Canada Post Strike and US Tariffs

Breaking News:

Please note UPS, Purolator, Canpar, FedEx Express, ICS and DHL will be closed on Tuesday September 30th, 2025 for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Pick ups and deliveries will not take place on these days. Regular operations will resume on Wednesday October 1st, 2025.

September 27, 2025: CUPW has launched a national strike that will cause postal delays

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has launched a national strike following today’s government announcement on Canada Post’s transformation. Pleases select alternative couriers such as UPS or Purolator for domestic shipments as Canada Post as service is suspended..


October 1, 2025:  U.S. federal government shutdown.

US importers and exporters should be aware of the potential impact on the government's timeline for processing imports and exports into the US.


During previous shutdowns, US Customs and Border Protection, along with some Partner Government Agencies, continued to process entries. However, many experienced longer wait times, slower-moving exams, longer processing of documentation, and greater challenges in communication. 


Several agencies may likely be inactive or severely reduced in their capacity. This shutdown will result in significant delays for imports of nearly every kind, but particularly long delays or potential refusals for goods that require certification or inspection from a Partner Government Agency (PGA) or a specialized agency.


Should the shutdown commence, the following tips can provide stability:

  • Avoid shipping non-essential cargo

  • Cross during standard business hours whenever possible

  • Adjust delivery deadlines and expectations to account for delays

  • Prepare for Partner Government Agencies (such as EPA or FDA) to be unavailable for processing shipments

This story is developing; keep an eye on this space or subscribe to the Trading Post Newsletter for the latest as it happens


Canadians: stay up to date with the latest Canada Post strike notice in effect here.

Americans can keep up to date with the latest US Tariff Updates.

De Minimis ($800) is suspended as of Aug 29, 2025  All low-value shipments to the U.S. are now dutiable and must meet full admissibility requirements. Non-postal parcels require a proper customs entry; postal parcels face new per-item or ad-valorem duties. 

At present nearly all the PINE64 products are being fulfilled from Canada. (Calgary, Alberta)  The p-boot bootloader ships from Singapore, where shipping to North America is generally slower & more costly.

Toys are shipping out from a US warehouse in South Gate, California (near Los Angeles).

We are now able to calculate the cost of duty at shopping cart checkout. Please use the US Tariff Finder to estimate the applicable tariff/duty if you are an American customer and the order must cross the border. In the future we plan to carry inventory from a US warehouse to avoid the duty and tariffs. 

 

Some General Advice for Customers 

Please select alternatives like UPS, Fedex or there could be potential disruption and delay. Please use an address rather than a PO box — a lockable box at a Canada Post site that other couriers can't access.

Tariff and duties are taxes collected by courier service and not by the bitcompact store. Unfortunately we will not be able to accept refund requests for shipments that are rejected by the buyer.

Once again you are responsible for any additional import duties, fees, or taxes. If you would like cancel your order then we can do so if it has not yet shipped. Thank you for your patience and understanding, have a wonderful day!

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The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has launched a national strike effective immediately. Canada Post's operations are shut down for the duration of the strike.

 
 

Impact on your shipments:

 
 
  • New shipments cannot be processed through Canada Post.
 
  • Packages already in their system will be delayed or on hold.
 
  • Service will resume when the strike ends.
 
 

Keep your orders moving:

 
 
  • Update checkout: Remove Canada Post shipping rates to avoid customer confusion.
 
  • Switch carriers: Use UPS and Purolator for domestic shipments, Purolator and DHL Express for international orders—all available in your Shopify admin.
 
  • Communicate with customers: Update your store and notify customers about potential delays on existing orders and any changes to your shipping or returns policies during the strike.
 
 

For more information, refer to Canada Post's page for negotiation updates.