E-commerce businesses in Canada are increasingly selling to customers overseas. With this global expansion comes the need for reliable international shipping. While many startups begin by using couriers like FedEx or DHL, these services quickly become expensive and inefficient for growing operations.

That’s where international freight forwarders come in. For e-commerce businesses shipping larger volumes or heavier products, freight forwarding services offer a more affordable, scalable, and professional shipping solution.

Courier Services: Convenient But Costly

Courier companies are often the first choice for new e-commerce sellers because they’re easy to use. You can drop off packages at a local location, track them online, and deliver to most countries.

However, as your order volume increases, this method becomes less practical. The major downsides include:

High cost per shipment – couriers charge by weight and volume

Limited flexibility for custom packaging or special handling

Restrictions on cargo type, size, or destination

Minimal support for customs documentation in complex shipments

Couriers are great for small parcels, samples, and occasional international orders — but they aren’t built for commercial-scale operations.

Why E-Commerce Brands Choose Freight Forwarding Services

International freight forwarders specialize in shipping goods for commercial purposes using global shipping lines. Instead of sending out 20 individual parcels via courier, you can consolidate your inventory into containers and move it more efficiently.

Here’s what a freight forwarder like Go Transport Canada provides:

Consolidation of cargo for better shipping rates

Full documentation preparation for international shipping

Customs clearance support to avoid delays or penalties

Container booking and shipping coordination

Flexible options for different volumes and destinations

This model is especially beneficial if you’re shipping regularly to warehouses, fulfillment centers, or distributors in other countries.

Ideal Shipping Scenarios for Freight Forwarders

You should consider working with a freight forwarder if:

You’re sending inventory overseas in bulk (e.g., pallets or containers)

You have recurring exports and want predictable costs

You need support with customs compliance and documentation

You’re expanding to new international markets

Freight forwarding gives you the infrastructure needed to scale your global e-commerce business. It’s more professional, secure, and cost-effective compared to using courier services long-term.

Freight Forwarding Isn’t Just for Large Corporations

There’s a common misconception that freight forwarders only work with big businesses. In reality, many forwarders — including Go Transport Canada — work with small to mid-sized e-commerce sellers. Whether you’re shipping a few pallets a month or full containers, we can tailor solutions to your volume and destinations.

Conclusion

While couriers are convenient for low-volume international orders, they aren't designed for growth. As your e-commerce business expands, freight forwarding services offer better pricing, professional handling, and long-term scalability.

Go Transport Canada helps e-commerce brands move inventory globally through streamlined, reliable international shipping. Contact us today to explore how freight forwarding can elevate your logistics and cut your international shipping costs.