Purolator Explained: Delivery Times, Best Sending Days, and Exceptions

Authored by Matt Lessard

Since 2001, Matt Lessard has started numerous projects, from an E-commerce SaaS to an online store shipping to over 80 countries. Creator of Buster Fetcher®, a technology reducing shipping costs. Passionate about personal development and business growth.

As a business owner, you're constantly looking for ways to optimize your operations, and shipping should be no exception. Purolator, one of Canada's leading parcel delivery providers, offers various services to meet your shipping needs.

In 2020, Purolator delivered 174 million packages to 99.9% of the postal codes throughout Canada, showcasing their commitment to serving the vast majority of Canadian locations. This impressive figure underscores Purolator's comprehensive reach and reliable services, making it a prime choice for businesses seeking dependable shipping.

With these data-driven insights, we're excited to share our findings from our Buster Fetcher Shipping Report, where we meticulously analyzed 1,823,443 packages sent and delivered by Canada Post, UPS, FedEx, and Purolator during the second quarter of 2023. 

Let us provide you with the knowledge you need to make informed shipping decisions with Purolator. Let's dive in!

How Long Does Purolator Take To Deliver a Package?

Choosing the right shipping method is crucial to ensure your customers receive their packages on time. Purolator, a Canada Post-owned company, offers two popular options: Purolator Ground and Purolator Express. 

How long does it take Purolator Ground to deliver?

Purolator Ground is the company’s entry-level shipping service, offering a more affordable but slower delivery option compared to its express service. 

It's essential to note that delivery times with Purolator Ground are not guaranteed, making it less ideal for time-sensitive shipments. Here’s what our analysis found regarding delivery times for Purolator Ground:

• Average Delivery Time: The national average delivery time for Purolator Ground is 1.41 days.

• Delivery Times by Province:

  • British Columbia: Packages take significantly longer to reach British Columbia, with an average delivery time of 2.34 days – 116% longer than shipments to Ontario.

  • Newfoundland and Labrador: This province experiences the longest delivery times for Purolator Ground, with packages taking an average of 3.37 days to arrive – 196% longer than the national average.

How Fast is Purolator Express?

Purolator Express is the faster, more premium service, offering timely deliveries across Canada, typically within 1.5 days or less. 

Here are the findings from our analysis of Purolator Express:

• Average Delivery Time: The national average delivery time for Purolator Express is 1.04 days.
  

• Delivery Times by Province:

  • Ontario: Packages sent to Ontario have an average delivery time of 1.05 days.

  • British Columbia: Deliveries to British Columbia take slightly longer, with an average of 1.22 days.

  • Nova Scotia: Packages shipped from Nova Scotia with Purolator Express take an average of 1.23 days.

  • Newfoundland and Labrador: This province experiences the longest delivery times for Purolator Express, with an average of 1.43 days.

In conclusion, Purolator Express provides a swifter service than Purolator Ground, especially for provinces like British Columbia, where the difference in delivery times is significant. 

Does Purolator Offer a Delivery Guarantee?

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about Purolator's delivery guarantee:

Ensured Timeliness

Purolator's delivery guarantee focuses on timely deliveries. In case the guaranteed delivery time is missed, customers have the option to receive a refund or credit for the Service Rate and Taxes (excluding Additional Charges and Customs Clearance Charges) tied to the shipment, provided it falls under the guarantee.

Dealing with Delays

When Purolator can't meet the guarantee on the designated day, the company commits to delivering by the following business day's End of Day. This showcases Purolator's commitment to clear-cut service.

Claiming Compensation

Claiming under the guarantee is straightforward. Reach out to the telephone number mentioned on your invoice and have your Bill of Lading number ready. Ensure you initiate the process within 45 calendar days from when Purolator accepts the shipment.

Terms and Conditions

Purolator's Guaranteed Courier Shipments are subject to specific conditions:

• Eligibility of Delivery Points: Shipments must be destined for eligible guaranteed delivery points based on the chosen service.

• Excluded Delays: Delays beyond Purolator's control are not covered by the guarantee.

• Timely Tendering: Shipments should be tendered on time and not left in drop boxes after pickup times.

• Weight Limit: Each piece must not exceed 70 lbs (approx. 32 kg).

• Scanning and Induction: Scanning activity confirms induction into Purolator's network.

• Bill of Lading: Shipment tendering requires an Automated Shipping System-generated.

What is the best day of the week to send a package with Purolator?

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, timely delivery is critical.

According to a recent survey, 41% of global shoppers expect to receive their online purchases within 24 hours of placing the order. As a business, maximizing your shipping efficiency with Purolator can help you meet these customer expectations.

Understanding the Best Days for On-Time Delivery

Analyzing the shipping data from The Buster Fetcher Shipping Report reveals that Purolator generally outperforms Canada Post in terms of on-time delivery success rates nationwide. 

However, the day of the week you choose to send packages with Purolator can significantly impact their likelihood of arriving on time.

Days with Higher Late Delivery Rates:

• Nationwide: On average, across Canada, packages sent on Mondays have an 8.38% chance of being late, rising to 8.61% on Tuesdays and 8.94% on Wednesdays.

• Ontario: If you’re shipping from Ontario, your chances of late delivery are even higher on these days. Late deliveries occur 14.38% of the time on Mondays, 13.24% on Tuesdays, and 14.11% on Wednesdays.

• British Columbia: In British Columbia, Mondays are the most problematic day for on-time deliveries, with a 10.11% chance of late arrival.

Considering these statistics, avoiding sending packages on Mondays through Wednesdays might be prudent if you're shipping from Ontario or British Columbia.

Late Fee Refunds: If you're looking to capitalize on late fee refunds, aim for the days with higher late delivery rates. For instance, if you're shipping from British Columbia, you can target Mondays, where late deliveries occur 10.11% of the time.

As a business, understanding these patterns and optimizing your shipping schedule can enhance your efficiency, help manage customer expectations, and potentially save you money on shipping fees. 

Providing timely deliveries is key to maintaining customer satisfaction and fostering loyalty, especially when a significant portion of shoppers expect fast delivery.

A Quick Look Into Provincial Averages with Purolator

• Manitoba: Leading the way in long-distance shipping with Purolator is Manitoba, with an average shipping distance of 1,281.71 km.

• Saskatchewan: Close behind is Saskatchewan, with an average distance of 1,241.84 km.

• Prince Edward Island: Despite its small size, PEI comes in third place, with an average shipping distance of 1,176.31 km.

• British Columbia: BC businesses ship an average of 1,067.70 km with Purolator.

• Ontario: The most populous province has an average shipping distance of just 619.71 km with Purolator, considerably lower than the national average.

Comparing these distances with the national average, it is evident that businesses in some provinces, such as Manitoba and Saskatchewan, need to ship over longer distances than others.

Interestingly, Ontario businesses ship a median distance of 836.60 km with FedEx and even further using Canada Post with an average of 996.71 km, significantly higher than their average shipping distance with Purolator.

Exceptional Challenges: Unpacking the Percentage of Packages Affected by Exceptions with Purolator

When it comes to exceptions, carriers across Canada exhibit varying rates:

• Canada Post: Highest exception rate at 19.40%
• Purolator: 14.83%
• FedEx: 11.33%
• UPS: Fewest exceptions at 9.67%
  
  

Purolator Exceptions by Province

• Canada: 14.83%
• Alberta: 12.98%
• British Columbia: 21.68%
• Manitoba: 12.97%
• New Brunswick: 11.10%
• Newfoundland and Labrador: 22.71%
• Nova Scotia: 14.16%
• Ontario: 18.46%
• Prince Edward Island: 12.96%
• Quebec: 13.80%
• Saskatchewan: 15.87%

With 90% of consumers wanting to track their delivery orders, understanding these exception rates by carrier and province can help businesses make more informed shipping decisions, anticipate potential delays, and manage customer expectations better. 

Businesses should consider implementing preventive measures, such as providing accurate address details and offering real-time package tracking, to minimize exceptions and improve the overall delivery experience for their customers.

Strategic Shipping with Purolator: Takeaway

Take your shipping strategy to the next level with comprehensive insights and actionable data. Download the Buster Fetcher® Report for a deep dive into the trends and data that can shape your shipping strategy. 

Get a full understanding of how different carriers perform, including Canada Post, UPS, FedEx, and Purolator. With our detailed report, you'll be equipped with the information you need to choose the best shipping options for your e-commerce business.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to enhance your shipping strategy and improve your customer experience. Download the report today!

Other References

• Shipping Rates, Zones & Service Guides | Purolator
• Purolator Ground (1 or more Business Days) | Purolator 
• Purolator Express (Next Business Day) | Purolator 
• Expectation on "faster delivery" times by online shoppers worldwide in 2022 | Statista
• Why 90% of Consumers Want to Track Their Delivery Orders | Dispatchtrack