Did you know that the eCommerce market in Canada is set to hit the $45.33 billion mark in 2024?
So, if you are already running an online business in Canada, you are in luck.
But what about shipping? Do you have a reliable and consistent shipping option? .
Shipping can take away a big chunk of your budget if not done right.
Both FedEx shipping and UPS service offer shipping services within and outside of Canada through their extended network. These carriers also provide fast and efficient tracking facilities.
Other than the behemoth Canada Post, FedEx Canada and UPS Canada operate at a national level covering most of Canadian postal codes. But how different are these two carriers? Which is better for your eCommerce store if you consider shipping speed, reliability, and cost? Let’s delve deeper and talk about these two major carriers.
FedEx Canada at a Glance
Set up in 1971, FedEx currently has its headquarters based in Memphis, Tennessee. In the US, FedEx holds the second position next to UPS as the second biggest carrier. In 2023, FedEx generated $90.15 billion as gross revenue, a 3.59% decline from 2022.
FedEx Canada is also a leading carrier in the country and provides domestic shipping services through categories, such as FedEx Ground Canada, FedEx Express Saver, FedEx 2Day, FedEx 2Day AM, FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, and FedEx First Overnight.
The carrier also ships parcels internationally to the United States and various European countries with a turnaround time ranging between 1 day and weeks for FedEx Economy shipping. The ground shipping of FedEx does the deliveries of small packages.
FedEx Canada does international shipping through FedEx International First, FedEx International Priority Express, FedEx International Priority, FedEx International Economy, FedEx International Ground, FedEx International Direct Distribution Surface Solutions, and FedEx International Priority Direct Distribution.
The facility of tracking is an integrated feature of FedEx deliveries. You can take the advantage of FedEx Canada tracking feature to track your parcels at any time.
Apart from that, FedEx has so far been the lone major shipping player that has incorporated collecting the signature of the recipients during deliveries for all the shipments.
When it comes to shipping costs, FedEx shipping rates in Canada are similar to the other major player UPS. We will discuss the FedEx rates in Canada in a later section.
Also, for shipping, tracking, delivery, and filing a claim, you can get support from FedEx customer service Canada. You can contact customer support at FedEx Canada phone number 1-800-463-3339.
Let’s Talk about UPS Canada
The founding date of United Parcel Services or UPS was 1907. The carrier is the biggest shipping company in the US with headquarters based out of Atlanta, Georgia.
UPS courier and logistics services are available in the US as well as Canada. UPS Canada provides domestic shipping services including UPS Ground, UPS Express, UPS 3 Day Select, UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air AM, UPS Next Day Air Saver, and UPS Next Day Air.
As of now, UPS Standard shipping is one of the cheapest delivery services within Canada for non-urgent parcels. The delivery timeline is 1 to 5 days. Besides UPS Standard Canada, there is UPS Expedited shipping, which delivers parcels on the second business day.
UPS Express is another type of domestic shipping that takes 2 or less days to deliver packages
Overall, UPS Canada shipping delivers packages to every state in Canada. Delivery times are mostly similar, come with a delivery guarantee, and include the tracking feature.
UPS also offers fast and efficient international shipping services via UPS Standard, UPS Worldwide Expedited, UPS 3-Day Select to the U.S., UPS Worldwide Express, UPS Worldwide Express Plus, UPS Worldwide Express Saver, UPS Worldwide Express Freight Midday, and UPS Express Early to the US.
UPS Shipping in Canada also provides an excellent tracking facility for packages. You can make the most of UPS Canada tracking online for day-to-day shipping updates.
If you are looking to hire a reliable carrier to deliver your packages fast, then Canada UPS is ideal, although your shipping cost might go up since it is not the most economical option. You can find UPS shipping rates in Canada in a subsequent section.
The UPS Canada customer service can help you with your shipping, tracking, delivery, and more. You can reach out to them at 1-800-742-5877 and for technical support at 1-888-877-8324.
FedEx vs. UPS: What are the Differences?
So, what are the main variances in the services of FedEx Canada and UPS Canada based on how they go about offering shipping services?
FedEx specializes in shipping with air freight service whereas UPS mostly does shipping of packages through domestic ground service and operates with a large number of vehicles for offering ground delivery.
Both carriers can deliver packages at various speeds and shipping rates, starting from Standard or Ground delivery to Overnight and Flat Rate Shipping. They also have stores in different parts of Canada.
Freight distribution and supply chain are another specialty of UPS Canada. You can use this service for your online store when you wish to expand it further.
FedEx often hire USPS to use its shipping services for sending various shipments. FedEx fulfills a majority of the package transportation using its airplanes and then passes it on to USPS for last-mile delivery. Due to this arrangement, FedEx can improve the turnaround time of deliveries for domestic shipping.
FedEx applies the volumetric or dimensional weight for a 3lbs box with the dimensions of 13” x 12” x 2” for shipping. The carrier uses this standard size for both domestic and international locations.
UPS applies similar formulas for volumetric or dimensional weight for both shipping within Canada and internationally:
- UPS Canada domestic = Volumetric or dimensional weight for a 2 lbs box with the dimension of 13” x 12” x 2”
- UPS Canada International = Volumetric or dimensional weight for a 3 lbs box with the dimension of 13” x 12” x 2”
In the case a majority of your parcels weigh nearly 2 lbs and you are shipping within Canada, UPS can offer a more economical shipping rate compared to FedEx.
Shipping Features: FedEx Canada & UPS Canada
FedEx Canada and UPS Canada both provide ground and air shipping services within Canada and to overseas locations.
| FedEx Canada | UPS Canada | |
| Service Types | FedEx Canada specializes in air freight transport services. | UPS Canada specializes in ground shipping and air transport services. |
| Delivery Timeline | FedEx Ground Delivery: To domestic destinations in Canada. Delivery in 1 to 7 business days. Other types of shipping services are — FedEx Express Saver, FedEx 2Day, FedEx 2Day AM, FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, and FedEx First Overnight. | Standard shipping: Delivers in 1 to 5 business days. Ground delivery: Takes 7 business days. Other types of shipping services are — UPS Express, UPS 3 Day Select, UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air AM, UPS Next Day Air Saver, and UPS Next Day Air. |
| Weight and Size | A package can weigh a maximum of 150 lbs or 68 kg. Also, 108 inches or 274 cm is the length limit. | For UPS Canada too, a package can weigh a maximum of 150 lbs or 68 kg. Also, 165 inches or 419 cm is the length limit. |
| Tracking Feature | FedEx Canada has the facility to track packages online. | UPS Canada also has the facility to track packages online. |
| Insurance Coverage | Insurance coverage limit is $100. | Insurance coverage limit is $100. |
| Total Stores | 2,000 | 5,000 plus |
FedEx Canada and UPS Canada: Delivery Speed
The above table shows clearly that FedEx Canada and UPS Canada provide parallel shipping services and delivery timelines.
Both the big shipping players offer a parcel delivery guarantee by a specific timeframe. Out of the two carriers, for faster deliveries of parcels within a tight deadline, FedEx Canada is perhaps your best bet.
For delivering through Ground shipping within Canada, UPS Canada uses its trucks running all over the country.
UPS owns 3,000 plus vehicles, including parcel cars, tractors, and trailers. On the other hand, FedEx owns 4,800 plus vehicles, including 50 electric cars.
FedEx has a large fleet of 35,331 aircraft for cargo transport to various parts of the country, while UPS owns 290 aircraft and runs 88 flights for cargo transport to domestic destinations.
Besides, overnight shipping is another type of shipping that FedEx Canada provides, and the company has the capabilities to transport your parcels quicker and timely compared to UPS Canada, but you need to shell out more.
FedEx Canada vs. UPS Canada: Shipping within Canada
The following are the key details of FedEx Canada’s domestic shipping services.
FedEx Domestic Shipping Service
| FedEx Shipping Type | Shipping Details | Rates |
| FedEx Ground | Takes between 1 and 7 business days and reach by the end of the day. | $41.59 |
| FedEx Express Saver | Takes 3 business days for businesses and reach by 4:30 p.m. | Starts $21.03 |
| FedEx 2Day | Takes 2 business days for businesses and reach by 4:30 p.m. | $108.99 |
| FedEx 2Day AM | Takes 2 business days for businesses and reach by 4:30 p.m. | $143.88 |
| FedEx Standard Overnight | Takes 1 business day for businesses and reach by 5 p.m. Deliveries to residences in most metropolitan areas are by 8 p.m. | $119.25 |
| FedEx Priority Overnight | Reaches in 1 business day by 10:30 am to most metropolitan areas, and 3 business days to other areas. | Starts at $37.04 |
| FedEx First Overnight | Reaches 1 business day by 8:00 a.m. in most metropolitan areas. | Starts at $68.04 |
UPS Domestic Shipping Service
| FedEx Shipping Type | Shipping Details | Rates |
| UPS Ground | Takes between 1 and 5 business days and reaches by the end of the day. | Starts $12.45 |
| UPS 3 Day Select | Takes 3 business days for businesses and reaches by the end of the day. | Starts at $14.47 |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | Takes 2 business days for businesses and reaches by the end of the day. | Starts at $22.64 |
| UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. | Takes 2 business days for businesses and reaches by the end of the day. | Starts at $23.94 |
| UPS Next Day Air Saver | Takes 1 business day and reaches by the end of the day. | Starts at $29.69 |
| UPS Next Day Air | Reaches next business day by 10:30 am. | Starts at $30.30 |
| UPS Next Day Air Early | Reaches in 1 business day by 8:30 a.m. | Starts at $60.30 |
FedEx vs. UPS: International Shipping
FedEx Canada International Shipping (for packages up to 150 lbs or 68 kg):
| FedEx Shipping Type | Delivery Details | Destination | Rates |
| FedEx International First | 2-3 business days | US, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Australia | $392 |
| FedEx International Priority Express | 7 business days by noon. | US, International | $175 |
| FedEx International Priority | 7 business days by 6:00 p.m. | US, International | $167 |
| FedEx International Economy | 7 business days by 6:00 p.m. | US, International | $150 |
UPS Canada International Shipping
| UPS Shipping Type | Delivery Details | Rates |
| UPS Standard | Day-definite, by the end of the day | $32 |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited | 2-5 business days, by the end of the day | $150.74 |
| UPS 3-Day Select to the U.S. | 3 business days, by the end of the day | $99 |
| UPS Worldwide Express Plus | 2-5 business days, usually by 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. | $250.79 |
| UPS Worldwide Express Saver | By the end of the day | $160.62 |
| UPS Worldwide Express Freight Midday | Generally by noon or 2:00 p.m. | Starts at $9.71 (151-999 lbs) |
| UPS Worldwide Express Freight | By the end of the day | Starts at $8.23 (151-999 lbs) |
| UPS Worldwide Express | Generally by 10:30 a.m. or noon | $169.24 |
| UPS Express Early to the US | As early as 8:00 a.m. | Starts at $184.45 |
Note: Shipping rates mentioned above are variable and may differ from the actual rates.
How FedEx Canada and UPS Canada Set Shipping Rates?
FedEx Canada
- The shipping cost depends on the factors, including the location, origin, and destination of a shipment, your preferred shipping date, and other shipment details.
- You can receive a fast or detailed quote or transport time for your parcel using a range of services. View pricing, applicable fees, and surcharges.
- You can receive FedEx quote Canada for more economical shipping within Canada.
UPS Canada
- UPS also sets its shipping prices based on the dimensions and weight of a package, the destination, and the delivery timeline.
- UPS provides the cheapest shipping rate for ground service if you send a small (2 lbs) parcel across the country.
- For international shipping, you can receive UPS quote Canada services for cheaper delivery options.
FedEx Canada vs. UPS Canada: Which One is Ideal for Your Online Store?
FedEx Canada or UPS Canada, which carrier is better for your business? Both provide similar types of shipping, delivery speeds, and rates.
When you need to decide between the two, you can think of the range of services both companies offer for your routing and the timeline for delivering packages to your customers.
Another crucial factor is shipping rates. You can calculate the rates using FedEx Canada’s Rate Finder tool or UPS Canada’s shipping calculator. Just enter your parcel details, and city names, and postal codes into the calculators to show the rates.
You can get a more attractive option if you partner with an eCommerce shipping platform like ShippingChimp and save up to 53 percent on your shipping costs. ShippingChimp is Canada’s best shipping carrier and offers competitive rates along with free pick up options.
For cheaper shipping, you have to consider all the available options, and an integrated shipping platform can offer you the most efficient services and low rates.
Let’s have a chat if you are an eCommerce business shopping for economical and efficient shipping options.
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