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Buy Canadian dollars before you head north
Buy Canadian dollars online from US First Exchange and arrive in Canada with cash ready to spend. We are a Los Angeles currency exchange registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business. Choose your amount in the order form on this page and see your full price before you pay.
Planning your route? Get ideas from our list of things to do in Canada.
Do you need Canadian cash?
Canada is very card-friendly, and tap-to-pay works almost everywhere in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. Some shops near the border accept US dollars, but they usually set their own exchange rate and give change in Canadian dollars.
A small amount of Canadian cash is still handy for tips, parking, farmers markets, small towns, ferries and campgrounds, and as a backup if a card does not work. Remember that Canadian prices also use the $ sign.
Canadian dollar banknotes at a glance
All current Bank of Canada notes are polymer. Canada uses coins for $1 (the loonie) and $2 (the toonie), so you will collect those as change. We source Canadian dollars as orders come in, so the exact mix of notes depends on availability at the time of your order.
| Note | Typical use |
|---|---|
| $5 and $10 CAD | Coffee, snacks, tips, parking |
| $20 CAD | The most common note; ATMs usually dispense it |
| $50 CAD | Larger purchases |
| $100 CAD | Large payments; some small shops may refuse it |
Learn more in the Canadian dollar: an in-depth look.
How to buy Canadian dollars online
- Choose your amount. Select Canadian dollar and enter how much you want. You can add other currencies to the same order.
- Pay securely. Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order.
- Verify your identity. Upload a valid US government-issued ID, as federal rules require.
- Receive your delivery. Choose FedEx 2Day or Overnight and track your package.
See the full process on how it works.
Payment and delivery
Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order. We do not accept bank wire, ACH or PayPal payments.
| Payment method | Time to clear |
|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | Up to 72 business hours |
| Check, e-check, cashier's check or money order | Up to 7 business days from the day payment is received and processed |
Check payments take longer because of our due diligence checks. Once your payment clears, your order ships by FedEx with full-value insurance and tracking.
| Shipping option | Cost |
|---|---|
| FedEx 2Day | $24 |
| FedEx Overnight | $34 |
| Orders of $5,000 or more | Free |
An adult (18+) must sign for the package. We deliver to every U.S. state except Texas, Illinois, Washington and New Mexico; Alaska and Hawaii are treated as international deliveries.
Because we source Canadian dollars to order, allow a little extra time and order well before your trip.
Why buy Canadian dollars from US First Exchange
- Verified notes checked on De La Rue verification machines before they ship.
- Fully insured FedEx delivery, free on orders of $5,000 or more.
- Rate locked at checkout, so the price you see is the price you pay.
- Registered and compliant. We are registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business and follow federal know-your-customer rules. Read our compliance statement.
- A real US business. Our office is at 550 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. We serve customers by mail and phone; there is no walk-in counter.
- People who pick up the phone. Call 310-982-1743, 10am–5pm Pacific Time.
- Sell back leftovers. Home with Canadian cash to spare? Sell Canadian dollars for US dollars.
Visiting more than one country? See every currency on our buy foreign currency page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use US dollars in Canada?
Some businesses near the border accept US dollars, but usually at their own exchange rate and with change given in Canadian dollars. Paying in Canadian dollars or by card is normally cheaper.
How long does it take to get Canadian dollars delivered?
Your order ships once your payment clears and your notes are sourced: card payments clear in up to 72 business hours, check payments in up to 7 business days. Order well before you travel.
Which Canadian notes will I receive?
Current polymer Bank of Canada notes. We source Canadian dollars to order, so the mix of notes depends on availability at the time of your order.
How much is shipping?
FedEx 2Day costs $24 and FedEx Overnight costs $34. Shipping is free on orders of $5,000 or more.
Is there a minimum order?
There is no minimum order. Larger orders need extra identity verification, and government reporting rules may apply.
Can I buy Canadian dollars with a credit card?
Yes. We accept Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards. Your card issuer may treat the purchase as a cash advance, so check with them first.
Do you accept wire transfers, ACH or PayPal?
No. We accept credit and debit cards, e-checks, checks, cashier's checks and money orders.
Do I need to be home to receive my order?
Yes. An adult aged 18 or over must sign for the package at the address on your order.
Can I return Canadian dollars?
All sales are final and currency cannot be returned. You can sell it back to us later at our posted buyback rate.