Does Canada Post Deliver On Weekends?

One of the most common enquiries we get from Canadian shoppers and shippers is whether Canada Post delivers on weekends.

Let’s explore this question, as well as a few other common questions in this article.

Key Takeaways

• Canada Post is the national postal service, ensuring reliable letter and package delivery nationwide. Services include expedited parcels, priority mail, registered mail, tracking, and insurance, connecting Canadians seamlessly.
  
  
• Canada Post typically delivers parcels Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
  
  
• Weekend Delivery Considerations: Generally, no weekend deliveries; exceptions include authorized independent post offices, peak periods, and premium shipping options.

What is Canada Post?

Canada Post is the country’s national postal service. It is popular for offering dependable letter and package delivery all around Canada. Some of the services it offers to meet different delivery requirements include:

• Lettermail
• Expedited Parcels
• Priority Mail
• Registered Mail
• Tracking
• Package Insurance

Canada Post connects Canadians from coast to coast by ensuring prompt and secure delivery for individuals and companies through its broad network of post offices and effective transportation systems.

What Is Canada Post’s Delivery Schedule?

Canada Post delivers parcels from 9:00 AM until 8:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Does Canada Post Deliver on Weekends?

Canada Post generally does not only deliver mail on weekends (Saturday and Sunday), which may affect package delivery speeds. However, there are a few exceptions to remember:

Independent Post Offices

Canada Post has sanctioned a network of independent post offices nationwide. These private enterprises, resembling Canada Post offices, establish their own operating hours. Some of these independent locations may operate on weekends, potentially facilitating package deliveries on Saturdays or Sundays.

Peak periods

During busy seasons such as Christmas, Canada Post Saturday delivery and Canada Post Sunday delivery are occasionally offered to address the surge in parcel volume.

Additionally, in response to the pandemic, there have been instances of more frequent weekend deliveries to meet heightened demand. However, these deliveries are not guaranteed and occur rarely.

Specific shipping options

Certain premium shipping choices, like Xpresspost™ or Priority™, may offer Saturday delivery as optional. However, it is crucial to actively select and pay for this service during the shipping process.

Ensure that you take this into account when providing shipping estimates to your customer, i.e., estimates in business days instead of regular days.

Does Canada Post Operate During Statutory Holidays?

Generally, Canada Post does not operate on statutory holidays, which means mail is not collected or delivered these days.

However, similar to weekend deliveries, there are a few exceptions:

• Many post offices operated by the private sector have their operating hours on statutory holidays.
• Provincial holidays like Family Day and Louis Riel Day do not typically affect regular mail delivery.

It’s important to note that these are general guidelines. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on holiday operations, it’s always best to check the Canada Post website directly.

Where To Drop Off Canada Post Packages?

You have several options for dropping off Canada Post packages. Note that specific locations may vary depending on your location and the service type you’re using.

1. Canada Post sites. You can drop off the packages at any designated Canada Post office. These are official postal service locations where you can handle various postal transactions, including parcel delivery services. Check Canada Post’s location finder tool to find the branch closest to you.
   
   
2. Independent postal outlets and dealers. These private businesses offer postal services and have Canada Post office boxes for sending packages. Canada Post also provides parcel boxes in some areas. The boxes are typically secure, self-service kiosks where you can drop off prepaid packages outside the regular post office and parcel delivery hours.
   
   
3. Retail location. Some establishments, such as pharmacies or convenience stores, are authorized Canada Post retail partners and accept packages for shipment. Note that some of these partner branches (many of which are located in Shoppers Drug Marts) are open during weekends. You may drop off your packages or purchase supplies here on weekends. 

Where Can You Check the Schedule of Canada Post Deliveries

Unfortunately, Canada Post doesn’t provide a detailed delivery schedule, so you can’t pinpoint when your package will arrive.

However, here’s what you can do:

1. Track your package. You can use the tracking information provided by Canada Post to monitor the progress of your shipments.
   
   
2. Check Delivery Standards Tool. Canada Post offers a tool to estimate delivery times based on origin, destination, and shipping service.
   
   
3. Use the Canada Post Business Portal. Canada Post Business Portal has more tools and resources for high-volume shippers.

Remember: While delivery standards provide a general estimate, actual delivery times can vary. To manage expectations, it’s essential to communicate potential delivery windows to your customers.

How To Avail Discounted Canada Post Rates?

If you’re an E-commerce seller looking to use any of the major carriers (Canada Post, Purolator, FedEx etc.) to ship your products, there’s no reason not to avail of the discounted rates Stallion offers.

Stallion is the leading shipping service provider in Canada. It offers the most affordable shipping rates for domestic, cross-border, and international shipments for Canadian eCommerce business owners.

Also, you don’t have to worry about your customers waiting too long for their packages to arrive because Stallion works with Canada Post and UPS for the fastest delivery service in Canada.

Sound good? Sign up for a free account today to see our amazing rates.

For any questions, give us a call at +1 877-863-7447. We’d love to hear from you!

Aman Chopra

Aman looks after the content marketing department at Stallion Express. He is passionate about helping businesses grow by providing informative and up-to-date trends in the eCommerce industry. Outside the office, you can find him on the soccer field cheering on Real Madrid.