Before you click buy on a US boot site, answer 8 questions. We'll tell you whether to order direct, use a marketplace, or skip the border risk entirely.
Question 1 of 8
Where are the boots made?
Country of origin determines CUSMA duty eligibility. US-made and Mexico-made boots are typically duty-free; others are not.
USAAriat, Tecovas, Chisos, Lucchese — most qualify duty-free under CUSMA
MexicoMany Tony Lama, Dan Post, Justin — usually duty-free under CUSMA
Other / UnknownChina, Brazil, India, or not listed — standard tariff applies (~18% on leather boots)
Not sureProduct page doesn't say — treat as uncertain
Question 2 of 8
Where is the retailer based?
US retailers ship from US warehouses. Some ship to Canada directly; others block it or charge brokerage on top.
US retailer, ships to CanadaSite says they ship internationally — you pay duties on arrival
US retailer, US addresses onlyYou'd need a mail forwarding service or parcel redirector
Canadian retailer or authorized importerDuties already handled — no customs surprise at the door
Marketplace (eBay, Poshmark, etc.)Seller ships from US or Canada — varies widely
Question 3 of 8
Which carrier will they use?
Carrier matters because brokerage fees vary wildly. UPS and FedEx charge significant brokerage on top of duties. USPS/Canada Post does not.
UPSBrokerage fees can hit $50–$80+ CAD on a single pair
FedExBrokerage included in some tiers — but surprises happen
DHLGenerally lower brokerage than UPS/FedEx but not zero
UnknownRetailer doesn't say — treat as worst-case
Question 4 of 8
Does the retailer offer duties/taxes prepaid (DDP) at checkout?
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means you pay duties upfront at checkout — no COD surprise at the door, no brokerage bill from the carrier.
Yes — duties prepaid at checkoutCosts are known upfront, no carrier brokerage surprise
Site shows an estimate but doesn't guarantee itBetter than nothing — but budget for variance
No — I pay duties on deliveryAmount unknown until arrival; carrier may charge brokerage on top
Not sureCheckout doesn't mention it — treat as collect-on-delivery
Question 5 of 8
What's the retailer's return policy for Canadian customers?
Return shipping from Canada to the US costs $40–$90+ CAD for a boot box. If the retailer won't cover it, a return can wipe out any savings.
Free returns, including from CanadaLow risk — you can return without penalty if fit is off
Free returns in US only / Canadian returns at your costExpect $50–$90 CAD to ship back
Exchange or store credit onlyYou can swap sizes but can't get money back
Final sale / no returnsHigh risk — wrong size means stuck boots
Question 6 of 8
How confident are you in your size for this specific brand?
Western boot sizing varies significantly by brand, last, and width. A Tecovas 10D fits differently than a Lucchese 10D. Instep height matters too.
I own this brand alreadyAlready know my size — high fit confidence
I've tried this brand in a storeKnow my size, buying the same last
I've worn a similar brand (same last family)Good guess — moderate confidence
Never worn this brand beforeSize unknown — significant return risk
Question 7 of 8
Does the retailer require signature on delivery?
Signature-required international shipments can lead to missed deliveries, re-delivery fees, or packages sent to a depot an hour away. Worth knowing before you order.
No signature requiredDelivery proceeds without you home — lower friction
Signature requiredYou need to be home or arrange pickup at depot
Not sureCarrier sometimes adds it for high-value international shipments
Question 8 of 8
How are you paying?
Payment method determines what happens if the item doesn't arrive or isn't as described. Credit card chargebacks and PayPal disputes are meaningful protections for cross-border orders.
Credit card (Visa / Mastercard / Amex)Chargeback protection — strong. 90–120 days typically
PayPalBuyer protection covers non-delivery and significantly not as described
Debit card or bank transferLittle to no protection if something goes wrong
Crypto / gift card / otherNo protection — do not use for cross-border retail