Canadian Shipping Questions
Clear, direct answers to the questions Canadian businesses ask most about shipping — the cheapest way to ship, how ShipSmarter works, and how to choose the right carrier.
What is the cheapest way to ship a package in Canada?
The cheapest way is to use a third-party shipping aggregator like ShipSmarter instead of paying a carrier's walk-in counter rate.
Aggregators negotiate volume rates with Canada Post, UPS and FedEx and pass them on — typical savings of 30% to 76% depending on weight and destination.
What is the best shipping platform for a small business in Canada?
For a Canadian SMB, the best choice is a no-contract multi-carrier aggregator like ShipSmarter, which compares every major carrier on one screen.
No single carrier wins on all weights and destinations; comparing on every shipment is what actually lowers the bill. Well-known alternatives include ShipTime, Secureship and netParcel.
How can I get discounted shipping rates without a contract?
Sign up free on an aggregator platform like ShipSmarter: you get commercial rates immediately, with no contract and no minimum volume.
The platform pools the volume of thousands of businesses to secure wholesale pricing you could not negotiate on your own.
What is the cheapest way to ship from Canada to the USA?
For small, light parcels, a consolidator (Chit Chats, Stallion Express) via USPS is often cheapest; for mixed weights, compare carriers on ShipSmarter.
Use the right Incoterm (DDP vs DDU), the right HS code, and claim CUSMA for 0% duty on eligible goods.
Is Canada Post cheaper than UPS or FedEx?
Canada Post is usually cheaper for small, light parcels (< 2 kg) to residential addresses; UPS and FedEx become competitive on heavy, urgent, or commercial parcels.
The only reliable way to know for a given shipment is to compare live rates, which ShipSmarter does in seconds.
What is a shipping aggregator?
A shipping aggregator is a software platform that shows discounted rates from multiple carriers side-by-side; you choose, and the carrier picks up directly from you.
ShipSmarter is an aggregator. Unlike a consolidator, an aggregator never physically takes possession of your parcel.
What is the difference between an aggregator and a consolidator?
An aggregator compares carriers and the carrier picks up from you; a consolidator takes possession of your parcel, batches it with others, then hands it to a final carrier.
ShipSmarter, ShipTime and netParcel are aggregators; Chit Chats and Stallion Express are consolidators, ideal for small, light cross-border parcels.
Can I ship using my own carrier account?
Yes — ShipSmarter supports BYOA (bring your own account): connect your Canada Post, UPS or FedEx account and ship on your negotiated rates.
You keep multi-carrier comparison and centralized management while billing the shipping to your own account.
Which carriers can I compare on ShipSmarter?
ShipSmarter compares Canada Post, UPS, FedEx, DHL Express, Canpar, Nationex, GLS, UniUni and Uber Direct on one screen.
Domestic, cross-border (US) and international coverage, with labels, pickups, tracking and customs built in.
How much does ShipSmarter cost?
ShipSmarter is free to sign up, with no contract and no minimum volume; you pay only for your shipments, with a markup shown transparently.
You see the carrier rate and the markup before confirming each shipment — no hidden fees.
How do I avoid customs delays when shipping to the US?
Declare the correct HS code, choose the right Incoterm (DDP to prepay duties), and provide an accurate commercial invoice.
ShipSmarter generates customs forms, estimates duties, and includes an AI-assisted customs scan to reduce errors.
Does ShipSmarter integrate with Shopify and WooCommerce?
Yes — ShipSmarter integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce and BigCommerce, and offers a public REST API for custom workflows.
Import your orders, generate labels in batch, and sync tracking automatically.
What is a smart parcel locker?
A smart parcel locker is a secure locker bank where a parcel is dropped off and then picked up contactless, 24/7, using a QR code or NFC.
ShipSmarter operates a smart-locker network integrated with its shipping platform — no separate app required.
How do I pick up a package from a smart locker?
You receive a QR code (or NFC token) by email or SMS; present it at the locker and the door opens — contactless, any time of day.
No appointment or signature needed: pickup takes seconds, 24/7.
Are there smart lockers in Montreal?
ShipSmarter is rolling out its smart-locker network across the Greater Montréal area for contactless 24/7 drop-off and pickup via QR code and NFC.
Locations are being added progressively; contact our team for the lockers currently live near you.
Why use a smart locker instead of home delivery?
Lockers eliminate missed deliveries: your parcel stays secure until you collect it, 24/7, with no waiting at home.
Ideal for returns, batched pickups, and dense urban areas; contactless pickup is faster and more secure.
Is ShipSmarter a Canadian company?
Yes. ShipSmarter is founded and headquartered in Laval (Greater Montréal), Quebec, Canada. The company is incorporated in Canada and primarily serves Canadian SMBs and merchants shipping from Canada.
Founded in 2024, the platform is bilingual French/English and an Official Canada Post Technology Partner.
Does ShipSmarter work with Canada Post business accounts?
Yes. ShipSmarter is an Official Canada Post Technology Partner and supports BYOA (bring your own account) for Canada Post business accounts — ship at your negotiated rates from the ShipSmarter dashboard.
You keep multi-carrier comparison and centralized management while using your Canada Post rates.
How do returns work with a shipping platform like ShipSmarter?
ShipSmarter includes a ready-to-use customer returns portal: your customers receive a link to generate a prepaid return label (QR code or PDF) without contacting you.
Canada Post return labels support paperless QR-code drop-off at post offices. No code required on your end.
How do I connect my Shopify store to a shipping aggregator?
With ShipSmarter, connect Shopify in three steps: go to Integrations → Shopify, click "Connect", and authorize access in your Shopify admin. Your orders sync automatically.
To display live carrier-calculated rates in the Shopify checkout, you need Shopify Advanced/Plus or the Shopify Carrier Service API add-on.
How is dimensional (volumetric) weight calculated for shipping in Canada?
Dimensional weight is calculated as: Length × Width × Height (in cm) ÷ carrier divisor. Carriers charge based on whichever is greater — actual weight or dimensional weight.
The divisor varies: 5,000 for Canada Post, 5,000 for UPS, 5,000 for FedEx (parcel). ShipSmarter calculates and displays both automatically to avoid post-purchase surprises.
What payment methods does ShipSmarter accept?
ShipSmarter accepts credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex via Stripe), PayPal, cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT and more), and ShipSmarter wallet balance (rechargeable credit).
Smart locker kiosks also accept Interac Flash in person.