See Blog Categories

Three Tips to Secure the Best Shipping Prices in Canada

Diana Zheng
  •  
  •  
October 1, 2020

Over the years, Canada has maintained its spot as one of the US’ top 3 trading partners. After all, the country is much closer in proximity to American borders, and, through bilateral agreements, economic relations between the US and Canada continue to flourish. This robust trading relationship between the two countries has made it easier to ship goods across their respective borders. As a result, a lot of businesses try to maximize their customer reach by utilizing cross-border shipments. 

Canada cross-border shipments are indeed beneficial to reinforce a sustainable supply chain. Still, finding the cheapest shipping prices Canada has to offer can be a tricky game to play. Most entrepreneurs fail to strategize their shipping processes efficiently, and as a result, their Canada shipping packages end up being too expensive to deliver.   

If you have a business, your Google search engine could have questions like, “How much is shipping Canada to US” or “How long does Canada standard shipping take?” This article answers all those questions and provides additional tips on how you can maximize your value for money. Equipped with this information, you will be able to make better decisions and formulate a more efficient shipping strategy.  

Canada Shipping Packages: What Can’t You Ship to Canada?

To be able to ship products to Canada, the first step is to ascertain which products you can and cannot deliver to the country. After all, Canada has imposed certain restrictions to protect its security and economic interests. If you’re a business, it’s your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these rules before even attempting to ship a single parcel to Canada.

Under Canadian law, below are some items that you cannot ship to Canada:

  • Tobacco (of any form);
  • Wet packages, or packages emitting odor;
  • Certain types of plants;
  • Live animals;
  • Firearms;
  • Products containing obscene/propaganda materials, and
  • Gambling items.

Some shipping companies already discard forbidden items from products before having them delivered, and this is great. However, other courier drivers never look at the contents of your shipment boxes and only rely on the information that you stamped outside your goods. Suppose they do end up in Canadian territory, your products could get caught by customs officers. In that case, they can either confiscate the restricted items from your parcels, ship them back to you, or even call the authorities.

There’s nothing more beneficial for small businesses shipping to Canada. However, you must keep yourself informed to avoid further customs headaches in the future.   

Is It Possible to Find the Cheapest Shipping Rates in Canada?

You now know the products you can and cannot ship to Canadian borders, but is there a way to find the cheapest shipping rates in Canada? Short answer, yes (but it’s not as simple as you think.) You need to utilize a systematic approach, which mostly relies on your perception and quick decision-making skills, to be able to maximize your shipping process.

There may not be a fixed algorithm to determine the cheapest shipping rates, but there are undoubtedly several factors that may help lessen your long-term costs. Below are some tips to help you get started right away:   

Tip 1: Plan any Canadian taxes, duties, and other fees ahead of time. 

If there’s a reason why standard shipping from outside Canada can be expensive, all goods shipped to the country are accompanied by hefty taxes, duties, and even additional handling fees from shipping companies. Any smart business would prefer planning and pay for these extra costs ahead of time, and so you should do the same.

The Canadian tax system is mostly described as low de minimis— a threshold for sellers to pay a fee for the combined value of goods and their taxes/duties. In tariff lingo, Canada’s cross-border shipment tax system is otherwise known as a low DMT Regulatory Framework. 

Small businesses, express courier service companies, and consumers prefer a higher DMT for numerous reasons, but Canada continues to employ a low DMT system to benefit domestic retail companies. This framework means that for every product valued over C$20, you will have to pay a certain amount for customs duties or import taxes. Coupled with additional handling fees, there’s no surprise that some small businesses find US-Canada shipping a bit expensive.

Therefore, take the time to familiarize yourself with your Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code (HTSUS) to connect your products to Canadian customs and calculate precisely how much you will have to pay ahead of time. 

Tip 2: Take note of your shipment’s size and weight.

In the shipping industry, size and weight are crucial factors to help you determine your final costs. These two metrics are always taken into consideration by shipping companies before giving out their final cost breakdown, so you must know them ahead of time.

For companies with a fixed inventory, determining your costs through your products’ size and weight is much more comfortable. Simply look for the cheapest shipping company that accepts your package dimensions, and you’re done. On the other hand, companies with flexible inventories are better off using shipping calculators for each shipment that they will make. If they can accurately take down their shipment’s size and weight, they will get a ballpark figure of their shipping costs. Another excellent solution for varied inventories would be to divide your products into separate categories and find the cheapest shipping rates. 

Packaging also comes into the equation when calculating size and weight, so it’s essential to keep your packages as firm, lightweight, and compact as possible. 

Tip 3: Calculate your shipping distance at all times.

Shipping in Canada can be difficult and expensive, no doubt about it. As the second-largest country in the world, Canada’s 9.1 million square kilometer-landmass makes navigation much more complicated for all businesses.

You should know that Canadians live far away from each other, so it is essential to calculate your exact shipping distance every time you have products delivered. Within Canada’s major urban cities (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa), shipments can be delivered in as fast as four days. However, reaching certain rural areas can be challenging and can result in inflated shipping costs. 

It’s essential to gather data on your regular shipping distance and analyze if there are location patterns that you can take advantage of. As soon as you have enough data to study, you may consider using specialized fulfillment warehouses nearest to the majority of your customers and reducing overall shipping costs.

When used correctly, fulfillment warehouses help you ease your headaches and even help you save money on shipping costs in the future.  

Conclusion: The best shipping prices Canada can provide depends on your shipping strategy. 

While there is no magic recipe to get the cheapest shipping prices in Canada, a smart business will most certainly find ways to minimize shipping costs. It will take time and effort, but a clear shipping strategy always pays off.

It’s always a good idea to continuously inform yourself of the US-Canada shipping industry. If you read up on the nuances of Canadian shipping taxes, take note of your shipments’ product size and weight requirements, and calculate shipping distances, you will eventually be able to formulate a shipping plan suitable for your business.

However, if you prefer a team of shipping professionals to handle your shipments, we at Stallion Express can provide the easiest shipping integration process in Canada. Book your appointment today!

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

Get Started Today.  Sign Up for Free!
See more articles from same author
Stallion November 2023 Recap

We're getting close to the end of the year! As usual, Stallion is here to provide you with some insightful news to make shipping more efficient. Now, let's get into the specifics: General Updates Stallion Branch Hours Review our Stallion location business hours for your guidance this upcoming holiday season. Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2023 As […]

Read More
Ontario: Temporary U.S. Shipment Delay

There is a temporary delay that may impact some of the U.S. shipments at our locations across Ontario from November 21 to November 22. This delay is attributed to two factors: the temporary closure of the border between Canada and the U.S. following an incident on Wednesday morning and the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. […]

Read More
Holiday Hours 2023

'Tis the season! As we gear up for the festive holiday season, take a moment to check out our special hours to ensure you can plan your visits accordingly. In addition to our schedule, we advise you to take a look at our partner carrier's holiday shipping deadlines. This will help you manage expectations regarding […]

Read More
Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2023

Prepare for the upcoming holiday season! Check out our shipping carrier partners' holiday deadlines below. These recommended cutoff dates are crucial for ensuring successful delivery during this season. It's important to note that these dates are not guaranteed, as they are based on past, current, and projected capacity for the peak season. Ensure a smooth […]

Read More
Stallion October 2023 Recap

Spooky season has arrived! We’re here to give you the monthly summary so you can stay on top of things while you entirely focus on increasing your sales.  Let’s dive deeper into the October announcements, shall we? General Updates PostNL as international shipping option in B.C. For our B.C. online sellers, please be informed that […]

Read More
eCommerce Competition Case Study: How to Overcome Market Saturation by 30% in 101 Days

In the competitive world of Canadian eCommerce, the challenge of market saturation can stifle growth and creativity. This study will discuss the strategic options you, a fellow Canadian eCommerce entrepreneur, can personally employ to achieve a substantial 30% reduction in market saturation in just 101 days using the Stallion Technique. Discover this innovative approach that […]

Read More
1 2 3 42

Join the Stallion Newsletter

You’ll receive the best tips, strategies, and news on Canadian ecommerce.

Read More

Stallion November 2023 Recap

We're getting close to the end of the year! As usual, Stallion is here to provide you with some insightful news to make shipping more efficient. Now, let's get into the specifics: General Updates Stallion Branch Hours Review our Stallion location business hours for your guidance this upcoming holiday season. Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2023 As […]

Ontario: Temporary U.S. Shipment Delay

There is a temporary delay that may impact some of the U.S. shipments at our locations across Ontario from November 21 to November 22. This delay is attributed to two factors: the temporary closure of the border between Canada and the U.S. following an incident on Wednesday morning and the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. […]

Holiday Hours 2023

'Tis the season! As we gear up for the festive holiday season, take a moment to check out our special hours to ensure you can plan your visits accordingly. In addition to our schedule, we advise you to take a look at our partner carrier's holiday shipping deadlines. This will help you manage expectations regarding […]

Establishing A Brand Across the Border: Canada to US Shipping

Establishing a brand is already a challenging task to keep up due to the rising number of businesses that open yearly. However, expanding across the border is a different thing. It requires more strength, better marketing techniques, and exceptional working strategy because you will face thousands of sellers in the United States and overseas.  This […]

What Are The Factors in Choosing the Right Target to Make International Shipping Prices Worth It?

Due to the expensive shipping cost and tedious process, numerous businesses usually do not consider international shipping. Additionally, attracting the right target market is more challenging because of various elements, such as culture, geographical location, and local preferences. However, Stallion Express can help you know the factors in choosing the most suitable global audience for […]

How to Save on International Shipping Rate?

Going out of your comfort zone can be scary and worrisome-the feeling of facing the unknown and looking forward to something you cannot predict. This idea can apply to different things, including business. You can handily establish a company; managing and growing it, though, is the challenging part. Moreover, expanding your business internationally can be […]

Hear what online sellers in Canada are saying

"Stallion Express is a game changer for small business owners like myself. My online store wouldn't be where it's at today without the Stallion Express team."
Dorothy Wong
"Outstanding service. Delivery is always on time. Accessible location. Expert staff. There's nothing else I could ask for."
Norma Joseph
"Stallion Express has been fulfilling my shipments with excellence for the longest time. With their quick actions and unparalleled customer service, they are the best shipping company."
Lena Hulsey
Stallion Express
Ship faster, smarter, and 
cheaper with Stallion Express
© 2023 Stallion Express  |  Legal
Ship faster, smarter, and cheaper with Stallion Express
Stallion Express 2020  |  
Legal
menuchevron-downcross-circle linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram