We all want to receive our online purchases as quickly as possible. However, customs duties and harsh weather conditions can prevent shipments from being delayed from their estimated delivery dates.
When it comes to shipping to Canada, there are some things that you should keep in mind to avoid these delays. Here are our top tips for shipping to Canada without hassle:
Know Your Limits
Shipping to Canada is a great way to expand your business and grow your brand. However, it is essential to know your limitations, especially regarding size and weight. Some items, including batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and any other type, are banned or restricted when you ship cross-border to Canada.
Always check with your logistics provider or customs broker for more specifics. However, most items are allowed when you ship to Canada. Also, ensure you know the taxes and customs charges for which you will be responsible. While some businesses pass these costs on to their customers, others collect them before shipping them.
Prepaying these duties and taxes allows you to avoid surprise charges at delivery time, which can cause buyer friction. It’s best to clarify this on your website, checkout flow, and help desk or support sections so your customers know what they will be responsible for when buying from you.
Choose the Right Courier
When shipping packages to Canada, finding a courier that offers affordable rates and quality services is essential. Luckily, there are many options for US-based retailers looking to ship products north of the border. However, each carrier has varying rates and services, so it’s essential to compare them before choosing one.
A website about package comparison tools is a great way to get shipping costs from various carriers simultaneously. Enter your package details, and you’ll receive rate estimates from multiple shipping companies in just a few minutes.
Another option is to consider a freight carrier, which offers several cost-saving solutions for ecommerce retailers. They offer package consolidation and customs clearance assistance, which can help to reduce shipping costs and ensure a smooth delivery process. Plus, they partner with trusted international shipping carriers to provide reliable, secure deliveries to Canada. This can save you both time and money in the long run.
Make Sure Your Address is Correct
Growing your e-commerce business and reaching a wider audience can be achieved through shipping goods to Canada. However, the country has a few rules you must know to ensure your packages get delivered to the correct address on time and without issue.
More than correctly formatted addresses can create many issues for your customers and your carrier. This can cause delays and even result in packages being returned to the sender, costing you both money and customer satisfaction.
The format for Canadian addresses is different from that of the U.S. The proper address format includes the recipient’s name, street address with apartment number or building number if applicable, city and province name (with correct abbreviations), postal code, and Canada on the last line.
The exemplary international shipping service can save you both time and money, making it one of the best ways to expand your business into the country. By following the above tips, you can be confident that your deliveries will make it to their destination on time and in good condition.
Get Additional Insurance
U.S. companies must know various rules and regulations regarding international shipping, including specific duties and taxes. Fortunately, a customs brokerage can help with these complicated issues and ensure your company complies with Canadian law.
Depending on the size and value of your parcel, you may be required to pay import fees and taxes, and there may be additional charges for hazardous materials. Additionally, certain items are prohibited from entering Canada altogether. This includes weapons, alcohol, furs, and collectible coins, to name a few.
Remember to include these extra costs in your total shipping budget when calculating the cost of your parcels. This will help you ensure that your shoppers get the best possible service and allow you to offer them a choice of carriers that fit their needs and budget. You can easily add and calculate the cost of carrier insurance to your shipments with our simple Shipping Insurance API, which can cover packages sent by carriers.
Don’t Skip the Insurance
Even though you may be tempted to save on shipping costs by skipping the insurance, it’s important not to. The Canadian customs agency can confiscate your merchandise if they discover you undervalued the product, so be sure to pay for extra protection. Most carriers include basic insurance in their base rates, but you can also get additional coverage from an independent provider for an affordable fee.
You are getting the best price when shipping to Canada isn’t complicated with a bit of research. You can use an online tool to compare the cost of shipments between different carriers in one place. The process is quick, and you can get your results in just minutes!
Another way to get the best price is to work with a company specializing in US-Canada logistics. Companies provide package consolidation and customs clearance assistance, making it easy to shop from American retailers without paying high international shipping fees. They also have the resources to guarantee compliance with all U.S. and Canadian customs regulations, saving you the headache of dealing with the details yourself.
