

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.

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), |
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:
- 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 and nail polish remove
- Solvents
- Some chemicals
Handle with care?
We’ve got you covered! Our experts ensure safe and compliant shipping for all your special and dangerous goods.