Ontario Small Business Community
Showcasing & Supporting Ontario Small Businesses Est 2021
#shoplocalontario
Shipping Providers For Ontario Small Business
Getting your product into your customer’s hands is one of the most important parts of running a small business. The right shipping provider saves you money, protects your reputation, and keeps your customers coming back.
Whether you are just starting out or looking to cut costs on an operation that is already running, this resource breaks down your options so you can make the best choice for your business.
National Carriers
These are the major carriers with their own networks across Canada. They are reliable and widely recognized.
Their rates are higher, but they offer the most flexibility and the broadest reach.
Canada Post
Canada Post delivers to every address in Canada, including rural and remote areas that other carriers often cannot or will not. For lightweight domestic parcels under 5 kg, it is often the most affordable option available to small businesses.
​
Sign up for the free Solutions for Small Business program and start saving right away. No minimum volume. No hidden fees. Discounts of up to 32% on domestic shipments and up to 58% on international. The Snap Ship tool lets you create and print labels online from anywhere. Integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, and other major platforms.
​
Best For
Lightweight domestic parcels, rural deliveries, and businesses that are just getting started with shipping.
Purolator
A Canadian-owned carrier with over 60 years of experience and one of the largest dedicated delivery networks in the country. Over 1,200 drop-off locations nationwide. PurolatorExpress offers next-business-day delivery to most major Canadian cities, with time-definite windows when your customers need their order by a specific date. Rates are higher than Canada Post, but the reliability is consistent. A Small Business Program is available with volume-based discounts.
​
Best For
Businesses that need guaranteed fast delivery or ship heavier parcels regularly.
FedEx
Air and ground services across Canada and internationally. One of the few carriers that handles dangerous goods including lithium batteries, flammables, and limited-quantity hazmat, where Canada Post and most discount couriers will not.
​
Best For
Time-sensitive, high-value, or fragile shipments, and businesses shipping regulated goods.
Discount Aggregator Platforms
Aggregators pool shipping volume across thousands of small businesses to negotiate lower carrier rates, then pass those savings on to you. For most small businesses, these platforms offer better pricing than going directly to a carrier.
Stallion Express
Ontario-based and built with small e-commerce businesses in mind. Multiple drop-off and pick-up locations across the Greater Toronto Area, plus locations in Quebec, BC, and Alberta. Aggregates rates across Canada Post, USPS, UPS, FedEx, and their own service. Free to sign up. Integrates with Shopify, Etsy, eBay, Amazon, and more.
​
Best For
Ontario-based e-commerce sellers shipping to the US, and sellers on platforms like Shopify or Etsy.
FlagShip
One platform, multiple carriers. FlagShip gives you access to Purolator, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Canpar, and GLS in one place. No minimums, no contracts, free to sign up. Savings of up to 70% on published rates are advertised. Also handles LTL freight for larger or heavier shipments.
​
Best For
Businesses that want to compare carriers in one
place, and those with occasional oversized or freight shipments. A good candidate for wholesale and volume.
Chit Chats
One of the most established alternatives to Canada Post, open since 2001. Drop-off locations across Ontario, BC, Quebec, Alberta, and the Maritimes. Specialises in cross-border shipping to the US and can be significantly cheaper than published Canada Post or UPS rates for parcels under 2 lbs. Also offers domestic Canadian and international shipping.
​
A heads-up: as of August 2025, Canadian packages entering the US may be subject to tariffs and brokerage charges that vary by item and carrier. Confirm current requirements before shipping cross-border.
​
Best For
Small e-commerce sellers or businesses shipping lightweight parcels to the US.
eShipper
Aggregates rates across FedEx, DHL, Purolator, Canpar, and others, with discounts of up to 70% off published rates. Also offers fulfillment services for businesses looking to outsource packing and dispatch as they grow.
​
Best For
​Growing businesses looking for competitive rates across multiple carriers, or those exploring outsourced fulfillment.
A Few Tips Before You Choose
-
Start with the Canada Post Solutions for Small Business program. It is free, requires no minimum volume, and gives you lower rates right away. Worth doing even if you plan to use other carriers too.
​
-
For United States shipments, look at aggregators first. Platforms like Stallion Express and Chit Chats can be significantly cheaper than going directly through a carrier, especially for lightweight items.
​
-
You do not have to pick just one. Many Ontario small businesses use Canada Post for lightweight domestic orders and a courier or aggregator for express, heavier, or cross-border shipments. Use what works best for each situation.
​
-
If you ship to rural and northern Ontario, confirm coverage before you commit. Canada Post is the only carrier that reaches every address in Canada without extended area surcharges. Others may charge more, or not deliver there at all. Canada Post is the national carrier of Canada and is required to ship to any address in Canada.
​
-
Always get a full quote. Published rates rarely include fuel surcharges, residential delivery fees, or extended area fees. Know the real cost before you set your shipping rates at checkout.