What is Expedited Shipping?
Expedited shipping is fast shipping but better. In the Canadian eCommerce space, expediting can mean 1-3 days. When customers buy from an eCommerce store, shipping-wise they have a few expectations. Some may want it the very next day, some may not care and be okay with standard shipping and some choose the middle ground and go for Expedited Shipping. Loosely translated, it means faster than standard but slower than next-day shipping.
As an eCommerce business, expedited shipping can be a hard nut to crack. A few questions will rise in your mind right about now – How fast is too fast? Do my customers actually want this? Do not worry, we will answer all of your questions. If you are looking for the best expedited shipping services for Canadian businesses, this blog post is for you.
Expedited shipping has many names/types including Priority Shipping, Express Shipping, Overnight Shipping and so on.
How does it help eCommerce?
The world of eCommerce is changing every day. Every day millions of people shop from their phones and choose from thousands of brands. The competition is fierce. In this situation, there are only a few factors that help customers choose a brand and one of such factors is shipping. If you are not giving a Standard (Free) Shipping and an Expedited Shipping (most times, paid) option at the very least, you are already behind all those brands that do provide them.
Some popular Canadian brands that provide Expedited Shipping are:
BKIND
Lululemon
Mejuri
Which carriers are offering Expedited Shipping in Canada?
Most carriers have an expedited option in Canada and internationally.
Canada Post
- Expedited Parcel: Canada Post expedited parcel is ideal for large-volume shipments that require reliable delivery. Delivery time is 1-4 days.
- Xpresspost: Provides next-day to two-day delivery in Canada and comes with on-time delivery guarantees, tracking, and delivery updates.
FedEx
- FedEx First Overnight: By 10 a.m. Next Business Day
- FedEx Priority Overnight: Next Business Day morning delivery
- FedEx Standard Overnight: 5 p.m. Next Business Day to 8 p.m. to residences.
- FedEx 2Day: 1-2 business days
- FedEx Economy: 1-3 business days
UPS
- UPS Express Early: Guarantees early morning delivery for time-critical shipments.
- UPS Express: Provides next-day delivery by noon or the end of the day, depending on the destination.
DHL
- DHL Express Worldwide: Next possible business day delivery across the globe.
- DHL Express 12:00: Delivery by noon on the next possible business day,
- DHL Express 9:00: Delivery by 9:00 AM on the next business day.
- DHL Express 10:30: Delivery by 10:30 AM in various international destinations.
Specialized Expedited Services
- DHL Same Day: DHL offers a same-day service that picks up and delivers parcels on the same day.
- DHL Economy Select: Day-definite delivery.
Canpar
- Canpar Express Select: Next business day by end of day across most urban locations.
- Canpar Express 9AM & 10AM Services: Delivery by 9 AM or 10 AM the next business day in major urban centres.
- Canpar Ground Service: 1-5 business days depending on the destination within Canada.
Cost of Expedited Shipping
We all know that Free Shipping is not Free. However, expedited shipping costs for small businesses in Canada are even higher. Different carriers charge differently. The cost is calculated based on the following factors –
- Destination
- Volume
- Weight
- Delivery Date
- Dimension
- Distance
It is also noteworthy that not all expedited services are inclusive of all the features. For example, if you opt for Canada Post Expedited Parcels, the paid features include – SIgnature and Identity, Returns, and Pickup services.
Expedited vs Standard
| Expedited Shipping | Feature | Standard Shipping |
| Fast | Speed | Slow |
| Expensive | Cost | Less expensive |
| 1-3 | Delivery Time | 3-6 |
| Grocery, Beverage, Cosmetics | Category | Apparel |
| Time-sensitive deliveries | Most used for | Regular shipping |
ShippingChimp Expedited Shipping
ShippingChimp provides expedited shipping to Canadian eCommerce businesses in Canada, the US and internationally. Choosing the right expedited shipping service for eCommerce can be a daunting task and that’s why we make it as easier as it gets.
Our expedited shipping options include real-time tracking, free pickup, and drop-off services. We also have a zero-volume commitment policy even for expedited parcels. Start your Free Trial today or view the Pricing page here.
FAQs
1. How do I determine which expedited shipping option is best for my business?
Choosing the right expedited shipping option depends on several factors:
- Type of Products: If you’re shipping perishables, high-value items, or time-sensitive products (like last-minute gifts), a faster and more reliable expedited service is crucial.
- Customer Expectations: Understand your customer base and their delivery expectations.
- Geographical Coverage: Consider where your customers are located. Some carriers offer better services or have stronger networks in certain regions.
- Cost Considerations: Analyze the cost-effectiveness of different options.
- Volume and Frequency of Shipments: If your business regularly sends out large volumes of packages, you might negotiate better rates with carriers.
2. What are the insurance options for expedited shipments?
- Carrier Insurance: Most carriers offer default insurance coverage up to a certain value, which may vary depending on the service selected. For higher-value items, additional insurance can be purchased at the time of shipping. For eg – Canada Post offers automatic coverage of up to $100 and allows additional coverage of up to $5,000 for lost or damaged parcels.
- Third-Party Insurance: If the carrier’s coverage does not meet your needs or if you’re looking for more comprehensive options, third-party insurance companies provide various policies that can be tailored to your specific requirements.
- Declared Value: For particularly valuable shipments, declaring the full value of the goods when booking the shipment can increase insurance coverage, ensuring that the full value is recoverable in case of a claim.
3. How do holiday seasons affect expedited shipping times and costs?
For businesses, understanding each carrier’s specific responses to the holiday season—including potential delays and surcharges—is critical for managing customer expectations and shipping logistics effectively. It’s advisable to communicate clearly with customers about potential delays and increased shipping times during these peak periods.
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