While Canada Post provides a vital and often cost-effective shipping solution, especially for smaller businesses and individuals, the looming possibility of a strike can create uncertainty. For many, the postal service's affordability for small packages is unmatched by commercial carriers. However, being compelled to explore alternatives during a potential disruption can unveil new opportunities and potentially superior long-term shipping strategies, regardless of whether a strike ultimately occurs. This situation encourages us to "shop around so you can better ship around."
Canada Post Shipping Alternatives
Let's delve into the alternatives available for various shipping needs, both within Canada and internationally. We'll also explore how a company like Jet Worldwide can assist you in navigating these options.
Domestic Shipping Alternatives within Canada
When Canada Post faces a potential disruption, several established commercial carriers operate across the country, offering reliable alternatives:
- Purolator: A well-known Canadian courier company offering a range of services, from next-day to ground delivery. They have a strong infrastructure and are often chosen for time-sensitive shipments.
- FedEx: A global logistics giant with a significant presence in Canada. They provide various shipping options, including express and ground services, and are known for their tracking capabilities.
- UPS (United Parcel Service): Another major international carrier with a robust network in Canada. Similar to FedEx, they offer a spectrum of services catering to different delivery speeds and package sizes.
- Canpar: A Canadian-owned courier company focusing primarily on ground delivery services within Canada. They are often considered a cost-competitive option for less time-sensitive shipments.
- GDS (General Delivery Services): A regional carrier primarily serving Western Canada. They offer ground transportation services for various types of freight and packages.
- Nationex: Another regional carrier, mainly operating in Quebec and Ontario. They provide ground and expedited shipping solutions within their service areas.
- UniUni: A low cost system for high volume e-commerce volumes
- Intelcom: Similar service to UniUni
While these commercial carriers offer reliable and often faster delivery times compared to standard postal service, their costs, especially for smaller, lighter packages, can be significantly higher than Canada Post's rates.
International Shipping postal alternatives from Canada
When shipping from Canada to international destinations, the alternatives to Canada Post become more varied:
Canada Post Alternatives To the USA
Shipping to the USA offers numerous options beyond Canada Post:
- Purolator, FedEx, UPS: These carriers offer expedited and standard services to the USA with reliable tracking and customs clearance processes.
- Jet Worldwide: As a Canadian-based international shipping company, Jet Worldwide provides a range of services for shipments to the USA, often focusing on cost-effective solutions and navigating the complexities of cross-border shipping.
To Other International Destinations:
For shipments beyond the USA, the landscape is similar:
- FedEx, UPS, DHL: These international giants have extensive global networks and offer a variety of air and ground services with varying transit times and costs.
- Jet Worldwide: Jet Worldwide offers international shipping solutions to numerous destinations worldwide, often providing a balance between cost and transit time.
It's important to note that while commercial carriers often boast faster transit times for international shipments compared to postal services, the overall cost can be higher. However, as mentioned, for many international destinations, the transit time with commercial carriers can be significantly better, sometimes justifying the similar or slightly higher cost.
Crucially, postal clearance often presents a less demanding process in many international destinations. Goods that might clear customs relatively smoothly when shipped via Canada Post could face stricter scrutiny, more complex documentation requirements, and potential delays when shipped through commercial carriers. This is a significant factor to consider, especially for smaller shippers without dedicated customs expertise.
Postal Alternatives for Shipping to Canada from Outside of Canada
Navigating shipments into Canada also requires considering alternatives to postal services:
From the United States (via USPS):
When shipping from the USA to Canada, the primary postal service is the United States Postal Service (USPS). If a Canada Post strike occurs, alternatives include:
- FedEx, UPS: These carriers handle numerous cross-border shipments daily and have established customs clearance processes for goods entering Canada from the USA.
- Purolator: As a Canadian company, Purolator also offers services for shipments originating in the USA and destined for Canada, leveraging their cross-border infrastructure.
- Jet Worldwide: Jet Worldwide provides solutions for shipping from the USA to Canada, focusing on efficient customs clearance and timely delivery
From Other International Countries:
For shipments originating from countries other than the USA and heading to Canada, the options mirror those for outbound international shipments:
- DHL, FedEx, UPS: These global carriers are well-equipped to handle international shipments to Canada, managing customs procedures and providing tracking information.
- Jet Worldwide: Jet Worldwide offers international inbound shipping services to Canada, assisting with customs brokerage and ensuring smooth delivery.
How Jet Worldwide Can Assist You
Jet Worldwide (JetWorldwide.com) is a Canadian-based international shipping company that can be a valuable partner in navigating potential Canada Post disruptions and optimizing your overall shipping strategy. Here's how they can assist in all the areas we've discussed:
Domestic Canada: Jet Worldwide can offer competitive rates and reliable service for shipments within Canada, providing an alternative to the major national carriers, especially for businesses looking for personalized solutions.
International Shipments (Canada to USA & Other Destinations): Jet Worldwide specializes in cross-border shipping, offering cost-effective solutions and expertise in navigating customs regulations for both the USA and other international destinations. They can help you understand the potential differences in customs clearance compared to postal services.
Shipping from Outside Canada to Canada (USA via USPS & Other International): Jet Worldwide provides inbound shipping services to Canada, offering solutions for shipments originating in the USA (even those initially sent via USPS) and other international locations. Their customs brokerage services can be particularly beneficial in ensuring smooth entry of goods into Canada.
Jet Worldwide understands the advantages of postal services, particularly their cost-effectiveness for small shippers. They can work with you to find alternative solutions that aim to bridge the gap in cost while providing reliable and potentially faster service.
Embracing Alternatives: New Opportunities Await
Being forced to explore alternatives to Canada Post, whether due to a strike or other reasons, can lead to unexpected benefits:
- Discovering Faster Transit Times: Commercial carriers often offer quicker delivery, which can be crucial for time-sensitive shipments or improving customer satisfaction.
- Enhanced Tracking and Visibility: Commercial carriers typically provide more detailed and real-time tracking information, giving you and your recipients better visibility over the shipment's journey.
- Specialized Services: Commercial carriers offer a wider array of specialized services, such as temperature-controlled shipping or handling of oversized items.
- Negotiated Rates: Businesses with regular shipping needs may be able to negotiate better rates with commercial carriers than the standard postal rates.
- Building Diversified Shipping Options: Having established relationships with multiple carriers ensures business continuity and allows you to choose the best option based on specific needs (cost, speed, destination, etc.).
- Even if a Canada Post strike is averted, the exercise of researching and potentially trialing alternative carriers can lead to a more robust and cost-effective overall shipping strategy.
Shop Around So You Can Better Ship Around
In conclusion, while the potential disruption of Canada Post services may seem daunting, it presents an opportune moment to explore the diverse range of shipping alternatives available. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of various domestic and international carriers, including the expertise offered by companies like Jet Worldwide, you can make informed decisions that best suit your needs. This situation encourages you to "shop around so you can better ship around," ultimately leading to more resilient and potentially optimized shipping solutions for the long term.
Canada Post is the cost leader for small packages. Although there are alternatives, Canada post remains the lowest cost provider from small parcels within Canada. Canada Post international small packet is also the low cost leader - especially for individual shippers.
Shipping Alternatives to USPS to Canada
The Canada Post Strike is impacting the USPS parcels to Canada. The strike has led to a backlog of parcels from the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Shippers moving away from USPS need to adapt from a postal customs entry to a commercial import. This initially may be a challenge but ultimately provides a better option in many cases.
When the strike is over, many will likely resume shipping to Canada via USPS and Canada Post. However, others will discover the benefits of the low value import process or becoming a foreign importer of record. Commercial imports to Canada benefit from a higher duty free threshold or de minimis. Also, delivery duty paid options are available via commercial carriers.
Let's hope this strike can be resolved soon.
Contact our team to set up a zone jumping option direct to Canada.
Notes on Canada Post Strike
1. The story of a Postal Strike is generally not a concern by Canadians as there are parcel delivery alternatives.
It is unlikely that there will be broad public pressure on either side should Canada Post stop delivering. Even small businesses, who still largely rely on postal delivery for payment via check are able to take advantage of new payment methods, such as Interac.
2. Parcel delivery is more important for small business than letter delivery
The low cost postal parcel delivery is where the impact is being felt the most. Canadian E-commerce sellers are having to find alternative solutions. Even though letter mail still represents around half of Canada Post revenue, parcel delivery is more important to small businesses.
Jet Worldwide is helping international companies find international parcel delivery alternatives to Canada Post. However, no options can beat the parcel post pricing for the smallest shipments.
3. Parcel delivery via Canada Post subsidiary, Purolator
Not mentioned often is the benefit to Canada Post’s “private market carrier,”Purolator.Purolator's Canadian parcel delivery volumes have increased substantially as the postal work stoppages continue.
Uncertainty for both sides
The extreme drop in volumes at Canada Post due to the uncertainty should have both Canada Post and their unions worried. Canada Post and their unions both have legitimate concerns but ultimately the marketplace can, and will, move on if the service continues to suffer.
5. The market reality should drive an agreement
Market reality will force both sides to an agreement as Canadian businesses develop viable alternatives to international parcel post solutions.We recommend that companies continue to develop alternative parcel delivery systems from Canada.
Jet Worldwide supports universal parcel post delivery systems that offer a uniformly low price that is accessible to small businesses, rural communities and individuals. Our mission of connecting people, products and businesses around the world depends on universal parcel post delivery options.
