Canada is one of the biggest e-commerce globally. In fact, over 27 million Canadians used e-commerce in 2022 alone, accounting for over 75% of the country's population. However, one of the challenges businesses experience in Canada is its complicated shipping network, affecting the costs and efficiency of the shipment.
If you're a business owner, it is crucial to lessen the shipping expenses to maintain your brand's competitiveness. Therefore, consider ground shipping to reduce shipping costs. What is it, and how does it work? This blog post will discuss the ins and outs of ground shipping in Canada.
Also known as land or road shipping, it refers to transporting goods or cargo over land and is one of the most popular and commonly used shipping and logistics methods worldwide. This service is typically characterized by its reliability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, making it a popular option for domestic and regional shipments.
Since ground shipping is the land transportation of items, any delivery using land-based vehicles, such as trucks, vans, or trains, is considered ground service. It covers numerous delivery options, including rail shipping, courier services, and truck transportation, among others.
Ground service distinguishes itself from other shipping services primarily through its use of land-based transportation. Unlike air or sea shipping, it offers a cost-effective and reliable option because it operates mainly on roads and railways.
Moreover, this delivery service often involves shorter transit times for nearby destinations and is well-suited for transporting a wide range of cargo, from small parcels to oversized freight. While air and sea shipping is essential for international and long-distance transport, ground shipping services excel in accessibility, door-to-door delivery, and cost-efficiency for overland logistics needs.
Ground shipping services are suitable when shipping various items, including consumer goods, electronics, furniture, vehicles, industrial equipment, food, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce orders, printed materials, and household goods.
It is also commonly used for everyday items, manufacturing supplies, construction materials, and retail shipments. Additionally, it's well-suited for transporting sensitive cargo like artwork, medical supplies, and hazardous materials due to its controlled and accessible nature, making it a versatile choice for moving goods overland.
However, it is best to check the list of prohibited items before shipping any product to ensure they do not go against the regulation. Delivering regulated and prohibited products may cause legal liability, financial penalties, and other consequences affecting your business and overall brand reputation.
While ground services offer numerous advantages, this method also has its own disadvantages you must think about before deciding if it suits your shipping needs.
Due to lower operational expenses, ground shipping services are often more economical than air or sea transport. It doesn't require costly airport or port infrastructure, fuel consumption is relatively efficient, and labour maintenance costs are typically lower.
Since it is less susceptible to weather-related delays than air or sea delivery, ground services are often more reliable. While it may face occasional delays, it is less affected by adverse weather conditions, providing a higher level of consistency and predictability in the delivery of packages, especially for any shipment that must arrive on schedule.
Many carriers provide express, standard, and LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) shipping services, allowing businesses and their customers to choose based on their specific shipping needs. Because of its adaptability, ground services suit various cargo types and delivery requirements, making it a versatile logistics option.
Its accessibility is attributed to its extensive road and rail networks, reaching even more remote areas. Unlike other transport services relying on specific hubs, ground delivery services can navigate local streets and highways, ensuring widespread coverage and easy access to many geographic locations.
Because it requires less fuel consumption per unit of cargo, emits fewer greenhouse gases, and generates less pollution compared to air or sea shipping, ground shipments frequently have a lesser environmental impact. Additionally, using newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles and the potential for alternative fuels contribute to its eco-friendliness.
The longer transit times are mainly because of its overland nature. Vehicles must navigate roads, highways, and potential congestion, resulting in slower travel. Because of this, it is less ideal for far-off or urgent shipments.
Its limited international reach is primarily due to geographical obstacles and the reliance on land-based networks. Oceans, mountains, and political borders can hinder seamless international transit by road or rail. Additionally, customs regulations and varying road infrastructures in different countries pose logistical challenges, making air and sea more suitable for international shipping.
While less susceptible than air transport, adverse weather conditions can still delay any ground shipment, especially during winter, leading to road closures, reduced visibility, and hazardous driving conditions.
There are weight and size restrictions because of road regulations and vehicle limitations. For safety reasons, roads and bridges are designed to accommodate specific weight and size limits, restricting the transportation of oversized or extremely heavy cargo to the greater ship or plane capacity in other shipping methods.
Ground shipments have more security concerns than other shipping methods due to their extended exposure to potential threats. It is more accessible, making them vulnerable to theft, tampering, and damage during transit. Additionally, the multiple handling points in ground transport can increase the risk of security breaches compared to more controlled air or sea transport environments.
Numerous ground delivery companies in Canada provide domestic shipping services. In Canada, some of the prominent ground delivery services are:
FedEx, a global leader in logistics, extends its shipping expertise to Canada, offering a range of services, such as FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery.
As Canada's official national postal service, Canada Post provides an extensive selection of shipping solutions to meet diverse shipping needs. Among these options are regular parcel service and expedited parcel service, ensuring swift and efficient shipping within the country.
Purolator, a prominent courier and freight company in Canada, is a reliable choice. Renowned for its comprehensive offerings, such as Purolator Express and Purolator Ground, Purolator caters to the needs of businesses and their customers, facilitating efficient package transportation across the entire expanse of the country.
Canpar Express is a distinguished specialist in ground parcel delivery services, excelling in providing economical and efficient shipping solutions. It serves a wide-ranging customer base across the diverse regions of Canada.
The delivery time for ground shipments can vary significantly depending on several factors, including distance, service level, carrier, geographic location, weather conditions, and package weight and size. Moreover, if you are international shipping, customs processing is something that you should also take into account.
| Service | Transit Times | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| FedEx Ground | 1 to 7 business days |
| Service | Transit Times | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Parcel | 1 to 3 business days | Local |
| 3 to 6 business days | Regional | |
| 4 to 10 business days | National |
| Service | Transit Times | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Purolator Ground | 1 or more business days by 9 PM to all provinces and territories | |
| Purolator Ground 9 AM | 2 or more business days by 9 AM to major cities | These services are exclusively accessible for shipments processed through an automated shipping system. Please check the Purolator Terms & Conditions of Service available on purolator.com. |
| Purolator Ground 10:30 AM | 2 or more business days by 10:30 AM to major cities | |
| Purolator Ground Evening | 2 or more business days between 5:30 PM and 9 PM to many major cities |
| Service | Transit Times | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Canpar Express Ground | 1 business day to 4 business days | Transit times are determined based on major city centers, and the delivery speed may differ depending on the specific starting and ending locations. Certain limitations or conditions may also be applicable. |
| Service | Transit Times | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| FedEx International Ground | 2 to 7 business days |
| Service | Transit Times | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Packet USA | 4 to 7 business days | Delivery standards may apply to shipments sent between most major urban centers, actual delivery times may differ, and additional terms and conditions may also be in effect. |
| Service | Transit Times | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Purolator Ground US | End of day in two or more business days | Specific terms, conditions, and geographical limits apply, including limitations on the money-back guarantee and restrictions on the original location and final-mile destination guarantees. Generally, "end of day" refers to 9 PM in the receiver's local time. |
| Service | Transit Times | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Canpar Express Ground to USA | 8 days | The shipment is from Vancouver to New York, and customs clearance may require additional time |
It is best to check with the specific ground delivery provider or carrier you intend to use for additional information. They often provide delivery time calculators or estimates on their websites or through customer service. It's also important to make appropriate plans because occasions like holidays and peak seasons can significantly affect delivery times.
While the shipping rates for this service vary based on factors like distance and package weight, it is often more budget-friendly than air or sea transport for domestic shipments.
| Carrier | Shipping Services | Shipping Fees* |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Post | Regular Parcel | $25.84 |
| Purolator | Purolator Ground 9 AM | $110.32 |
| Purolator Ground 10:30 AM | $87.80 | |
| Purolator Ground | $71.05 | |
| Canpar Expres | Ground Service | $68.67 |
| FedEx | FedEx Ground | $36.32 |
*The shipping rates are based on a package weighing 1kg (15cm x 8 cm x 5cm) shipped from Vancouver to Toronto.
It's advisable to compare fees from several carriers, consider package specifics, and assess your budget before deciding whether this shipping service is expensive for your needs. Additionally, some carriers offer online calculators to estimate shipping costs based on your requirements.
Efficient shipping within Canada is crucial for businesses looking to streamline their logistics. You can enhance your shipping efficiency in the Great White North using these top 5 tips:
Understanding the ins and outs of ground shipping in Canada is crucial for efficient and cost-effective logistics. Navigating Canada's vast and diverse geography is essential for successful e-commerce shipping operations. By optimizing these factors and leveraging technology, businesses can streamline their shipping processes.
Stallion is your go-to solution for efficient and affordable shipping, whether you're sending packages within Canada, to the US or internationally. With discounts, Stallion empowers sellers to compete locally and globally.
The integration of your online store streamlines order management, and printing shipping label is a breeze. You can choose to drop off your shipments or schedule a convenient pick-up service.
Over 20,000 Canadian businesses have already saved a whopping $10 million on shipping costs while sending over 12 million parcels through Stallion.
Simplify your shipping with us and watch your business thrive.
Diana leads the growth marketing initiatives at Stallion Express. As a personal trainer turned digital marketer, Diana is obsessed with equipping eCommerce entrepreneurs with everything they need to scale their online businesses. You can catch her doing yoga or hitting the tennis courts in her spare time.
Read all posts written by Diana Zheng
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