This article covers known Canada Post limitations, API requirements, and how to submit your daily manifest in ShipHero.
For setup help, see Connecting Canada Post to ShipHero.
Table of Contents
Known Canada Post Limitations
Canada Post Address and Contact Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin restrictions | Canada Post through ShipHero is only available for shipments originating from Canada (CA). |
| Name length | Names cannot exceed 40 characters. |
| Invalid characters | Customer names and addresses must not contain special symbols or non-standard punctuation. The API will reject these immediately. |
| Email required | A valid email address must be entered in the billing information section on the order details page. |
Canada Post Package Weight and Dimension Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Metric system | Canada Post operates strictly on the metric system. ShipHero automatically converts: weight in ounces to kilograms (rounded to 3 decimal places) and dimensions in inches to centimeters (rounded to 1 decimal place). |
| No zero values | Weight and height cannot be 0.0. Even small items like stickers must have a minimum value (e.g., 0.1 kg/cm). |
| Polybag exception | If a package is marked as a Poly in ShipHero, only weight is required — dimensions become optional. |
| Dimension limits | Canada Post validates package dimensions against service-specific rules when requesting quotes or generating labels. |
Canada Post International Shipment Requirements
For orders leaving Canada, Tariff Codes (HS Codes) are mandatory. ShipHero validates these against the format: XXXX.XX.XX.XX.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tariff code format | Codes must be numeric and follow the 4-to-10 digit structure (XXXX.XX.XX.XX). |
| Default logic | If a valid code is missing, ShipHero may default to 0000.00.00.00 to prevent shipment failure. Accurate codes are strongly recommended to avoid customs delays. |
Canada Post Return Label Requirements
To generate return labels using a central payer setup, the paid-by-customer number must be configured — a required 10-digit field when the payer differs from the account holder. Contact Canada Post support to verify your paid-by-customer number and confirm it is linked as a valid payer partner.
How to Submit the Canada Post Manifest
Canada Post requires a daily manifest summarizing all shipments. When generating your manifest in ShipHero, the system waits up to 20 minutes — this is intentional.
Important
Do not refresh the page while the manifest is generating. This delay prevents Error 9153, which occurs when a manifest is requested before all shipments finish transmitting. Let the system complete transmission to ensure all shipments are included.