It's no secret that Canada and the US have been trading buddies for a long time; we might be talking centuries. Zoom back to the 21st century—rapid advancements in shipping and the rise of E-commerce have multiplied the demand, leading to 5 billion dollars worth of goods exchanged every year.

Most online sellers in Canada find themselves looking west to make their international debut. The long history between the two countries has spurred the development of efficient and accessible shipping systems that Canadian sellers will find no trouble using.

And while opportunities lay abundant, many sellers often make mistakes that dampen their international reach from the onset. When expanding a business, it's essential to make as few mistakes as possible. One way to go about it is consistently making smart decisions. This requires in-depth knowledge of the way shipping works. Costly mistakes rapidly rack up into formidable expenses that, left unchecked, will slowly drive your profits to ruin. 

Achieve the cheapest shipping from Canada to US by avoiding these mistakes.

Not Making the Most Out of Shipping Partners

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Shipping service providers generally prefer long-term clients because they mean consistent and reliable business. Most of them are more than happy to dole out a goodie or two. All that said, most sellers unknowingly pass up on offers they could have easily negotiated for themselves. 

Here are a few:

• Exclusivity

Sellers can negotiate for lower shipping rates in exchange for partnering with the shipping company exclusively for the long haul.

You should opt for this only if you're confident and satisfied that you've selected the right shipping partner for your business.

• Recurring Customers

Having a long track record with a shipping company might entitle you to a discount; this is an acknowledgment of the excellent business you've brought to their doors.

Ill-planned packaging

The packaging is one of the X factors that differentiate the profitable sellers from the losing ones. It may not seem much but trust us when we say, packaging matters. Every square foot is worth thousands in the shipping industry, so a hair split difference of millimeters can make or break your bank. Here's the smart way to do it:

• Invest in lightweight and compact materials

Bulky boxes cost significantly higher compared to lightweight and compact ones—Kraft mailers, bubble wrap, packing tape, and so on. Using the right packing supplies makes it easy to store, handle, and deliver your items.

• Know the standard measurements

Knowing your shipper's specifics on items, like weight or dimensions, will guide how you package your product. It's generally not a good idea to force your product into a smaller measurement category to cut costs as this may lead to mishandling or, worse, damage.

Ignoring Surcharges

With the ongoing pandemic, many shipping companies have had to adjust their prices to accommodate the rocketing demands of e-commerce. As a seller, it's essential to know these surcharges so you can structure your financials accordingly and achieve the desired profit margin. Here are a few of them you need to keep in mind:

• Address Correction Fee

This is a fee you pay when you input an incomplete or inaccurate address. It'll cost you more to change the address, especially if the item is en route.

How to avoid:

Be more attentive in writing your customer's details and address. Ask your customer to fill in any lacking information.

• Delivery Re-attempt fee

This happens when the customer suddenly feels like going out for a run or doing groceries despite knowing the delivery schedule. When the delivery man comes knocking, and nobody's around, the company will have to re-attempt the delivery. A delivery re-attempt fee is charged to compensate for the time and fuel lost.

How to Avoid:

Keep in touch with your customers to make sure they're available to receive the parcel. Also, make sure all the details are accurate and complete.

• Oversized Package surcharge

As discussed above, if your item doesn't fit the shipper's standard measurements, you'll have to pay a premium. The cost will also involve additional handling charges for your oversized package. 

How to Avoid:

Make sure your products meet the standard size requirements as specified by your shipping partner. Sellers may achieve this by using minimal yet sturdy packaging, so every nook and corner is maximized without compromising safety.

• Saturday Surcharge

It'll cost you a lot more to have items delivered beyond typical business days of Monday to Friday, hence the name.

How to Avoid:

You could either use express shipping or priority mail as these options do not require an additional charge. If the customer's not in a hurry, you could have it delivered on the next business day.

While there are overheads you'll inevitably have to pay for, like fuel surcharge and package insurance, steering clear of unnecessary charges can boost you miles ahead.

What about the cheapest shipping from US to Canada? 

A different story altogether with similar elements, the cheapest way to ship to Canada from US is still within arms reach. 

Conclusion

It's essential to maintain a holistic approach to running a business. As an online entrepreneur, you'll be continually dealing with logistics to expand your business internationally effectively. 

Here at Stallion Express, we offer the best ground-up solutions for your logistics needs, consistently offering you cheaper rates by a mile from our competitors. With our vast experience and thousands of satisfied Canadian customers, we'll be more than happy to help you take your business to the next level. 

Shoot us an email today at [email protected] for a free consultation.

Aman Chopra

Aman looks after the content marketing department at Stallion Express. He is passionate about helping businesses grow by providing informative and up-to-date trends in the eCommerce industry. Outside the office, you can find him on the soccer field cheering on Real Madrid.