Why Your Business Needs Rate Shopping For Small Parcels - And How TotalShip Makes It Easy

When it comes to shipping, small parcels can often feel like small problems — but over time, they add up to big costs. For growing businesses shipping products across Canada, to the U.S., or globally, one of the most effective ways to reduce costs and improve delivery performance is rate shopping.

If you're still relying on one courier or manually comparing rates every time you ship, you're leaving money on the table — and possibly frustrating your customers. Here’s why smart parcel rate shopping matters, and how TotalShip gives you the tools to do it right.

Rate Shopping

What Is Rate Shopping?

Rate shopping is the process of comparing shipping rates across multiple carriers — like Purolator, UPS, FedEx, Canpar, DHL, and more — to find the best price and service level for each shipment.

Instead of locking in with a single courier or wasting time checking each carrier manually, a rate-shopping tool automates the comparison based on:

• Destination

• Weight and dimensions

• Delivery timeframes

• Service type (ground, express, etc.)

  
  

The result? You save money, every time you ship.

Why Rate Shopping Matters?

1. Every Dollar Counts

  Small parcel shipments might only cost a few bucks each, but if you're shipping dozens or hundreds per week, those costs stack up fast. A $2 savings per parcel can mean thousands saved over the year.

2. Delivery Expectations Are Higher Than Ever

 Customers expect fast, affordable shipping — and they expect to track it too. Rate shopping allows you to choose the best carrier not just by price, but by performance, helping you meet delivery promises and improve customer satisfaction.

3. Not All Carriers Are Equal

  One courier might be cheaper for regional deliveries, while another might offer better international rates or faster cross-border service. Rate shopping ensures you're always using the right carrier for the job.

4. Avoid Overpaying for "Default" Shipping

  Many businesses stick with a single carrier out of habit or because it’s easy — even if rates increase. TotalShip’s rate-shopping platform automates the process so you're always getting the best deal without having to think twice. How TotalShip Makes Rate Shopping Simple

TotalShip’s small parcel platform is built to save you time and money:

• Instant Rate Comparison: See rates from multiple carriers in one dashboard, with filters based on speed, cost, or service type.

• Easy Label Creation: Generate shipping labels for the selected carrier directly in the platform — no jumping between systems.

• Real-Time Tracking: Track all your shipments in one place, no matter which carrier you choose.

• Volume Discounts: Take advantage of TotalShip’s negotiated rates and pass the savings on to your business.

• One Invoice, One Platform: Streamline your billing with a single monthly invoice, even if you're using multiple couriers.

  
  

  

  Save Money by Rate Shopping

  
  

Who Should Use Rate Shopping?

• E-commerce brands that ship daily

• Subscription box services that need predictable costs

• Wholesalers and manufacturers fulfilling B2B orders

• Startups trying to control operational costs

• Anyone shipping 5+ parcels a week

  
  

If you’re shipping small parcels and not using rate shopping, it’s time to rethink your process.

You don’t have to overpay for parcel shipping — and you don’t have to waste time comparing couriers manually.

TotalShip’s parcel rate-shopping platform gives you access to competitive carrier rates, streamlined shipping tools, and real-time visibility — all in one easy-to-use system. Whether you’re shipping across town or across the globe, we help you ship smarter, faster, and more affordably.

Ready to start saving on small parcel shipping?

 Let’s talk. TotalShip is here to simplify your logistics — one parcel at a time.