Does Canada Post Deliver on Weekends?

Canada Post is the national courier of Canada with a widespread network across the country. It provides diverse and efficient shipping services. 

Besides shipping within the country, Canada Post also ships packages to more than 190 countries. 

There has also been an increasing demand for weekend deliveries due to the fast growth of the eCommerce industry. Also, customers are seeking greater convenience and flexibility in receiving their orders. 

These days, more and more customers shop online, and they expect fast delivery options that align with their busy schedules. As most people work throughout the week, concerns have been raised about having the option to receive orders on weekends, and retailers/shippers are listening to customers’ demands.

The introduction of weekend deliveries has been a game-changer for both customers and businesses. Besides giving more convenience to customers, it also generates revenues for retailers. 

However, navigating through the weekend shipping can be confusing, with various retail businesses offering different delivery options, and shipping companies following their own rules.When it comes to flexible shipping, Canada Post services make a lot of difference. But does Canada Post deliver on weekends? Let’s find out

Canada Post’s Regular Delivery Schedule

The regular delivery schedule or Canada Post mail delivery days are between Monday and Friday, from 9 am to 8 pm. If you ask, does Canada Post work on weekends? The answer is ‘no.’ Canada Post does not deliver on weekends or statutory holidays, such as Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. 

Although, there are a few exceptions: 

• Authorized independent post offices may deliver packages on weekends. 
• Canada Post may also deliver during peak season, especially from Christmas onwards. In such cases, Canada Post may deliver on Saturday to meet the increased demand. 

The standard shipping services of Canada Post within the country are below:

• Parcel delivery through regular shipping takes 2 to 9 business days;
• Next-day delivery via priority shipping with a guarantee of delivery;
• Shipping in 2 business days or less via Xpresspost;
• Flat-rate shaping, the delivery timeline is 1 to 7 business days.

The following are the international shipping services of Canada Post:

• Priority Worldwide shipping with a delivery guarantee in 2 to 3 business days;
• Xpresspost International ships packages in 4 and 7 business days; 
• Guaranteed delivery in 2 to 3 business days via Xpresspost USA;
• Delivery in 4 to 7 business days via Tracked Packet USA shipping.

Does Canada Post Deliver on Sundays?

If you do business in Canada or plan to send orders to customers there, you should be aware of the delivery schedule of Canada Post. 

A common curiosity about Canada’s national couriers is “Canada Post Sunday delivery” or “Does Canada Post work on Sundays.”

Canada Post usually does not deliver regular mail or packages on Sundays. However, there are some exceptions during holidays and other peak times. 

Canada Post’s Priority and Xpresspost shipping occasionally deliver on Sundays, again during the peak season..

By delivering packages on Sundays, even with an additional fee, customers will be interested in purchasing from your store. 

Weekend Delivery During Peak Seasons

During the peak season, a significantly higher volume of mail and packages poses a challenge for Canada Post to deliver them.

During busy holiday seasons like Christmas, Canada Post occasionally offers Saturday and Sunday delivery to deal with a spike in parcel volume.

From October until January, Canada Post prepares for the flurry of gift packages and holiday cards and delivers them even on the weekends to avoid any backlog.

Some of the strategies of Canada Post are to keep up with the high package volume adding more vehicles, staff, equipment, and aircraft, and also delivering on weekends. 

Besides, in response to emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada Post frequently resorted to weekend deliveries to meet high demand. However, these deliveries are exceptional cases due to unforeseen circumstances.

Canada Post often delivers packages during the peak holiday season. Many post offices of Canada Post remain open on even statutory holidays.

During other provincial holidays like Family Day and Louis Riel Day, mail delivery remains normal.

Canada Post Delivery Costs and Premium Services

The delivery cost and premium services of Canada Post vary depending on the type of shipping service, size, weight, and destination. 

Below we have outlined four shipping types of Canada Post for parcels, along with the timeframes, depending on the distance the packages will cover. The days mentioned are business days (Monday to Friday for Canada Post): 

Priority

Priority is the fastest shipping option of Canada Post, which usually delivers packages by the next day for national shipments. Shipping costs start at about $14.73 and can increase to $230.35. 

Xpresspost International

Xpresspost International is a faster delivery option than standard shipping. Prices start from around CAD 40 for a parcel weighing 0.5 kg.  Is Canada Post expensive? check out alternative shipping options.

Flat-rate Box Shipping

Flat-rate Box shipping is a fast and cost-effective shipping option for domestic destinations. You can buy shipping boxes in different sizes and these boxes can carry items weighing up to 5 kg. 

Postage or Regular Parcel

The cost of postage depends on the size, weight, and destination of the package. Below is a table that sums up the Canada Post shipping types and delivery timeline. 

Shipping Destinations	Priority	Xpresspost	Flat Rate Box	Regular Parcel
Local shipping within a city or town	Next Day	Next Day	1-2 Days	1-3 Days
National	Next Day	2 Days	2-8 Days	4-10 Days
Regional	Next Day	Next Day	1-4 Days	3-6 Days

There is also potential for Saturday deliveries, depending on the volume during the peak periods. To learn More about Canada Post Shipping methods, check out the blog on 25 commonly asked questions about Canada Post.

Private Post Offices Options

Canada Post has a private post office option in Canada besides UPS Stores.

In Canada, retailers operate private post offices, like drugstores, operating as franchises of Canada Post. The business owner acts as the postmaster and provides a postal clerk when required.  

Besides, there are corporate post offices and various retail outlets, such as street letterboxes and stamp shops. 

The goal of Canada Post is to ensure that 98% of customers get the facility of a postal outlet within 15 km, 88% of customers within 5 km, and 78% of customers within 2.5 km.

If a Canada Post private post office is within Shoppers Drug Mart in Alberta and Ontario, it could remain open for shipping and deliveries on weekends.  

How to Track Your Canada Post Packages on Weekends

The tracking service of Canada Post is free, which allows retailers and customers to keep track of the whereabouts of their packages by email, mobile apps, SMS, or through the website. 

Canada Post Priority Mail and Flat Rate Boxes offer tracking facility and they do it using the reference number and delivery notice card.

The simplest way to track your packages on weekends is to check the Canada Post website or use their mobile app, and enter your tracking number. 

The tracking details will update even on weekends, enabling you to track your package throughout the weekend.

Reasons for Delivery Delays During Weekends

The most common reasons for Canada Post delivery delays on weekends:

• Inclement Weather: For shipping carriers, keeping the shipment safe is the top priority. Harsh weather conditions can cause roadblocks; delay transit time, and may eventually result in delivery delays.
• High Package Volume: Particularly, during the peak holiday season when the number of packages goes up significantly, and makes it difficult for carriers to handle.
• Traffic: Cities are congested where often traffic creates bottlenecks, accidents, and roadblocks, and can create unavoidable delivery delays.
• Error in Documentation: Often delivery delays occur due to errors in documentation or lack of proper documentation. Issues such as misspelled names or incomplete addresses may also cause delays. 
• Service Failure: Shipment delays may also happen due to poor performance of the carrier. Lack of communication and poor management during the last-mile delivery chain can delay deliveries. 

Even though Canada Post is a leading and popular shipping carrier that serves 190 countries, delivery delays remain a concern. If you are looking for an alternative shipping carrier that offers competitive rates and superior service, ShippingChimp is a great choice.

Pickup Services at Canada Post on Weekends

If you run an eCommerce store, there is no better way to save shipping costs than scheduling pick-ups for customers’ orders.

Pick-up services are also useful when you regularly ship items to several customers in a specific area. 

Canada Post offers flexible pickup services for ready-to-ship parcels:

FlexDelivery:

Customers can sign up at canadapost.ca/FlexDelivery and select the post office they prefer in their locations(s). Customers receive a FlexDelivery address and a Unique ID to use as their shipping address for future shopping. They receive an email notification when their package is ready for pickup on weekends.

Recurring Pickup

The recurring pickup service is ideal for frequent shippers. You can arrange this pickup at the time agreed, ensuring efficient handover of your package into the Canada Post delivery network.

One-Time On-Demand Pickup

You can use a one-time on-demand pickup service to arrange a one-time pickup at a convenient time. Canada Post will apply a pickup fee per stop unless it is Priority shipping.

One-Time Third-Party On-Demand Pickup

This type of pickup allows merchants to authorize a Canada Post pickup at a third-party location or another address. You can arrange this pickup yourself or let a third party do it by giving your Canada Post account number.

Alternatives to Canada Post for Weekend Deliveries

These carriers can be great alternatives to Canada Post:  

1. ShippingChimp

ShippingChimp is the # 1 eCommerce shipping carrier in Canada and has gained its reputation by providing discounted and reliable shipping services. 

By hiring ShippingChimp services, you can save up to 53 percent on your shipping costs regardless of the destination.

Key benefits ShippingChimp offers are:

• Discounted shipping cost
• Free Package Pick Up
• Easy Integration
• Updates in Real-Time

The working hours of ShippingChimp are Monday through Friday, 9 am–5 pm, and they are closed on weekends. However, ShippingChimp delivers parcels to select locations on Saturdays. 

2. FedEx Canada

FedEx is one of the shipping giants that provide its services in Canada through FedEx Ground and FedEx Express/FedEx Air. 

Besides shipping packages within Canada, it also ships to the US and other countries. The turnaround time is one day up to weeks for standard shipping.

FedEx offers weekend delivery in Canada, but the type of service and availability varies depending on the service and location:

• FedEx Ground Delivery: Delivers Monday to Friday (8 am to 8 pm). The carrier also delivers packages on weekends to residential addresses.
• FedEx Home Delivery: This type of shipping delivers packages on Saturdays and Sundays to residential addresses without extra charges.
• Saturday delivery: Delivers to most major Canadian cities via like FedEx 2Day, FedEx Standard Overnight, and more.
• FedEx Express: The delivery times during the weekend vary based on the service.

Compare FedEx Canada Vs UPS Canada rates and delivery timelines in this blog.

3. UPS

UPS has the world’s largest express delivery service. UPS Canada ships across Canada via UPS Standard Ground, UPS Standard (Ground service), UPS Express, and UPS Expedited Shipping. 

UPS offers delivery services on Saturdays in Canada, but usually Sunday delivery is not available. UPS operates between Monday and Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm.

Saturday Delivery to Residential Address

UPS offers Saturday residential delivery as a general service in major Canadian cities, including the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Montreal, Laval, Calgary, and Greater Vancouver.

Delivery on Saturday as a Value-added Service

UPS also delivers on Saturdays for an additional charge. 

4. DHL 

DHL is another global shipping giant that offers highly reliable domestic and international shipping. 

DHL also offers free tracking, delivery confirmation, Saturday delivery, shipping insurance, and more.

DHL Canada’s weekend delivery services are below: 

• Saturday Delivery: Deliveries occur on Saturdays from 8 am – 6 pm. 
• Sunday Delivery: DHL delivers on Sundays for urgent orders with an extra charge. 

The usual delivery hours of DHL are between Monday and Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. 

5. DTDC Canada 

DTDC Canada has been serving the Canadian shipping industry for over two decades and offers services in more than 10,000 locations. 

DTDC offers various domestic and international services at competitive rates and all the customs clearance procedures.

DTDC is open on Saturdays from 12-4 pm and closed on Sundays. The delivery hours of DTDC are between Monday and Sunday from 8 am to 6:30 pm.

Also, carriers like Purolator and Canpar Express deliver packages on weekends in select locations with extra charges. Check out the complete list of carriers that deliver during weekend here.

Conclusion

The answer to the question “Does Canada Post deliver on weekends?” is generally “no” for regular mail. However, in exceptional cases, certain shipping services like Canada Post Priority and Xpresspost, can deliver packages during peak times. 

Retail business owners, who need weekend deliveries, considering alternative carriers as the ones listed in this post can be good options. Besides, you can make the most of Canada Post’s FlexDelivery service that provides some flexibility with weekend deliveries of parcels.

FAQs

Q: Does Canada Post deliver on weekends? 

Ans: Canada Post usually does not deliver on weekends. The priority delivery services may include weekend options, but that depends on the customer’s location and the service chosen. 

Q: Are there any services that offer Saturday delivery with Canada Post? 

Ans: Canada Post typically does not have any services that offer Saturday delivery. However, certain expedited services may deliver packages on Saturdays.

Q: Does Canada Post deliver on Sundays? 

Ans: Usually, Canada Post does not deliver to residential addresses on Sundays, but some expedited services and a few private post offices may deliver on weekends.

Q: Can I get weekend delivery during the holiday season with Canada Post? 

Ans: Usually, Canada Post does not deliver packages on statutory holidays, including Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. In exceptional cases, only the Priority and Xpresspost services might deliver on Sundays during the holiday season.

Q: How do I track my Canada Post package on weekends? 

Ans: You can get tracking information from Canada Post on weekends. It helps customers monitor the whereabouts of their orders even on Saturdays and Sundays.

Q: What is FlexDelivery, and can I use it on weekends? 

Ans: Canada Post offers FlexDelivery service where you can select a post office as your delivery address. You can pick up your package at your convenient time. You may even access your package on weekends if the selected post office is open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Q: Are private post offices open on weekends? 

Ans: Some of the private post offices may open on weekends, but it depends on the location. Private post offices set their hours and may offer weekend delivery services.

Q: How much does it cost to get weekend delivery with Canada Post? 

Ans: Since Canada Post does not usually offer standard weekend delivery, there is no specific cost. Premium shipping services that deliver on weekends may charge an additional fee.

Q: Does Canada Post operate on statutory holidays? 

Ans: Canada Post does not operate on statutory holidays. Only some private-sector post offices remain open on statutory holidays.

Q: Which Canada Post services include Saturday delivery? 

Ans: Canada Post Priority, Xpresspost, Weekend Priority, FlexDelivery, and Private Post Offices include Saturday delivery.

Q: Can I pick up packages from Canada Post on weekends? 

Ans: Since Canada Post offices are closed on weekends, you can’t pick up your packages. However, you might pick up your packages on weekends at a few private-sector post offices, located in stores like Shoppers Drug Mart.

Q: Are there alternatives to Canada Post for weekend deliveries? 

Ans: You can have alternatives to Canada Post for weekend deliveries by hiring services of ShippingChimp, FedEx, UPS, DHL, Purolator, etc.

Q: Does Canada Post process packages on weekends even if they don’t deliver? 

Ans: Canada Post processes packages on weekends through internal processing, even though they don’t usually deliver on weekends.

Q: How can I ensure my package arrives on the weekend? 

Ans: To ensure your package arrives on the weekend, you can choose a Canada Post priority delivery service that delivers on weekends.

Q: What are the delivery hours for Canada Post on weekdays? 

Ans: The delivery hours of Canada Post on weekdays for residential addresses are between Monday and Friday, 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. For corporate addresses, the delivery hours are between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Q: Can I drop off packages at a Canada Post location on weekends? 

Ans: Usually, Canada Post’s post offices are closed on weekends; you can drop your packages in any of the private-sector post offices in stores like Shoppers Drug Mart that may offer weekend services.

Q: Is there a delivery guarantee with Canada Post’s weekend services? 

Ans: Canada Post does not typically offer weekend delivery guarantees. However, there are a few exceptions like special weekend priority delivery, private post offices, and peak season.

Q: Why doesn’t Canada Post deliver on Sundays? 

Ans: Canada Post doesn’t deliver on Sundays as a standard operating policy for several reasons, including work-life balance, 

Q: How does Canada Post handle high demand during the holiday season? 

Ans: To handle high demand during the holiday season, Canada Post hires many seasonal workers temporarily. Besides, the carrier expands its fleet of vehicles, increases post office hours, and adds more pickup locations.

Q: What is the best service for fast deliveries on weekends in Canada?Ans: The best services for quick deliveries on weekends are ShippingChimp, FedEx, UPS, DHL, and a few others.

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