Top Logistics Companies in Canada

Picking the top logistics companies in Canada is daunting, considering hundreds of quality logistics companies operate there.

Canada has witnessed an explosive growth of the eCommerce industry  in recent years. In 2023, eCommerce businesses generated $52 billion in revenue in the country projected to hit $81 billion by 2028.

Keeping up with this growth pace, the logistics industry in Canada is also flourishing.

In this list, we have settled on 10 logistics companies. We could have included many more.  

Factors to Measure the Logistical Capabilities of a Company

The following factors are what make a top logistics company, and watch out for them when you pick one. Here are the factors:

Discounted Shipping Rates

This is one of the most crucial factors for an eCommerce company. If you own one, you would try to save as much logistics cost as possible.This is because an online retail business already has many overhead expenses to meet. 

Cheaper shipping cost means you can give your customers more affordable shipping options and see your profit margin rise. Due to high shipping costs, many retail businesses don’t survive beyond a year. 

No Minimum Volume Requirement

If you have to commit a minimum volume while shipping, it could cause a problem since it depends on the order volume. Most eCommerce stores do not ship bulk packages and if a carrier wants a volume commitment, the deal will never work out. 

A top logistics company should never ask a client for a volume commitment to encourage eCommerce businesses and also sustain their own business.

Shipping and Last-mile Delivery Speed 

The shipping speed of orders can make or break an eCommerce business. You need a logistics company that will keep its delivery promises every time. Especially, fast last-mile delivery will give your customers a sense of assuredness. 

Online Tracking

Your customer would not appreciate waiting for two days for the tracking link to show up. It makes them anxious. A top logistics company will never let that happen. So, while choosing a carrier, ensure they have an efficient tracking system. 

Sustainable Packaging

Plastic waste products are creating mayhem worldwide, ruining the environment. In 2023, eCommerce businesses used plastic packaging worth $23.34 billion. Do your bit and choose a carrier that uses sustainable packaging. 

Accuracy in Address Validation

Many parcels in Canada don’t make it to their final destination due to inaccurate addresses. A top eCommerce company will take this matter seriously and validate every address carefully. Before picking one, check out if they have instances of lost packages.

Free Pickup 

Only top logistics companies offer a free pickup, and it could really boost your business. Imagine you are sending packages from one part of Canada to another end, and a free pickup offer will take off a lot of load from you. 

Flexibility in Delivery 

Flexibility in delivery is about the various delivery options that a carrier offers. For example, hold a package at the location.

Use of Automation 

Timely automation can streamline every operation of a logistics company. Retail giants like Amazon have already implemented AI. With AI automation, a carrier can remove all the logistical bottlenecks and can make their system more efficient and flexible. 

24×7 Customer Support

No customer wants to keep waiting for days to learn about their order status. Top logistics companies usually have a 24×7 support team that proactively notifies the customers about orders and what they should expect next.

Top Logistics Companies in Canada 

Some of the world’s leading logistics companies operate in Canada. But while making this list, we have taken into account carriers of various sizes and capabilities. These shipping carriers give multiple options to eCommerce businesses in Canada. 

Here is the list of the top logistics companies:

1. Canada Post

Canada Post is a leading courier company in the country and with excellent logistical capabilities to take care of domestic shipping by volume. 

Beginning operations in 1867, the courier offers postal and package courier services to nearly all domestic addresses within the country. 

Canada Post boasts a huge network all over the country in 6,200 locations, which makes shipping cost-effective and convenient. The courier also offers a range of value-added services, such as signature confirmation and shipping insurance.

Besides offering domestic courier services within the country, Canada Post also provides overseas shipping to over 190 countries. 

Here are the key domestic shipping services that Canada Post offers:

• Regular parcel delivery takes 2 to 9 business days;
• Priority shipping with guaranteed next-day delivery;
• Xpresspost shipping 2 business days or less;
• Flat Rate service in 1 and 7 business days.

International shipping includes:

• Priority worldwide with a delivery guarantee of parcels in 2 and 3 business days.
• Xpresspost international shipping to deliver parcels in 4 and 7 business days. 
• Xpresspost USA shipping with a delivery guarantee in 2 and 3 business days.
• Tracked Packet™ services to the US parcel delivery in 4 and 7 business days.

2. ShippingChimp

If you need highly discounted shipping rates and fast and efficient shipping options for sending parcels in and outside Canada, ShippingChimp could be perfect for your requirements. 

The cheapest shipping rate you can get from ShippingChimp Canada begins at $5.11, and it covers more than 800K postal codes in Canada. 

You can save substantially on shipping costs (up to 53 percent). Most importantly, you can save this cost irrespective of shipping destinations. It will enable your business to offer free or affordable shipping to your customers without giving a major chunk of your profit. 

For instance, if you send a parcel weighing 3 lbs from Montreal to Toronto, your shipping cost will be only $6.18. Other national carriers will charge $13.1 for the same weight and destination.

• You will get a free pick-up .
• There will be free insurance up to $100.
• Delivery within 2 to 4 business days. 
• No minimum volume commitment is required.

3. Purolator

Purolator has over 20 years of precious experience in the logistics industry, making it one of the prominent carriers in Canada. During all these years, the company had less than 1% damage and loss claim rates. It is proves their reliability as a shipping company. 

Canada Post holds 91 percent stakes in Purolator, and it helps the carrier gain customers’ trust. Keeping up with Canada Post’s reputation, Purolator offers low shipping rates.

The carrier has an enviable track record of providing a range of shipping services within Canada and also for overseas locations. 

Purolator’s shipping services include the following:

• Purolator Ground – The package delivery timings of Purolator Ground are 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 9:00 PM, and lastly, between 5:30 PM and 9 PM.
• Purolator Express – The delivery timings are 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 12 PM, 9 PM, and between 5:30 PM and 9 PM.

Purolator has access to nearly 99 percent of postal codes in Canada and can ship packages there.

Besides fast shipping, customers also receive regular updates about their package through its tracking system, along with the estimated delivery time.

4. Canpar Express

Canpar Express is the second-biggest logistics service provider in Canada. It operates with 62 delivery hubs spread across various parts of the country. 

The carrier provides logistics services for domestic ground and expedited shipping service to all 10 provinces, including in prime cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, and also to the US. 

The company keeps its shipping rates affordable for businesses, and it has helped them win clients consistently. 

Canpar also ships packages to international locations in more than 200 countries. 

Here is the overview of Canpar’s logistics services:

• Canpar Ground delivery between 1 and 4 business days;
• Canpar Overnight shipping between 1 and 6 days;
• Canpar Letter Select with a longer delivery window (2 to 10 business days).
• Canpar International shipping between 2 and 10 business days.

5. General Logistics Systems (GLS) Canada

General Logistics Systems (GLS) Canada earlier operated as Dicom before its acquisition in 2018. GLS is a Quebec-based shipping carrier and offers fast delivery across the country. 

GLS operates with 28 shipping terminals, specializing in delivering parcels in Quebec and Ontario. The carrier delivers 95 percent of its shipments in Quebec within 24 hours.

GLS provides freight shipping options for eCommerce sellers who handle large inventories. Additionally, GLS extends its services internationally through a network of partners. 

If your shipping requirements mainly delivering packages within Quebec and Ontario, GLS is an ideal option.

6. ShipCanada

ShipCanada is another Canadian logistics company based in Toronto that has the largest trucking companies in North America.

The vast logistics network of the company includes some of the top shipping carriers in North America. 

The carrier has specialties in four trucking services — Truckload, Less than Truckload (LTL) freight, Refrigerated trucking, and Flatbed trucking.

ShipCanada can handle your shipping needs, whether they involve delivering orders across Canada or to destinations worldwide. The company manages the entire shipping process and ensures that your customers receive comprehensive shipment details.

With its ‘Shipping Box Program’, ShipCanada provides much larger shipping boxes with plenty of space. It helps both individual sellers and businesses to ship more and pay less.   

7. DB Schenker

DB Schenker has been in the logistics business for over 140 years. The carrier offers shipping services through its efficient multi-modal logistics network across Canada. 

The company offers contract logistics, transportation, custom brokerage, and more. These services help DB Schenker to efficiently keep up with the dynamic eCommerce shipping schedule. 

The carrier also offers fixed-day pick-up & delivery, same-day collection, and time window delivery. For delivering parcels to remote regions, the carrier charges 30 percent of the base price per shipping.

You can track and manage your parcel by accessing the carrier’s dedicated ‘ESchenker’ portal. Through this portal, you can get 24/7 customer service to resolve any issue.

8. CARGONET

CARGONET is a leading logistics company in the Canadian shipping industry. Coming into existence in 1996, the carrier is now offering a wide range of services, including freight and supply chain management.

The company has a vast logistics network to ship packages within Canada and to overseas locations.

CARGONET also provides international shipping and offers weekly shipping through ocean and air to Australia, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and other continents.

The shipping system of the carrier is fully computerized and equipped with the internet. The company uses the latest logistics software for better efficiency.

Considering CARGONET’s reputation, you can rest assured of its high-quality services and peace of mind when shipping your packages.

9. Yusen Logistics (Canada) Inc.

Set up in 1988, Yusen Logistics is a reliable name in the Canadian logistics industry. The company possesses contemporary infrastructure, secure facilities, and a spacious warehouse area spanning 150,000 square meters.

Yusen Logistics offers contract logistics, freight services, customs brokerage, and warehouse management, catering to a diverse range of industries including food packaging, electronics, healthcare, and aerospace.

The following are the key features of the company:

• Specialized Packaging Services: Yusen Logistics provides specialized packaging services at a reasonable cost and maintains a temperature-controlled environment to ensure safe processing.
• Stringent Quality Standards: The company adheres to stringent quality benchmarks and employs customized labeling for the appropriate packaging of products.

Yusen Logistics ensures secure handling and conducts comprehensive quality checks for inbound and outbound shipping at all stages of its supply chain.

10. XPO Logistics 

XPO Logistics is another reputable logistics company in Canada with a vast network comprising 756 locations. 

Starting its operation in 2012 in Toronto, XPO Logistics has spread its wings and offers logistics services, such as truck brokerage, managed transportation, global forwarding, LTL, last mile, and more.

The company mainly offers its logistics services to eCommerce businesses, food & beverage companies, and traditional retailers.

Here are the key aspects of the company’s logistics service:

• XPO Logistics runs its wide network of trucks and terminals in Canada.
• The platform offers a digitally transparent system for shippers providing quick solutions. 
• The company also ensures seamless communication between a carrier and shipper through automated scheduling and timely rerouting for pick-ups and deliveries. 

XPO Logistics offers reasonable shipping rates, along with shipping efficiency.