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!

Diana Zheng

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.