Ecommerce businesses in Canada face unique challenges when it comes to shipping. Managing orders across multiple platforms, finding affordable carrier rates, and meeting customer expectations can feel overwhelming. Shipping software helps solve these problems by streamlining processes, saving time, and reducing costs.
Additionally, free shipping software offers significant benefits for eCommerce businesses in Canada by providing cost savings through access to discounted shipping rates, ease of use for batch printing labels, and automated shipment tracking.
Ecommerce businesses in Canada can further simplify their logistics with solutions like Easyship, a leading multi-carrier shipping software. Easyship offers Canadian merchants access to pre-negotiated discounts of up to 91% on shipping rates from carriers like Canada Post, UPS, and FedEx. The platform integrates seamlessly with popular eCommerce tools like Shopify and WooCommerce, enabling businesses to compare rates, automate shipping tasks, and provide real-time tracking updates to their customers.
This article explains how shipping software works, highlights its key features, and provides practical advice for Canadian businesses looking to improve their logistics operations.
What is Shipping Software, and Why Do Canadian Businesses Need It?
Shipping software is a digital tool that helps businesses manage their shipping operations from one platform. It allows eCommerce merchants to import orders, compare carrier rates, automate tasks, manage inventory, and provide tracking updates to customers.
Shipping software has become essential for Canadian businesses to remain competitive. Managing multiple carriers or handling orders manually often results in errors, delays, and increased costs. Tools like Easyship streamline order fulfillment and shipping, enabling businesses to automate these processes, reduce inefficiencies, and prioritize growth and customer satisfaction.
Top Shipping Solutions in Canada
Choosing the right shipping solution is key to streamlining operations, managing costs, and ensuring reliable delivery. Here’s a deeper look at the top shipping carriers available to Canadian businesses, along with their standout features:
Canada Post
Canada Post is a trusted and widely used carrier, particularly for small to mid-sized businesses across Canada. Its extensive domestic network and affordable rates make it an excellent option for both local and international shipping.
- Affordable Domestic Shipping: Services like Expedited Parcel and Regular Parcel provide cost-effective solutions for shipping within Canada. These services include tracking and delivery guarantees, ensuring a reliable customer experience.
- Reliable International Shipping: With options like Tracked Packet and Xpresspost International, businesses can efficiently handle cross-border shipments to the U.S. and other countries.
- Easy Integration: Platforms like Easyship integrate seamlessly with Canada Post, allowing businesses to access discounted rates, automate label printing, and track shipments through a single dashboard. Canada Post is an ideal choice for small businesses that prioritize affordability and broad coverage.
UPS
UPS offers comprehensive shipping solutions, excelling in both domestic and international logistics. Its reputation for reliability and speed makes it a go-to carrier for time-sensitive shipments.
- Competitive Discounts: UPS provides significant discounts on express and ground services, especially for high-volume shippers using tools like Easyship.
- Global Presence: With a strong international network, UPS simplifies cross-border logistics, offering reliable delivery to over 220 countries and territories.
- Business Integrations: UPS integrates seamlessly with platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, making it easy for businesses to manage orders and shipments.
UPS is particularly suited for businesses that need reliable, fast shipping for domestic and international orders.
FedEx
FedEx is a leading carrier for businesses requiring specialized shipping solutions and fast delivery times. Known for its robust customer support, FedEx ensures a seamless experience for both businesses and their customers.
- Time-Sensitive Deliveries: FedEx offers same-day, next-day, and expedited services, making it ideal for high-priority shipments.
- Oversized and Heavy Shipments: Businesses shipping bulky or heavy items can rely on FedEx for efficient handling and competitive rates.
- Branded Tracking Features: FedEx provides customizable tracking options, allowing businesses to enhance the post-purchase experience with branded updates.
FedEx is an excellent choice for businesses that prioritize fast and specialized shipping solutions.
Purolator
Purolator is a Canadian-based carrier with a strong domestic network, making it a preferred choice for local shipments. Its same-day and next-day services cater to businesses needing quick delivery options.
- Reliable Domestic Shipping: Purolator’s extensive network covers even remote areas in Canada, ensuring packages reach customers efficiently.
- Express Services: With same-day and next-day options, Purolator helps businesses meet tight delivery deadlines.
- Focus on Local Markets: Purolator is ideal for businesses primarily serving Canadian customers, providing reliable and affordable shipping options.
Purolator is best suited for businesses with a focus on domestic markets and local delivery efficiency.
DHL Express
DHL Express is a leader in international shipping, offering unmatched global coverage and efficient customs clearance services.
- Extensive Global Network: DHL ships to over 220 countries and territories, making it ideal for businesses expanding internationally.
- Customs Expertise: DHL simplifies cross-border shipments with its streamlined customs clearance processes, reducing delays and ensuring compliance.
- Fast Delivery Options: Businesses can choose from a range of services, including Express Worldwide, for time-sensitive shipments.
DHL is the top choice for Canadian businesses looking to grow internationally while ensuring fast and secure delivery.
Choosing the Right Carrier for Your Business
Each carrier offers unique benefits, so the best choice depends on your business needs. For example:
- A small business selling handmade products might benefit most from Canada Post’s affordable rates.
- A company shipping large, high-value items may prefer FedEx for its specialized solutions.
- An international retailer expanding to new markets could rely on DHL Express for efficient global logistics.
Using shipping software like Easyship allows businesses to compare rates and services across these carriers, ensuring they always choose the most cost-effective and reliable option for each shipment.
Package Details:
- Weight: 1KG
- Box Dimensions: 20cm x 20cm x 10cm
- Contents: Non-perishable
- Origin: Toronto
Destination: Vancouver
Courier |
Delivery Time |
Total Cost |
Sendle Preferred (Cheapest) |
5 - 6 working days |
CA$15.23 (Incl. Taxes) |
Canada Post - Xpresspost (Best Value) |
2 - 3 working days |
CA$28.67 (Incl. Taxes) |
Canpar - Express (Fastest) |
1 - 2 working days |
CA$101.38 (Incl. Taxes) |
Try Easyship’s multi-carrier rate comparison today! It’s free, and everyone loves free.
Canada Post: Canada’s Most Trusted Shipping Partner
Canada Post is one of the most widely used carriers in Canada, offering affordable and reliable services for domestic and international shipping.
- Domestic Options: Solutions like Expedited Parcel and Regular Parcel are ideal for small businesses.
- International Services: Services like Tracked Packet and Xpresspost International provide reliable cross-border delivery.
- Integration with Shipping Software: Easyship integrates seamlessly with Canada Post, enabling merchants to access discounted rates and manage shipments from one dashboard.
Canada Post’s broad coverage and competitive rates make it a go-to carrier for Canadian eCommerce businesses.
Top Features of the Best Shipping Software for Canada
Shipping software comes with several features designed to simplify and improve the shipping process. Here are some of the most valuable ones:
- Multi-Carrier Rate Shopping: Use Easyship’s software to compare rates from carriers like Canada Post, UPS, FedEx, and Purolator to find the most cost-effective option for every shipment.
- Automation Tools: Automate tasks like bulk label printing, customs documentation, and shipping workflows to save time and reduce errors. Easyship’s automation software simplifies these processes, allowing your operations to run smoothly and without error.
- Real-Time Tracking: Provide customers with tracking updates and delivery notifications, enhancing their shopping experience. Easyship offers branded tracking and a streamlined post-purchase experience.
- Shipping API Solutions Tailored: Customize shipping API solutions to meet specific business needs, ensuring seamless integration with your existing systems and workflows.
Understanding Canadian Tax and Duties
When importing items into Canada by mail, shipments may be subject to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and/or applicable duties. Unless exempted, the standard 5% GST applies to imported goods, calculated based on their value in Canadian funds.
Duty Rates and Tax Variations:
Duty rates depend on the type of goods, their country of origin, and where they were manufactured. In some cases, additional taxes may apply, such as excise duty or excise tax on luxury items, depending on the nature or value of the goods.
Exemptions from GST:
Certain goods are exempt from the GST when imported by mail, including:
- Items valued at CAN$20 or less.
- Gifts from family or friends abroad valued at CAN$60 or less.
Harmonized Sales Tax (HST):
In provinces participating in the HST system, the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) applies instead of the GST. The HST rate is typically 13%, collected as part of the total import tax.
Shipping software like Easyship can help streamline the calculation of GST, duties, and HST, ensuring compliance and providing accurate cost estimates for international shipments. Here’s how it can help:
- Shipping software like Easyship automates the calculation of taxes and duties, ensuring accuracy.
- Merchants can prepay duties to provide a seamless experience for customers, avoiding surprise fees upon delivery.
- Tools like Easyship’s Tax and Duties Calculator simplify compliance with cross-border regulations, saving time and reducing errors.
For example, a Canadian business shipping to the U.S. used Easyship to automate duty calculations, streamlining their international operations and improving the post-purchase experience.
Easy Inventory Management Integration
Managing inventory efficiently is critical for eCommerce businesses, especially when handling high volumes of orders across multiple sales channels. Easyship addresses this need by integrating with leading inventory management platforms like Linnworks and SkuVault, offering businesses a seamless way to track inventory while managing their shipping operations.
- Seamless Inventory Tracking: By integrating Easyship with platforms like Linnworks and SkuVault, you can automatically sync your inventory levels with your shipping data. This real-time synchronization helps prevent overselling and ensures your stock levels are always accurate, reducing the risk of delays or customer dissatisfaction.
- Centralized Operations: These integrations centralize your inventory and shipping management into one easy-to-use platform. Whether you're fulfilling orders from multiple warehouses or across various sales channels like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Amazon, you can track inventory, update shipping statuses, and manage stock levels all in one place.
- Improved Efficiency and Accuracy: Inventory integration eliminates the need for manual data entry, reducing errors and saving valuable time. Features like automated low-stock alerts, streamlined pick-and-pack workflows, and bulk shipping label creation help businesses maintain operational efficiency.
Easyship’s inventory management integrations ensure your operations run smoothly, allowing you to focus on scaling your business while meeting customer demands.
Common Challenges in Canadian Shipping and How Software Solves Them
Canadian businesses face several challenges when it comes to shipping:
- High Costs: Shipping rates in Canada are often higher than in other countries. Utilizing various shipping services can help address these high costs by providing multiple options for businesses, including cost-effective domestic and international shipments.
- Complex Logistics: Managing multiple carriers and international shipments can be overwhelming.
- Customer Expectations: Shoppers want faster deliveries and transparent tracking.
Shipping software offered by Easyship addresses these issues by providing discounted rates, automating workflows, and integrating with carriers and platforms.Â
How to Choose the Best Shipping Software for Your Canadian Business
Selecting the right shipping software depends on your business needs. Here’s what to consider:
- Carrier Support: Ensure the software integrates with carriers you use most, like Canada Post or UPS. Easyship excels in this area by offering connections to over 550 courier services, including major players in Canada like UPS, FedEx, and Canada Post.
- Automation Features: Look for tools like bulk label printing and workflow automation to save time. Easyship’s automation capabilities allow businesses of all sizes to streamline tasks, from small-scale operations to large enterprises.
- Ease of Use: Choose a platform with an intuitive interface and strong customer support. Easyship’s user-friendly dashboard is designed to accommodate both new and experienced users, making it accessible for businesses of all kinds.
- Cost: Compare subscription plans and consider the savings on shipping rates. Easyship’s pre-negotiated discounts help businesses reduce costs significantly, ensuring a return on investment regardless of their size.
Shipping software is a powerful tool for Canadian eCommerce businesses. By automating tasks, reducing costs, and enhancing the customer experience, it allows merchants to focus on what matters most: growing their business.
Join Thousands of Growing Businesses Across Canada
Trusted by over 100,000 businesses worldwide, Easyship empowers Canadian eCommerce merchants to streamline logistics, cut shipping costs by up to 91%, and manage multi-channel orders efficiently. With tools for automating tasks, simplifying global shipping, and enhancing customer satisfaction through branded tracking and seamless returns, Easyship supports businesses at every stage, from startups to global expansion.
Ready to simplify and save on shipping?
Easyship is here to help.
Easyship was built to simplify shipping for eCommerce sellers of every size. If you’re looking for ways to save on shipping costs, compare rates, automate fulfillment, or grow internationally—our free shipping tools and smart dashboard can save you hours daily.
Our most popular App features:
- Discounted Shipping Rates: Get instant access to the largest selection of pre-negotiated volume discounts on shipping labels (up to 91% off retail rates).
- Multi-Carrier Comparison: Effortlessly compare 550+ global courier services to find the best option with our intelligent courier selection algorithm.
- Simple Set-Up & Integration: Connect your store and sales channels to Easyship in minutes to automatically sync orders and manage all shipments in one dashboard.
- Instant Rates At Checkout: Increase conversions by showcasing the cheapest, fastest and best value shipping rates live at checkout.
- Automatic Tax & Duties: Calculate, pre-pay, or pass on all tax and duty obligations for international orders, including generating all relevant customs paperwork.
- Shipping Automation Rules: Streamline shipping workflows, bulk print labels and reduce manual pick and pack errors with simple automation rules.
- Branded Tracking & Returns: Deliver a superior customer experience from checkout to delivery with branded tracking updates, delivery status, and pre-paid return labels.
- Shipping Insurance: Protect your brand and reputation from parcel theft, loss, or damage with affordable insurance options for domestic and international shipments.
More free shipping tools:
- Shipping Rate Calculator: Compare and calculate the cheapest way to ship anything to anywhere with our shipping cost calculator for international and domestic.
- Tax & Duties Calculator: Create an estimate of your customs duties and import taxes for every country and retail category.
- Country Import Rules: Understand the individual import rules, requirements, and restrictions for every country with our helpful guides.
- HS Code Lookup Tool: Search for the correct HS/HST Code for international orders with our universal HS Code Lookup Tool.
- Shipping Policy Generator: A clear and enticing shipping policy is a sales tool for stores, setting clear expectations and building trust with prospective customers.
Join our community of eCommerce sellers and get started with Easyship for free today.
Canada Shipping Software FAQs
What is the best shipping software for Canadian businesses?
Easyship is a top choice for Canadian eCommerce businesses, offering up to 91% pre-negotiated shipping discounts, multi-carrier rate comparisons, and seamless integrations with platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. Its automation tools streamline workflows, saving time and reducing costs.
How does shipping software reduce costs?
Shipping software reduces costs by comparing rates across multiple carriers, helping businesses choose the most economical option for each shipment. With tools like Easyship, you also gain access to deeply discounted shipping rates, eliminating inefficiencies and lowering operational expenses.
Does Easyship work with Canada Post?
Yes, Easyship integrates perfectly with Canada Post, providing access to discounted rates for domestic and international shipments. Its tools automate tasks like label printing and shipment tracking, enabling businesses to manage Canada Post orders effortlessly in one centralized dashboard.
Can I use shipping software for international orders?
Yes, shipping software simplifies international shipping by automating customs documentation, calculating taxes and duties, and generating the necessary paperwork. Easyship supports global shipments, offering tools to prepay duties and ensure compliance with destination country regulations.
What features should I look for in shipping software?
Key features include multi-carrier rate shopping to find the best deals, automation tools to simplify workflows, branded tracking to enhance customer experience, and seamless integration with eCommerce platforms. Easyship provides all these features in one intuitive, user-friendly platform.