GLS vs FedEx: Which Is Better for You?

Both GLS and FedEx carry pieces up to 150 lb, so choosing between them comes down to what you need from the delivery: a firm promise, or a better deal on everyday shipping within Canada.

If you want a promise, FedEx is built for it. FedEx Express and FedEx Ground each come with a money-back guarantee, set out in FedEx's Service Guide, and every shipment includes $100 of liability without you having to declare a value.

If you ship long items, send parcels north, or deliver to homes often, GLS has the edge. It takes pieces up to 120 in long, keeps its 150 lb limit in Newfoundland and Labrador and the territories, where FedEx Ground stops at 70 lb, and charges less for residential delivery and address corrections.

Most shippers need a bit of both, which is why it pays to compare both on Secureship and see the price and options side by side in one quote.

GLS vs FedEx at a Glance

How the two carriers compare on the factors that actually change your cost and delivery experience:

FactorGLSFedEx
Max weight per piece150 lb / 68 kg, everywhere it delivers150 lb / 68 kg; 70 lb on Ground in NL, NU, YT and NT
Max size120 in long (108 in outside its direct network), 165 in length plus girthGround: 165 in length plus girth. Express: 108 in long, 130 in length plus girth
Handling fees start atOne side over 36 in, or a piece over 70 lbLongest side over 48 in, second side over 30 in, or 55 lb
Money-back guaranteeNone publishedExpress and Ground each publish one
Liability included$2.00 per lb or invoice value, whichever is less$100 per shipment
Residential delivery$4.50 per shipment$4.80 per shipment
Saturday delivery$38.55 and up, Quebec and Ontario direct network onlyExpress $27.50 at selected locations; Ground to eligible homes, no surcharge
PO boxesNot servedAccepted in Canada, held for pickup
InternationalNone today; parcel service to Europe announced as coming soonFedEx Express serves more than 220 countries and territories

The liability row is easy to underestimate. On an undeclared 10 lb parcel, FedEx covers up to $100 and GLS up to $20. Neither carrier sells insurance: a declared value raises what each will pay, nothing more.

Sources: GLS Canada Tariff 100, FedEx Service Guide

GLS and FedEx fees compared

Fees Side by Side

GLS's amounts are from its Tariff 100, effective January 1, 2026; FedEx's are from its 2026 Canadian rate guide, effective January 5, 2026.

FeeGLSFedEx
Residential delivery$4.50 per shipment$4.80 per shipment
Address correction$15.25 per shipment ($39.55 outside its direct network)$17.60
Saturday delivery$38.55, or $38.55 plus $1.65 per km (Quebec and Ontario only)$27.50 (selected locations)
Declared value4.25% of a value over $100$4.30 per $100 over $100
SignatureIncluded on business deliveries; $5.75 on a home delivery$3.00 indirect, $6.50 direct, $8.60 adult
Handling, by length$16.95 over 36 in; $29.85 over 44 in$25.80 over 48 in, or second side over 30 in
Handling, by weight$32.85 over 70 lb$29.85 over 55 lb

Read the two handling rows together, because the triggers differ. GLS starts charging earlier on length: from one side over 36 in, where FedEx waits until 48 in. FedEx starts earlier on weight: from 55 lb, where GLS waits until 70 lb. A long, light box tends to cost more with GLS, and a compact, heavy one with FedEx. GLS's full list is in our GLS Surcharges & Fees guide.

Top reasons to choose GLS

Top Reasons to Choose GLS

120 in maximum length
150 lb including NL and the territories
$4.50 residential fee
Included signature at businesses

For long items, northern deliveries and everyday fees, GLS stands out:

  • Longer pieces: up to 120 in (304 cm) within GLS's direct network, against 108 in on FedEx Express.
  • 150 lb in the North: GLS keeps its 150 lb limit in Newfoundland and Labrador and the territories, where FedEx Ground stops at 70 lb.
  • Lower everyday fees: $4.50 for residential delivery against $4.80, and $15.25 for an address correction against $17.60.
  • No weight handling fee until 70 lb, against FedEx's 55 lb.
  • Signatures included at businesses, per GLS's FAQ, where FedEx charges for each signature option.
Where FedEx wins

Where FedEx Wins

Money-back guarantee
$100 liability included
220+ countries
$27.50 Saturday delivery

On guarantees, cover and reach, FedEx is stronger:

  • A money-back guarantee on FedEx Express and FedEx Ground. GLS publishes none.
  • More liability without declaring: $100 per shipment, where GLS covers $2.00 per pound, $20 on a 10 lb parcel.
  • The world: FedEx Express serves more than 220 countries and territories. GLS Canada ships within Canada today.
  • PO boxes: FedEx accepts PO box addresses in Canada and holds the parcel for pickup. GLS doesn't deliver to PO boxes.
  • Cheaper, wider Saturday delivery: $27.50 on Express at selected locations, and eligible FedEx Ground home deliveries on Saturday at no extra charge. GLS's Saturday service starts at $38.55 and covers only Quebec and Ontario.

When to Use GLS vs FedEx

Use GLS when...Use FedEx when...
The piece is longer than 108 in, up to 120 inThe delivery has to be backed by a money-back guarantee
A parcel over 70 lb is going to Newfoundland and Labrador or the territoriesThe parcel is leaving Canada
The parcel weighs 55 to 70 lbThe address is a PO box
You ship to businesses and need a signatureYou want $100 of cover without declaring a value
How to choose between GLS and FedEx

How to Choose Between GLS and FedEx

🛡️
Check the promise you need
If a late delivery has to be refunded, FedEx publishes a money-back guarantee and GLS doesn't. If the contents are worth more than $2 a pound, declare a value or compare FedEx's $100 included cover.
📍
Check the destination
Leaving Canada, or a PO box? That's FedEx. A heavy parcel to Newfoundland and Labrador or the territories? GLS keeps its 150 lb limit there.
📏
Check the box
Long and light? FedEx's handling fee starts later on length. Short and heavy? GLS's starts later on weight.
🚀
Let Secureship do the math for you
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GLS vs FedEx, Frequently Asked Questions

Is GLS cheaper than FedEx?

On most everyday fees, yes. GLS charges $4.50 for residential delivery against FedEx's $4.80, and $15.25 for an address correction against $17.60. FedEx is cheaper on Saturday delivery ($27.50 against GLS's $38.55 and up), and the handling fees cut both ways: GLS starts charging earlier on length, FedEx earlier on weight. The base rate for your route decides it, so compare both live.


Which has a money-back guarantee, GLS or FedEx?

FedEx. FedEx Express and FedEx Ground each publish a money-back guarantee, with the terms in FedEx's Service Guide. GLS publishes no service guarantee for any of its parcel services. If an on-time delivery has to be backed by a refund, FedEx is the one to compare.


GLS vs FedEx, what are the weight limits?

Both take pieces up to 150 lb (68 kg), with one exception: FedEx Ground drops to 70 lb in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories, where GLS keeps its 150 lb limit. On size, GLS allows pieces up to 120 in long, FedEx Ground 165 in in length plus girth, and FedEx Express 108 in long and 130 in in length plus girth.


Do GLS or FedEx deliver to PO boxes?

GLS doesn't deliver to PO boxes, so you'll need a street address to ship with GLS. FedEx accepts a PO box address in Canada, but it doesn't put the parcel in the box: it holds it at a FedEx location, and the recipient picks it up there. If your recipient only has a PO box, FedEx is the one to choose of the two. Canada Post can also deliver to PO boxes, so see how GLS compares with Canada Post.


Can I ship internationally with GLS or FedEx?

With FedEx, yes: FedEx Express serves more than 220 countries and territories. GLS Canada ships within Canada today, with parcel service to Europe announced as coming soon. Compare international rates from every carrier in one quote.


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Sources

GLS figures are sourced from official GLS Canada documentation. FedEx figures are FedEx's own published claims. Last updated: November 5, 2026.

  • GLS Canada Parcel 2026 Rules and Regulations (Tariff 100), effective January 1, 2026, last updated October 2026. gls-group.com
  • GLS Canada: Frequently Asked Questions. gls-group.com
  • FedEx Service Guide, Canadian Edition, effective September 11, 2026. fedex.com
  • FedEx Express Rates, Canadian Edition, effective January 5, 2026. fedex.com