to rising prices. Some observers also argue that it chose poor store locations.
No, Target does not offer international delivery. Your only option is to work with a freight forwarding company. They’ll accept the parcel on your behalf and forward it to your Canadian address for a fee.
AmForward, BorderLinx, and Boxnius are some of the most popular shipping forwarding services. Compare all your available options and pick a company that with reviews.
The company currently has no public plans to reopen stores in Canada. It took a huge blow when it tried to enter the country in 2013 and is currently focusing on the US market.
While the company offers free shipping to U.S. addresses on orders above $35, the service is not available in Canada as Target doesn’t currently offer international shipping. Buyers can work with a freight forwarding company and expect to pay between $5 and $10 per parcel.
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About The Author: Arthur Dubois
Passionate about personal finance and financial technology, Arthur Dubois is a writer and SEO specialist at Hardbacon. Since his arrival in Canada, he’s built his credit score from nothing.
Arthur invests in the stock market but doesn’t pay any fees because he uses National Bank Direct Brokerage online broker and Wealthsimple’s robo-advisor. He pays for his subscriptions online with his KOHO prepaid card, and uses his Tangerine credit card for most of his in-store purchases. When he buys bitcoins, it’s with the BitBuy online platform. Of course it goes without saying that he uses the Hardbacon app so that he can manage all of his finances from one convenient place.
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