How best to set up Canada to USA shipping rates for dropshipping?

[GaryBusey1]

Hi there,

Currently run a dropshipping store where freight is free.

I am looking at stocking inventory and shipping to the USA from Canada, any suggestions of the best way to set up shipping rates ect ? flat rate? Canada post?

I am lost at wrapping my head around this

[Finley · Accepted solution]

Hey @GaryBusey1!

This is Finley from the Social Care team at Shopify. Thanks for your question!

As you're aware, there are a few shipping rate options you can offer, such as free shipping rates, flat rates, weight-based or price-based shipping, carrier-calculated rates both through Shopify shipping or your own account with a shipping carrier. We do have a guide on shipping strategies that you can check out here.

It's good to note that there isn't the best shipping rate, and your shipping strategy will most likely change over time. However, if you don't have a good idea of shipping costs to the US, I recommend using calculated shipping rates. This will help you charge your customers the closest shipping rate to what you'll pay for the shipping label. Later down the track, once you have a good understanding of what your shipping costs typically are, you may choose to change your shipping strategy. For example, creating an order minimum for free shipping can help increase your average order value.

Calculated shipping rates

If you would like to set up calculated shipping rates, you can do this without your own account with Canada Post via Shopify shipping.
With Shopify shipping, Canada Post will take the total cart weight and your default package's dimensions to determine the shipping cost your customers will see at the checkout. You'll want to edit your default package details to a box size you'll typically use, so the shipping rate is as accurate as possible.

Shipping profiles

If you'd like to charge carrier-calculated rates for certain products but continue to offer free shipping for products you dropship, you can use shipping profiles.

Creating a shipping profile in your Shopify admin > Settings > Shipping and delivery will enable you to add shipping rates for specific products only:

 

Once you set up the shipping profile, you can set up the zones you ship to (for example, Canada and the United States) and the shipping rates (carrier-calculated rates):

If you like watching video tutorials, you can check out the How to Set Up Shipping video in this Shopify Compass course. This course runs through the points I mentioned above, including running you through how to set up your shipping zones and rates. If you have any questions about this, feel free to let me know.

I hope you're enjoying our day!

[GCH_21]

Hi Finley, 

Will just hop on this discussion as it has to do with shipping from Canada

I am shipping a parcel to South Africa via Canada Post. On the Canada Post check out screen I can only see 2 untrackable shipping options to ship to South Africa. However, on Canada Post website and in the Shopify Shipping options I can see 6 different options. Is there a reason the extensive list of shipping options are omitted on the actual checkout and order fulfillment page?

Check out options:

Shipping screen: