Does Target Ship to Canada 2024? Learn How to Ship Target to Canada
Target Corporation is a multi-billion-dollar retail company that is known in the USA, Canada and all over the world.
The retail giant currently owns 1,900+ stores in the USA and 28 offices globally but none in Canada. Yes, it’s quite unfortunate.
Before 2015, Target Canada existed and operated at about 133 locations across the country. But for some reason, Target stores were officially closed down in Canada after April 12, 2015.
Since that time, it has been really complicated for online shoppers to ship Target orders from the US to Canada.
That explains why many are asking: Does Target ship to Canada in 2024?
If you have been confused about how to ship Target to Canada, this article will simplify the process for you.
At the end of this guide, you will learn the easy ways to ship Target orders directly to your home in Canada.
Let’s dig in!
Does Target Ship to Canada 2024?
Target doesn’t ship to Canada anymore since 2015.
Ever since Target stopped operations in Canada, it has never provided any other “direct” way to ship orders to the country.
But this is no longer a headache for online shoppers as alternatives now exist to ship Target to Canada.
The best alternative is package forwarding and I will explain all about it in this article as you read on.
Why Did Target Stopped Operating in Canada?
Due to a flawed operational model.
There were just so many things wrong with the way Target operated in Canada back then.
To help you put things in the right perspective, I have highlighted and discussed the major issues below.
1. Higher pricing
Back expanding to Canada, Target was well-known in the US for offering lower prices on products sold in all of its stores. This was also one of the reasons many Canadians welcomed the company with a positive mind and lots of expectations.
Unfortunately, Target Canada disappointed so many people by offering higher prices on products that are sold for less at existing Canadian stores.
This problem alone forced some people to stick with traditional discount retail stores and completely ignore Target.
2. Poor planning of inventory
It was really shocking that Target had very poor preparation and management of its inventory during its time operating in Canada.
The poor inventory planning led to so many issues with the distribution of products to Target stores all over Canada. It also affected the company’s customer service as well.
It’s even worse when you discover that Target actually launched 133 stores all over Canada within two years.
The company could hardly maintain a proper supply chain system without having lapses here and there.
Some Target stores became understocked while others were overstocked all through that time in Canada.
3. Strong & prepared competition
Immediately after Target expanded its operations to Canada, other companies and existing stores began to step up their “game”.
The majority of Target Canada’s competitors improved their prices and also optimized their services.
So the pricey products in Target stores were found to be sold for less by their competitors in Canada.
4. Poorly planned expansion and store locations
The launching of 133 stores within a space of two years was not really the problem that “jinxed” Target Canada.
It was the poor planning of the process itself and the absurd locations of the Target Canada stores.
A large number of Target stores were located far away from Canadian middle-class earners.
Similarly, a number of Target stores were located very close to the company’s competitors in some parts of Canada. Isn’t that just some terrible planning?
How to Ship Target to Canada Easily
Even though Target Canada was a big failure, its US stores are actually doing very fine and still offering amazing deals.
For Canadians, you no longer get the option to ship your orders directly to Canada from the US. This can be “heart-wrenching” especially when you see a lovely product that you desire so much to have.
Well, I have found an easy way to ship Target orders to Canada via package forwarding which is also known as freight forwarding.
While doing my research, I found the top five best package forwarding companies for this purpose. They are listed below:
- Planet Express
- iPostal1
- Cross Border Pickups
- PostScan Mail
- Anytime Mailbox
You don’t have to worry about looking up each of these companies on your own. I have done all that job for you.
Best Package Forwarders to Ship Target Orders to Canada
In this section, I will take time to briefly explain the type of forwarding services rendered by each of the five companies listed earlier.
Ship Target to Canada with Planet Express
A lot of online shoppers have rated Planet Express as the best package forwarding company to ship Target orders to Canada.
Below is a simple guide on how to ship Target orders to Canada with Planet Express.
- Open an account by visiting the Planet Express website
- A unique US address will be given to you after registering with Planet Express
- Use this address when shopping online at Target
- Whenever you order a product at Target, it will be delivered to Planet Express
- You will then get an email notification from Planet Express about your order
- Complete the required Customs Declaration process or request that the Planet Express team do it for you
- Select your preferred delivery method and that’s it.
- Planet Express will handle the remaining process of getting your Target orders delivered to you in Canada
Note
The delivery method you choose will determine how long it will take for your order to get to you. In any case, it typically takes between 3 to 15 business days to ship orders to Canada.
Ship Target to Canada with iPostal1
This is another good package forwarding company that can be used to ship Target orders to Canada.
When you register with iPostal1, these are the benefits you get:
- FREE and real U.S addresses
- A digital mailbox that is personal to you alone
- About 2GB of free cloud storage
- Email alerts
- 5 days of storage for box packages [size is 4,896 inches3 (= 24x17x12 size box)]
- 10 days of storage for box packages [size is 1,728 to 4,896 inches3]
- 30 days of storage for letter and mail packs or boxes [size is 1,728 inches3 (= 12x12x12 size box)]
Ship Target to Canada with Cross Border Pickups
This package forwarding company allows you to access free shipping offers in US stores. You get to shop online and enjoy the same benefits as someone residing in the US.
When you register with Cross Border Pickups, these are the benefits you get:
- Transportation over international borders
- All SKIDS get 15 days of free storage
- Small packages are stored for about 30 days for free
- You can choose to pick up your forwarded order at the company’s locations in Canada
- Brokerage commissions (Taxies and Duties are still applicable)
Ship Target to Canada with PostScan Mail
This is also a package forwarding that can help you ship Target orders to Canada.
Check out the list below to see the features of PostScan Mail:
- Mail Scanning
- Mail Forwarding (package forwarding)
- Online mail management
- Mail storage
- Local pickup
With PostScan Mail, you get to choose from three pricing plans namely Starter, Standard and Premium.
Ship Target to Canada with Anytime Mailbox
Just like the other companies already discussed above, Anytime Mailbox is also good for shipping Target orders to Canada.
With Anytime Mailbox, you get the following:
- Real US street addresses
- Package and Mail forwarding
- Open & Scan Mail (PDFs)
- Check/Cheque deposit
- Free (unlimited) online storage
Note
Anytime Mailbox charges from $7.99 upwards per month for package forwarding to Canada.
Target Alternatives in Canada
If you don’t want to ship Target to Canada via package forwarding, your only option is to buy locally from alternative stores.
Fortunately, there are two major retailers in Canada that seem to be good alternatives to Target.
Let’s have a quick look at each of these Target Canada alternatives.
1. Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire is a popular retail company that is very similar to Target in terms of product offerings.
It might even please you to know that Canadian Tire is a company that has been around for almost 100 years now.
As of today, Canadian Tire boasts of having about 1,700 retail stores all over Canada.
Below are the product categories for which Canadian Tire offers low-cost shipping services:
- Automotive
- Home & Pets
- Hardware and Tools
- Outdoor Living
- Sports & Recreation
One cool thing about Canadian Tire is that many of its partner stores offer free access to pick-up.
The only time you pay handling fees is when your order is below a minimum specified order value.
Another good thing about Canadian Tire is that they process orders within 4 business hours. That’s incredibly fast, isn’t it?
Well, it doesn’t stop there; Canadian Tire also gives out Triangle Mastercards that allow customers to access “FREE” roadside assistance.
2. Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada is the closest alternative to Target after Canadian Tire.
The company’s name alone should already hint that it is a subsidiary of the popular American retail corporation, Walmart.
With a history that dates back to 1994, Walmart Canada has come a long way to become one of the best retailers in Canada today.
At the moment, there are more than 400 stores operated by Walmart Canada across the country.
Millions of Canadians shop at Walmart Canada for the following categories of products:
- Appliances
- Automotive
- Baby
- Clothing, Shoes & Accessories
- Electronics
- Furniture
- Gifts & Holidays
- Health, Beauty & Pharmacy
- Home
- Jewellery & watches
- Movies, Music & Books
- Office, Crafts & Party Supplies
- Outdoor Living
- Household Supplies & Pantry
- Pets
- Sports & Rec
- Toys
- Video Games
Besides groceries, Walmart Canada offers FREE shipping for all other products that fall in the categories listed above.
Below are the two major ways to get free shipping at Walmart Canada:
- Free Home Delivery: if you reside in an eligible Canadian location and spend over $35 (prior taxes) on an order for eligible items (excluding groceries), then Walmart Canada will ship your orders for free.
- Free Walmart Pick-up: When you spend $25 or more (prior taxes) on the Walmart Canada website, your order will be shipped to the Walmart store nearest to you. You just walk up to the store anytime you like and pick up the order for free. This will save you the $5 handling fee often paid on orders that are less than $25.
Concluding Thoughts
Target is gone but not forgotten in Canada. And there are so many genuine reasons to hold Target in mind.
But even though Target is no more, Canadians can still ship Target orders to Canada through packaging forwarding.
Although using packaging forwarding may seem illegal since Target doesn’t encourage it.
Notwithstanding, Walmart Canada and Canadian Tire serve as some of the best alternatives to Target in Canada.
Regardless of the option you’re going with, you should always prioritize low pricing to save costs.
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FAQs on Target Canada
Is Target coming back to Canada?
As of 2023, there’s no any sign or official statement indicating the return of Target Canada.
Where is Target originally from?
Target retail company was launched in 1962 as the “discount” division of Dayton’s department store in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.
What is Target most known for?
Target Corporation is well-known in the US for selling varieties of household goods, food, electronics, clothing and the like.
Can I buy Target outside the USA?
Yes, you can buy products from Target even if you reside outside the USA.
Many online shoppers in Canada often use package forwarding companies like Planet Express to ship Target orders from the USA.
What items am I prohibited from shipping to Canada?
Below are some of the items you are not allowed to ship to Canada:
- Lottery tickets (or any gambling-related goods)
- Tobacco products like Cigars, Cigarettes, eCigs, or chewing tobacco
- Currency & antique coins
- Odorous & wet packages
- Certain types of plants are specified on the Canada Post website
- Certain animals (with exception of a few that require special permits)
