New Canada Post Discount for SfSB Members Feb 17 - Apr 27, 2025 | PARCEL Rates As Low As $3.50?

[dinomitesales]

Here's an interesting tidbit of info that was sent to post offices on Feb 14. I've posted the relevant text below:

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Solutions for Small Business™ (SfSB) reduced rates on Expedited Parcel and Tracked Packet USA starting February 17

From February 17 to April 27, 2025, Canada Post Solutions for SfSB customers without a commercial parcel agreement may be eligible to receive an exclusive new discount.

What you need to know

• Expedited Parcel Discount:

  • Lightweight (for items under 500g) – discount of up to a 70% saving off counter rates where customers may see shipments as low as $3.50.

  • 10% to 20% off some current shipping rates when shipping an item that is up to 5kg.

• Tracked Packet USA Discount:

  • Up to 46% discount for Tracked Packet USA (Valid until June 25, 2025).

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A few notes from me:

• The first line says "customers without a commercial parcel agreement may be eligible to receive an exclusive new discount". I don't know why they chose to use the word "may" - there is no clarification on why anyone would be excluded from the promotion. I would expect anyone reading this would be eligible for the discount provided you have a SfSB account.
• Obviously the highest discounts (they call out $3.50) are going to be for very light items shipping within your own city or local area, but even still this could theoretically be cheaper than Lettermail... definitely seems like it should be cheaper than Expedited Lite (and good up to 500g).
• It's not clear if this is going to be available for labels purchased online, although I can't imagine why it wouldn't; whether or not it will be available to external shipping label platforms like eBay Labels is also unclear - we'll have to wait to see what eBay shows on Monday. This could be a "SnapShip only" promotion, or it could just be baked into Canada Post's API in which case the discounts should also show on eBay.
• The "up to 46% discount for Tracked Packet USA" isn't all that relevant to us, as I'm fairly certain the eBay negotiated Tracked Packet rates we get through eBay Labels is greater than 46%. For example, the "counter rate" of a Tracked Packet under 100g is $13.80 - 46% off of that would be $7.45, but eBay Labels is giving it to us for $6.35 (not factoring in fuel surcharge, of course).
• Unclear if this stacks with the current 10% off promotion for postage purchased at the post office counter, currently in effect until the end of February.

[38e_avenue]

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@flipistics wrote:

@38e_avenue  Can you not combine them using eBay's bulk shipping tool?

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That's what I did. After adding 6th item, and unknown error prevented me from printing the label. 

After removing the 6th item, everything was back to normal. Finally, I changed the content to 21 items, and printed a 1.000 g label (quite cheap with TP discount!). 

I had similar bulk purchases in the past, but buyers combined the orders themselves and sent one payment. This time I got 21 payments. But this BIG payment was worth even losing TRS Plus for 2 months, or so  😀

By the way, going every single day to the post office (TRS Plus requirement), especially in winter, is not so funny. I will change to 3 day handling, if I loose the TRS Plus - and will go only Tuesday and Friday 😉

[ricarmic]

Because life gets in the way more now than it did before, I changed my handling time from 2 days to 5 days during the postal strike. As far as I can see it made no difference in sales. Usually I ship Mon/Wed/Fri but the 5 day handling time gives me more leeway if I need it.....

[sin-n-dex]

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@38e_avenue wrote:

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@sin-n-dex wrote:

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You can only put Canada Post Tracking on five orders? There's no limit on USPS as far as I know (I think I've had like 15 in one day, all paid separately). For CP I don't generally upload the tracking unless there's a need... like an INR. What happens if your buyer does an INR on 16 orders?

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A good question, but fortunately the tracking works - it's only marked as "not validated". 

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Depending on the genre, some types of items don't have a tendency to get lots of INRs. I find I have more problems with some items and not other items. The majority of buyers are honest, and most people won't do an INR if a package shows up with tracking on it. I've gotten a few bold scammers on tracked packages (like the empty box claim, I knew it was a lie because for one, I didn't ship a box, and for two they told me I shipped an empty box, not that the box got empty on the way to their address, and then later they got kicked off eBay).

It will probably be fine, I just wondered if you couldn't use it more than 5 times what would happen with an INR.

C.

[ricarmic]

Rats I waited too long to notice, I made the changes from 2 to 5 day handling during the strike, all my stuff remains 5 days handling time perhaps forever, I might even make it longer someday!

[ilikehockeyjerseys]

I think that handling makes a difference in your 'Best Match' placement. This may not be relevant to you if you sell in a category where there is not a lot of competition, or your item fits such a narrow definition that it will place high regardless because when a buyer searches there aren't many other options.

3 days is what eBay considers to be the longest handling time you can have before it is excessive. My assumption would be that if you cannot do same-day shipping, 3 days is probably a good target. 

eBay doesn't tell us what helps for 'Best Match' placement, but the fact that 4 days is marked as excessive and 3 days isn't makes me think they might penalize the placement of sellers items who have excessive handling times.

You have found what works for you. The point isn't to tell you to switch to 3 days, I just wanted to provide some insight into what I assume the downside of longer handling times are. 

[flipistics]

Is anyone seeing the possible new rates? I *think* I might be, but the discount doesn't appear to be that high (looks like about 30%) and appears to be for expedited only.  I'm level 1 since I've been using eBay labels.

[38e_avenue]

Printed a few US TP labels today - prices as usual, no discount: 100 g / $7.27, 250 g / $8.11. 

[ypdc_dennis]

I tested a few Canadian addresses this morning on the Canada Post site (as a level 1 SfSB account) and I'm seeing a 28% discount for expedited.  Useful for non-ebay sales.

Have seen no announcements (I'm on the SfSB mailing list) from Canada  Post.

[phc64]

At 9:15am ET this morning, I attempted to purchase on the Canada Post website an Expedited shipping label for a 92 gram 22x22x1cm shipment from here in rural Ontario to Sydney NS....$13.81!! I'll stick with $2.61 Lettermail.

I have yet to receive any kind of notice from CP about this new discount.

[reallynicestamps]

@38e_avenue 

Since CP allows to combine 5 orders only,...

I occasionally send a tracked shipment with stamps and have to go to the PO to get the label.

When I do, I put the tracking number manually on to my eBay Orders list.

From what you say the problem is CP and not eBay?

I don't know if it would work for you, but I would suggest first doing that by cut and paste and then contacting Customer Service  ON SOCIAL MEDIA of course and having them take a look at your List.

It might work.

[flipistics]

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@38e_avenue wrote:

Printed a few US TP labels today - prices as usual, no discount: 100 g / $7.27, 250 g / $8.11. 

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I'm pretty sure eBay has a negotiated contract. It would show up using Canada Post directly.  I'm thinking the promotion must be based on your level.  People seeing the cheapest rates are probably people who are level 4.

[jtg204]

For 500g Tracked Packet USA today I get these:

CP SfSB Level 1 - $16.03
Shippo - $14.12

Net Parcel - $14.12
Ebay $9.93

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@flipistics wrote:

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@38e_avenue wrote:

Printed a few US TP labels today - prices as usual, no discount: 100 g / $7.27, 250 g / $8.11. 

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I'm pretty sure eBay has a negotiated contract. It would show up using Canada Post directly.  I'm thinking the promotion must be based on your level.  People seeing the cheapest rates are probably people who are level 4.

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@flipistics 

@dinomitesales 

@ypdc_dennis 

@ilikehockeyjerseys 

@38e_avenue 

I just tested by signing into my small business account and using CP's postage calculator. Top screenshot is for a local shipment. Bottom is for a tracked parcel. Expedited Canada is excellent. Tracked USA would be better using eBay labels. Of critical note the minimum length measurement with calculator (haven't testing creating a label in CP) is 22 cm. If you enter 21 you receive an error message for both expedited and tracked. Tracked intl is also much higher at cp and required a min. measurement of 23 cm for length. "Usually" create a label is not so grouchy when it comes to measurement vs the CP/eBay Tools. Your results may vary.
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Note 1: Ebay labels charge: 10.96 (per calculator tool) USA Tracked vs the 16.03 shown above.

Note 2:Ebay labels charge: Xpresspost in Canada has a substantial discount showing.

Note 3: Some option comparing may be required depending on your situation.

Note 4: Tested rates not signed in to CP and they were not discounted with no option for Expedited in Canada. 

As always your results may vary. 

[flipistics]

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

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@lotzofuniquegoodies

@dinomitesales 

@ypdc_dennis 

@ilikehockeyjerseys 

@38e_avenue 

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After doing some more testing of my own, it appears the great rates only apply for certain regions.  Anything in northern Ontario, even sending within the same city, are having the full rates applied. Southern Ontario appears to receive the huge discounts for much of the region.

As an example, Sudbury to Sudbury (a few kilometers within the main city) shows as $13.71. Testing from Skydome to Orillia (148 km) is showing as $5.01. Same price going from St. Catherines to Orillia (230 km).

At least it'll help some people, but not me.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@flipistics wrote:

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

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@lotzofuniquegoodies

@dinomitesales 

@ypdc_dennis 

@ilikehockeyjerseys 

@38e_avenue 

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After doing some more testing of my own, it appears the great rates only apply for certain regions.  Anything in northern Ontario, even sending within the same city, are having the full rates applied. Southern Ontario appears to receive the huge discounts for much of the region.

As an example, Sudbury to Sudbury (a few kilometers within the main city) shows as $13.71. Testing from Skydome to Orillia (148 km) is showing as $5.01. Same price going from St. Catherines to Orillia (230 km).

At least it'll help some people, but not me.

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So not really as advertised. It will require a bit of testing to confirm a best deal scenario for anyone hoping for a win...savings!!!

[ricarmic]

Here's what happened to the "stamps on the box" (over the counter SSB) style today:

USA tracked 100g I'm expecting $9.77 after fuel charge added, actual was $9.38  (4% discount)

USA tracked 250g I'm expecting $11.98 after fuel charge added, actual was $11.38 (5% discount)

Didn't have any expedited or internationals......

[flipistics]

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

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@flipistics wrote:

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

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@lotzofuniquegoodies

@dinomitesales 

@ypdc_dennis 

@ilikehockeyjerseys 

@38e_avenue 

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After doing some more testing of my own, it appears the great rates only apply for certain regions.  Anything in northern Ontario, even sending within the same city, are having the full rates applied. Southern Ontario appears to receive the huge discounts for much of the region.

As an example, Sudbury to Sudbury (a few kilometers within the main city) shows as $13.71. Testing from Skydome to Orillia (148 km) is showing as $5.01. Same price going from St. Catherines to Orillia (230 km).

At least it'll help some people, but not me.

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So not really as advertised. It will require a bit of testing to confirm a best deal scenario for anyone hoping for a win...savings!!!

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Instead of full rates, I should have said less discounted. The rates for people outside the major centers and for packages going a further distance still seem to be roughly 30% discounted instead of 10% ish.  For most of us eBay labels and other options will likely be better, but I'm sure lots of people will put them to good use all the same.

[regs43]

I added on my Canada post account for fun 2 orders to compare (I am a level 3)

Tracked packet 100 grams to usa - ebay labels wins by a lot

Canada Post site $9.01
Ebay Labels $7.29-7.38 ish dont recall 100%

Expedited Parcel for 100gram shipment to Regina from Near Ottawa

Canada Post site $16.50 (cheaper then ebay labels for same service, but lite is still better)
Ebay labels expedited parcel $16.87

Service I USED was expedited lite for $8.38

So really not useful to me as ebay labels pricing is WAY better still

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@flipistics wrote:

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

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@flipistics wrote:

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

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@lotzofuniquegoodies

@dinomitesales 

@ypdc_dennis 

@ilikehockeyjerseys 

@38e_avenue 

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After doing some more testing of my own, it appears the great rates only apply for certain regions.  Anything in northern Ontario, even sending within the same city, are having the full rates applied. Southern Ontario appears to receive the huge discounts for much of the region.

As an example, Sudbury to Sudbury (a few kilometers within the main city) shows as $13.71. Testing from Skydome to Orillia (148 km) is showing as $5.01. Same price going from St. Catherines to Orillia (230 km).

At least it'll help some people, but not me.

---

So not really as advertised. It will require a bit of testing to confirm a best deal scenario for anyone hoping for a win...savings!!!

---

Instead of full rates, I should have said less discounted. The rates for people outside the major centers and for packages going a further distance still seem to be roughly 30% discounted instead of 10% ish.  For most of us eBay labels and other options will likely be better, but I'm sure lots of people will put them to good use all the same.

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Probably directly tied to this:

https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/small-business/shipping-discounts.page

Note: up to as per chart. CP/ebay contract wiggle room.

TOS: https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/kb/company-policies/terms-conditions/legal-ter...

[ilikehockeyjerseys]

Thank you for tagging me. 

I tried a test label using Snapship. Ottawa to downtown Toronto doesn't show any discount beyond what is normal. 499g 24x19x2 CM would be 11.64 before tax (or 9.2 without the fuel surcharge). $13.15 after tax in Ontario. 99g and 199g are the same price.

eBay labels is charging $12.15 all in to Toronto for anything under 499g. 199 or under is $8.16 via Expedited Lite.

I don't use Snapship anymore because eBay labels is cheaper, so it is possible that I don't qualify for these discounts based on my savings level being the lowest one.