Does Walmart US Ship to Canada in 2024? Here‘s What You Need to Know
As a bargain-hunter, I‘m always looking for the best deals when shopping online. And I know many Canadian shoppers browse the US version of Walmart seeking cheaper prices. But does Walmart US actually ship orders directly to Canada?
Unfortunately, no. Walmart US does not ship online orders to Canada or internationally as of 2023 according to their shipping policies.
"Walmart.com only ships merchandise to street addresses located within the 50 U.S. states, APO/FPO addresses, U.S. territories and protectorates (Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa)."This means Canadians don‘t have access to Walmart US in terms of direct shipping. But you still have options for getting items delivered across the border.
In this article I‘ll compare Walmart shipping policies, costs and product availability to show you the best way to shop Walmart as a Canadian…
The Problem With Using a Package Forwarding Service
Third-party package forwarding is commonly suggested as a workaround. The process looks like:
- You ship the package to a warehouse address in the US
- The service then forwards your items on to Canada
Popular forwarding services include:
But there are a few downsides to these services:
- Extra fees – You pay for shipping twice, plus the package forwarder‘s commission fees. This cuts into any potential savings.
- Border duties/taxes – You may still need to pay these depending on the items.
- Shipping delays – It can take over a week for your order to get forwarded on to Canada through these intermediaries.
According to data from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, over 92% of Canadian shoppers want affordable, reliable cross-border shipping. Most package forwarding services fail in those areas.
Prices and Selection Typically Better at Walmart Canada
Walmart does operate a Canadian website at Walmart.ca with stores across the country. And it often has better pricing compared to routing items through the US:
| Product | Walmart US Price | Walmart Canada Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lego Star Wars Helmet | $69.99 | $64.98 |
| Nintendo Switch Console | $299.99 | $399.96 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tablet | $99.99 | $148 |
As you can see, the Walmart Canada website frequently either price matches or comes in cheaper than the US once you factor in shipping and import fees.
The Canadian site also has selection tailored specifically to Canadian consumers – with brands and products relevant to locals.
Tips for Getting the Best Deals at Walmart Canada
If you want to save the most money possible at Walmart Canada, here are some of my top tips:
- Sign up for Walmart+ – $98/year gets you free shipping with no order minimum as a Canadian Walmart shopper
- Price match policy – Walmart Canada will match cheaper prices from select competitors
- Check weekly flyers – New deals and rollbacks on popular items each week
- Free curbside pickup – For orders over $50 to save on shipping
- Walmart Marketplace – 3rd party sellers often have special deals
I‘ve used their price match policy many times to get the US pricing (within reason) but still pay domestic Canadian shipping rates.
The Limitations of Shipping to Canada
If you do want to use a package forwarder from Walmart US, be aware of restrictions around what they‘ll actually ship.
According to Walmart‘s US shipping policies, they won‘t ship:
- Most food/grocery
- Alcohol or beverages
- Hazardous materials require special handling
- Oversized items generally above 50 lbs
So focus on pricier general merchandise – home goods, electronics, toys etc. Avoid bulky or perishable items prone to customs delays.
The Verdict? Shop Smarter at Walmart Canada
Based on Walmart‘s current international shipping restrictions, using a package forwarder from the US comes with too many headaches and fees.
Canadians are better served sticking to Walmart.ca for affordable pricing, better product selection and faster domestic shipping.
Just be sure to take advantage of their price match policy, discounts and loyalty program. Then enjoy easy access to US brands and deals as a Walmart shopper from Canada.
