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Whether you’re managing a small business and you’re shipping packages to customers or simply sending out gifts for friends and family, you should always take shipping costs into account. And finding the cheapest way to ship in Canada depends on different factors, like volume, weight, and destination.
Thankfully, there are several major carriers operating in Canada—CanadaPost, DHL, FedEx, UPS, Canpar, Dicom, Purolator, Loomis, and more—so you can always compare their rates and choose the carrier that offers the best value for your money.
But here’s the thing, comparing shipping costs can take up a lot of your time. You have to visit each carrier’s website, request a quote, go to the next website, request another quote, and so on.
Ship Expert makes it easy to compare shipping rates, allowing you to find the cheapest way to ship within Canada in as little as one or two minutes.
Before we get to that, however, let’s get into what goes into shipping costs (such as factors impacting shipping across the country) and ways to lower shipping prices. But first, let’s answer the question: What is the cheapest way to ship within Canada?
Short answer: There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Long answer: Ground shipping is the most cost-effective option for small packages. For larger packages, however, you’re better off with less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping (especially if you’re shipping high volumes of heavy products, but not enough to take up all the space in a truck ). With LTL shipping, you’re only paying for the space your goods take up.
You should keep in mind, though, that ground shipping is not the fastest option. You’ll pay less for shipping if you have the opportunity to plan ahead and are able to get your goods where they need to go on time.
If you’re looking at the bigger picture when it comes to shipping, especially when looking for the best shipping rates in Canada, you should be aware of the factors that impact logistics throughout the country.
The bigger the package, the higher the shipping costs. As a rule of thumb, you should always pack your items in a box that’s large enough to fit them, but that doesn’t offer too much free space. If there’s too much room, the items might wobble or even fall inside the box during transport, which could damage them.
Shipping distance is a big part of the final shipping cost. The farther your package has to travel, the higher the costs. Long-distance shipping costs more because the shipping company has higher fuel and operating costs. Thus, companies adjust their prices to compensate for these factors.
If your package needs to arrive at its destination quickly, your shipping costs go up. To shorten the package’s transit time, trucks carrying it rarely stop along the way. According to Deloitte, 64% of Canadian shoppers don’t want to pay extra for two-day shipping.
Truck drivers cannot rest as much as they should, so the company will have two drivers operating a single truck so they can work in shifts and decrease the transit time. That’s why expedited shipping costs more than regular shipping.
Shipping costs are closely related to the cost of fuel. Some shipping companies adjust their prices according to the cost of gas on a monthly basis.
If you believe your shipping costs more because of the high price of gas, there’s nothing to do but wait for the price to drop. However, the amount of money you save from sending a package is negligible, so this is not a practical approach.
Did you know…  Source: FreightWaves |
Usually, the items in your package are automatically insured for $100 in the event of damage or loss. But you can pay a premium to get better coverage if you believe your items are worth more than that.
Most carriers charge about $5 for an additional $100 of coverage. It’s important to note that not everything is insurable, so check with one of our support specialists to see if your items benefit from insurance or not.
Most major carriers charge a residential fee. This happens because couriers often have to store the package in their depot or attempt the delivery several times because the person is not home when their couriers are out delivering packages.
You can easily avoid this fee by sending the package to the individual’s work address or request that the package be held for pickup and is one way you can get close to the cheapest way to ship boxes across Canada.
You will be charged an extra fee if there’s a problem with the delivery address and it needs a correction. Some carriers charge a correction fee by package, while others charge by shipment. Either way, your shipping costs can go up rather quickly.
However, if the address you used is wrong and the carrier cannot correct it, you will get it back at your own expense. But if your package is over a certain size and weight, the carrier might charge a correction fee because they attempted to correct the address, even if they were ultimately unsuccessful.
The carrier will often charge an extra fee if you send packages to remote locations, such as small remote towns, locations that are accessible only during certain times of the year, or cottages.
The only thing you can do to avoid this fee is convincing the recipient to pick up the package from another, more accessible location. This location can either be their workplace address, the carrier’s depot, or something else.
Comparing costs between carriers is essential if you want to find the cheapest way to ship within Canada. Every carrier will come up with a different cost to ship the same package between the same two locations.
Some carriers have higher operating costs than others due to a lack of presence in the region or a poorly established network in certain parts of the country. Comparing shipping costs is a great way to save money.
It’s not uncommon for carriers to charge for package tracking. However, the package tracking fee is relatively inexpensive and it allows you and the recipient to check your package’s status at all times.
You probably know that buying in bulk brings down your cost per item. Well, this applies to shipping costs as well—the more you ship with the same carrier, the cheaper the cost of shipping becomes.
This is certainly an advantage if you ship a lot of packages every month—think tens or hundreds of packages, depending on the carrier—but you normally can’t access good volume discounts unless you do.
That’s where Ship Expert can help. We can offer you the volume discounts normally reserved for large corporations, whether you ship tens of packages per month or a single one now and again. Learn more about how our process works here.
There are a couple more things you need to keep in mind
Final mile delivery refers to the crucial last step in the shipping process, where orders are transported from a fulfillment center or shipping hub directly to the customer's doorstep. This stage is vital because it represents the direct interaction between your brand and the customer.
Final mile delivery is where customer satisfaction is won or lost. Efficient and timely delivery can enhance the shopping experience, ensuring customers receive their orders promptly and in perfect condition. On the other hand, delays or mishandling during this stage can lead to dissatisfaction and harm your brand's reputation.
In Canada, common last-mile carriers include:
| What is the difference between last-mile delivery and same-day delivery? Same-day delivery specializes in getting a package picked up and delivered on the same business day.Last-mile delivery focuses on a package’s journey from its last transportation hub to its final destination. |
The following tips and tricks will help you find the cheapest ways to ship parcels and common items in Canada.
Clothes are some of the easiest items to ship. Most clothing items can be folded without suffering any damage, so you can fit multiple items in a single box or container.
This might not come as a surprise, but shipping your luggage by ground carriers can be significantly cheaper than taking it with you on your flight. However, there are some things you should be aware of to keep your luggage safe and get some of the best shipping rates in Canada.
By their very nature, tires are bulky and relatively heavy. As a result, carriers will charge an additional handling fee for shipping tires across Canada.
Snowboards are likewise bulky, though less heavy but they remain inflexible as one long piece. Carriers will likely charge an additional handling fee if you’re looking for the cheapest way to send a parcel in Canada.
Shipping a package within Canada can be cost-effective if you choose the right service.
One of the most affordable options is Canada Post's Regular Parcel service. This service offers low rates, tracking, and delivery within 2-9 business days, depending on the destination. To further reduce costs, consider using a flat rate box if your package fits, as it can save you money on heavier shipments.
Another of the cheapest ways to ship parcels in Canada is by working with Ship Expert. No matter how much or how little you have to ship, you can save up to 70% on shipping costs—we’ll get you the cheapest shipping in Canada, from FedEx to Canada Post.
Additionally, purchasing postage online can yield further discounts, and reusing packaging materials can minimize expenses. Lastly, comparing rates between various shipping carriers may uncover even cheaper alternatives.
While FedEx offers faster delivery times and advanced tracking features, FedEx tends to be more expensive than Canada Post.
As the national postal service, Canada Post often provides more competitive rates for domestic shipments, especially individuals and small businesses sending parcels infrequently—making it a strong contender as the cheapest way to ship within Canada for small business.
Canada Post's Small Packet – USA Air service offers competitive rates for lightweight parcels, with delivery times of 5-8 business days.
For heavier packages, consider using the Tracked Packet – USA service, which includes tracking and delivery confirmation.
To save even more, purchase postage online and take advantage of any discounts.
It's always a good idea to compare rates across different carriers, such as FedEx and UPS, and it’s easier than ever to compare shipping rates in Canada with Ship Expert.
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to ship within Canada for a small business, you should consider Canada Post's Solutions for Small Business program.
This program offers discounted rates on domestic shipping services, such as Regular Parcel and Expedited Parcel, based on the volume of shipments. Signing up is free and can help you save.
You should also explore third-party shipping consolidators and platforms that provide cheap shipping in Canada with multiple carriers, such as Ship Expert.
Comparing cheap courier services in Canada and negotiating rates can lead to the most affordable shipping solutions for small businesses. Even better? We negotiate these rates for our customers, business owners just like you.
Canada Post's Regular Parcel service offers competitive rates for packages weighing up to 30 kg, with delivery times between 2-9 business days. If your heavy item fits, using a flat rate box can save you money.
Alternatively, explore options from other carriers like FedEx, UPS, and Purolator, which may offer better pricing for heavy shipments.
Obtain quotes from multiple carriers and consider using a freight shipping service if your item exceeds weight limits for standard parcel delivery. Lastly, reuse packaging materials and pack efficiently to minimize overall shipping costs.
Ship Expert makes finding the cheapest way to ship products easy. We collaborate with all the major carriers operating in Canada. When you want to ship something, simply visit our website and get a shipping estimate.
By doing this, you’ll find out which carrier can transport your package to its destination, and you will also learn how much the shipping will cost before ordering a pick-up.
And that’s not all. After deciding on a carrier, you can access our exclusive volume discounts, which can save you up to 40% off the regular price.
Most Canadian carriers offer cost estimation tools on their websites. You can calculate your shipping costs by visiting each website and entering your shipping information.
An easier way of doing this is by using Ship Expert’s comparison tool to get the shipping cost estimates from all the major carriers at the same time. The process is super easy, and you’ll get your results in as little as one or two minutes.
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Director, Ship Expert
Greg Woo is a seasoned expert in the logistics and distribution industry, with a career spanning over two decades. He has a comprehensive understanding of shipping and distribution needs, and has extensive experience integrating with e-commerce stores as well as customer specific WMS (warehouse management systems) and ERP’s (enterprise resource planning software). His tenure in the industry and established courier and LTL partnerships have allowed clients to benefit from reduced shipping expenses, as well as improved operations through software and specialized integrations.
Greg is currently the Director at Ship Expert Inc., a role he has held since February 2015. Prior to his role at Ship Expert, Greg held significant positions at Juxto, a telecommunications and managed internet service provider.
