Updated on December 11, 2024
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Key Highlights: Passport shipments to Canada are largely unaffected by the strike, particularly those routed through our DDP (Delivery Duties Paid) service. While we’re actively working to minimize delays, customers receiving parcels at PO Boxes or in remote locations may still experience some disruptions.
As of November 15, 2024, Canada Post workers have initiated a nationwide strike, halting mail and parcel deliveries across the country. While this may raise concerns for ecommerce brands shipping to Canada, Passport customers can rest assured – we’ve already implemented measures to keep your packages moving.
Passport’s Seamless Service Keeps Canadian Shipments On Track
Passport has long been committed to providing innovative, industry-leading shipping solutions, both internationally and throughout Canada. Beyond our cross-border expertise, we also offer Canada domestic shipping, enabling faster and more efficient deliveries within the country.
Thanks to our strategic partnerships and robust network, over 80% of our Canadian shipments bypass Canada Post entirely – meaning the vast majority of our brands’ customers have remained unaffected by the strike. In just the first two weeks of the service interruption, Passport successfully delivered nearly 70,000 parcels to Canada, showcasing our ability to handle high volumes and adapt seamlessly to evolving business needs.
For the limited percentage of shipments that have been impacted, here’s how Passport is working to minimize delays:
- Rerouting DDP Shipments – On Tuesday, November 12th, we proactively adjusted routes to divert as much volume as possible away from Canada Post (CPC) to help reduce potential service disruptions.
- Maintaining CPC-Specific Services – CPC remains the sole carrier equipped to deliver to PO Boxes and remote areas across Canada. As a result, these shipments will continue through their network.
How Canada Post Shipments Are Being Handled
- DDP Shipments – Packages destined for PO Boxes or remote locations will be held at the nearest CPC terminal (Montreal, Mississauga, Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver) until deliveries resume.
- DDU Shipments – Passport is converting DDU shipments to DDP wherever possible, allowing us to reroute these goods alongside other DDP shipments. Any DDU shipments that cannot be rerouted will continue to be delivered as usual to USPS, which has contingency plans in place with Canada Post. If storage or shipment management issues arise at USPS, we will temporarily hold these shipments at our domestic processing facility until the strike is resolved and deliveries can proceed.
As of November 29, 2024, USPS paused shipments to Canada, including the ability to print labels. DDU services will remain on hold until USPS reactivates them, and shipments will be held at our processing center in the meantime. For uninterrupted delivery, merchants can disable DDU for Canada and transition to DDP service, which utilizes alternate carriers. Note: After a shipping label has been printed, DDU shipments cannot be converted to DDP. If you need assistance adjusting your Passport shipping options at checkout, please contact us.
Post-Strike Planning
As the Canada Post (CPC) strike continues into week three, Passport is proactively preparing to help minimize disruptions once it ends. Shipments will be routed directly to the CPC hub, avoiding additional processing through their network to mitigate delays as they work to resolve their backlog and restore normal operations.
What We Know About the Canada Strike Timeline
Historically, strikes of this nature have lasted anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Initially, industry experts predicted this strike might not exceed 10 days, given its nationwide scope – unlike previous rolling strikes limited to specific cities – which was expected to prompt a quicker resolution. However, now on day 21, the exact duration remains uncertain.
As of December 5, 2024, negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are ongoing, with a federal mediator appointed to assist in reaching an agreement. While some progress has been made on minor issues, significant disagreements remain unresolved.
We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and will provide more information as it becomes available. For the latest updates, follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our Service Alert emails.
Have questions? Join our live Canada Strike Q&A session on Tuesday, December 17th at 11:30am PT / 2:30pm ET, hosted by our Operations team.
International Delivery You Can Count On
For US merchants shipping to Canada, this strike underscores the importance of partnering with a carrier that can quickly adapt to unexpected challenges. With the holidays in full swing, ensuring on-time delivery is more critical than ever.
Passport’s expertise and extensive global network make it easy for brands to expand internationally with confidence, knowing their deliveries are in reliable hands. Our commitment to customer service and flexible logistics framework allows us to swiftly respond to global events, providing peace of mind even during the busiest seasons.
Carpe, a leading antiperspirant brand, turned to Passport to optimize their Canadian operations as the first step in their international expansion. This initial success established a strong foundation for global growth and boosted their confidence to expand into new markets, ultimately doubling their international contribution from 5% to 10% of total revenue. Learn more about how Carpe scaled seamlessly with Passport’s support here.
Ready to elevate your Canada ecommerce strategy and grow internationally? Let Passport make it seamless. Reach out to our team today to schedule a demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can brands do to prevent shipments from being delayed by the Canada Post strike?
Brands can disable DDU shipping options to avoid reliance on Canada Post and switch to Passport’s DDP service, where most shipments bypass Canada Post entirely. However, deliveries to P.O. boxes and certain remote postal codes must still be routed through Canada Post. For a list of regions where Canada Post is required, please contact Partner Support at partners@passportshipping.com.
If you continue to offer DDU, we recommend displaying a checkout notice to inform customers that these shipments will experience significant delays.
What service levels are impacted by the Canada Post strike?
The strike impacts 100% of DDU shipments, as they rely on Canada Post for final delivery. Approximately 15% of DDP shipments are also affected, primarily those destined for P.O. boxes and certain rural areas where Canada Post is the only carrier within our network capable of providing last-mile delivery to these postal codes.
What is Passport doing to redirect packages that would typically be processed through Canada Post?
Passport is actively rerouting shipments wherever possible and has successfully diverted 85% of its Canadian shipping volume away from Canada Post.
If a package is shipped with Canada Post as the last-mile carrier, how will it be handled during the strike?
For parcels that are not typically part of the Canada Post network but must be routed through them as the last-mile carrier (e.g., P.O. boxes and rural areas), Passport is working to hold the impacted volume whenever possible. This approach provides greater control over when and how packages are released once the strike ends, providing improved visibility and delivery management.
Will the Canada Post strike impact shipments handled by other carriers in Canada (UniUni, FleetOptics, UPS, etc.)
While the strike does not directly impact other carriers, some are experiencing higher-than-normal volumes, which may cause minor delays. Additionally, certain alternative couriers are limiting new package intake or, in some cases, rely on Canada Post for the final leg of delivery, resulting in potential disruptions.
When was the last shipment date for International Priority Airmail (IPA) packages unlikely to experience delays from the Canada Post strike?
International Priority Airmail (IPA) shipments with labels printed after November 1 are likely delayed due to the Canada Post strike. However, estimated delivery dates may still be displayed based on the original service level.
Can I pick up my order from my local post office during the Canada Post strike?
Unfortunately, if your package is in the Canada Post network, it cannot be picked up. Due to the strike, many post offices and facilities are either closed, non-operational, or storing packages that have yet to be sorted.
Once the Canada Post strike ends, when can I expect to receive my package?
Once the strike ends, it may take approximately 3-4 days for every day of strike-related disruption to clear the backlog. As of December 9, there is an estimated 96-day delay before package movement resumes.
Can you reroute my shipment to avoid delays caused by the Canada Post strike?
Shipments being delivered by Canada Post cannot be rerouted to another carrier unless the service level is changed from DDU to DDP.
Why is Passport still using Canada Post if there is a strike?
While Passport has successfully rerouted 85% of its Canadian shipping volume away from Canada Post, some service levels and destinations within our network still require its use. DDU shipments, as well as deliveries to P.O. boxes and certain rural areas, are handled by Canada Post due to limited alternative carrier coverage. Additionally, some other couriers rely on Canada Post for the final leg of delivery or are not accepting additional packages due to increased demand caused by the strike.
Can I change my shipping address to have my package rerouted to avoid delays from the Canada Post strike
Passport cannot change a shipping address on behalf of an end-customer. However, merchants may be able to update the address if the shipping label has not yet been printed.
Can I choose a specific carrier at checkout to avoid delays from the Canada Post strike?
While customers cannot select a specific carrier at checkout, Passport is actively working to minimize delays caused by the Canada Post strike. We’ve successfully rerouted 85% of our Canadian shipping volume away from Canada Post to alternative carriers within our network.
Will the Canada Post strike affect returns?
Yes, Passport returns to the U.S. are impacted and will resume after the strike ends.
Have additional questions? Join us for a live Canada Post Strike AMA session hosted by our Operations team on Tuesday, December 17th at 11:30am PT / 2:30pm ET, or email us at partners@passportshipping.com.
