Everything you need to know about Canpar shipping

Founded in 1976, Canpar is a Canadian small-parcel carrier. Owned by TFI International, Canpar offers domestic ground shipping, express/overnight shipping, and international shipping across over 215 countries. Timings range from 1 to 4 business days for domestic ground to 2 to 10 days for international shipping. Business deliveries run from 9 AM to 5 PM, while residential deliveries can arrive as late as 7 PM.

Key Takeaways

1. Canpar Express is owned by TFI International and is not part of Canada Post.
2. Canpar Ground delivers in 1 to 4 days, while Canpar Express delivers in 1 to 2 days.
3. Business delivery hours are 9 AM to 5 PM, and residential deliveries are available up to 7 PM.
4. Saturday delivery is available for select postal codes via Canpar’s Saturday Service, which must be pre-selected by the sender.
5. Canpar tracking numbers follow a set format with a letter prefix and 8 to 20 digits. Users can track via canpar.com or by using the Delivery Notice number.
6. Canpar serves 55+ terminals and 800+ SMARTSpot pickup locations across Canada

What Is Canpar Express?

Canpar Express: Company Overview

Canpar was founded in 1976 in Toronto, Ontario, making it one of Canada’s longer-standing parcel carriers. It was later acquired by TFI International, formerly known as TransForce, a Canadian logistics conglomerate that has grown through decades of acquisitions across trucking, freight, and last-mile delivery. Today, Canpar operates over 55 terminals across Canada, giving it a physical footprint that spans most major metro areas and many secondary markets. It also runs a network of over 800 SMARTSpot pickup and drop-off locations, which extends its reach into neighborhoods and towns that wouldn’t otherwise justify a dedicated depot.

That combined infrastructure lets Canpar serve over 20,000 small and medium-sized businesses across Canada, with eCommerce brands making up the bulk of that customer base. The carrier has built its reputation specifically around small parcel delivery, rather than trying to compete across every freight category, which has made it a common choice for online sellers shipping lighter, higher-volume orders domestically.

Is Canpart a part of Canada Post?

No. Canpar Express is not part of Canada Post. Canpar is owned privately by TFI International, formerly known as TransForce, while Canada Post operates as a federal Crown corporation. The two are entirely separate entities that compete directly for the same shipping volume, particularly in the small parcel and eCommerce space.

TFI International’s portfolio extends well beyond Canpar Shipping. The company also owns TForce Freight, Dicom Express, and several US-based carriers, making it one of the largest logistics holding companies operating across North America.

Canpar Shipping Services: What’s Available in 2026

Canpar Ground

Notable for being the most popular service, Canpar Ground shipping is known for its cost-effectiveness within Canada for parcels that aren’t time-critical. With shipping times ranging from 1 to 4 days, depending on the distance and the destination, this shipping service cannot be considered too slow, especially when one considers that users also get the perk of free scheduled pick-up. Tracking is available for Canpar Ground, giving receivers and shippers complete view of where the package might be. Overall, for cost-conscious users, Canpar Ground is the best pick not only in Canada, since it covers all Canadian provinces, but also in the US as an economy cross-border option.

Canpar Express

Shippers that want early deliveries for the most urgent domestic shipments would find Canpar Express (overnight) to be the best pick. Suitable for expedited parcel shipping in Canada, Canpar Express takes 1 to 2 business days to ship the product. To most addresses, it claims to take only 24 to 48 hours. Users can also use its scheduled pick-up benefit and track their products. While Canpar Express guarantees delivery, it does not include insurance for the base service. Also, it only offers priority routing for next-day delivery to select addresses.

Canpar Select

For eCommerce businesses that want to enhance their residential, appointment, or tailgate delivery experience, Canpar Select is the best pick. It covers residential areas mostly, while offering a tailgate service suited for fragile, high-value, and large items that require careful handling. Since this service is more exclusive, through appointment delivery, users can set the exact time window and place for the delivery to arrive. Due to the nature of this service, the shipping option is only suitable for fragile and high-value products.

Canpar International

Canpar International is suitable for cross-border shipping to the US or other destinations. This premier service takes anywhere from 2 to 10 days to complete the delivery, depending on the destination. Covering over 215 countries worldwide, Canpar International is an expansive service. For US service from Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, however, it also offers an expedited delivery option. Like other shipping options, free scheduled pickup and tracking are also included.

Canpar Delivery Hours: What Time Does Canpar Deliver?

Canpar Express delivers business shipments between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Residential deliveries can occur later, with some packages arriving as late as 7:00 PM. Packages showing a “With carrier” tracking status are typically delivered between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Business vs Residential Delivery Hours

Understanding Canpar delivery hours comes down to the type of address receiving the package. Business addresses fall within a standard window of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, reflecting typical office hours. Residential addresses get a wider window, running from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday to Friday, since drivers often complete home deliveries later in the day. For anyone asking how late does Canpar delivers, a package marked “With carrier” is generally out for delivery between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM that same day.

What to Do If You Miss a Canpar Delivery

If no one is home when Canpar attempts delivery, the driver will leave a Delivery Attempt notice at the address. This notice includes a tracking number that begins with the letter W, followed by a string of digits, for example W12345678. Entering this number on the Canpar tracking page will show the package’s current status along with available rescheduling options. As an alternative, shippers and recipients can redirect the delivery to a nearby SMARTSpot location for pickup at a more convenient time. Note that requesting a second delivery attempt may involve an additional step or fee, so it’s worth confirming current terms directly with Canpar.

Same-Day Delivery

Canpar does not offer same-day delivery as a standard service option. For urgent, same-day needs, reach out to a local courier or explore ShippingChimp’s carrier alternatives instead.

Canpar Ground Shipping Time: How Long Does Canpar Take?

Understanding canpar ground shipping time comes down to distance, zone, and a handful of variables that can shift delivery by a day or two. Here’s a breakdown of what shippers can realistically expect.

Canpar Ground Delivery Timeline

Standard transit for Canpar Ground runs between 1 and 4 business days within Canada, though the exact window depends heavily on zone. Short-haul routes, like Toronto to Hamilton, typically arrive within 1 business day. Medium-haul routes, such as Toronto to Ottawa or Montreal to Quebec City, generally take 1 to 2 business days. Long-haul routes, including Toronto to Vancouver or Montreal to Calgary, can take 3 to 4 business days. Remote or rural destinations often add another 1 to 2 days on top of that.

Canpar Express Delivery Timeline

For those wondering “how long does Canpar take to deliver” when speed matters, Canpar Express offers domestic overnight service that typically completes in 1 to 2 business days, or 24 to 48 hours for most addresses. A priority option is also available for next-business-day delivery to select addresses.

Factors That Affect Canpar Transit Time

Several variables can move these estimates. Origin and destination zone matters most, since longer distances naturally add days, while border provinces tend to see faster transit. Rural or remote addresses usually add 1 to 2 business days compared to urban delivery. Peak season, particularly November through December, tends to slow transit times across the industry, not just for Canpar. An incorrect address or a missed delivery attempt can add another business day or more. US or international shipments generally take 2 to 10 business days depending on the destination.

How to Check Your Estimated Canpar Delivery Date

Canpar’s Transit Calculator, which is available at canpar.com, lets shippers get an estimated delivery date before a package even ships. Simply enter the origin and destination postal codes along with the service type to see the projected transit window. Once the package ships, the tracking page will display an estimated delivery date. For a broader look at Which Canadian carriers deliver on weekends, it’s worth checking how Canpar’s schedule compares to other major carriers.

Does Canpar Deliver on Weekends?

Canpar does not deliver on weekends by default. However, Saturday delivery is available through Canpar’s Saturday Service option, but it must be explicitly selected by the sender at label creation, and it is only available to select postal codes across Canada.

Canpar Saturday Service: How It Works

Saturday Service is not automatic. The sender must opt in at the time of booking, and even then, the option is only available for select postal codes, primarily major urban centres. A Saturday Service surcharge applies as well, so it’s worth confirming the current fee with Canpar before relying on it. If the sender did not select Saturday Service, the package will simply be held and delivered on the following Monday. Sunday delivery is off the table entirely. Canpar does not deliver on Sundays under any service, regardless of how the package was booked.

When Does This Affect You?

As a sender, if you want a package to arrive on Saturday, you need to select Saturday Service at label creation and confirm the destination postal code is eligible beforehand. As a receiver, if your package shows a “with carrier” status on a Friday and Saturday Service was not selected, expect delivery on Monday instead. As an eCommerce seller, if offering Saturday delivery matters to your customers, confirm that Canpar covers their postal code before advertising it as an option.

For more detail, see our Does Canpar Deliver on Weekends guide.

Canpar Tracking: How to Track Your Package

Canpar tracking gives shippers and recipients real-time visibility into where a package is at any point in its journey. Here’s how the process works, along with the details behind the tracking number itself.

How to Track a Canpar Package

Tracking a Canpar package takes a few steps. 

1. First, go to canpar.com and click “Track.” 
2. Next, enter your tracking number, reference number, or destination postal code, whichever is available to you. 
3. Finally, click “Track” to see real-time status updates on your shipment. 

For those managing multiple orders, Canpar allows tracking of up to 10 packages simultaneously, which is useful for eCommerce sellers keeping tabs on several shipments at once.

Canpar Tracking Number Format

Canpar tracking numbers  have a unique format. They begin typically with a letter such as D, S, L, K, C, U, Z, or X, followed by 8 to 20 numeric digits. A separate format applies to missed deliveries: Delivery Notice numbers begin with the letter W, for example W12345678. Tracking numbers can be found in a few places, including the shipping confirmation email, a MyCanpar account, or the Delivery Attempt notice left behind by the driver if no one was home.

Why Is My Canpar Tracking Not Updating?

The most common reason tracking appears stalled is that the package is simply in transit between terminals. Canpar’s system only updates when a scan event occurs, either at a terminal or at the point of delivery, so gaps in updates are normal during transit. It’s generally best to allow 24 hours after the last scan before assuming something is wrong. If there is no update for more than 2 business days, reaching out to Canpar customer support is the right next step. Some users have reported tracking that updates late or inconsistently, and while this does happen, staying patient through normal transit gaps usually resolves the concern.

With our Package Tracking in Canada: The Complete Guide, you can get a comprehensive look at how tracking works.

Canpar Pickup: Scheduled, On-Demand, and Drop-Off

Canpar shipping offers a few different pickup options depending on whether you hold an account and how often you ship.

Free Scheduled Pickup (Account Holders)

Account holders can arrange free scheduled pickup through the MyCanpar portal. The process is straightforward: enter the pickup address, choose a date, add parcel details, then confirm and pay. Saturday pickup is not available through this service, so requests are limited to weekdays only. Same-day pickup is offered, but only in select areas, so it’s worth checking availability before relying on it.

On-Demand Pickup (Non-Account Holders)

For those who ship occasionally and don’t want to set up an account, Canpar Express offers a Pay-As-You-Go option. Shippers simply enter their shipping details and pay by credit card directly on Canpar’s website. This works well for one-off shipments where setting up a full account wouldn’t make sense.

Canpar Drop-Off Locations (SMARTSpots)

Shippers who prefer to drop off packages themselves have plenty of options. Canpar operates over 800 SMARTSpot locations across Canada, hosted at local businesses and partner courier sites, along with 55+ Canpar terminals that accept drop-offs directly. The easiest way to find the nearest option is through Canpar’s location finder.

A deeper walkthrough is available at our guide titled, How Does Canpar Pick Up Work?

Canpar Shipping Tools for eCommerce Businesses

Canpar shipping comes with a full suite of tools designed to make life easier for businesses managing regular shipments. Here’s a look at what’s available:

• Transit Calculator: Calculate transit times to find out when a shipment should arrive.
• Rate Calculator: Get a shipping estimate using Canpar’s cost calculator, a handy way for small businesses to gauge rates before committing.
• Zone Guide: Look up zone information relevant to a shipment’s route.
• Collect Service: Let other parties ship using your account with your shipping number and authorization key.
• Pickup Tag: Retrieve a parcel with charges billed to your account. Enter the address through the MyCanpar Portal and the carrier arrives the next day with the label.
• Return Tag: Include a preprinted return label in a shipment, giving customers an easy way to send items back.
• Find a Location: Locate the nearest terminal or SMARTSpot for drop-off or pickup.
• Order Supplies: Order shipping supplies like labels directly.
• MyCanpar Account: For businesses shipping regularly, a MyCanpar account unlocks a more complete set of tools. This includes web shipping with instant label generation, a custom rate calculator tailored to your shipping volume, digital pickup tags for handling returns, improved tracking that covers tracking numbers, reference numbers, and manifest numbers, and digital invoicing with integration options for eCommerce platforms.

Canpar Returns, Refunds, and Delivery Guarantee

Canpar offers three services for handling returns.

Express Online Collection Service

This authorizes other parties to ship on your behalf, using your shipping number and authorization key.

Return Tag

This lets you include pre-printed return labels directly in your shipment, giving customers an easy way to send items back.

Pickup Tag

This allows the Canpar driver to bring the tag with them at the time of pickup, so nothing needs to be printed in advance.

Canpar Money-Back Guarantee

Canpar offers a money-back guarantee for eligible shipments that arrive late, get lost, or show up damaged. To claim it, the request needs to be filed within the required window after the expected delivery date, so it’s worth confirming the current claim window directly with Canpar. The process typically requires a tracking number, proof of value, and documentation supporting the issue.

Canpar Refunds

Refund claims are typically processed either through the MyCanpar portal or by reaching out to Canpar customer support directly, depending on the account setup.

ShippingChimp: Access Canpar Rates at Up to 53% Off

ShippingChimp gives Canadian eCommerce businesses access to Canpar’s shipping network, alongside Canada Post, Purolator, FedEx, and UPS, at rates up to 53% below national carrier retail pricing. No account negotiation, no volume commitment.

Through ShippingChimp, Canpar Ground rates start from $5.11 per domestic shipment. Businesses can also compare carriers side by side, viewing Canpar against Canada Post and Purolator before printing a label, so pricing decisions are made with full visibility rather than guesswork. Every shipment includes free pickup from your location, removing the need for drop-off runs, and every package ships 100% tracked from start to finish.

ShippingChimp integrates directly with Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, Etsy, and eBay, with no minimum volume and no contracts required to get started. It’s also worth checking Canpar weight and size limits before choosing a service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Canpar Express and who owns it?
Canpar Express is a Canadian small parcel carrier founded in 1976 in Toronto. It is owned by TFI International, formerly TransForce, a major Canadian logistics conglomerate.

Is Canpar part of Canada Post?
No, Canpar is not part of Canada Post. Canpar is privately owned by TFI International, while Canada Post operates as a separate federal Crown corporation.

How long does Canpar take to deliver?
Canpar ground shipping time typically ranges from 1 to 4 business days within Canada, depending on the zone. Canpar Express offers faster delivery, usually within 1 to 2 business days.

What are Canpar’s delivery hours?
Canpar delivery hours run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM for business addresses and 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM for residential addresses, Monday to Friday.

How late does Canpar deliver to residential addresses?
Residential deliveries can occur as late as 7:00 PM. Packages showing a “With carrier” status are typically delivered between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Does Canpar deliver on weekends?

Canpar offers Saturday delivery, but only through its Saturday Service option that shippers must select beforehand during the time of label creation. Saturday delivery is only available to select postal codes. Standard Canpar Ground and Overnight do not deliver on weekends.

How do I track a Canpar package?
Canpar tracking is available at canpar.com by entering a tracking number, reference number, or destination postal code. Users can track up to 10 packages at once.

What do I do if Canpar missed my delivery?
Look for a Delivery Attempt notice with a tracking number starting with W. Enter it on Canpar’s tracking page or redirect the package to a nearby SMARTSpot for pickup.

How do I schedule a Canpar pickup?
Account holders can book free scheduled pickup through the MyCanpar portal. Non-account holders can use Canpar’s On-Demand Pay-As-You-Go pickup service instead.

Does Canpar deliver to the United States?
Yes, Canpar International handles US and cross-border shipping, with delivery times ranging from 2 to 10 business days depending on the destination.

What is a Canpar SMARTSpot?
A SMARTSpot is one of Canpar’s 800+ pickup and drop-off locations across Canada, hosted at local businesses and partner sites for added shipping convenience.

TL;DR Canpar Shipping in 2026

• Canpar is a Canadian small parcel carrier founded in 1976, owned by TFI International, not Canada Post.
• Domestic transit runs 1 to 4 days for Ground, 1 to 2 days for Express.
• Business deliveries run 9 AM to 5 PM, residential up to 7 PM.
• Weekend delivery is limited to Saturday Service, available only for select postal codes if pre-selected.
• Tracking numbers use letter prefixes with 8 to 20 digits; missed deliveries get a “W” notice number.
• Canpar operates 800+ SMARTSpot pickup and drop-off locations nationwide.