Couriers
Canada Post offers a range of options for international shipping. These services include Small Packet, Tracked Packet, Expedited Parcel, Xpresspost, and Priority Worldwide. Each service caters to different needs, whether you're sending parcels within Canada or to other countries.
Depending on your choice, Canada Post provides air and surface delivery. The delivery time varies by service, ranging from about 10 business days for Small Packet International by air to more extended periods for surface delivery. Note that while most services offer tracking, Small Packet International does not.
Related:
Canada Post Registered Mail Tracking Canada Post Lettermail Tracking Canada Post Priority TrackingAny service that you will avail on Canada Post (except for Small Packet International), comes with a Canada Post tracking number. Once your package is on its journey, you can easily track your Canada Post parcels by heading to their website or by using a third-party tracking service like Ship24.
To track your shipment on the Canada Post website, follow these simple steps:
If you prefer another way of tracking your parcels, you can use Ship24. To track:
Tracking with Ship24 will give you access to more than a thousand couriers which means that even if other couriers like USPS, DPD, Royal Mail, etc., are handling your parcels, you can still get tracking updates with the same tracking numbers.
Canada Post offers a range of services for international shipping, each with different delivery times and features.
Service | Description |
Small Packet International | This service takes approximately 10 business days for air delivery and 4 to 12 weeks for surface delivery. Note that tracking options are not available with this service. |
Tracked Packet International | Delivery through this service is estimated at around 6 to 10 business days by air. There is no surface delivery option for this service. You can, however, benefit from the inclusion of a tracking number. |
International Parcel | For those choosing this service, expect around 12+ business days for air delivery and 4 to 12 weeks for surface. Tracking is available. |
Xpresspost International | Offering a quicker option, this service delivers in about 4 to 7 business days by air. It includes both a tracking number and regular delivery updates. |
Priority Worldwide | This is the fastest service provided by Canada Post, taking around 2 to 3 business days for air delivery. Like Xpresspost, it includes tracking and delivery updates. |
While Canada Post aims for on-time delivery, it's important to remember that various factors can influence delivery times. These include the parcel's weight, size, or volume, as well as external factors such as political situations, global health crises, weather conditions, and product issues.
The cost of shipping internationally with Canada Post is determined by several factors, including the type of service selected, the weight and dimensions of your package, the shipping distance, and the chosen delivery speed.
For standard-sized mail, which includes letter envelopes and postcards, the cost for international shipping starts at $2.71. The dimensions for standard-sized mail should be between 5.6” by 3.6” and 9.6” x 6.1”. The weight should be between 30 grams to 50 grams, accommodating up to 9 sheets of paper. Packages exceeding these dimensions or weight are not classified as standard-sized mail.
For non-standard or oversized mail, Canada Post categorizes and prices them differently. An oversized mail item that weighs up to 100 grams and consists of about 20 sheets of paper is priced at a minimum of $6.39 for international shipping. As the weight increases, so does the cost. For example, oversized mail weighing between 100 grams and 200 grams is priced at a minimum of $11.14, and between 200 grams to 300 grams, the rate is $22.28. Interestingly, Canada Post maintains this rate of $22.28 for oversized mail weighing between 300 grams and 500 grams.
Items weighing over 500 grams are considered parcels, and their pricing will vary based on the above-mentioned factors.
In this section, you'll find frequently asked questions related to Canada Post international shipping.
Delays in Canada Post shipping can occur due to several reasons, including adverse weather conditions, high package volumes (especially during peak seasons like holidays), labour disruptions, customs delays for international shipments, and logistical challenges such as transportation issues.
Also, unexpected events like global pandemics or political situations in destination countries can further impact delivery times. Canada Post makes efforts to inform you about any known delays and provides tracking tools to track the progress of your shipments.
Canada Post's international shipping tracking is generally reliable. However, like any tracking system, it is subject to occasional discrepancies or delays in updating. The accuracy of tracking can depend on factors such as the destination country's local postal services, the type of shipping service used, and unforeseen circumstances like weather conditions or customs delays.
To find the international tracking number for a Canada Post shipment, you will typically receive this number at the time of shipping. When you send a parcel through Canada Post, they provide a receipt that includes the tracking number. This number is also sometimes sent to you via email, especially if you've processed the shipment online or through a Canada Post account.
For online orders, the retailer or sender might email you the tracking number once the parcel is dispatched.
If you're the recipient expecting a package from abroad, the sender should be able to provide you with the tracking number.