Most Canadians encounter Canpar for the first time when they order something online and notice an unfamiliar carrier name on their shipping confirmation. So who exactly is Canpar?
Track Your Order
Canpar Express is one of Canada’s leading small parcel delivery companies. Founded in 1976, the company has spent nearly five decades specializing in package shipping across Canada. In 2002, TFI International acquired Canpar, making it a key part of Canada’s largest transportation and logistics group.
Today, Canpar operates over 55 terminals coast to coast and serves more than 20,000 business customers. Their network covers all ten provinces and extends into the continental United States and over 200 countries through international partnerships.
They are particularly popular with eCommerce businesses because of their competitive ground rates and reliable scheduled pickups.
How to Track a Canpar Package: Step by Step
Tracking a Canpar shipment is straightforward once you know the right steps. Here is the exact process:
Step 1: Find your tracking number
Your tracking number will be in one of these places:
- The shipping confirmation email sent by the retailer or sender
- On the receipt if you shipped the package yourself
- On a delivery attempt notice left at your door (this number starts with “W”)
- Inside your MyCanpar account under shipping history
Step 2: Go to the official Canpar tracking page
Visit canpar.com and click the Tracking tab at the top of the page. Alternatively, you can go directly to the portal at portal.canpar.com.
Step 3: Choose your tracking method
Canpar gives you four ways to track:
- By barcode (most common)
- By reference number plus destination postal code
- By reference number plus your shipper number
- By delivery notice number (the number starting with “W” on your missed delivery slip)
Step 4: Enter your details and click Track
Results appear within seconds. You will see the current status, location, and any delivery attempt history for your package.
Step 5: Check the delivery signature (optional)
If the shipment has been delivered, you can also retrieve the delivery signature directly from the tracking results page.
Canpar Tracking Number Formats Explained
This is something most guides skip entirely, and it confuses a lot of people.
Canpar tracking numbers are not all the same format. Here is how to identify yours:
Standard domestic tracking number: An alphanumeric code that starts with a letter followed by 13 or 21 digits. Example: A1234567890123
Nine-digit barcode: Some older or simpler domestic shipments use a nine-digit numeric code.
Delivery notice number: If Canpar attempted delivery and you were not home, they left a notice with a number that starts with the letter “W.” Use this W-number on the tracking page to see exactly where your package is being held and for how long.
Reference numbers: Business shippers often have a reference number instead of a barcode. You can use this alongside your destination postal code or shipper account number to pull up tracking information.
If your number does not match any of these formats, double-check it against your confirmation email. A single character error is enough to return no results.
Canpar Tracking Status Meanings
One of the biggest sources of confusion is not knowing what each status actually means. Here is a plain-English breakdown:
| Status | What It Actually Means |
| Label Created | The sender generated a shipping label, but Canpar has not physically received the package yet |
| Picked Up | Canpar’s driver has collected the package from the sender |
| In Transit | Your package is moving through the Canpar network between terminals |
| At Sorting Facility | The package is at a hub being processed and sorted for the next leg of its journey |
| Out for Delivery | The package is on a delivery vehicle heading to your address today |
| Delivery Attempted | A driver came to your address but could not complete delivery |
| Available for Pickup | The package is being held at a Canpar SMARTSpot or terminal for you to collect |
| Delivered | The package has been left at the delivery address |
| Returned to Sender | The package could not be delivered and has been sent back to the shipper |
Canpar Tracking Not Updating: What to Do
This is the most searched question around Canpar tracking, and for good reason. Real customer reviews consistently mention slow or frozen tracking as a frustration.
Here is what is actually happening and what you should do about it.
Reason 1: Label created but not yet picked up
When a retailer generates a label, your confirmation email shows a tracking number and says “shipped.” But Canpar has not touched the package yet. This lag can last anywhere from a few hours to two full business days, especially if independent contractor drivers are running behind on pickups.
What to do: Wait 24 to 48 hours before contacting anyone. If tracking still shows “label created” after two business days, contact the retailer first, not Canpar.
Reason 2: Sorting hub overload
When packages arrive at a Canpar sorting hub, scans do not always happen in real time. During peak periods (holiday season, end of month, large shipment days), packages can sit at a facility and not receive a scan for 12 to 24 hours.
What to do: Wait and try tracking again in 6 to 12 hours. Your package is almost certainly still moving.
Reason 3: System sync delays
Some customers have noticed that third-party tracking tools show newer scan data than the official Canpar website. This happens because of how often the official tracking system syncs with terminal scan data.
What to do: Try checking on a third-party tracker like Parcels App or AfterShip alongside the official portal to get a fuller picture.
Reason 4: Wrong tracking number entered
A single digit off returns zero results. Copy the number directly from your confirmation email rather than typing it manually.
Reason 5: Tracking stopped for several days
If tracking has genuinely not updated in more than three business days and you are past the expected delivery window, that is the time to contact Canpar directly.
Canpar Delivery Times by Service Type
Knowing the expected delivery window helps you decide when to actually worry versus when to wait.
Canpar Ground: 1 to 4 business days within Canada. Scheduled pickups are free and tracking is included.
Canpar Select: Next business day within your region, two business days across the country.
Canpar Express: Expedited, guaranteed delivery across Canada. Available from major centers.
USA Delivery: Expedited service from Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver to US destinations with guaranteed delivery windows.
International: Delivery to over 200 countries. Timeframes depend on destination.
Domestic shipments broadly fall in the 1 to 3 business day range. Express shipments arrive within 24 to 48 hours for most Canadian destinations.
What Happens If You Miss a Canpar Delivery
Canpar makes one delivery attempt per day. If no one is home, here is exactly what happens next:
- The driver leaves a delivery attempt notice at your door
- The notice has a tracking number starting with “W” in the top right corner
- Your package is then transferred to a SMARTSpot pickup location nearby (Canpar has over 800 of these across Canada)
- You have up to 5 business days to collect it before it is returned to the sender
- To pick it up, bring the delivery notice and valid government-issued photo ID
- Someone else can pick it up on your behalf, but their ID must match the delivery address name
If you want another delivery attempt instead of picking it up, call Canpar customer service at 1-800-387-9335. An additional attempt fee may apply and must be paid by Visa or MasterCard over the phone.
Canpar does not provide estimated delivery times for specific hours of the day, as driver schedules vary. If you need guaranteed before-10am or before-noon delivery, that must be arranged with the sender before the package ships.
How to Contact Canpar Support
When tracking alone is not enough, here are all the ways to reach Canpar directly:
Phone: 1-800-387-9335 Available Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM EST
Live Chat: Available on canpar.com Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST
Technical Support (for electronic shipping systems): 1-866-588-1488
Email/Contact Form: Available through the Contact Us page on canpar.com
One practical tip: when you call, have your tracking number, the sender’s name or business, and the destination postal code ready before the agent answers. This cuts resolution time significantly.
Canpar Tracking for Businesses
If you are an eCommerce seller or shipping manager using Canpar, the tracking experience goes beyond the basic lookup tool.
MyCanpar Account: Log in to manage shipments, view history, access tracking numbers for all recent orders, and pull delivery signature records.
CanShip Web: The shipping management platform where you can book pickups, generate labels, and access advanced tracking on all outbound shipments.
Bulk Tracking: The official portal allows tracking of multiple packages at once by barcode or reference number.
API Integration: Canpar offers tracking integrations for businesses that want to embed real-time status updates directly into their own platforms or eCommerce stores.
Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Contacting Canpar before contacting the retailer If your tracking shows “label created” for more than a day, the retailer is the right first contact. Canpar cannot act on a package they have not received yet.
Expecting hourly scan updates Canpar scans packages at key points in transit, not continuously. Gaps of 12 to 24 hours between scans are completely normal, especially overnight and on weekends.
Using your order number as the tracking number Your order number from the retailer’s website and your Canpar tracking number are two different things. Always use the number Canpar specifically assigned to the shipment.
Waiting until after the 5-day pickup window expires If a delivery attempt was made and you received a notice, act quickly. After 5 business days, the package goes back to the sender and you will need to coordinate with them for a reship.
Assuming “delivered” means at your exact door If tracking shows delivered but you cannot find the package, check with neighbors, building management, or a shared mailroom. If nothing turns up within 24 hours, contact Canpar.
Also Read : Forward Air Tracking: How to Track Your Shipment Step by Step (2026 Guide)
Canpar vs Canada Post Tracking: Key Differences
Many Canadians are familiar with Canada Post tracking but less so with Canpar. Here is how they compare on the tracking experience:
| Feature | Canpar | Canada Post |
| Real-time tracking updates | Yes, at key scan points | Yes, at key scan points |
| Delivery signature available online | Yes | For certain services |
| Pickup location after missed delivery | SMARTSpot locations (800+) | Post offices and community boxes |
| Pickup window | 5 business days | 15 calendar days |
| Phone support hours | Mon-Fri 8am-9pm EST | Extended hours available |
| Live chat | Yes (Mon-Fri, limited hours) | Yes |
| International coverage | 200+ countries | 190+ countries |
Expert Tips for Tracking Canpar Packages
Use your postal code as a backup. If you have a reference number but no barcode, the postal code method often works when the barcode search fails.
Track during business hours. Scan events are uploaded most frequently during the morning processing window (8am to noon). Checking in the afternoon gives you the most up-to-date picture.
Screenshot your tracking history. If you are filing a lost package claim, a screenshot history of every status update strengthens your case considerably.
Download the Parcels app. This third-party app supports Canpar tracking and often displays scan data slightly faster than the official portal. It is free on both iOS and Android.
Know your rights. If your Canpar shipment arrives late, damaged, or is lost, Canpar offers a money-back guarantee on qualifying services. Document everything before contacting support.
FAQ
How do I track a Canpar package?
Go to canpar.com, click Tracking, and enter your barcode or delivery notice number. You can also track by reference number if you have your destination postal code or shipper number. Results appear in seconds.
What does “label created” mean on Canpar tracking?
It means the sender generated a shipping label and the system registered it, but Canpar has not physically received or scanned the package yet. This status can last anywhere from a few hours to two business days before the next update appears.
Why is my Canpar tracking not updating?
The most common reasons are a sorting hub backlog, a delay between physical scans and system updates, or the package not yet being picked up from the sender. Wait 12 to 24 hours and try again. If there is no update after three business days and you are past the expected delivery date, contact Canpar at 1-800-387-9335.
What is a Canpar tracking number format?
Most Canpar tracking numbers are alphanumeric, starting with a letter followed by 13 or 21 digits. Older shipments may use a 9-digit numeric barcode. Delivery notice numbers always start with the letter “W.”
What do I do if Canpar attempted delivery and I was not home?
Find the delivery notice left at your door. The notice number starting with “W” is your new tracking reference. Enter it at canpar.com to find out which SMARTSpot location holds your package. You have 5 business days to pick it up with valid photo ID.
Can someone else pick up my Canpar package?
Yes, but their ID must match the name and delivery address on the shipping label. Bring the original delivery notice along with the ID. Alternatively, you can download and complete a Canpar Authorization Notice to designate a specific person.
How long does Canpar take to deliver?
Ground shipping takes 1 to 4 business days within Canada. Select service delivers next business day within your region and within two business days across Canada. Express and USA delivery offer guaranteed expedited windows depending on origin city.
How do I contact Canpar about a missing package?
Call 1-800-387-9335, Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM EST. Have your tracking number and delivery details ready. You can also use live chat on canpar.com during business hours or submit a contact form through their website.
Is Canpar tracking available for international shipments?
Yes. Canpar provides tracking for both domestic Canadian shipments and international deliveries to the US and beyond. For international shipments, there may be gaps in tracking data when the package passes between carriers in different countries.
What does “available for pickup” mean in Canpar tracking?
Your package has been dropped at a SMARTSpot pickup location near your delivery address. The tracking results will show the address and hours of that location. Bring your delivery notice and photo ID to collect it within 5 business days.
