As a Shopify seller in Toronto, managing order fulfillment efficiently is key to keeping your customers happy and your operations running smoothly. While printing labels and tracking shipments are important, what truly saves time is how you hand off your packages to the carrier. This is where Canada Post pickup options come in.
Whether you’re shipping 5 parcels a week or 500, understanding how to schedule pickups or where to drop off your shipments can save you hours of manual work. More importantly, the right pickup strategy ensures faster processing and fewer delays.
In this article, we’ll explore Canada Post’s pickup and drop-off options tailored for Shopify sellers, compare their costs and convenience, and show how using the PH Multi Carrier Shipping Label app can streamline the entire process.
In This Article
- Benefits of Pickup Services for Shopify Sellers
- Overview of Canada Post Pickup Options
- Canada Post Pickups with PluginHive
- Tips for Using Pickup Services Effectively
- Conclusion
- FAQ’s
Benefits of Pickup Services for Shopify Sellers
Efficient fulfillment is essential for running a successful Shopify store, especially in a busy city like Toronto. Here’s why Canada Post pickup services can be a game-changer:
- Save Time on Daily Post Office Trips
Skip the daily commute and long post office lines. Pickup services allow you to hand over shipments without leaving your workspace, freeing up more time to focus on growing your business. - Ideal for High-Volume or Home-Based Stores
Whether you’re shipping dozens of orders a day or running your Shopify store from home, scheduled pickups make operations smoother and more scalable, no matter your location. - Boost Fulfillment Speed and Customer Satisfaction
Faster handoffs to Canada Post mean quicker transit times. This leads to on-time deliveries with full delivery tracking, fewer delays, and happier customers who are more likely to return and leave positive reviews.
Overview of Canada Post Pickup Options
1. Scheduled Pickup
Scheduled pickups are designed for Shopify sellers who hold a Canada Post contract and want regular, reliable parcel collection directly from their business location. This option is best suited for businesses that ship consistently and prefer to avoid daily trips to the post office.
Who Can Use This?
- Scheduled pickups are only available to Canada Post contract customers. To qualify for a contract, your business needs 2+ pickups per week and must spend $2,500 or more per year on parcel shipping.
Pickup Frequency Options
- Daily or weekly recurring pickups.
- Pickups can be paused or rescheduled as needed through your Canada Post account.
Cost Breakdown
- Free if your business spends $15,000 or more per year on shipping (per pickup location).
- $7.50 per week if your annual shipping spend is between $2,500 and $14,999
How It Works
- Register a Contract Account: Sign up with Canada Post Solutions for Small Business and meet the annual shipping threshold to obtain a contract.
- Schedule a Pickup: Use the “Request a Pickup” tool in your Canada Post dashboard to select a daily or weekly pickup schedule.
- Prepare Your Packages: Ensure all parcels are boxed and labeled. Canada Post can pick up from your registered business address.
2. On-Demand Pickup
On-Demand pickups offer flexibility for Shopify sellers who want to schedule parcel collection only when needed. This option is ideal for stores with unpredictable shipping volumes or those not yet eligible for a Canada Post contract.
Who Can Use This?
- On-demand pickups are available to all Canada Post Solutions for Small Business account holders.
Pickup Flexibility
- Schedule a pickup whenever you need one, with no recurring commitment.
- Book in advance or get same-day pickup (subject to daily cut-off times).
- Canada Post will pick up from your registered business address or a third-party location.
Cost Breakdown
- $3.50 flat fee per pickup, regardless of the number of packages.
- Free when customers have an active subscription to the Recurring (Scheduled) Pickup service.
How It Works
- Create a Canada Post Account: Sign up for a Solutions for Small Business account to access the On-Demand Pickup tool.
- Schedule a Pickup: Sign in to Canada Post Snap Ship, create your shipping label, and select the flat-fee pickup option at checkout, or you can also request pickups through the Canada Post pickup. tool.
- Prepare Your Packages: Make sure all packages are boxed and labeled. Canada Post will pick up from your business or another approved address.
3. Drop Off at Canada Post Using Pickup Points
If scheduling a pickup isn’t the right fit, Shopify sellers can still take advantage of Canada Post Pickup Points to streamline fulfillment. This option offers flexibility for businesses that prefer to drop off shipments at their convenience instead of waiting for a pickup.
Who Can Use This?
- Available to all Canada Post customers, including both contract and non-contract accounts.
- Ideal for Shopify merchants who do not meet the volume requirements for scheduled pickups or prefer occasional shipments.
How It Works
- Create Shipping Labels: Generate your Canada Post shipping labels using the PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app
- Prepare Your Packages: Box and label all shipments before heading to the drop-off point.
- Find a Nearby Drop-Off Location: Use Canada Post’s online tool to locate the closest pickup point.
4. Drop Off Packages: Leave your parcels at the selected location during business hours; no need to wait for carrier collection.
Canada Post Pickups with PluginHive
- To facilitate Canada Post pickup options using your own account, you can use PH Multi-Carrier Shipping Label app.
- To get started, first install and set up the “PH Multi-Carrier Shipping Label” (MCSL) app. You can follow the comprehensive setup guide provided by PluginHive to complete the process smoothly.
- Once you’ve finished setting up the app, simply go to the order with the generated label and click “Request Pickup” to schedule a Canada Post pickup.
- After you click “Request Pickup”, the order is automatically moved to the Pickup tab within the app. A pickup number is generated along with all the relevant details, making it easy to track and manage your shipment.
Tips for Using Pickup Services Effectively
- Have Your Manifest Ready: Ensure your end-of-day manifest is prepared before the scheduled pickup to avoid delays.
- Batch Orders: Combine multiple shipments into a single pickup request to save on pickup costs.
- Pre-Label Packages: Label and prepare all packages in advance for a quick and efficient handoff.
- Use PluginHive’s Scheduling Feature: PH Multi Carrier Shipping Label in-app pickup scheduling lets you set your pickup time, company open time, and company close time. Suppose a pickup is requested after your company’s closing time. In that case, the app automatically schedules it for the next available pickup window on the following business day, ensuring smooth coordination with Canada Post.
- Pickup vs. Drop-Off: Assess your daily shipment volume, opt for pickups on busy days and drop-offs when volume is low to stay flexible and cost-efficient.
Conclusion
Efficient pickup services can make a big difference for Shopify sellers in Toronto, helping you save time, reduce costs, and streamline your shipping operations. Whether you’re just starting out or handling a growing volume of orders, automating your pickups is a smart move.
With the right tools, you can schedule pickups, print shipping labels, and manage deliveries all from within your Shopify store. Even better, with PH Multi Carrier Shipping Label App’s intelligent scheduling features ensure that if a request comes in after your business hours, it’s automatically pushed to the next day, no manual follow-up needed.
Start simplifying your shipping process today and give your customers the fast, reliable service they expect.
FAQ’s
- How to set up Canada Post with Shopify?
To set up Canada Post with Shopify, install the PH Multi Carrier Shipping Label app from the Shopify App Store, connect your Canada Post account using API credentials, and configure shipping services to display live rates, print labels, and schedule pickups directly from Shopify.
- Can you drop off Canada Post packages?
Yes, you can drop off Canada Post packages at authorized pickup points. This option suits all Canada Post customers, including those without scheduled pickups.
- Does Canada Post collect on delivery?
Yes, Canada Post offers Collect on Delivery (COD) for domestic shipments, letting senders collect payment before delivery. It supports cash, credit/debit cards, and certified payments at the time of delivery. Funds are sent to the sender by cheque or electronic transfer within a few business days.
- Can I schedule Canada Post pickups directly from my Shopify store?
Yes, using the PH Multi Carrier Shipping Label app, Shopify sellers can pick up directly from the app. Once a label is generated, just click “Request Pickup,” and the app will handle the rest, including pickup tracking and automatic rescheduling if requested after business hours.
