3 Things to Consider When Looking for the Cheapest Way to Ship from Canada to US

A business should be an income-generating enterprise. Realistically speaking, the market price isn’t always profitable, so business owners resort to cost-cutting wherever they can, including shipping. However, going after “cheap” may not always guarantee quality. Here we discuss if cheap shipping really is the cheapest way to ship from Canada to US.

What to Watch Out for

Cheap shipping rates can be too good to be true. Even Amazon, the largest e-commerce market, struggles with logistics costs. If the rates aren’t competitive, consider it your first red flag and hope you don’t encounter the following inconveniences:

1. Hidden fees/surcharges

It’s normal to pay extra charges on top of the regular shipping fee. An example of an extra fee is the fuel surcharge. Because fuel prices fluctuate, businesses have to adjust their rates accordingly. Another example is a remote area surcharge added to locations far from the usual route of delivery. While not considered a surcharge, you can also expect to be charged an insurance fee for high-value packages.

While the said examples are unavoidable surcharges, there are fees you can easily avoid if you hire a trusted courier. These include address correction fees, delivery reattempt or even return fees. These avoidable surcharges are often a product of negligence.

2. Delayed shipping

If you think delayed shipping merely costs you an annoyed customer, think again. To prevent crowding, cargoes are allowed to stay in ports for a set maximum number of days. The shipments should then be picked up within that window. Failure to do so will result in either a demurrage fee (if the cargo is stored inside the terminal) or a detention fee (if the cargo is taken outside the terminal for unpacking, but the empty containers were not returned).

These additional charges can range from USD 125 to USD 765, depending on the number of days exceeded. Thus, it is important to know the answer to the question, “How long does Canada standard shipping take?” The said charges are avoidable and are only a product of mishandling, miscommunication or violation of protocols.

3. Customs issues

Most shipping companies also process your customs payments and paperwork. Outside the peak months (usually the end of the year), customs clearance will only take a minimum of 30 minutes. Putting the volume aside, customs may hold your package if your paperwork is lacking, not properly filled out or needs re-inspection.

Customs issues may also arise if the duties and taxes are not computed accordingly, and you’ll need to consider them when answering the question, “How much is shipping from Canada to the US?” Expect a USD 10 fee for packages worth USD 800. Anything worth less is free of duties. Anything more would cost additional charges requiring the assistance of a professional customs broker (in case your chosen courier does not offer the service).

Other Ways You Can Save

As you study how to ship from the US to Canada and vice versa, you should realize that working with a cheap courier partner can cause you more harm than good. If you’re after getting a higher profit margin, here are some ways to lessen your expenses without sacrificing product quality:

• Buy in bulk. The more products you buy, the lower the price will be. Buying in bulk also ensures your stock lasts longer, so you don’t have to order and pay for shipping frequently. 
• Buy directly from manufacturers. Buying directly from a manufacturer guarantees that you get the lowest possible price because you avoid paying for additional fees that come with buying from a reseller or a distributor.
• Opt for minimal packaging. Minimal packaging is the cheapest way to ship from Canada to US. It lets you avoid unnecessary expenses by paying only what the product’s size and weight are worth.

Is Cheap Shipping Worth It?

Although cheap shipping can guarantee immediate relief in your expenses, you might be taking risks that will result in you spending more in the end. Nothing beats the assurance that your package will reach your buyer in the same condition that you sent it, even if it costs some extra dollars. After all, it’s your business’s reputation and success at stake.

If you want to find not only the cheapest way to ship from Canada to US but also the most reliable service provider, make sure to contact Stallion Express today to receive proper assistance.

Tom Davison