Part 2 · The market
Chapter 10 of 14
Canada to US checklist
The question
What has to change before a jar crosses the border?
The answer
Five claims, one barcode, the US label and a customs file.
Key number
0%
duty, if the paperwork is right
What we found swipe
- A Canadian brand from Delta, BC got an FDA warning letter in 2024. For "soothes irritation" and "fast healing". Plantd's "heals cracked skin and calms irritation" is the same kind of claim.
- US labels need net weight, "Water (Aqua)" and a US contact. The Spa 2 oz barcode fails its check digit.
- Duty can be 0%, 10% or 50%. It depends on a USMCA certificate and how a broker classifies the creams.
What it means for Plantd
None of this is hard, but it has to be done in order and before the first shipment, or stock gets held at the border or pays duty it didn't need to.
The evidence
USMCA certificate + creams classed 3304.99+0%
No USMCA certificate+10%
↑ One certificate of origin per shipment removes this. Section 338 has no USMCA exemption, so the classification matters most.
Classed 3304.10/.20/.30 (Section 338)+50%
Source: US tariff schedule (HTS revision 20, chapter 99 notes), as of 6 Oct 2026. A licensed customs broker must confirm the classification.
Data as a table
| Filing | Extra duty % |
|---|---|
| USMCA certificate + creams classed 3304.99 | 0 |
| No USMCA certificate | 10 |
| Classed 3304.10/.20/.30 (Section 338) | 50 |
Do this first
Go deeper
Full detail: Canada to US regulatory and logistics checklist
The operator layer behind this chapter. Inside:
- The full checklist: FDA listing, labels, organic claims, tariffs, importer of record
- Dating and shelf-life rules distributors apply
- Insurance and barcode requirements
