Your GLS rate is only part of the final price. A fuel surcharge is added
every week, and more charges apply when a parcel is big, heavy or
awkward, goes to a home or a remote point, or needs an option such as
Saturday delivery. Several can apply to the same shipment.
Where the parcel goes matters too. GLS serves many postal codes through
its own direct network, listed in its Points List, and most fees cost more for shipments outside it. The amounts below
are in Canadian dollars, before tax. GLS's charges fall into seven
groups:
- Fuel and peak-season surcharges, set by GLS on its
own schedule.
- Size, weight and handling, triggered by the parcel
itself.
- Delivery location, triggered by a residential or
remote address.
- Saturday, appointment and signature options, which
you choose to add.
- Address, pickup and billing, triggered by how a
shipment was addressed, booked or billed.
- Special handling, for dangerous goods, declared value
and other special cargo.
- Account charges, for customers with their own GLS
account.
Fuel and Peak-Season Surcharges
| Surcharge | Amount | When it applies |
|---|
| Fuel surcharge | A weekly percentage, see the current rate | On the rate and select value-added services |
| Quebec Fuel Premium | 2.5% within Quebec, 1.25% between Quebec and another province | Every shipment to or from Quebec |
| Peak-season surcharge | See GLS's peak season page | Residential and special-handling parcels, Oct 19, 2026 to Jan
15, 2027 |
Size, Weight and Handling Surcharges
| Surcharge | Within the direct network | Outside it | When it applies |
|---|
| Over 36 inches | $16.95 per piece | Not listed | One side over 36 in, up to 44 in |
| Over 44 inches | $29.85 per piece | $40.45 per piece | One side over 44 in |
| Large Package | $59.95 per piece | $150.00 per piece | Length plus girth over 130 in, up to 165 in. Also billed at a minimum of 90 lb |
| Non-conveyable | $16.95 per piece | $32.85 per piece | Not fully packed in corrugated cardboard or GLS-approved packaging, such as cylinders, glass or liquids |
| Overweight, piece | $32.85 per piece | $39.50 per piece | A single piece over 70 lb |
| Overweight, shipment | $51.20 per shipment | $61.85 per shipment | A shipment over 280 lb, unless a piece already pays the per-piece charge |
| More than 4 pieces | $2.70 per piece, from the 5th | Same rate | More than 4 pieces from one shipper to one receiver, same day and time |
| Over Max Limits | $495.00 per piece | $1,335.00 per piece (not accepted for destinations outside the network) | A piece over 150 lb, over 165 in in size, or longer than 120 in |
Delivery Location Surcharges
| Surcharge | Within the direct network | Outside it | When it applies |
|---|
| Residential area | $4.50 per shipment | Not listed | Delivery to a residential or low commercial density area |
| Residential large package | $67.20 per piece | Same rate | A Large Package delivered to a residential area, on top of the residential charge |
| Beyond location | $0.75 to $308.65 per shipment, by zone | Same rate | Pickup or delivery at a remote point marked in GLS's Points List; some points add a per-pound charge |
Saturday, Appointment and Signature Options
| Option | Within the direct network | Outside it | When it applies |
|---|
| Saturday service | $38.55 to listed cities, or $38.55 plus $1.65 per km elsewhere in Quebec and Ontario | Not available | Saturday delivery, pickup or hold for pickup, chosen on the waybill. Fuel applies |
| Delivery by appointment | $37.50 per shipment | Same rate | Delivery at a set time, within 30 minutes before or after |
| Signature at a home | $5.75 per shipment | Same rate | The shipper asks for a signature on a residential delivery |
Address, Pickup and Billing Charges
| Charge | Within the direct network | Outside it | When it applies |
|---|
| Address correction | $15.25 per shipment | $39.55 per shipment | The receiver's address is incorrect, incomplete or illegible |
| Second delivery | $9.75 per extra trip | $18.15 per extra trip | An address error or nobody home means GLS has to come back |
| No pickup | $8.55 per occurrence | Same rate | A pickup fails, or is cancelled less than 8 hours ahead |
| Waiting time | $29.50 per 15 minutes | Same rate | The driver waits more than 15 minutes at pickup or delivery |
| Storage | $1.55 per piece per day, minimum $7.50 | Same rate | GLS still cannot deliver the parcel after 3 days |
| Undeliverable return | Regular ground charges | Same rate | An undeliverable parcel is sent back |
| Invalid or missing account number | $16.40 per shipment | Same rate | The account number on the waybill is missing or wrong |
| Manual shipping | $5.95 per shipment | Same rate | A manual bill of lading, or one GLS has to process by hand |
| Change of terms | $14.65 per bill of lading | Same rate | A bill of lading or invoice has to be corrected, such as switching from prepaid to collect |
Special Handling Fees
| Fee | Within the direct network | Outside it | When it applies |
|---|
| Dangerous goods | $50.85 per shipment | $73.75 per shipment | Accepted dangerous goods from authorized shippers. Non-refundable |
| Chain of Signature | $16.50 per package | $39.55 per package | Certain controlled drugs, for pre-authorized customers |
| Declared value | 4.25% of the declared value | Same rate | A declared value over $100, approved by GLS in advance |
| Protect From Freeze | 15% of transportation charges, minimum $6.45 | Same rate | Protection against freezing, subject to availability |
| Trade show | $108.75 per shipment | Same rate | A shipment from or to a trade show |
GLS Account Charges
These apply only to customers with their own GLS account. You don't need
one to ship GLS through Secureship.
| Charge | Amount | When it applies |
|---|
| Weekly minimum invoice | $29.95 per week | An account with preferred rates ships less than its expected weekly minimum (not charged in weeks with no shipments) |
| Paper invoice | $5.95 per invoice | An invoice mailed on paper instead of, or as well as, online |
| NSF payment | $31.25 per payment | A payment returned for non-sufficient funds |
| Credit card fee | 2.5% of the transaction | Corporate customers paying invoices by credit card, since 1 Dec 2025 |
| Late payment interest | 30% a year (2.5% a month) | Unpaid balances. Invoices are due on receipt |
GLS can change these amounts without notice. "Same rate" means GLS
publishes one amount for both; "Not listed" means it publishes no amount
outside its direct network.
See the All-In GLS Price
Secureship quotes include the fuel surcharge, so you compare full prices across every major carrier, not base rates.
Compare GLS RatesSource: GLS Canada Parcel Rules and Regulations (Tariff 100), effective 1 Jan 2026
