Frequently Asked Questions About Canpar Services
What's the difference between Canpar Select and Express?
Mostly speed. Express is Canpar's fastest service, delivering in 1 to 2 business days across Canada, while Select takes 1 to 3. Both are guaranteed: if your shipment arrives late, Canpar refunds or credits the transportation charges (some conditions apply). Both also come as a letter, a pak or a parcel, so either one works for documents or boxes. The one practical difference is Collect on Delivery, which you can add to Select but not to Express. To see what the faster service costs on your route, compare live rates.
Does Canpar ship to the USA?
Yes, with two services. U.S. Ground is the economical option and delivers anywhere in the continental U.S. U.S. Select is faster and guaranteed, and it ships from Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Keep each piece at 70 lb or less, the limit in Canpar's rate calculator for U.S. shipments. Every U.S. shipment also goes through customs, and our Canpar Customs & Duties guide explains who pays duties and what paperwork you need.
Can you ship skids with Canpar?
Not as a skid. Canpar is a parcel carrier and doesn't move skids as a single unit. If every box on the skid has its own label, Canpar will break the skid down and send each box through its network as a separate package, so each box has to stay within Canpar's 68 kg (150 lb) package limit. If your shipment needs to stay on the skid, compare carriers for that shipment instead.
What dangerous goods can you ship with Canpar?
Some, as long as you have a Canpar account, and only by ground. Canpar accepts these classes:
- Division 1.4C, 1.4G and 1.4S explosives
- Class 2 gases, except Division 2.3 toxic gases
- Class 3 flammable liquids
- Class 4 flammable solids, except Division 4.3
- Class 5 oxidizers and organic peroxides
- Class 8 corrosives
- Class 9 miscellaneous dangerous goods, with Canpar's prior consent
Canpar won't send any dangerous goods by air, and you can't pack them in Canpar-branded envelopes, flyers or boxes, so use your own packaging. A dangerous goods surcharge applies to each shipment, listed in our Canpar Surcharges guide. The full rules are in Canpar's Terms of Service.
How do I pack a box for Canpar?
Start with a new, rigid corrugated box and leave 2 inches of cushioning between your items and every side of the box. Seal all flaps and seams with tape at least 2 inches wide, using the H method: one strip along the centre seam, then one across each end, so the tape forms an H. If you're sending more than one box, number them, for example "Box 1 of 2" and "Box 2 of 2". Good packing also protects you if something goes wrong, because Canpar won't cover loss or damage caused by a box or seal that doesn't meet these standards. Canpar's packing guide has more tips.