Purolator tracking

Canadian courier founded in 1960 in Ontario and Quebec

Purolator was founded on December 5, 1960, under the name Trans Canadian Couriers Ltd, a small company based in eastern Canada. At its inception, it had only two employees, and its activities were limited to the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. In 1967, the company was acquired by the American company Purolator Filters (manufacturer of automotive filters), whose name it adopted a few years later: in 1973, Trans Canadian Couriers officially became "Purolator Courier Ltd." The name Purolator comes from the expression "Pure Oil Later," recalling the origins of the former parent company in oil filters.

After a period under foreign control, Purolator returned mostly to Canadian interests in 1987 when it was acquired by Canada Post, which then held 91% of it. By the late 1980s, Purolator partnered with an American express air carrier to expand its reach: this alliance established in 1987 allowed it to offer urgent deliveries to virtually all U.S. zip codes. During the following decades, the company experienced sustained growth and numerous innovations. In 1993, Purolator launched its first website, paving the way for online shipping services. In 1997, it deployed Purolink, becoming the first Canadian courier to offer parcel pickup requests via the Internet. The same year, to improve its offering, Purolator began offering same-day delivery services (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) on certain routes. In 1998, a bilingual customer service accessible at all times was set up via the toll-free number 1 888 SHIP-123, reachable throughout North America. By the late 1990s, Canada Post increased its stake in Purolator to about 96% of the capital. During the 2000s, Purolator modernized its network by inaugurating new facilities in Canada and strengthening its presence in the United States. In 2018, the company introduced the "Express 12PM" service to expand its range of guaranteed next-day deliveries before noon. The following year, in 2019, Purolator announced an ambitious $1 billion investment plan over five years aimed at expanding its network and boosting innovation. This program includes the construction of a new 40,000 m² national sorting center near Toronto (a state-of-the-art sorting center inaugurated in 2021), the expansion of the vehicle fleet (with the introduction of hybrid and electric vehicles), and the strengthening of the network of retail and drop-off points to offer customers more flexibility.

Network

Over time, Purolator has developed one of the most extensive logistics and distribution networks in Canada. The company operates more than 175 operational facilities across the country (sorting centers and operations centers) as well as approximately 300 shipping centers, counters, and drop boxes accessible to customers. Purolator also relies on a network of over 3,000 authorized shipping agents, further expanding its presence on the territory. Its infrastructure allows it to serve all Canadian postal codes, including the most remote locations, ensuring complete national coverage. Purolator processes a very large volume of shipments daily: on average, more than one million parcels are picked up and delivered each day on its network, reflecting the company's leading position in the domestic market.

Purolator has a substantial transport fleet to operate its network. It has more than 3,900 courier vehicles (vans and light trucks) for parcel deliveries, as well as a fleet of trailers and semi-trailers for heavy freight transport. A major portion (about 97%) of these deliveries is carried out with Purolator's own means, ensuring good control over service quality. The company also invests in sustainable transport solutions: it was the first national carrier in Canada to integrate fully electric vehicles into its delivery fleet. In 2024, its fleet included more than 200 electric vehicles (18-foot delivery vans, low-speed vehicles, and electric tricycles) deployed in several urban centers. This robust logistics capability, combined with a presence throughout the territory, makes Purolator an essential player in the Canadian courier industry.

Services

Purolator offers a full range of parcel and freight delivery services, tailored to the needs of businesses and individuals. For parcel shipments within Canada, the company notably offers expedited services guaranteeing delivery at specific times (for example, the next day before 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, or end of day, depending on the destination), grouped under the Purolator Express brand. It also offers an economical ground service, Purolator Ground, for less urgent shipments within the country. These domestic solutions rely on Purolator's vast national network and offer end-to-end tracking from pickup to delivery.

For shipments to the United States and the rest of the world, Purolator provides integrated international courier services. The company ships to more than 210 countries and territories thanks to global partnerships and its expertise in cross-border logistics. Customers can choose international shipping options based on urgency: express air delivery (including next-day solutions to the United States) or economical surface delivery, depending on desired timelines and rates. Purolator handles basic customs formalities to facilitate the transit of goods between Canada and other countries, thus offering an end-to-end service. The company relies on more than 20 regional locations in the United States to consolidate and route cross-border parcels to Canada, with over 25 years of experience in Canada-USA exchanges. For specialized logistics needs, Purolator also offers heavy freight services (LTL/TL) through its Purolator Freight service, allowing the shipment of pallets or bulky cargo nationally or internationally.

Logistics operations

As an integrated courier company, Purolator manages the entire logistics chain of its shipments, from parcel collection to final distribution. Collected shipments are routed to regional sorting centers or Purolator's main hub for processing. In 2022, Purolator inaugurated a new state-of-the-art national sorting center in the Toronto area, capable of handling a considerable volume of parcels thanks to advanced automation. This central sorting center, along with other operational centers across the country, allows for the rapid redistribution of parcels in different geographical directions.

Purolator uses a multimodal logistics model to accelerate long-distance movements. By land, the company operates its own network of trucks and road tractors to transport mail and freight between cities and provinces. For the most remote or urgent connections, Purolator uses air transport: the company partners with a cargo airline (Cargojet) that operates all-cargo aircraft (notably Boeing 757 and 767) dedicated to Purolator shipments. This shortens transit times between major centers. Once delivered to the destination region, parcels are handled by Purolator's local facilities and then entrusted to delivery drivers for "last mile" distribution to recipients.

Throughout this process, reliability and speed are at the heart of Purolator's logistics operations. The company emphasizes the continuous optimization of routes and sorting operations to reduce delays and increase efficiency. Significant investments have been made in information technology and automation to improve real-time shipment visibility and control. For example, Purolator has developed advanced parcel tracking and management systems, as well as mobile applications and integration platforms for shippers, to facilitate shipment preparation and accelerate processing. All of these logistics devices allow Purolator to deliver millions of parcels each week reliably, across Canada and beyond.

Delivery options

Purolator offers different delivery options to adapt to recipients' constraints and preferences. For urgent shipments, Purolator Express services offer guaranteed timelines with delivery possible as early as the next morning in major urban centers. Conversely, customers looking for savings can opt for standard deliveries via Purolator Ground, with slightly longer timelines but more advantageous rates. There are also specialized services such as Saturday delivery in certain metropolitan areas or same-day delivery on specific corridors, allowing for critical needs when every hour counts.

On the recipient side, Purolator has implemented the "Purolator Your Way" program, which offers more flexibility in receiving parcels. With this service, an individual can customize the delivery of their parcel once the shipment is on its way: for example, reschedule delivery to a later date, request delivery to a trusted neighbor or a safe place, or redirect the parcel to a drop-off point or partner parcel relay for pickup at a convenient time. The goal is to give recipients more control and increase the chances of successful first-time delivery. In case of absence during a delivery attempt, Purolator leaves a notice indicating the location and how to retrieve the shipment (often at the nearest Purolator center) and holds the parcel for a few business days to allow the recipient to pick it up or arrange a new delivery.

Additional services

Beyond standard parcel delivery, Purolator offers a range of additional services to meet specific logistics needs. For example, the company handles special goods shipments under certain conditions, such as regulated hazardous materials, ensuring compliance with required safety and packaging standards. Additionally, ad valorem insurance options are available to guarantee the value of important shipments in case of loss or damage during transport.

Purolator also offers solutions to facilitate returns and exchanges management for merchants and their customers. With its reverse logistics service, the company can schedule the collection of returned parcels from customers and efficiently route them to the original sender or a returns processing center. This type of service is particularly popular in the mail-order sector to improve the after-sales experience. Furthermore, Purolator offers a cash-on-delivery service for shippers who want the recipient to pay an amount due upon parcel delivery (a useful service, especially for some remote sellers).

In the field of business solutions, Purolator provides technology platforms to integrate shipping into its clients' supply chain. For example, the Purolator E-Ship platform and integration tools (EDI, API via the Developer Portal) allow businesses to automate label printing, pickup requests, and parcel tracking directly from their internal systems. For regular high-volume shippers, Purolator offers a portal called "Purolator Vision," which provides advanced tracking, personalized reports, and centralized management of all a company's shipments. These additional services, whether logistical or technological, aim to simplify the shipping experience and provide added value to customers beyond simple delivery.

Tracking specifics

Shipment tracking is a central element of Purolator's service. Each shipment is assigned a unique tracking number (called NIC) Parcel Identification Number (by Purolator) that allows real-time tracking of its journey. Shippers and recipients can consult Purolator's online tracking interface to know the current status of the parcel and its movement history, from initial pickup to final delivery. Tracking information is updated at each significant stage, notably when entering a sorting center, departing for another city, arriving at the destination agency, or going out for delivery. In general, if the parcel travels a long distance without passing through other intermediate facilities, the status may not change for a day or two, but delivery usually occurs on the scheduled date indicated on the tracking.

Purolator tracking statuses allow you to know precisely where a parcel is. For example, when the parcel is picked up by the courier, the status confirms the pickup. A common status is In transit, indicating that the parcel is progressing through the transport network towards its final recipient. Just before delivery, the status Out for delivery means that the parcel is on board a vehicle and will be delivered that day. If an unforeseen event occurs, Purolator may display an exception or delay status, for example, Delay due to missed delivery: this message appears when the driver could not complete their route or access the address, preventing delivery on the scheduled day. In this case, a new attempt will be scheduled as soon as possible. Once the parcel is Delivered, the tracking confirms it and records the delivery time and the name of the signatory if a signature was required. All of these statuses, detailed and explained below, offer transparent visibility to customers on the journey of each shipment.

Internal organization

Purolator Inc. is a private company whose main shareholder is Canada Post, the public postal operator of Canada. Since 1993, Canada Post has held the majority of Purolator's capital, and to date, its share amounts to 91%. The other shares are held by Rainmaker Investments Ltd. (about 7%) and various minority shareholders (about 2%). Although part of the Canada Post group, Purolator is managed as a separate entity, specializing in parcel transport, logistics, and freight. Its headquarters is located in Mississauga, Ontario, in the suburbs of Toronto. The company employs more than 14,000 people across Canada, including administrative staff, sorting agents, delivery drivers, customer service personnel, and operational managers. This significant workforce makes Purolator one of the largest employers in the logistics sector in the country.

In terms of management, Purolator has its own management team and board of directors, with governance aligned with that of a large courier company. Historically, Canada Post's involvement in Purolator's capital reflects the desire to ensure complementarity between traditional postal service and express courier. Nevertheless, Purolator operates autonomously in the market, competing with other national and international private carriers. Its internal structure includes several specialized divisions (such as parcel, freight, and international services) that collaborate to offer a comprehensive service to customers. With the support of its majority shareholder and its own expertise accumulated over several decades, Purolator has a solid organization, combining the scope of a public network and the agility of a private transport player.

Geographical coverage

Purolator provides complete geographical coverage of Canada for parcel delivery. Thanks to its network of branches and partners, the company can route shipments to every province and territory, including rural and remote areas. Concretely, Purolator claims to be able to deliver to 100% of Canadian postal codes, meaning that even the most remote localities in the Canadian North can be served. In these remote areas, logistics can rely on domestic flights, local carriers, or cooperation with Canada Post for the last distribution segment, ensuring that no region is out of reach.

In addition to the domestic market, Purolator offers international delivery services by relying on agreements and foreign correspondents. For shipments to the United States, which represent the main international flow from Canada, Purolator operates its subsidiary Purolator International and also collaborates with other major carriers. A strategic partnership is notably in place with the American company UPS: Purolator hands over part of its international parcels to the UPS network for final distribution outside Canada, allowing it to effectively cover more than 210 countries. This collaboration offers Canadian customers seamless access to global delivery services without having to deal separately with a foreign carrier. Similarly, parcels shipped to Canada from abroad can transit via partner networks and be handed over to Purolator once they arrive in the country, then benefiting from Purolator's internal network for final delivery on Canadian soil.

In summary, Purolator's geographical coverage extends from the local level (urban last-mile delivery) to the global level (intercontinental shipments). The company has built a dense network of points of presence in Canada and developed reliable international relays, ensuring its clientele the ability to send and receive parcels from or to almost anywhere in the world.

Tracking number formats

Purolator tracking numbers (also called PIN or NIC numbers) come in various standard formats. In most cases, it is a purely numeric sequence, usually consisting of 12 digits. For example, a common tracking number could be 945234654987 - a sequence of twelve random digits. Additionally, some shipments may be assigned an alphanumeric identifier: the most common format consists of 3 letters followed by 9 digits. This type of mixed code is notably used for certain services or international shipments. In all cases, the Purolator tracking number does not exceed 35 characters and is unique to each parcel, ensuring that it exclusively points to the correct shipment information. With this number, customers can track their shipments via the Purolator website, mobile app, or automated phone service by simply entering the reference. It should be noted that if a parcel is shipped via a partner (for example, UPS for an overseas destination), the Purolator tracking remains valid as long as the shipment is in initial transit, then a relay to the partner's tracking number may be communicated when the parcel leaves the Purolator network.

Business units

Within its activities, Purolator is organized into several key units or services dedicated to specific segments of the delivery market. The main activity, under the Purolator brand, concerns parcel courier services in Canada: this is the company's historical core business, encompassing the pickup, transport, and distribution of parcels and packages across the country. In parallel, Purolator operates a Freight division, commonly called Purolator Freight, specializing in the transport of heavier and larger shipments. This division handles LTL (Less Than Truckload, partial loads) and TL (Truckload, full loads) freight shipments, offering expedited or standard delivery options for pallets and bulky cargo. Purolator Freight has its own network of terminals and uses an adapted fleet (semi-trailer trucks, etc.) to transport this type of goods, while relying on Purolator's overall infrastructure for logistics and tracking.

Another essential unit is Purolator International, the American subsidiary of Purolator Inc. Based in the United States, Purolator International is dedicated to American customers who wish to ship to Canada or integrate cross-border solutions into their supply chain. This entity, which has about thirty offices in the United States, functions as an expert on the U.S.-Canada corridor by offering courier and freight services to American companies to the Canadian market. Purolator International works in close coordination with Purolator's Canadian network: it handles shipments from origin in the USA, ensures customs clearance, and transfers parcels to Purolator Canada for final delivery, thus ensuring smooth routing for foreign shippers.

Finally, Purolator has developed a broader range of logistics services under the name Purolator Logistics. This business unit offers integrated supply chain solutions for businesses, going beyond parcel transport. It includes warehouse management, order preparation, dedicated distribution, returns management, and other 3PL (third-party logistics) services. By combining these units (domestic parcel courier, heavy freight, international, and contract logistics), Purolator positions itself not only as a parcel carrier but as a global provider of transport and logistics solutions for its clientele.