International Courier Services in Canada

Canada, with its vast expanse and strong global ties, sees millions of packages shipped across borders every year. Whether you’re a business owner looking to send time-sensitive documents or an individual sending personal gifts to family members abroad, international courier services in Canada provide a seamless solution for shipping needs.

With various logistics solutions and an extensive partner network, courier services offer a range of options to suit your shipping needs, from domestic to global shipping, including cross-border services. If you’re searching for fast, reliable, and cost-effective shipping, it’s essential to understand the various aspects of international courier services.

International Courier Options for Domestic and Global Shipping

Canada’s international courier services provide a wide range of options to meet different shipping needs. Here are some common options to consider:

Same-Day Delivery
When time is of the essence, same-day delivery is a valuable option. If you need a package to reach its destination within hours, many leading courier companies in Canada offer same-day delivery services. This is especially helpful for urgent shipments, such as legal documents, medical supplies, or high-priority business contracts.

Standard Delivery
For less time-sensitive shipments, standard delivery is a cost-effective option. Standard shipping may take a few days to reach its international destination, but it’s still reliable and offers worldwide coverage. This is ideal for non-urgent personal packages or business shipments that don’t require immediate attention.

Express and Expedited Shipping
When you need your packages delivered quickly, expedited shipping options are available. These services are faster than standard delivery but may come with slightly higher fees. Express shipping ensures that your package arrives as quickly as possible, with a guaranteed delivery time frame.

Cross-Border Shipping
Shipping to and from Canada and the United States is one of the most common forms of international courier services. With a close geographic proximity and frequent trade, cross-border shipping services are highly sought after. Many couriers have specialized services to ensure that customs processes are handled efficiently and that your shipment moves seamlessly across the border.

Global Shipping
For those looking to ship internationally beyond North America, Canadian courier companies have extensive global coverage. Whether you’re shipping to Europe, Asia, or the Middle East, these services offer a worldwide reach.

Top 20 International Courier Services in Canada

When it comes to shipping goods worldwide, selecting the right international courier service is crucial to ensure quick, reliable, and secure deliveries. Here’s a list of the top 20 international courier services in Canada, with each offering distinct advantages depending on your specific shipping needs.

Canada Post

As the official postal service of Canada, Canada Post offers international shipping services to over 190 countries. Known for its reliability and extensive partner network, Canada Post provides various options for domestic and international shipping, including tracked shipping and express services.

• Best for: Affordable shipping, large volume shipments, and standard international mail.
• Services: ExpressPost, Xpresspost, International Parcel, Registered Mail.

DHL Express

DHL is a global leader in the logistics industry, known for its fast and reliable services. Offering international express delivery, DHL operates in over 220 countries, with quick turnaround times and detailed tracking options.

• Best for: Express services and international business shipments.
• Services: Same-day shipping, international express, and standard shipping.

FedEx

FedEx is one of the top international courier services, known for its global shipping solutions. With a vast partner network, it provides reliable and fast services for both domestic and international shipments, offering a variety of shipping speeds, including overnight and economy options.

• Best for: Time-sensitive shipments, business logistics.
• Services: FedEx International Priority, FedEx International Economy, and FedEx Ground.

UPS

UPS provides worldwide shipping services with a focus on reliability and fast delivery times. They are known for their cost-effective solutions and vast experience in cross-border shipping.

• Best for: Small businesses and individuals shipping internationally.
• Services: UPS Worldwide Express, UPS Expedited, UPS Standard.

Purolator

A leading Canadian-based courier service, Purolator offers a range of domestic and international shipping services. Their partnership with UPS expands their global reach, ensuring fast delivery options for time-sensitive packages.

• Best for: Canadian-based shipping with global reach.
• Services: Purolator Express, Purolator Ground, and Purolator International.

TNT Express

TNT is a reliable courier service offering international shipping with a focus on fast delivery to Europe, the Middle East, and other regions. Now a part of the FedEx group, TNT offers a range of shipping options and is trusted for heavy and oversized shipments.

• Best for: Shipping to Europe and international heavy freight.
• Services: TNT Express, Economy Express, and Freight Services.

Canpar Express

Canpar Express is a well-known Canadian-based carrier that specializes in domestic and international parcel deliveries. It offers a variety of services to countries in North America, Europe, and Asia.

• Best for: Affordable international shipping for smaller packages.
• Services: Ground delivery, Express services, and Custom Shipping.

ShipCanada

A Canadian freight forwarding and logistics service, ShipCanada offers international shipping options via both air and sea. Known for its flexibility and cost-effective shipping solutions, ShipCanada provides customized solutions to meet business and personal shipping needs.

• Best for: Freight forwarding and bulk shipping.
• Services: Air freight, sea freight, and logistics solutions.

Loomis Express

Now a part of TFI International, Loomis Express is a Canadian delivery service that offers both domestic and international courier services. Their international shipping options are reliable and efficient, with affordable rates for a variety of shipping needs.

• Best for: Flexible shipping solutions across Canada and internationally.
• Services: Same-day delivery, international express, and road freight.

PostNL

Although based in the Netherlands, PostNL offers international courier services to and from Canada, with a strong reputation for cost-effective solutions. Its partnership with Canada Post makes it a reliable choice for international shipping, especially to Europe.

• Best for: International mail and parcels to Europe.
• Services: International parcel service, Express services.

Aramex

Known for its focus on e-commerce logistics, Aramex is a global courier that provides fast and affordable international shipping solutions, specializing in Middle Eastern and Asian markets.

• Best for: E-commerce shipments and Middle Eastern destinations.
• Services: Express shipping, air freight, and global e-commerce solutions.

World Courier

World Courier is a global leader in specialized logistics for time-sensitive and temperature-controlled shipments. They offer services for industries like pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and technology, making them a top choice for sensitive and urgent deliveries.

• Best for: Temperature-sensitive or high-value goods.
• Services: Healthcare and pharmaceuticals shipping, time-critical logistics.

OnTrac

OnTrac offers affordable and quick domestic and international parcel delivery options, with a strong presence across the U.S. and Canada. It is known for its cost-effective solutions for cross-border shipping.

• Best for: Affordable cross-border services to the U.S.
• Services: Standard delivery, expedited shipping, and freight services.

SEKO Logistics

SEKO Logistics is a global logistics provider with expertise in air and ocean freight forwarding, as well as e-commerce shipping. They offer highly customizable solutions for businesses, focusing on quick and secure deliveries.

• Best for: E-commerce logistics and freight forwarding.
• Services: Air freight, ocean freight, e-commerce logistics, and supply chain management.

ChitChats

ChitChats offers a cost-effective solution for shipping parcels from Canada to the U.S. and beyond. With discounted rates and reliable shipping, ChitChats serves individuals and businesses looking to save on shipping fees.

• Best for: Cross-border shipments at discounted rates.
• Services: U.S. cross-border shipping, international mail services.

Xpresspost (Canada Post Service)

Canada Post’s Xpresspost service is a premium shipping option that guarantees delivery within 2-3 business days, both domestically and internationally. This service includes features like tracking, insurance, and delivery confirmation.

• Best for: Fast delivery within Canada and to the U.S.
• Services: Xpresspost International, Xpresspost USA.

SkyPostal

SkyPostal offers international mail and package delivery services across North America and Latin America. They are especially well-known for their reliability and cost-effectiveness in the Latin American shipping market.

• Best for: Shipping to Latin America.
• Services: International mail services, parcel forwarding, and logistics solutions.

BAX Global (DB Schenker)

DB Schenker, under its BAX Global division, is a major international logistics provider offering air and ocean freight solutions. They are recognized for providing customizable shipping options and global supply chain management services.

• Best for: Large businesses requiring freight solutions.
• Services: Air and ocean freight, supply chain management.

GlobalShipper

GlobalShipper provides businesses with cost-effective international shipping solutions. Specializing in online shipping for e-commerce, it allows businesses to track shipments and offer transparent pricing and quotes for international deliveries.

• Best for: Online businesses and e-commerce shipments.
• Services: Parcel tracking, e-commerce shipping solutions.

Easyship

Easyship offers a simple and transparent shipping platform, allowing Canadian businesses and individuals to compare rates and select the best courier for their international shipments. With options to integrate directly with e-commerce stores, it’s a great tool for growing online businesses.

• Best for: E-commerce shipping and rate comparison.
• Services: International parcel shipping, tracking, and customs management.

Final thoughts

Whether you’re shipping a package domestically or across the globe, international courier services in Canada offer an efficient, fast, and reliable way to get your items to their destination. By comparing quotes, understanding fees, and selecting the right courier, you can ensure that your packages are delivered quickly, securely, and at the best possible rates.

Don’t forget to check the restrictions and prohibited items list to ensure a hassle-free shipping experience. By choosing the right partner network, you can ship with confidence, knowing that your package will arrive safely and on time.