Stallion 3PL fulfillment is here! Learn more

September 11, 2020
. 3 min

Shipping Services in Canada: Three Costly Mistakes You Need to Avoid

There is no doubt that the Canadian shipping industry continues to be a significant contributor to the country’s economic growth. A 2018 report published by the Council of Canadian Academies stated that the marine shipping industry alone generates $3 billion to Canada’s GDP. It’s safe to say that the government will emphasize multi-platform shipping services in Canada more than ever.

If you’re an entrepreneur with operations within and outside Canada, shipping services would likely be essential in your business model. If your fulfillment process isn’t ironed out, you will risk having your products damaged, stolen, or lost during transit. Not only are you wasting money, but you’re also losing your customers’ trust— and this is the perfect recipe for failure.  

Nowadays, Canadian businesses try to formulate plans on how they can effectively streamline their shipments’ movement all over the world. However, most of them seem to overlook these three important things and end up losing money and customers. Below are three serious mistakes you should try to avoid.

1st Mistake: Not knowing about the intricacies of Canadian shipping

Shipping services in Canada are useful only if a seller is fully aware of their peculiarities. From customs agency requirements to restricted goods and illegitimate shipping sellers, it is your responsibility as an entrepreneur to know about these intricacies by heart.

These are some useful tips to help you start:

  • Avoid attempting to ship restricted goods through the shipping and mailing service;
  • You must accurately list down shipping information (shipment details, customs broker information, shipment value, etc.) that Canadian customs agencies need, and
  • Do not forget to double-check if your shipping carrier is licensed by the Canadian government to operate.

2nd Mistake: Not investing in third-party shipping insurance

Smart businesses know that investing in a third-party shipping insurance policy is useful in many ways. 

In the unfortunate case that your products (especially high-value or bulk shipments) will get damaged or lost during transit, you can file a claim and have your policy cover the necessary costs. Shipping insurance may be particularly beneficial for businesses heavily reliant on shipping. It most certainly gives any entrepreneur the peace of mind that they need. 

We likewise recommend third-party shipping insurance policies, as they are cheaper and reasonably easy to get. They can be easily added to your shipment for a minimal fee. If your business is into selling jewelry, electronics, or clothes, third-party shipping insurance is going to be extra worth it.

3rd Mistake: Not packaging your products well

While the primary purpose of packaging products is to protect the contents inside, an effective packaging strategy works wonders for many businesses.

Since Canada’s border shipping services calculate shipping costs by measuring the size and weight requirements, larger shipment boxes will naturally cost more. While larger packages offer more protection, your best bet would be to invest in some lightweight and compact packaging materials. Remember, going over the size requirements even by a couple of millimetres can significantly increase costs.

A recent Google study also showed that the viewing time for “unboxing” videos is equivalent to watching the movie “Love, Actually” 20 million times. Why not capitalize on this trend by investing in good packaging? It is a free and effective marketing strategy to get your brand known online. This is also a great way to get your customers excited about opening their products.  

Conclusion: Canadian shipping is beneficial to establish a solid customer base.

Today, many Canadian businesses are focussing on reaching foreign markets and growing their customer base by utilizing shipping services in Canada. However, most of them make unnecessary mistakes that end up being detrimental to their operations in the long run. If you remember these shipping mishaps and avoid them early on, you would be able to seamlessly ship your products.

If you’re interested in hiring a team of shipping professionals, we at Stallion Express can ship your products for a fair price. Book an appointment today!

Get started today! Ship faster, smarter, cheaper with Stallion.

Get Started Today.  Sign Up for Free!

Get the best tips to scale your eCommerce business

More from the blog

A hand holding a small yellow calculator with a red truck on the side

Freight Rate Canada: Everything You Need to Know (2024)

Learning about the complexities of a freight rate is essential for a Canadian online seller. It ensures your profitability and customer satisfaction. This comprehensive guide will provide valuable information about freight rates, their factors, and strategies to optimize shipping costs. Key Takeaways What Are Freight Rates? Freight rates are the charges for transporting goods from […]
A man holding a tablet with packages behind him

Shipping Manifest: Stallion’s Handy Guide (2024)

With today’s e-commerce trends, efficient and accurate shipment handling is more important than ever. Whether you’re a pro in shipping or just starting, you will find the most important information here to make your shipping process easier. This guide offers everything you need to understand the role of a shipping manifest. Join us in this […]
December calendar with Christmas encircling the 25th

Canada Post Christmas Deadlines 2024: When To Send Your Packages

Are you excited to ship out your holiday orders? Christmas is the most exciting and awaited time of the year, and you want to make it for your customers. Thus, you must also know the Canada Post Xmas deadlines to make sure you send out the packages on time. This blog will provide the details […]

Join our community

Follow @ShipStallion

Join our community

Follow @ShipStallion
Can our fellow Torontonians relate? -#smallbusiness #business #entrepreneur #socialmedia #shipping #ecommerce #canadianecommerce #shopify #poshmark #b2b #saas #etsy #ebay #canada #canadiansmallbusiness #shoplocalcanada #entrepreneur #toronto
Here’s your quick hassle free shipping from 🇨🇦 to 🇺🇸 as a business owner! -Any questions?! Leave them 👇🏻 and save this video so you don’t forget! -#smallbusiness #business #entrepreneur #socialmedia #shipping #ecommerce #canadianecommerce #shopify #poshmark #b2b #saas #etsy #ebay #canada #canadiansmallbusiness #shoplocalcanada #entrepreneur
Meet @drinkbenny a 🇨🇦 female founded energy drink brand! Instead of focusing on their products, they’re taking a unique approach by hosting in person events in different Canadian cities to offer an experience for their community 🧡- What are your thoughts on in person events? 💭 -#smallbusiness #business #entrepreneur #socialmedia #shipping #ecommerce #canadianecommerce #shopify #poshmark #b2b #saas #etsy #ebay #canada #canadiansmallbusiness #shoplocalcanada #entrepreneur
Do you know the difference between DDU and DDP when shipping internationally 🌏 ?-Questions? Leave them below! 👇🏻 -#smallbusiness #business #entrepreneur #socialmedia #shipping #ecommerce #canadianecommerce #shopify #poshmark #b2b #saas #etsy #ebay #canada #canadiansmallbusiness #shoplocalcanada #entrepreneur
Here’s a quick hack to save time from choosing multiple postage options ↪️ Turn on the lowest postage rate automation to save you time! -Questions? Leave them below! 👇🏻 -  #smallbusiness #business #entrepreneur #socialmedia #shipping #ecommerce #canadianecommerce #shopify #poshmark #b2b #saas #etsy #ebay #canada #canadiansmallbusiness #shoplocalcanada #entrepreneur

Join Stallion to save up to 75% today!

linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram