Special handling is added by the courier per shipment if they determine the parcel is non-conveyable or needs to be handled with caution. Special handling is required for packages that can’t get put on the conveyor belt while travelling within the courier depot. This includes packages that are fragile, wrapped in plastic (or excessive taping), have any special markings or is not shipped in a corrugated box.


ShipTime provides the option to select special handling when preparing your shipment.  Shipments that are not marked with special handling will result in an additional charge to your account. Each courier has their own criteria, read below. 


Loomis: Any articles due to their nature (e.g., size, shape, packaging, contents) are deemed by Loomis Express, in its sole discretion, to be unsuitable for our sorting facilities (e.g. ball bearings, nuts, bolts, and fasteners, liquids, wooden or metal crates and nonconveyable items). - Any package or article; pail or container not fully encased in an appropriate shipping container.


Canpar: An “Irregular” Extra Care charge may apply to any articles that, due to their nature (e.g., shape, packaging, contents), are deemed by Canpar Express, in its sole discretion, to be unsuitable for our sorting facilities (e.g. liquids, wooden or metal crates, straps, tires, ball bearings, nuts, bolts and fasteners, fabric rolls, and non-conveyable items). This includes any package, article, pail, or container not fully encased in a new rigid corrugated carton or any package or article that requires repackaging due to inappropriate or insufficient original packaging.

Any package or article that measures greater than 48 inches (122 centimeters) in length or a second longest dimension greater than 32 inches (82 centimeters).


GLS: Any article that is not fully encased in corrugated cardboard or in GLS Canada-Approved Packaging, including but not limited to metal, wood, hard plastic, soft, plastic, or expanded polystyrene foam. Any cylindrical-like item, such as a barrel, drum, liquids, glass, pail, tube, or tire, that is not fully encased in a corrugated cardboard box or shipping container.


FedEx: Any package not fully encased in an outside shipping container, any package encased in an outside shipping container made of metal or wood (excluding cans and pails). Examples include tires, wooden crates, trailer hitches, and shovels. (Fabric or carpet rolls wrapped in plastic are considered “fully encased” and will not be subject to additional handling charges.)

Purolator: An additional charge will be applied, including, without limitation, if the Shipment falls within the following categories: 

  • Shipments with outer packaging made of wood or metal, or bundled together with metal strapping; 

  • Shipments that contain high-risk items, which are not packaged according to Purolator’s accepted standards and are deemed high risk at Purolator’s discretion; 

  • Non-packaged (unboxed) articles (excluding Purolator Express Envelopes, Purolator Express Packs, Purolator Express Boxes and document Shipments); or 

  • Objects not fully encased in a suitable shipping container (e.g. tires, pails, and duffel bags) or not packaged according to Purolator’s accepted standards.

  • Flat packages


Canada Post: Items mailed under this Agreement may be subject to one or more of the following surcharges: 

  • Surcharges for non-compliance with mail specifications or preparation requirements

  • Fuel surcharge

  • Mailing tube surcharge

  • Additional Handling surcharges (Oversize and Unpackaged)

  • Out of spec surcharge.

    Details regarding such surcharges are set out on the Postal Services Information website at canadapost.ca/postalservices. Canada Post may amend the surcharges at any time. 


Nationex: Parcels that are un-packaged or parcels that cannot be put on a conveyor are subject to a surcharge.


UPS: An Additional Handling charge may apply if your shipment requires special handling as stated in our UPS Terms and Conditions of Service/Carriage.  Those criteria include:

  • Any package with the longest side exceeding 48 inches/122 centimetres or, the second-longest side exceeding 30 inches/76 centimetres or, length (longest side of the package) plus girth [(2 x width) + (2 x height)] combined exceeding 105 inches/266 centimetres.

  • Any domestic or export package with an actual weight of more than 50 pounds/22 kilograms or any import package with an actual weight of more than 70 pounds/32 kilograms.

  • Each domestic or export package in a shipment where the average weight per package is greater than 50 pounds/22 kilograms and the weight for each package is not specified on the source document or the UPS automated shipping system used.

  • A package that is not fully encased in corrugated cardboard. Any cylindrical-like item, such as a barrel, drum, bucket or tire, that is not fully encased in a corrugated cardboard shipping container.


About ShipTime:

Ship Smarter – with ShipTime, we are a true partner beyond just discounted rates with the Top National Couriers. We provide a best in class shipping platform packed with features and backed by our legendary Heroic Support™ team.


You can sleep easy with ShipTime’s best-in-class customer care. Our bilingual team is available by phone, live chat, or email Monday – Friday from 8:30AM to 8PM EST.