Canada Post from ShipStation

With Canada Post from ShipStation, there is no need to open your own Canada Post Express account. Instead, you can start creating Canada Post labels as soon as you enter your billing details into ShipStation. Additionally, Canada Post from ShipStation offers discounted rates compared to the rates you would receive with your own Canada Post account.

Canada Post from ShipStation is available to ShipStation accounts based in Canada and includes both domestic and international services.

Canada Post from ShipStation Requirements

  • A ShipStation account based in Canada

  • Activate ShipStation Carriers by adding your payment method.

    You'll be prompted to enter your payment method the first time you attempt to create a label with any ShipStation Carrier, or you can add in advance in either your Carrier settings or Payments & Subscription settings.

  • Add funds to your ShipStation Balance.

    All ShipStation Carrier labels are purchased using the funds in your ShipStation Balance. The first time you add your payment method, you'll be prompted to add funds so you can begin purchasing labels right away.

  • Valid recipient phone numbers required for all international shipments.

Activate ShipStation Carriers

To activate ShipStation Carriers you must add your label payment method and agree to the carriers' Terms of Service. Once activated, you'll have access to all the carriers available for your account's country.

To activate ShipStation Carriers:

  1. Click the Get Started button.

    Carriers settings with arrow pointing to Get Started button

    Available carriers will vary by account country.

  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your billing details, agree to the terms and conditions, and finish the setup.

Once completed, you can add funds to your ShipStation Balance and create labels with ShipStation Carriers.

Enable Auto-Funding For a Seamless Experience

We recommend enabling auto-funding to ensure your balance always has the funds for your label purchase needs.

Adding New ShipStation Carriers

ShipStation will sometimes add new carriers to the ShipStation Carriers roster! If you have already activated ShipStation Carriers and would like to start using the new carrier's services, go to Settings > Shipping > Carriers and click the Update button.

ShipStation Carriers settings showing a notification banner for new services and the Update button selected

Agree to the new carrier's terms and you're done! You can immediately start creating labels with the new carrier.

Available Features for Canada Post from ShipStation

Canada Post from ShipStation supports the following standard features:

Available Services & Package Types

Canada Domestic Services

  • Priority

  • Xpresspost

  • Expedited Parcel (Carbon Neutral)

  • Regular Parcel (Carbon Neutral)

Canada Post US Services

  • Xpresspost - USA

  • Expedited Parcel - USA

  • Tracked Packet - USA

  • Small Packet - USA

Canada Post International Services

  • Xpresspost International

  • International Parcel Air

  • International Parcel Surface

  • Priority Worldwide Envelope Intl

  • Priority Worldwide Pak Intl

  • Priority Worldwide Parcel Intl

  • Tracked Packet International

  • Small Packet International Air

Canada Post Package Types

  • Package

The carrier can be used to create domestic shipping labels.

The carrier can be used to create international shipping labels.

ShipStation will submit international customs declarations electronically to the carrier.

The carrier can be used to create domestic return labels.

ShipStation will display estimated shipping rates for the carrier based on the connected account information and shipment details.

Shipment insurance, provided by the shipment's selected carrier, can be added to the shipment in ShipStation. This insurance would be in addition to any default coverage already provided by that carrier.

Shipping labels created for this carrier will include a tracking number that can be used to view the shipment status on the carrier's tracking website. Tracking may not be available for all shipping services.

Automatic Tracking

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and submit the manifest electronically. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. A printable file may or may not be available when submitted electronically - see End of Day (PDF).

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and create a printable PDF of the manifest to provide to the carrier. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. The file may or may not be submitted electronically - see End of Day (Electronic).

ShipStation can print the store's logo on shipping labels created for this carrier. Label branding may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

ShipStation can print information on the label as a label message (configure in Label Document Options). The carrier may or may not support all 3 label message fields and label messages may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

This carrier can be used to create multi-package shipments, where multiple labels are created for a single shipment and the individual packages are linked together in a single shipment record with a master tracking number.

Notes about Canada Post from ShipStation

  • Canada Post limits Customs Descriptions to 45 characters.

    When a customs description exceeds the limit, you will be unable to create labels. Instead, you will receive the following error: /rs/0004597532-8157624/0004597532/shipment: cvc-simple-type 1: element {http://www.canadapost.ca/ws/shipment-v8}customs-description is not a valid instance of the element type. Value is 'ZEBCO QUANTUM XP318-02 HANDLE ASSEMBLY (BLACK)'

  • Canada Post limits item SKU length in customs declarations to 15 characters.

    Adding a SKU to customs declarations is optional, but recommended.

  • If you have added an IOSS number to ShipStation, it will be sent to Canada Post when you create a label for an international order.

  • Canada Post from ShipStation does not support scheduled pickups. Scheduled pickups are only available when you connect your own Canada Post account.

  • If you need to void a Canada Post from ShipStation label, you must do so within 15 days of creating the label to receive a refund back to your balance.

    There is a 60-minute waiting period before you can void an un-manifested label.

  • Canada Post from ShipStation does not support Pay-On-Use Return labels.

  • To receive a refund on any unused funds in your ShipStation balance, you must contact ShipStation support and request your ShipStation Balance be cancelled. You will then receive a refund on your balance in 6-8 weeks.

    We cannot issue partial refunds on your balance. If you wish to continue using ShipStation Carriers, simply use the balance available in your account.

  • Canada Post COVID-19 service delays: Please visit the Canada Post COVID-19 updates page for the most recent information about service disruptions and other related news

File a Claim for Canada Post

To file a claim, fill out our Canada Post from ShipStation Claim form.

Canada Post from ShipStation allows claims to be filed for:

  • Redirect shipments

  • Late deliveries

  • Missing shipments

  • Damaged shipments

Troubleshooting Tips for Canada Post from ShipStation

Here are some common issues, potential causes, and troubleshooting tips.

Issue

How to Troubleshoot or Resolve

Unable to save payment details during the initial setup. The Finish Setup button disappears when attempting to save.

What to do: Try clearing your web browser's cache. Then, try adding your payment method again with your browser in a private or incognito mode.

The carrier can be used to create domestic shipping labels.

The carrier can be used to create international shipping labels.

ShipStation will submit international customs declarations electronically to the carrier.

The carrier can be used to create domestic return labels.

ShipStation will display estimated shipping rates for the carrier based on the connected account information and shipment details.

Shipment insurance, provided by the shipment's selected carrier, can be added to the shipment in ShipStation. This insurance would be in addition to any default coverage already provided by that carrier.

Shipping labels created for this carrier will include a tracking number that can be used to view the shipment status on the carrier's tracking website. Tracking may not be available for all shipping services.

Automatic Tracking

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and submit the manifest electronically. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. A printable file may or may not be available when submitted electronically - see End of Day (PDF).

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and create a printable PDF of the manifest to provide to the carrier. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. The file may or may not be submitted electronically - see End of Day (Electronic).

ShipStation can print the store's logo on shipping labels created for this carrier. Label branding may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

ShipStation can print information on the label as a label message (configure in Label Document Options). The carrier may or may not support all 3 label message fields and label messages may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

This carrier can be used to create multi-package shipments, where multiple labels are created for a single shipment and the individual packages are linked together in a single shipment record with a master tracking number.