A package that never reaches its destination, a product that arrives broken, a customer demanding a refund: for a Canadian small business, every shipping incident results in lost time, unexpected costs, and, sometimes, an unhappy customer. The good news: all major carriers in Canada offer basic coverage and a claims process to recover the value of your shipments.<\/p>\n
But you still need to know the rules. In 2026, deadlines, coverage amounts, and the required documentation vary considerably from one carrier to another. A claim filed too late, poorly documented, or for the wrong service is almost always denied.<\/p>\n
This guide brings together, in one place, everything a Canadian shipper needs to know to file a claim for a lost or damaged package with Canada Post, Purolator, FedEx, and UPS<\/strong>, and above all, to maximize their chances of receiving compensation.<\/p>\n The first thing to understand is that a package is not automatically \u00abinsured\u00bb for its actual value. Major Canadian carriers include a basic liability coverage<\/strong>, which is generally capped at 100 $ CA for domestic shipments on the main services. For amounts exceeding this limit, you must purchase additional coverage at the time of shipment.<\/p>\n For shipments exceeding 100 $, the best course of action is simple: Always report the actual value<\/em>. That's the only way to get a full refund if the worst happens.<\/p>\n The claim deadline is probably the number one reason for rejection. Each carrier has its own rules, and these differ depending on whether the issue is a loss (a package that was never delivered) or damage (a package that was delivered but damaged).<\/p>\n The investigation must be opened within 90 days<\/strong> based on the shipping date for a domestic package. For international shipments, you have 6 months<\/strong>. If there is any damage, don't wait: report the problem as soon as you receive the item, and be sure to keep the packaging and all protective materials.<\/p>\n Claim for loss or non-delivery: 30 days<\/strong> effective as of the date of shipment. For damage claims, the time window is very short (usually 21 days), and the claim should ideally be filed upon delivery, in the presence of the driver if possible.<\/p>\n FedEx offers one of the most generous time windows: 9 months<\/strong> to report a loss or an incomplete delivery. For visible damage, you have 60 days<\/strong>; for hidden damage (discovered upon opening), 21 days<\/strong> effective upon delivery.<\/p>\n UPS provides 6 months<\/strong> to report a loss. For damage, you must file a claim within 60 days<\/strong> after delivery. As with FedEx, UPS recommends keeping the original packaging, as it may be inspected.<\/p>\n A claim is never just a simple email. To maximize your chances of getting a refund, prepare the following documents in advance:<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a detail that\u2019s often overlooked: if you ship regularly, create a \u00abclaims\u00bb folder in your accounting software as soon as you create a shipment that\u2019s at risk (fragile items, high-value items, distant destinations). You\u2019ll save hours if a problem arises.<\/p>\nBasic Insurance Coverage: What Each Carrier Includes<\/h2>\n
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Claim Deadlines: The Window You Can't Afford to Miss<\/h2>\n
Canada Post<\/h3>\n
Purolator<\/h3>\n
FedEx<\/h3>\n
UPS<\/h3>\n
How to Put Together a Strong Application: Essential Documentation<\/h2>\n
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Comparison Table: Deadlines and Limits for 2026<\/h2>\n