Choosing the Right Shipping Carriers
If you run a Shopify store in Canada, shipping is one of the biggest operational decisions you'll make. The carrier you choose affects delivery speed, cost, customer satisfaction, and return rates. Most successful stores don't rely on a single carrier — they use a multi-carrier strategy that matches the right carrier to each shipment.
Here's an honest comparison of the five most relevant options for Canadian Shopify merchants.
Carrier Comparison
| Carrier | Best For | GTA Speed | GTA Cost (est.) | National | Tracking | Age Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Post | National & rural | 2-4 days | $13-$18 | Yes | Scan-based | No |
| UPS | Cross-border, heavy | 1-2 days | $18-$30 | Yes | Scan-based | No |
| FedEx | Fast national | 1-2 days | $20-$35 | Yes | Scan-based | No |
| Purolator | Business-to-business | 1-2 days | $16-$25 | Yes | Scan-based | No |
| Weels | Same-day GTA | Same day | $16-$25 | GTA only | Real-time GPS | Yes (19+) |
Canada Post
The default for most Canadian Shopify stores. Canada Post reaches every address in Canada, offers competitive rates through Shopify Shipping discounts, and handles international mail. The downside: it's slow. Standard delivery within the GTA takes 2-4 business days, and tracking is limited to checkpoint scans. For national and rural shipments, it's hard to beat. For local GTA delivery, it's the slowest option.
UPS
UPS is the go-to for heavy packages and cross-border (Canada-US) shipping. Their network is reliable and their tracking is solid. The downside: it's expensive, especially for smaller packages. GTA delivery typically runs $18-$30 depending on weight and service level. Best for B2B shipments and US-bound orders.
FedEx
FedEx offers fast national shipping with next-day options to most Canadian cities. Their Express service is excellent for time-sensitive shipments. The downside: premium pricing. GTA delivery starts around $20 and climbs quickly. Best for high-value or urgent national shipments where speed justifies cost.
Purolator
Canada's business-focused carrier (majority-owned by Canada Post). Purolator offers reliable next-day service to most urban areas and competitive rates for business accounts. A strong middle ground between Canada Post's economy and FedEx's speed. Best for B2B shipments and merchants with steady volume who can negotiate rates.
Weels
Purpose-built for same-day local delivery in the GTA. Orders placed before 11 AM ET are delivered the same day — 7 days a week, including weekends. Real-time GPS tracking, photo proof of delivery, SMS notifications, and optional 19+ age verification for alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco. Starting at $16 per package. The limitation: Weels serves the GTA only. For anything outside the Greater Toronto Area, you'll need a national carrier. Check our service zones for coverage details.
The Multi-Carrier Strategy
The smartest approach for most Canadian Shopify stores is to use multiple carriers based on destination:
- GTA orders → Weels — same-day delivery, best customer experience, competitive price
- National orders → Canada Post or Purolator — broadest reach, reasonable cost
- US/international → UPS or FedEx — established cross-border networks
- Urgent national → FedEx Express — when next-day matters and cost is secondary
Shopify makes multi-carrier setups easy. You can configure shipping rates by zone and show customers the right options at checkout.
Get Started
Ready to add same-day delivery for your GTA customers? Sign up for Weels for free, install the Shopify app, and start delivering locally the same day — while your national carriers handle the rest.