This article covers Canada Post Priority services for Domestic shipments as well as International shipments. The article also covers the availability of the Canada Post Priority service within the WooCommerce Canada Post Shipping plugin.
Canada Post Priority
Canada Post provides the fastest domestic shipping service in the form of Canada Post Priority. Shipping through Priority guarantees next-business-day delivery between major urban centers, the signature collection as well as online tracking at no extra charge. Basically, all items shipped using Canada Post Priority service will have an estimated delivery date set as the following day.
Shipping speed for Canada Post Priority
Shipping with Canada Post Priority provides you with a delivery guarantee of the following business day. For example, if a retailer ships out the parcel today (Monday) with Canada Post Priority then the package will reach the destination address the following day (Tuesday)*This guarantee is only for the shipment of packages with Priority and the destination address is within Canada.
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Shipping distance |
Arrival date |
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Local Packages |
Next Date |
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Regional Packages |
Next Day |
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National Packages |
Next Day |
Features of using Canada Post Priority
While shipping via Canada Post Priority service, the user is given a list of benefits.
The Free to use services within Priority are:
Tracking
- The ability to track their packages by using the reference/tracking number received at the time of shipping the package. This number can be used as a reference to track where the package is while in transit and will work between “Pickup & Delivery”
On time Guarantee
- Canada Post provides users with the guarantee that their shipment will arrive on time while using Priority services. This enables the customers/users to opt for Canada Post Priority for their day to day shipments.
Online Signature
- Canada Post provides an additional service to users in order to have a confirmation that the package has been delivered to the consignee. This helps determine if the package was left with either the billing party or a third person.
Liability Coverage
- Using Canada Post Priority, you are eligible for liability coverage of up to $100 for the package.
The Paid services within Priority are:
Hard Copy Signature
- This additional service enables the user to receive a hard copy of the signature from the consignee upon delivery. This is a paid service and has its own limitations.
Additional liability coverage
- As a user of Canada Post Priority, you are eligible to purchase additional liability coverage for each package. The limit set by Canada Post for each Priority package is up to a maximum of $5000
Collect on Delivery (COD)
- Canada Post is permitted to collect up to $5000 via card or a maximum of $1000 in cash while delivering a package. The COD service is solely available in Canada and it’s territories.
Canada Post Priority Worldwide
Canada Post Priority Worldwide is a service that is made available for those shipments sent to the U.S and Internationally. Priority Worldwide is the fastest shipping service available in the market for shippers sending out time-sensitive mail and parcels. This service provides the shipper with the benefit of an on-time money-back guarantee to the U.S and the rest of the world.
Shipping speed for Canada Post Priority Worldwide
While shipping with Canada Post Priority Worldwide, the user is provided with a delivery guarantee of the following business day to shipments to the U.S and a total of 2-3 working days for any other International Shipment sent via Canada Post Worldwide. For example, if a shipper send out the parcel today (Monday) with Canada Post Priority Worldwide to the U.S then the package is meant to reach the destination address the following day (Tuesday, no later than 10:30 AM) and while shipping to an International destination, then the estimated delivery speed is a maximum of 2-3 working days which means that the parcel will arrive in at the consignee’s address on or before Thursday of that week.
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Destination |
Delivery time |
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Most U.S States |
10:30 AM the following day |
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More than 192 countries |
2-3 working days |
Features of Canada Post Priority Worldwide.
Canada Post Priority Worldwide service provides its users with a list of benefits.
The Free to use services within Priority Worldwide are:
Tracking
- Users are able to track their consignments with the help of the reference number or the tracking number that was generated when the package was prepared to be shipped.
- You are even able to receive tracking notifications and updates either via email or by using the Canada Post mobile app.
Delivery to a PO Box
- This service is made available only on International orders to destinations that support PO Boxes. This additional service is not applicable for shipments sent to the U.S
On time guarantee
- On time Guarantee is another free service provided by Canada Post for Priority Worldwide shipments.
- However, if your parcel doesn’t arrive on time, Canada Post will provide you with a replacement service or credit equivalent to the shipping charges incurred.
Signature
- Shippers will be provided with a digital signature of the consignee when the package is delivered.
Liability Coverage
- Using Canada Post Priority Worldwide, you are eligible for liability coverage of up to $100 for the package.
- You are even able to purchase additional liability depending on the value of the package.
Hassle-free customs clearance
- Duties and customs charges including taxes will be collected from the person receiving the package.
The Paid services within Priority Worldwide are:
Returns
- In the case where the consignee has either moved, relocated or has entered the wrong address, the parcel will be returned to the sender. This service is made available at a surcharge to the Sender.
Additional Liability coverage
- As a paid service, liability coverage for packages using Priority Worldwide can be purchased in addition to the predefined $100. Here a shipper can purchase additional liability coverage of up to $1000 that can be used for those valuable packages being shipped with Canada Post Priority Worldwide.
Tips and Pointers while shipping via Priority Worldwide
While shipping via Priority Worldwide, there are a few points to go over. These are listed below:
Business day
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According to Canada Post, a business day is a regular weekday apart from Saturday and Sunday, any statutory holiday observed in either Canada or any country of destination or transit. In the case of a holiday in the destination location, Canada Post will see it fit to have the item delivered the following working/business day.
Calculating dimensional weight for Priority shipments
- At any point in time during the course of the shipment, Canada post is entitled to assess andy additional charges based solely on the dimensional weight of the package. The dimensional weight is calculated by multiplying the Height x Length x Width and dividing that value by 139 cubic inches per round (if the calculation made was in inches) and by 5000 cubic centimeters per kg (if the calculation was taken in centimeters).
Duties and Taxes
- Any international shipment will have duties and taxes applied to them. Canada Post will collect these charges from the Recipient upon delivery. However, if there is any case where the recipient does not clear the duties and taxes process, then the amount due will be collected from the Shipper.
Priority Worldwide Money-Back guarantee
- The money back guarantee is an additional exclusive remedy provided by Canada Post in the event of a service failure. The money back guarantee has certain limitations:
- One refund/credit is permitted per package.
- The amount that is applied in the Worldwide money-back guarantee is only the transportation charges incurred by the U.s and Canadian based payors. This does not include any duties, taxes or additional charges.
Tracking packages with Canada Post.
- While tracking the whereabouts of a Priority Worldwide shipment, you must provide the following details in order to get an appropriate response in time:
- Waybill number of the Priority Worldwide shipment.
- The date of the shipment.
- The name and address of the recipient.
- Weight of the shipment.
- Value and the contents of the shipment.
- Your name and phone number so Canda Post can reach out to you with the information you seek.
Liability Coverage
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Canada Post does not provide insurance coverage of any kind
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The declared value for carriage amount cannot exceed the declared value for customs amount
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The declared value for customs amount must agree with the value shown on the Commercial Invoice
Packaging Instructions for Canada Post Priority Worldwide
Restrictions while shipping using Canada Post Priority Worldwide
Canada Post as any other shipping carrier has a list of restrictions (having being met, will result in the shipment getting delivered in a flawless manner:
- Size & Weight restrictions – Size and Weight restrictions vary based on the destination country of the shipment. The shipper needs to make sure that the package is well within the size restriction set for that particular country. More on this can be found here: canadapost.ca/internationallistings
- All packages shipped with Priority Worldwide Pak will receive a special rate only if the weight of the package is 3.3 lbs or less. However, if the package weighs above 3.3 lbs then it will be billed according to the weight of the package while using regular Priority Worldwide rates.
- If the gross weight of the Priority Worldwide Envelope exceeds 1 lb then this package will be billed under the Regular Priority Worldwide or the Priority Worldwide Pack shipment rates.
- Priority Worldwide Packs and Priority Worldwide Envelopes must be tendered in their appropriate Priority Worldwide packaging.
- You can only have one of the following on a Priority Worldwide Air Waybill
- Priority Worldwide Envelope
- Priority Worldwide Pak
- Other Priority Worldwide Packages
- You can ship a maximum of 10 commodities by using one Priority Worldwide Air Waybill.
- You can not use Priority Worldwide to ship and liquid diagnostic specimens.
- Any electronic equipment should be shipped in their original packaging, which has not been damaged and is in a good rigid condition.
- Shipments with a declared value for customs in excess of what is permitted for a specific destination will not be accepted for carriage. The declared value for carriage cannot exceed the declared value for customs as indicated on the Priority™ Worldwide Air Waybill.
The following items are not acceptable for carriage to any international destinations unless otherwise indicated by Canada Post. Regulatory clearances in addition to customs clearance will be required for certain shipments and this will certainly extend the transit time of the package.
- Live Fish/Seafood
- Live insects, birds, animals, plants, and reptiles.
- Perishable and non-perishable food produce
- COD Shipments
- Any cremated or exhumed human remains
- Firearms and Explosives
- Collectible stamps and coins
- Any form of documents like, bonds, bank drafts, any negotiable items that are equivalent to cash.
- Gambling contraptions
- Lottery related items
- Hazardous waste
- Any form of Ice
- Shipments that require a permit for its transportation.
- Wet, leaking or foul-smelling shipments.
- Any and all Fragile articles.
- Money –
- Canada post does not allow shipments of cash. In the case where a shipment consists of cash, Canada Post will deposit the cash in a bank account upon looking at the following:
- In case the shipment has cash $100, then a cheque for the amount (less administration fee – 25%) will be sent to the shipper
- If the shipment is over $100 then a cheque for the cash which was shipped will be mailed to the shipper (less an administration fee – $35)
- Canada post does not allow shipments of cash. In the case where a shipment consists of cash, Canada Post will deposit the cash in a bank account upon looking at the following:
Shipping Canada Post Priority and Priority Worldwide with WooCommerce
While using WooCommerce you will be able to see that the Priority services listed by Canada Post are unavailable. You will be able to use the benefits of the Canada Post Priority service by installing and configuring the WooCommerce Canada Post Shipping plugin in your store. This plugin comes preloaded with the features provided by Canada Post Priority and Priority Worldwide. The plugin enables you to retrieve real-time rates, add additional services per shipment, generate shipping labels, and track your packages.
Shipping within Canada
In order to receive real-time Priority shipping rates in the WooCommerce Canada Post Shipping Plugin you will have to follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Setup the plugin (refer to the following document to complete the setup process)
- Proceed to the Services section of the plugin by navigating to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > Canada Post (shown below)
Enable the Priority services in the plugin to obtain Canada Post Priority rates for Domestic and International Shipments.
- Proceed to the Store and add items to the cart, then upon entering the destination address, the available Priority services will populate in the Shipping Calculator.
- You can go ahead and process the order. Once done, visit the Order details page for each shipment in order to generate packages, and print labels. This is shown below
- Upon clicking the Print label, the shipping label for that order will be generated. A sample shipping label for Domestic Priority shipments is shown below
Shipping to the U.S
In order to receive real-time Priority Worldwide shipping rates in the WooCommerce Canada Post Shipping Plugin you will have to follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Setup the plugin (refer to the following document to complete the setup process)
- Proceed to the Services section of the plugin by navigating to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > Canada Post and make sure the appropriate shipping services have been selected for International shipments.
- Proceed to the Store and add items to the cart, then upon entering the destination address, the available Priority Worldwide service will populate in the Shipping Calculator. (shown below)
- You can go ahead and process the order. Once done, visit the Order details page for each shipment in order to generate packages, and print labels. shown below
- Finally, you will be able to view the generated shipping label once you click on Print Label (sample shown below)
Shipping to other International Destinations
In order to receive real-time Priority Worldwide shipping rates in the WooCommerce Canada Post Shipping Plugin you will have to follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Setup the plugin (refer to the following document to complete the setup process)
- Proceed to the Services section of the plugin by navigating to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > Canada Post and make sure the appropriate shipping services have been selected for International shipments.
- Proceed to the Store and add items to the cart, then upon entering the destination address, the available Priority Worldwide service will populate in the Shipping Calculator. (shown below)
- You can go ahead and process the order. Once done, visit the Order details page for each shipment in order to generate packages, and print labels. This is shown below
- Finally, you will be able to view the generated shipping label once you click on Print Label (sample shown below)
Documents required for International Shipments using Canada Post Priority Services
While shipping from Canada to the U.S and International Destinations, you are required to produce the following documents while confirming the shipment. The mandate documents to be printed are the
- Commercial Invoice
- Shipment Manifest
Commercial Invoice
What is a Commercial Invoice?
Obtaining a Commercial Invoice
- For a confirmed order, proceed to the Order details page in your WooCommerce store and scroll to the bottom and locate Canada Post
- Click on the option that states “Commercial Invoice” and the .pdf file of the Commercial Invoice will be downloaded.
- A sample of the Commercial Invoice for an International Shipment (shown below)
Shipping Manifest
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Weight
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Quantity
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Package and Service type.
- For a confirmed order, proceed to the Order details page in your WooCommerce store and scroll to the bottom and locate Canada Post
- Click on the option that states “Transmit Shipment”. In doing so, the clickable options will change to one that states ‘PrintManifest‘.
- A sample of the shipping Manifest is shown below
Sample International Shipping Manifest
Conclusion…
This article covers the Canada Post Priority (Domestic and International) service and its integration with WooCommerce while using the WooCommerce Canada Post Shipping plugin. The WooCommerce Canada Post shipping plugin is an ideal shipping solution whose sole intent of generating Real-time shipping rates, giving the users the ability to generate shipping labels, to generate and print a commercial invoice as well as the shipping manifest and much more…If there are any doubts pertaining to the topic or regarding the WooCommerce Canada Post Shipping plugin, please feel free to reach out to our Support Team
