Canada Post’s nationwide strike is disrupting shipping across Canada. Here are the best courier alternatives businesses can switch to right now.
The Canada Post strike has left businesses across Canada scrambling. With mail and parcels halted nationwide, e-commerce sellers and small businesses need fast alternatives to keep customers happy. In this post, we’ll cover reliable courier services you can switch to today to keep your operations running smoothly.
Quick Takeaways
- The strike began September 25, 2025 and has no set end date.
- Canada Post isn’t processing or delivering mail during the strike.
- Couriers like Purolator, FedEx, and Chit Chats are absorbing overflow.
- Smart businesses should diversify carriers to avoid bottlenecks.
Table of Contents
Strike Overview
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) launched a nationwide strike on September 25, 2025. Canada Post has halted mail and parcel processing during this period. With no clear timeline for resolution, businesses risk losing sales and customer trust if they don’t act quickly.
Top Courier Alternatives
Chit Chats
Aggregator for Canada/US shipping. Great for e-commerce sellers, Shopify/Etsy integration, and lower-cost labels.
Chit Chats Example Rates
| Route | Delivery Time | Example Item / Weight | Rate (CAD)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (domestic) | 2–8 business days | Necklace (85 g) | $15.29 |
| Canada (domestic) | 2–8 business days | Mug (425 g) | $21.60 |
| U.S. | 2–6 business days | T-shirt (142 g) | $26.82 |
| International | 5–22 business days | T-shirt (142 g) | $46.26 |
*These are sample estimates from Chit Chats. Rates vary by package size, weight, and origin/destination. Prices exclude taxes and surcharges.
Stallion Express
Strong cross-border solution with UPS partnerships. Shopify and WooCommerce friendly with competitive rates.
Stallion Express Coverage & Rates
Stallion Express provides affordable shipping across Canada, to the U.S., and internationally. Their insurance option, called Stallion Protection, offers the following coverage:
| Type | Coverage Limit | Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. & Canada shipments | Up to $300 declared value | $0.59 for first $100 + $1.99 per additional $100 |
| International shipments | Up to $300 declared value | $1.49 for first $100 + $1.99 per additional $100 |
Sample rate: A 1 kg parcel shipped within Canada can cost around $7–$8 CAD with a 3–5 business day delivery window.*
*These are sample estimates from Stallion Express. Actual rates depend on package details and service level.
FlagShip
Multi-carrier aggregator (Purolator, UPS, DHL, Canpar). Offers discounted business rates and easy account setup.
FlagShip Sample Rates
FlagShip is a Canadian courier aggregator that gives businesses discounted access to major carriers like Purolator, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Canpar, and GLS. Rates are dynamic and depend on package details, but here are sample estimates often seen through their platform:
| Route | Delivery Time | Carrier Example | Rate (CAD)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (domestic) | 1–5 business days | UPS Standard | ~$17–$20 |
| U.S. | 2–6 business days | FedEx Ground | ~$25–$30 |
| International | 3–10 business days | DHL Express | ~$45–$60 |
*These are sample estimates from FlagShip’s partner carriers. Actual rates vary by package size, weight, and shipping locations.
ShipCanada
LTL and parcel brokerage with nationwide footprint. Ideal for businesses managing both freight and parcels.
ShipCanada Quote-Based Rates
ShipCanada offers a full suite of shipping options — parcel, freight, LTL, expedited, and more — for domestic and U.S. shipments. Instead of fixed public rates, they provide custom quotes tailored to your shipment’s dimensions, weight, origin, and destination.
| Service Type | Route / Usage | Quote Example |
|---|---|---|
| Parcel / Small Package | Within Canada or U.S. | Based on input; request a quote |
| LTL / Freight | Domestic & cross-border lanes | Custom quoting per load |
| Expedited / Time-sensitive | Canada, U.S., global | Quotes based on urgency |
*Rates are quote-based. You must enter your shipment details (weight, dimensions, origin, destination) to get a rate. Quotes are generally valid for 30 days. See ShipCanada’s quote page for more. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
InterFulfillment
3PL solution — allows businesses to outsource pick, pack, and ship operations to ensure consistency during disruptions.
Easyship
Global shipping platform with 500+ couriers. Excellent for Shopify integration and comparing rates.
ClickShip (Freightcom)
Canadian platform providing discounted courier rates with integrations for major e-commerce platforms.
Other Reliable Options
- Purolator – Domestic shipping leader with strong coverage.
- FedEx – Contingency plan in place to handle increased parcel volume.
- UPS – Trusted for national and cross-border deliveries.
- Canpar – Cost-effective ground shipping option.
- DHL Express – Best choice for fast international shipments.
- GoBolt, UniUni, Intelcom, TForce – Expanding last-mile delivery networks in major metros.
Comparison Table
| Service | Type | Coverage | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chit Chats | Aggregator | CA + US | Low-cost labels, e-commerce tools |
| Stallion Express | Aggregator | CA + US | Cross-border UPS partnerships |
| FlagShip | Aggregator | CA + Intl | Multi-carrier discounts |
| ShipCanada | Broker | CA + US | Freight + parcel brokerage |
| InterFulfillment | 3PL | CA + Intl | Full-service fulfillment outsourcing |
| Easyship | Platform | Global | 500+ couriers, Shopify integration |
| ClickShip | Platform | CA + US | Discounted rates + e-commerce integration |
| Purolator | Courier | Canada | Domestic leader |
| FedEx | Courier | CA/US/Intl | Time-definite reliability |
| UPS/Canpar/DHL | Courier | Global | Reliable networks |
| GoBolt/UniUni/etc. | Last-mile | Metro areas | Fast urban delivery |
Restrictions & Limitations
Chit Chats
- Retail value limits: Max USD $800 for U.S. and international shipments; Max CAD $2500 for Canadian shipments.
- Prohibited items include:
- Food and beverages (including candy, tea, coffee)
- Medical devices
- Cannabis, tobacco, narcotics, or drugs of any kind
- Plant matter of any kind
- Glasses/eyewear (including non-prescription)
- Air-restricted goods from Alberta and Atlantic Canada
Stallion Express
Shipments into the U.S. cannot exceed USD $800 without duties/taxes. Prohibited items include hazardous goods, perishables, narcotics, weapons, aerosols, and lithium batteries by air.
FlagShip (Purolator/UPS/DHL)
Restrictions follow the carrier:
– Purolator: no alcohol, perishables, live animals, aerosols, hazardous goods.
– UPS/DHL: strict on lithium batteries, perfumes, aerosols, flammables, and tobacco products.
ShipCanada
No perishable food, narcotics, or undeclared dangerous goods. Hazmat requires proper declaration and surcharges.
InterFulfillment
Does not accept prohibited or hazardous goods. Restrictions include food/beverages without licenses, medical/narcotics, aerosols, and restricted imports.
Easyship / ClickShip
Restrictions depend on the carrier selected. Easyship has a built-in “prohibited items” checker by country. ClickShip inherits carrier rules (e.g., no perishables or hazardous items without clearance).
Major Couriers (FedEx, UPS, Purolator, DHL, Canpar)
Generally prohibited: alcohol/tobacco (without permits), perishables, live animals/plants, weapons/firearms, lithium batteries (by air unless IATA compliant), perfumes, aerosols, and flammables.
How to Pick the Right Courier
- If you ship <20 parcels/day → Chit Chats or Stallion Express.
- If you need cross-border coverage → UPS/FedEx or Stallion Express.
- If you want full outsourcing → InterFulfillment.
- If you want flexibility → FlagShip or Easyship.
Checklist for Businesses
- Compare courier coverage and rates.
- Sign up with at least 2 carriers to reduce risk.
- Update checkout and shipping policies in your store.
- Communicate potential delays clearly to customers.
- Check each courier’s restricted items list before shipping.
FAQs
Q: How long will the strike last?
A: There is no set end date. It could last weeks or months depending on negotiations.
Q: Can Purolator deliver to PO Boxes during the strike?
A: No, only Canada Post has PO Box access. Businesses should offer alternate delivery options.
Q: Are courier rates going up because of the strike?
A: Some carriers may add surcharges due to demand, so compare rates before switching.
Stay Prepared
📥 Don’t wait for the strike to end. Explore these courier alternatives now and keep your customers happy.
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