Integrate Zonos via API

If you're shipping packages from Canada to the United States using Canada Post, you must now prepay duties before your parcel crosses the border.

The recommended method to prepay U.S. duties is through automatic billing through a Zonos Verified Account

For ecommerce merchants in our Developer Program – integrating Canada Post shipping services into their ecommerce website or platform – our Delivery Duties Paid (DDP) solution is currently available to Canada Post commercial customers who either:

Use a custom in-house shipping system integrated directly with Canada Post via our web services/APIs, or;
Ship through a third-party platform that has integrated with Canada Post and Zonos.

Getting started with a Zonos Verified account for automatic billing

With a Verified Account you can:

Enable automatic billing from Zonos U.S. for duties and taxes.
Enable Zonos to collect duties from your business and remit them directly to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on your behalf.
Access your U.S.-bound shipping labels in Snap Ship and Shipping manager immediately.
Access Zonos’s classify tool to generate accurate HS codes and duty rates (so you can build duty into your shipping or product costs), or integrate with Zonos’s ecommerce apps to enable Zonos to manage that for you at checkout (at an additional cost).

How it works:

You create a shipment as per your normal process.
Canada Post generates a Declaration ID.
Canada Post links the Declaration ID to your shipment's tracking number.
Canada Post issues a shipping label (the Declaration ID confirms Zonos will collect and remit duties to CBP on your behalf).
Using the tracking number and data shared from Canada Post, Zonos pays CBP directly for the shipment.
Zonos invoices you for the duties associated with the tracking number.

How to set up a Verified Account

If you currently purchase U.S. shipping labels with an in-house custom development shipping system, you have the option to update your code of API call to Canada Post and sign up for a Verified Account with Zonos to obtain automatic billing.

What you need to do:

Sign up for a Zonos Account
- Use this link to sign up for a Zonos account through Canada Post.
Verify your email
- To keep your account secure, Zonos will send a verification code to your email inbox.
  - Enter the code in the verification field.
Didn’t get it? Select Resend to request another code.
Add your business information
- Enter your business details
  - Business name – The name of your company
  - Website URL – Your store or company website
  - Country – Where your business is base
- Select Save when finished.
Add a payment method
- Keep a valid payment method on file so Zonos can invoice you directly for duties.
- To connect a payment method:
  - Navigate to dashboard.zonos.com
  - Choose Settings
  - Select Billing
  - Choose Add payment method
  - Enter your credit card details and select Save
  - Add the rest of your details:
    
    Name
    
    Email
    
    Phone
    
    Country
    
    Address
  - Select Save to confirm your billing information.
  Reminder: Access to the Zonos Dashboard and its tools is free - no subscription fees. You’ll only be charged for duties (remitted to CBP by Zonos on your behalf) and the postal clearance/processing fee.
Locate your Account Key
- Once you have added a payment method and your account is approved, you'll receive a Zonos Account Key.
- To locate your Zonos Account Key:
  - Navigate to dashboard.zonos.com
  - Select Settings
  - Under Settings, you will see your Zonos Account Key.
Add your Zonos Account Key
If you’re using a custom in-house shipping system (via Canada Post web services/APIs):
- Your developer must include the Zonos Account Key in the API header when making calls to Canada Post.
- This enables Canada Post to generate and link a unique Declaration ID for each U.S-bound shipment.
- Example header format: “X-CPC-Zonos-Key=xxxxxxxxxxx”
If you’re shipping through a third-party platform:
- Log in to your platform of choice (e.g. ShipStation, OrderCup, Machool, Shopify (PluginHive), WooCommerce (PluginHive), 2Ship, ShipRush, ShipWise/DesktopShipper, Think Logistics).
- Navigate to Account Settings or Carrier Settings and paste your Zonos Account Key.
- Example: In ShipStation, enter the account key in Carrier Settings (where you would normally input your Canada Post account credentials).
- Create a U.S. label to confirm the account key is properly linked.
Note: Shopify and netParcel have facilitated their own built-in integrations with Canada Post and Zonos, which support label creation with prepaid duties. Using your own Canada Post account for carrier-calculated shipping is not supported for U.S.-bound shipments on these platforms.

Troubleshooting

If an error occurs during saving the Zonos account key:
- Ensure you’ve copied the correct account key (only copy the one labelled “account key” in the Zonos dashboard).
- Confirm that the platform has integrated Zonos account keys for Canada Post.
- Reach out to the platform’s support team if needed.
- Reach out to your Canada Post representative or Integration team contact for further assistance.
If an error occurs during U.S. label creation:
- Verify the correct account key has been copied from the Zonos dashboard.
- Ensure all required customs fields are completed (Country of Origin, declared value, etc.).
- Confirm your Canada Post account is in good standing (i.e. no outstanding invoice balances, valid payment method, etc.).
- Reach out to your Canada Post representative or Integration team for further troubleshooting.
Create a shipment
- Follow your existing process to generate a Canada Post US-bound shipping label.
- A Declaration ID is created and attached to your shipments tracking number. The declaration ID is your payment of duties validation – ensuring Canada Post knows duties are covered, so your label can be issued without delay.
Receive shipping label
- Canada Post will issue the shipping label because the declaration ID confirms Zonos will connect and remit duties to CBP on your behalf.
Proceed with Zonos Automatic Billing
- The system automatically processes payments from your stored method.

How billing works with a Verified Account

As an approved and qualified third-party with U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP), Zonos will invoice you directly to collect the duties and postal clearance fees for all your U.S.-bound postal shipments valued under US$800.

Zonos will invoice you after a shipment has been cleared by U.S. Customs for delivery. As a result, there will be a delay between the time you ship a package and when you receive an invoice. Once an invoice is generated, your payment method on file (credit card) will be charged within 24 hours.

CBP will be reviewing shipments at the border. If CBP reassesses a shipment and charges additional duties, you will be invoiced these additional duties on your next invoice. These charges will be listed as a "CBP adjustment" in the memo field of the invoice and the Transaction Type will be a charge.

If you created a shipping label and a Declaration ID is generated, but you decide not to use that label or cancel the shipment, your credit card will not be charged. Zonos only bills when a package is dispatched for delivery.

Duty calculation tools included with your Verified Account

Your Verified Account gives you access to Zonos Dashboard, which includes tools to help you calculate the duties on your products. With these calculations, you can build the true cost of cross-border shipping into your product or shipping price – so there are no surprises for you or your customers.

With your Verified Account, you can access the following tools:

AI-powered product classification
Real-time duty and tax calculators

By using these tools, you'll know precisely what duties will be charged on your packages. This transparency allows you to set accurate pricing, protect your margins and avoid surprise fees for your customers.

Tip: Zonos also offers a suite of ecommerce solutions that integrate directly at checkout. These solutions let you calculate and guarantee duties in real time for your shoppers – ensuring they see the full cost upfront, with no unexpected charges at delivery.

Tools and resources available to you:

Direct invoicing – All duty and tax charges are billed straight to you.
Full visibility – View a breakdown of duties per shipment in your Zonos Dashboard.
Useful reports – Download invoices, review payment history and export data for accounting.
Helpful tools – Access AI-powered product classification and real-time duty and tax calculators to know precisely what duties will be charged on your shipments.

Frequently asked questions

What costs and fees can I expect to pay with a Zonos Verified Account?
When you use your Zonos Verified account, you can expect the following:
- $1.99 remittance fee: A flat charge for transferring the duties and taxes you collect to CBP.
- 10% of calculated duties (disbursement and bond fee): A service fee based on the total duties owed. This covers the cost of advancing the duties on your behalf and providing the required customs bond.
What third-party platforms are currently integrated with Canada Post and Zonos?
The following third-party platforms are currently integrated with Canada Post and Zonos:
- Ecommerce platforms: Shopify, Shopify (PluginHive), WooCommerce (PluginHive)
- Marketplaces: Etsy, eBay, Whatnot
- Shipping systems: Machool, OrderCup, netParcel, 2Ship, ShipRush, ShipWise/DesktopShipper, Think Logistics, Shippo, Easyship, ShipStation, Easypost
Note: Shopify and netParcel have facilitated their own built-in integrations with Canada Post and Zonos, which support label creation with prepaid duties. Using your own Canada Post account for carrier-calculated shipping is not supported for U.S.-bound shipments on these platforms.
How are ecommerce returns to the U.S. handled?
The Zonos App provides consumers with the option to initiate a return to you.

It’s important for your business to clearly communicate your return policy and be transparent about the return location:
- If returns are sent within Canada: Your current process with Canada Post and customer experience will stay the same.
- If returns are sent to the U.S. with Canada Post: A new Declaration ID will be required to generate the return label (since the item is crossing the border again), however no additional duties or fees will be applied. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. postal returns are not duty-free and require duties to be paid. However, there a few exceptions where no additional duties or fees will apply:
How can I reconcile invoices from Canada Post for shipping with invoices from Zonos for duties and taxes?
To understand the total landed cost of your U.S. shipments, you can compare your Zonos invoice (duties and applicable fees) with your Canada Post invoice (shipping charges) in a few simple steps.
- Locate the tracking number
- Match shipments across invoices
- Add up to the totals
Note: Small timing differences can occur if a shipment clears or bills on a different date.

Tip: Keeping a simple spreadsheet to log tracking numbers, shipping costs, and duty amounts can help make reconciliation clear and consistent each billing cycle.
I created a label but it was never used, can I get a refund?
Do I need a Verified Account if I am using Shopify to print my Canada Post labels?

No, you do not need a Verified Account if you are printing your Canada Post labels via Shopify. Shopify has facilitated a partnership with Canada Post and Zonos to create Canada Post labels with prepaid duties. They handle the billing and remittance of duties to CBP with Zonos on your behalf. There are couple of steps to set this up in Shopify. Currently, this only supports labels through Shopify's Canada Post account ("BYOA" or "Bring Your Own Account" not supported).

If you’re shipping higher volumes and are looking to use the Zonos Duty and Tax app from the Shopify Store to pre-capture duties at checkout from your customers, an annual subscription fee applies.
Can I use a provider other than Zonos to create my declaration ID?

Zonos has a direct integration with Canada Post for providing cross-border shipping capabilities including cost calculations, duty/tax collection and customers documentation. Our system expects duties and taxes to be billed to Zonos and requires the Zonos tax ID or documentation to appear on paperwork. With Canada Post, you must use Zonos-generated documentation and declaration processes.
Can I estimate duties calculated beforehand via Canada Post Rating API call?
Not currently. Instead you can:
- Use Zonos’s Classify to generate accurate HS codes and duty rates, allowing you to build duty into your shipping or product cost.
- Use the Calculate feature of Prepay app to see the HS code, duty rate and other item information.
- Upload rate sheets into your Zonos Dashboard
You can also reach out to the Zonos Support team at support@zonos.com for assistance.
What are the rules for sending items by Letter-post (Letter or Large Envelope)?

Letter-post is limited to documents with no commercial value. Examples include brochures, flyers, personal correspondence or annual reports. You cannot send books, purchased magazines or any goods being sold to the recipient.

Magazines and publications: If the magazine was purchased by the U.S. recipient, it counts as a commercial item and cannot be sent by Letter-post. If a publication is sent for information only (e.g., an annual report from a financial institution), it can go as Letter-post.

Weight and size limits: A Large Envelope can be up to 380 mm × 270 mm × 20 mm (14.96" × 10.62" × 0.8") and must weigh no more than 500 g (1.1 lb). Anything heavier or larger will be treated as a parcel/packet and charged parcel rates.

Duties and taxes: Even if your documents exceed the Letter-post limits and are charged parcel rates, they are still classified as documents and should not be subject to duties or taxes.

If your item has any commercial value, it will need to go through Zonos to obtain a Declaration ID for proper customs clearance.
What should I do if I receive an error code when setting up a Verified Account with Zonos?
If you receive an error code during Verified Account setup, please contact Zonos Support:
- Email: support@zonos.com
- Help Center: https://docs.zonos.com
- In-app support chat: Available within your Zonos dashboard
For integration or technical errors related to Canada Post’s systems, you may also contact your Canada Post sales representative.

How to integrate Zonos via API to prepay U.S. duties and access shipping labels

On this page

The recommended method to prepay U.S. duties is through automatic billing through a Zonos Verified Account

Getting started with a Zonos Verified account for automatic billing

How it works:

How to set up a Verified Account

What you need to do:

How billing works with a Verified Account

Duty calculation tools included with your Verified Account

With your Verified Account, you can access the following tools:

Tools and resources available to you:

Frequently asked questions

What costs and fees can I expect to pay with a Zonos Verified Account?

What third-party platforms are currently integrated with Canada Post and Zonos?

How are ecommerce returns to the U.S. handled?

How can I reconcile invoices from Canada Post for shipping with invoices from Zonos for duties and taxes?

I created a label but it was never used, can I get a refund?

Do I need a Verified Account if I am using Shopify to print my Canada Post labels?

Can I use a provider other than Zonos to create my declaration ID?

Can I estimate duties calculated beforehand via Canada Post Rating API call?

What are the rules for sending items by Letter-post (Letter or Large Envelope)?

What should I do if I receive an error code when setting up a Verified Account with Zonos?

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