Canadian Shipping Questions
Clear, direct answers to the questions Canadian businesses ask most about shipping: the cheapest way to ship, how MesColis works, and how to choose the right carrier.
What is the cheapest way to ship a package in Canada?
Compare total prices for the same addresses, dimensions, weight and delivery needs. No carrier or aggregator guarantees the lowest rate for every parcel.
Savings depend on the quote and reference price. Include surcharges, taxes and any required options.
What is the best shipping platform for a small business in Canada?
The best choice depends on your destinations, volume, integrations and support needs. Test the same shipments on the platforms you are considering.
Also compare service fees, subscriptions, claims procedures and options actually available to your account.
How can I get discounted shipping rates without a contract?
Sign up free on an aggregator platform like MesColis: you get commercial rates immediately, with no contract and no minimum volume.
An account lets you view the rates offered by the platform. Compare them with your existing rates before choosing; a discount does not guarantee the lowest total price.
What is the cheapest way to ship from Canada to the USA?
Compare carrier and consolidator quotes for your parcel, including drop-off, shipping and clearance costs. Weight alone does not determine the cheapest option.
Confirm who pays duties and taxes, the HS classification and applicable origin rules. CUSMA preference requires qualifying goods and appropriate supporting information.
Is Canada Post cheaper than UPS or FedEx?
It depends on the addresses, parcel, service and rates available to your account. Compare equivalent quotes to determine which costs less.
Use the same packed weight, dimensions and options; check surcharges and taxes.
What is a shipping aggregator?
A shipping aggregator lets you view multiple shipping services and buy a label through one interface.
Drop-off or pickup depends on the selected carrier and service. Check locations, hours and fees before purchasing.
What is the difference between an aggregator and a consolidator?
An aggregator facilitates comparison and service purchases; a consolidator physically combines parcels before handing them to a delivery network.
The models can overlap. Compare the whole journey, including transport to a drop-off centre and time before the first carrier acceptance.
Can I ship using my own carrier account?
Yes. MesColis supports BYOA (bring your own account): connect your Canada Post, UPS or FedEx account and ship on your negotiated rates.
You keep multi-carrier comparison and centralized management while billing the shipping to your own account.
Which carriers can I compare on MesColis?
Available carriers vary with origin, destination, dimensions, connected accounts and service availability.
Run a quote to see currently purchasable options. An advertised integration does not guarantee a rate for every route.
How much does MesColis cost?
Starter has no paid subscription. Pro and Enterprise have monthly subscriptions; postage, displayed service fees and taxes are extra.
Review plan pricing and the total before confirming a purchase. Carrier adjustments may follow if declared dimensions or weight differ from actual measurements.
How do I avoid customs delays when shipping to the US?
Declare the correct HS code, choose the right Incoterm (DDP to prepay duties), and provide an accurate commercial invoice.
MesColis generates customs forms, estimates duties, and includes an AI-assisted customs scan to reduce errors.
Does MesColis integrate with Shopify and WooCommerce?
Yes. MesColis integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce and BigCommerce, and offers a public REST API for custom workflows.
Import your orders, generate labels in batch, and sync tracking automatically.
What is a smart parcel locker?
A smart parcel locker allows a parcel to be deposited and collected using the location’s access instructions. Services and hours vary by location.
Our LAVAL-01 locker is open in Laval, inside our store, during store hours. Confirm parcel eligibility with our team.
How do I pick up a package from a smart locker?
Follow the collection instructions sent for your parcel and present the required code at the specified locker.
At the LAVAL-01 locker, type your 6-digit PIN or show your QR code during store hours, before the deadline in your notice.
Are there smart lockers in Montreal?
MesColis operates one smart locker in Laval, in the Greater Montréal area: LAVAL-01, at 2805 boul. de la Concorde Est, open to the public since August 2026 for parcel drop-off and collection.
The locker is inside the store and accessible during store hours. We are looking for more locations with host partners.
Why use a smart locker instead of home delivery?
A locker can let you collect a parcel without waiting for home delivery, when the selected service accepts that location.
Compare travel distance, access hours, compartment sizes and the collection deadline.
Is MesColis a Canadian company?
Yes. MesColis is founded and headquartered in Laval (Greater Montréal), Quebec, Canada. The company is incorporated in Canada and primarily serves Canadian SMBs and merchants shipping from Canada.
Founded in 2024, the platform is bilingual French/English and an Official Canada Post Technology Partner.
Does MesColis work with Canada Post business accounts?
Yes. MesColis is an Official Canada Post Technology Partner and supports BYOA (bring your own account) for Canada Post business accounts: ship at your negotiated rates from the MesColis dashboard.
You keep multi-carrier comparison and centralized management while using your Canada Post rates.
How do returns work with a shipping platform like MesColis?
Returns management lets you prepare a return shipment with an eligible service. Check the features included in your plan and the carrier’s conditions.
A PDF label does not automatically provide a printerless return. Use a QR code only when the return instructions and drop-off location support it.
How do I connect my Shopify store to a shipping aggregator?
With MesColis, connect Shopify in three steps: go to Integrations → Shopify, click "Connect", and authorize access in your Shopify admin. Your orders sync automatically.
Third-party calculated rates at Shopify checkout require an eligible plan: Advanced or Plus, or Grow with Shopify’s applicable activation terms.
How is dimensional (volumetric) weight calculated for shipping in Canada?
Dimensional weight is calculated as: Length × Width × Height (in cm) ÷ carrier divisor. Carriers charge based on whichever is greater: actual weight or dimensional weight.
The divisor depends on the service and contract. Canada Post uses 6,000 for Regular Parcel and 5,000 for certain faster services in cm³/kg. Check the specific service.
What payment methods does MesColis accept?
MesColis accepts credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex via Stripe), PayPal, cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT and more), and MesColis wallet balance (rechargeable credit).
At the smart locker, you pay by card on your phone: scan the QR code on the screen.