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What is a Special Handling Service (SHS)?

Conveyor systems at shipment processing facilities are not suitable for certain packages such as overweight, oversized and non-packaged pieces. A surcharge is applied to the non-standard packages that require manual handling with extra care and time.

Whether it’s a one-time shipment or a regularly occurring shipment, you can rely on our Special Handling Service to get your package to its destination on time while ensuring the safety of our staff.

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What are dangerous goods (DG)?

Dangerous goods are articles or substances that are subject to government regulations because they may pose a risk to health, safety, property or the environment. Dangerous goods are not always obvious, and many items are, or contain, regulated substances.

Common items that are considered dangerous goods include some paints, aerosols, lithium batteries (either separate or contained in cellphones, laptops, video cameras, etc.), dry ice, perfumes, airbags, ammunition, butane, fireworks, gasoline, lighters, car batteries, matches, nail polish, nail polish remover, solvents and some chemicals. For more details on shipping dangerous goods, visit Purolator.com.

Special Handling Enhancements 

Special Handling Type Definition and Parameters Shipping Label Code Service Code
Flat Package Longest side >18” (45.72 cm) and <=48’’ with shortest side <=2’’ (5.08 cm)  SH05  Flat Pkg
Additional Handling High-risk contents not packaged according to Purolator’s accepted standards or unboxed items
(e.g., pails, crates, etc.)
SH06 Addl Handling
Oversized Weight >50 lb (22.68 kg) & ≤150 lb (68.04 kg) or longest side >48” (121.92 cm) & ≤108” (274.32 cm)  SH09 Oversized
Residential Area Heavyweight Weight >70 lb & delivery to low-density residential areas SH10 Res Area Heavywght
Large Package Girth > 130” (330.20 cm) & ≤ 165” (419.10 cm)  SH07 Large Pkg
Over Maximum Limit Weight >150 lbs.(68.04 kg),
Girth >165” (419.10 cm) or
Longest side >108” (274.32 cm)
SH08 Over Max Limit

 

Please refer to the Purolator Rate Guide for more information.

Learn more about Purolator’s current packaging guidelines.

Purolator reserves the right not to accept any packages in its courier network that weigh more than 150lbs (approx. 68 kg) or measure more than 165” (approx. 419 cm) in total because such packages are considered over the maximum limit.

If there are multiple Special Handling surcharges which would apply to a particular piece, it is only the Special Handling surcharge that has the highest value, amongst all the applicable Special Handing surcharges, that would be applied to the piece.

Dangerous Goods 

Definition and Parameters Shipping Label Code Shipping Label Code Service Codes

Fully Regulated

Dangerous goods declared as Fully Regulated in compliance with Transport Canada’s regulations (no exemptions apply); can be transported via ground and air

 DG01

 DG-Fully Regulated

UN3373

Biological Substances, Category B (relatively low-risk pathogens); can be transported via ground and air

 DG02

 DG-UN3373

UN1845

Dry ice/solid carbon dioxide (in a properly vented package); can be transported via ground and air

 DG03

 DG-UN1845

<500 kg

Gross mass of all dangerous goods on a vehicle is ≤500 kg (applicable only to select classes); exemption under Section 1.16 of Transport Canada’s TDG Regulations; can be transported only via ground

 DG04

 DG <500 kg Exempt

Limited Quantity

Dangerous goods (other than explosives) in one or more means of containment with a gross mass ≤30 kg each; exemption under Section 1.17 of Transport Canada’s TDG Regulations; can be transported only via ground

 DG05

 DG-Limited Q

 

When appropriate as per the Purolator Rate Guide, both Special Handling and Dangerous Goods surcharges may be applied to a shipment. Please refer to Purolator’s terms and conditions of service.

DG & SHS Applicability Matrix 

    Dangerous Goods Types
    DG01 DG02 DG03 DG04 DG05
   

Fully Regulated

UN3373 (Biological Specimens) UN1845 (Dry Ice) < 500 kg Limited Quantity
Special Handling Types

Flat Package

DG Only DG Only DG Only DG Only DG Only
Additional Handling DG Only DG Only DG Only DG Only DG Only
Oversized x x x x x
Residential Area Heavyweight x x x n/a n/a
Large Package x x x n/a n/a
Over Maximum Limit x x x x x

DG Only – Only DG surcharges apply.

X – Both DG and SH surcharges apply.

Special Handling FAQ

The Special Handling surcharge is applied to shipments that require manual processing because, for a number of reasons, they cannot be placed on our conveyer belt. Examples include but are not limited to oversized packages, unboxed items and heavyweight pieces. Please refer to the Specialized Services section of Purolator’s Terms and Conditions for more information on the Special Handling surcharge.

The surcharge reflects the incremental manual handling costs and time required to process and transport the non-standard packages efficiently at their destination. We use specialized equipment and lean handling processes to avoid damages and ensure your shipments arrive on time. 

Special Handling Category

Definition and Parameters

Flat Package

Longest side >18” (45.72 cm) and <=48’’ with shortest side <=2’’ (5.08 cm)

Additional Handling

High-risk contents not packaged according to Purolator’s accepted standards or unboxed items (e.g., pails, crates, etc.)

Residential Area Heavyweight

Weight >70 lb & delivery to low-density residential areas

Oversized

Weight >70 lb (31.75 kg) & ≤150 lb (68.04 kg) or longest side >48” (121.92 cm) & ≤108” (274.32 cm)

Large Package

Girth >130” (330.20 cm) & ≤165” (419.10 cm)

Over Maximum Limit

Weight >150 lb (68.04 kg),
Girth >165” (419.10 cm)
or 
Longest side >108” (274.32 cm)

Dangerous goods are articles or substances that are subject to government regulations because they may pose a risk to health, safety, property or the environment. It is a shipper’s responsibility to know whether shipments being tendered to Purolator contain dangerous goods, and to ensure that such shipments are prepared, packaged, documented and labelled in compliance with all dangerous goods laws and regulations. Common items that are considered dangerous goods include, but are not limited to:

  1. Some paints
  2. Aerosols
  3. Lithium batteries (either separate or contained in cellphones, laptops, video cameras, etc.)
  4. Dry ice
  5. Perfumes
  6. Airbags
  7. Ammunition
  8. Butane
  9. Fireworks
  10. Gasoline
  11. Lighters
  12. Car batteries
  13. Matches
  14. Nail polish and nail polish remove
  15. Solvents
  16. Some chemicals