How much does it cost to ship a pallet in Canada?

A single pallet travels LTL (less-than-truckload): it shares a trailer with other shippers’ freight and moves through the carrier’s terminals. The price depends on more than distance, and most of the surprises on LTL invoices come from details left out of the quote.

The five things that set the price

1. Lane. Origin and destination terminals, and whether either end is outside a carrier’s direct service area. Busy corridors such as Montréal–Toronto are usually cheaper per kilometre than remote ones.
2. Weight. LTL rates fall per kilogram as weight rises, in brackets.
3. Density and class. Light, bulky freight takes up more space than its weight suggests. Class-based carriers set the class mainly from density; space-based Canadian carriers price the trailer space directly. Estimate yours with the freight class calculator.
4. Accessorials. Liftgate, residential delivery, appointment, inside delivery and limited-access locations (schools, construction sites, storage units) each add a charge, usually tens of dollars or more.
5. Fuel surcharge. A percentage tied to diesel prices. Canadian carriers usually index to the Natural Resources Canada diesel price and US carriers to the EIA’s, so percentages aren’t directly comparable across the border.

Getting a quote that holds

• Weigh and measure the pallet wrapped, wood included, at its tallest point.
• Declare residential or limited-access delivery up front, and ask for a liftgate if there’s no dock.
• Mark the pallet non-stackable if it is; carriers may charge for space lost on top.
• Photograph the pallet on the scale with the measurements visible. It is your best evidence in a reweigh dispute.

See also: reweighs, reclasses and other adjustments.