As the holiday season approaches, eCommerce businesses across Canada are gearing up for what is undoubtedly the busiest—and most crucial—time of the year. From last-minute shopping sprees to the annual surge in online orders, the volume of shipments skyrockets, and so does the pressure to deliver on time. For many retailers, this period can define the success of the entire year, making it essential to stay on top of two key factors: Canadian shipping cut-off dates and peak season shipping surcharges.
Meeting customer expectations while navigating shipping deadlines and surcharges is no small feat. With countless packages in transit and increased demands on carriers, delays can easily occur if you miss critical shipping windows. On top of that, peak season surcharges imposed by carriers add an extra layer of complexity to managing costs. But with the right preparation and insight into these factors, you can ensure your holiday logistics run smoothly and your customers stay satisfied.
In this blog, we’ll break down the essential shipping details you need to know, helping you plan ahead and avoid last-minute surprises.
Why Shipping Cut-off Dates Matter
Every holiday season, carriers establish firm holiday shipping deadlines to ensure packages arrive on time. Whether you’re sending across the street or across the country, these deadlines are non-negotiable. Missing them could result in delayed deliveries, disappointed customers, and tarnished brand reputation.
Different carriers have different cut-off dates based on service level—standard, expedited, or overnight—and destination. Being aware of these dates will help you provide accurate delivery estimates to your customers, ensuring a smooth shopping experience during the busiest time of year.
Pro Tip: Update your e-commerce platform to reflect the latest holiday shipping deadlines so your customers are well-informed when placing their orders. This builds trust and helps manage expectations.
Holiday Shipping Deadlines in Canada
Here are the shipping cut-off dates for delivery by December 24:
Carrier Description Cut-Off Date FedEx (Within Canada) FedEx First Overnight December 23 FedEx Priority Overnight December 23 FedEx Standard Overnight December 23 FedEx 2Day December 20 FedEx Economy December 19 FedEx Ground December 16 FedEx (Canada to US) FedEx International First December 23 FedEx International Priority December 23 FedEx International Economy December 20 UPS Standard delivery to US and Extended areas December 16 Standard delivery across Canada (domestic) December 16 Air/Express Shipments across Canada and to the US December 23 International Air Shipments December 20 Canada Post (Local) Priority December 23 Xpresspost December 23 Expedited December 20 Regular Parcel December 19 Canada Post (Regional) Priority December 23 Xpresspost December 23 Expedited December 18 Regular Parcel December 16 Canada Post (National) Priority December 20 Xpresspost December 20 Expedited December 12 Regular Parcel December 10 Canpar British Columbia + Newfoundland December 10-19 Alberta + Saskatchewan December 11-19 Manitoba December 16-20 Ontario + Quebec December 17-20 New Brunswick + Nova Scotia + Prince Edward Island December 16-20 Purolator Africa, Eastern Europe, Middle East, South Asia December 11 United States via Purolator Ground December 13 East Asia (China, Japan, Thailand) December 17 Australia, Caribbean, Mexico, South/Central America, Western Europe December 18 Canada next-day delivery** (where available) December 23 United States next-day delivery** (where available) December 23 DHL DHL Express Worldwide December 18 DHL ESI December 16 DHL Express 9am, 10:30am, 12pm December 20 SKIP Local and Air Shipments December 20 PYK Priority Mail and Ground Advantage December 16 FlashBox Drop off before 11am, SameDay Service December 23 Intelcom Ground Depending on destination city/province December 16 UniUni Ground Depending on destination city/province December 16 FlashBird Local and QC shipments December 20 DHL eCommerce/ Smartepost Expedited Max December 18 Expedited December 17 Ground December 16
Peak Season Shipping Surcharges: What You Need to Know
The influx of shipments during the holidays also brings additional costs, known as peak season shipping surcharges. These surcharges are typically implemented by major carriers to account for the extra resources required to handle high order volumes, such as increased labor and operational costs.
While it may seem like an inconvenience, planning for these surcharges is essential for protecting your bottom line. The good news is that many carriers publish their surcharge schedules well in advance, so you can anticipate and incorporate them into your shipping strategy.
How to Prepare: Adjust your pricing, offer promotions early, and communicate potential shipping costs transparently to avoid any surprises for your customers.
Carrier Dates Surcharge Type Surcharge Amount Description Aramex No Peak Charge N/A N/A No peak surcharge for 2024-2025 Canada Post Nov 4, 2024 – Jan 12, 2025 Out-of-Spec $400 Weight > 30kg or Length + Girth > 3m Oversized $30 Length > 1m or second longest side > 76cm Unpacked $30 Items not packaged, e.g., tires Canpar Oct 4, 2024 – Jan 13, 2025 Tires $20 per piece Applied along with extra care charges Nov 1, 2024 – Jan 13, 2025 Extra Care $29.50 per package Items without proper packaging, including pails, tires, crates Overlength $29.50 per package Single dimension exceeds 48 inches Overweight $34.50 per package Weight > 70lbs (32kg) Oversize $147 per package Length + Girth > 130 inches (330cm) or length > 96 inches (244cm) Overmax Size/Weight $1450 per package Size > 108” (274cm) or Weight > 150lbs (68kg) Residential $2.00 per shipment Residential delivery surcharge DHL Sept 15, 2024 – Jan 31, 2025 Demand Surcharges $0.20 – $1.50 Varies based on origin and destination DHL eCommerce Oct 27, 2025 – Jan 18, 2025 Weight (Parcel Ground) $0.25 – $1.25 Varies by weight and zone for Parcel Ground and Expedited services Parcel Expedited Max $0.25 per 1-16 oz Applies to light packages (1-16oz) FedEx Sept 30, 2024 – Jan 19, 2025 Oversized $152 per shipment Length + Girth > 130 inches and weight > 50lbs Additional Handling (Size) $29.30 Longest side exceeds 108 inches Additional Handling (Weight) $33 Weight > 150lbs Additional Handling (Packaging) $27.20 Irregular packaging Unauthorized Package Fee $1570 per package Non-authorized package Residential $1.50 – $2.50 per shipment Residential delivery surcharge Purolator Nov 3, 2024 – Jan 18, 2025 Additional Handling $6 per piece Irregular packaging or length > 48 inches Oversized $6 per piece Length + Girth > 130 inches and weight > 50lbs Residential Heavyweight $6 per piece Residential delivery surcharge Over Maximum Limit $450 per piece Length > 108 inches and weight > 150lbs UPS Sept 15, 2024 – Jan 18, 2025 Domestic Air/Ground Services $0.55 per package All services within Canada Standard to/from US $0.55 per package Shipments between Canada and US Additional Handling $7.70 per package Irregular packaging or length > 48 inches Large Package $77 per package Length + Girth > 130 inches and weight > 50lbs Over Maximum Limits $495 per package Length > 108 inches and weight > 150lbs
Strategies to Stay Ahead of the Rush
To ensure smooth sailing through the holiday season, follow these tried-and-true tips:
Ship Early: Encourage your customers to place orders early by offering special deals or discounts. Not only will this reduce pressure closer to the cut-off dates, but it can also help minimize the impact of peak season surcharges. Offer Multiple Shipping Options: Giving customers choices, such as standard, express, or curbside pickup, empowers them to select the delivery method that best suits their needs. Utilize Fulfillment Solutions: Partnering with a third-party logistics provider (3PL) can help manage peak season stress by offering better rates, advanced shipping solutions, and even warehousing options to streamline the fulfillment process.
Wrapping Up
By staying on top of Canadian shipping cut-off dates and peak season surcharges, you’ll be well-positioned to offer seamless service to your customers during the holidays. With the right planning and communication, your business can not only handle the holiday rush but also capitalize on it for long-term growth.
If you need help navigating holiday shipping deadlines in Canada or want more details on this year’s peak season shipping surcharges, the eShipper team has your back! Contact us to learn how we can support you in making this your most profitable and successful holiday season yet.
