Canada Post Default Guide

Canada Post Default is an integrated carrier account provided directly through EasyPost. This option provides immediate access to Canada Post shipping without requiring users to register directly with Canada Post. This streamlined setup offers a wide range of domestic and international shipping services through the Default integration, which allows access to pre-negotiated discounted rates, streamlined account setup, and consistent tracking.


Prerequisites

Account Registration

Sign up for an EasyPost account to obtain a Test and Production API key. See Authentication and Key Management for more information.

Note: Negotiated rates are only available in Production mode.

Please review the Getting Started Guide for more information.

Carrier Setup

Create via EasyPost Dashboard

  1. Log into EasyPost and navigate to Account Settings > Carriers.
  2. Locate Canada Post under EasyPost Carrier Accounts and select the Create Account button.
  3. Begin purchasing Canada Post labels through the EasyPost shipping API.

Create via API

The API structure specified by EasyPost can also be used to create a new Canada Post Wallet Carrier account.

curl -X POST https://api.easypost.com/v2/carrier_accounts \
  -u "$EASYPOST_API_KEY": \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
  "carrier_account": {
    "type": "CanadaPostAccount",
    "payment_mode": "aggregation"
  }
}'

Note: For carrier setup in Forge, refer to the Forge section of the Help Center.

Software Requirements

Download an EasyPost Client Library or utilize the REST API with cURL.

Documentation Review

Examine the EasyPost Objects section to understand the API's structure, which is critical for constructing requests and interpreting responses.


Rates

Special prenegotiated rates are available for Default accounts. These rates will be returned in CAD, but charged in USD through the EasyPost Wallet based on the current exchange rate.


Service Levels

Canada Post delivers five days per week (Monday-Friday), except during holidays. The service levels through Default accounts include:

Service
Transit Time
Max Dimensions (inches)
Max Weight (ounces)
RegularParcelUp to 3 days for local delivery, up to 6 days for regional delivery and up to 10 days for national delivery
ExpeditedParcelUp to 2 days for local delivery, up to 4 days for regional delivery and up to 8 days for national delivery
XpresspostNext-day and 2-day delivery
PriorityNext-day delivery with signature
ExpeditedParcelUSADelivery in as little as 4 business days for larger parcels
SmallPacketUSAAirDelivery in as little as 5 business days for small and lightweight items
TrackedPacketUSADelivery in as little as 4 business days for small and lightweight items
TrackedPacketUSALVM
XpresspostUSADelivery in 2 and 3 business days
XpresspostInternationalDelivery in as little as 4 business days
InternationalParcelAirDelivery in as little as 6 business days for larger parcels
InternationalParcelSurfaceDelivery in 1 month and up to 3 months
SmallPacketInternationalAirDelivery in as little as 6 business days for small and lightweight items
SmallPacketInternationalSurfaceDelivery in 1 month and up to 3 months for small and lightweight items
TrackedPacketInternationalDelivery in as little as 6 business days
ExpeditedParcelPlusUp to 3 days for local delivery, up to 6 days for regional delivery and up to 10 days for national delivery

Coverage Area

Canada Post supports a variety of service levels from Canadian origins. With Canada Post Default accounts, EasyPost users may ship to:

  • Domestic shipments within Canada (Canada to Canada)
  • Shipments from/to Canada to/from the United States (Canada to US)

Predefined Packages

There are no predefined packages for Canada Post.


Generating Shipping Labels

With EasyPost, the process for generating shipping labels for Canada Post Default is the same as generating them for any other carrier.

Review the Getting Started Guide for help generating a shipping label.

One-Call Buys

One-call buys enable streamlined label purchasing through the EasyPost API by consolidating multiple operations into a single API request. This feature is designed to simplify and accelerate the shipping process by combining the creation of a shipment, retrieval of rates, and purchasing the shipping label into one efficient step.

See Reducing API Response Times for more information.

Manifests

Manifesting is not required.

Voiding and Refunds

At this time, EasyPost does not support voiding labels. All refund requests must be made through support@easypost.com. Effective July 2025, the EasyPost API will support automatic refund requests.

Supported Options

Label Formats

Canada Post labels are available in PDF, PNG, ZPL, and EPL2 formats.

QR Codes

EasyPost supports three types of QR code forms for domestic shipments through Canada Post:

  • RMA (box-free, label-free) QR code: Used for returns where the recipient does not need to provide packaging or print a label.
  • Returns label QR code: Used for returns where the recipient does not need to print the label.
  • Outbound label QR code: Used for outbound shipments where the sender does not print the label.

Please refer to the Canada Post - QR Codes Help Center article for details.


Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)

Hazardous Materials (or Dangerous Goods) as defined by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, are non-mailable matter. Canada Post will not accept packages that contain dangerous goods or that display dangerous goods symbols, except for lithium batteries described in the ABCs of mailing.


Pickups

Canada Post pickup requests can be made via the EasyPost API. Review the pickups documentation for details.

Note: Pickups may incur charges; users should consult their Canada Post account representative for pricing details.


Tracking

EasyPost simplifies package tracking by offering two methods:

  • Tracking with an existing number and carrier.
  • Using a Tracker included with an EasyPost-purchased shipping label.

The service integrates webhooks for timely shipment updates. For detailed information on tracking methods, visit the Tracking Guide.


Additional Resources

Carrier Metadata

The Carrier Metadata endpoint can programmatically return information about service levels, predefined packages, supported features, and shipment options.

Use this information to quickly integrate and make educated decisions about the mix of carriers for shipping needs. Additionally, the Carrier Metadata endpoint is available to retrieve comprehensive information about all carriers on the EasyPost platform, enhancing decision-making for carrier services.

Support and Troubleshooting

In addition to the guidance provided in our Carrier Guides, EasyPost offers support to assist with FAQs, troubleshooting issues, and inquiries related to the EasyPost platform.

Please visit the Help Center for more information.


Talk to a Shipping Expert

For questions about getting started with the EasyPost API please talk to a Shipping Expert or

contact our Support team.