Local courier services FAQ
Services
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We offer Standard Next-Day, Same-Day, Rush (2-hour), and Urgent (1-hour, downtown) delivery options.
We can also arrange after-hours deliveries when required, and support bulk drops, recurring routed work, and flyer distribution services.
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Same-day: by 5:00 p.m.
Rush: 2 hours (order-to-door)
Urgent (downtown core): 1 hour (please call us at 416-424-2266 to arrange)
Actual times vary by distance, traffic, weather, and building procedures.
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For Same-Day please book by 1:00 pm
For Rush please book by 1:00 p.m. for 2 hour delivery.
For truly time-critical deliveries, please call us before placing the order.
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Yes. Our rush service means delivery within 2 hours of placing the order. Please call us at 416-424-2266 for any rush deliveries. We also offer urgent service in the downtown core with 1-hour delivery.
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Yes. Please send us your list of addresses, contact names and time frame for delivery and our team will plan an efficient delivery route.
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Yes. We can wait on-site, exchange items, and return as directed. Time-sensitive options are available.
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Whatever your industry we can help you save time and worry by scheduling your deliveries in advance. You can schedule a single delivery or multiple deliveries for days, weeks or months ahead of time.
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Yes. Please call us to discuss your requirements and scope and we will develop a plan with you.
What we deliver and special handling
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Yes, every day! We regularly handle fragile, perishable, and high-value deliveries. Couriers take a great deal of care with all deliveries and we are accustomed to careful packing, “this side up” handling, and secure strapping in vehicles when needed to minimize movement. We have padded moving blankets for added security. For very delicate items, let us know the specifics (material, dimensions, special handling notes) so we can plan the right courier and vehicle.
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Yes. We work with florists and greenhouses and have experience with fragile flower deliveries, including bridal bouquets. Please provide us with any special handling details and the recipient’s best availability window.
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Yes. We currently deliver many kinds of sweet treats to our customers which is great for client gifts and events. While our vehicles are air-conditioned, in hot or humid conditions, we recommend insulated or protective packaging. If you need guidance, we can suggest simple packing options.
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Yes. We’ve delivered catering for our customers for many years. Catering orders go direct from pickup to drop-off with no intermediate stops and can be scheduled as daily, recurring or one-off. Please tell us if trays must stay level or upright or any other special requirements.
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Yes. Please include any lab instructions, temperature requirements, and timing windows so we assign the right service level.
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Yes. Tell us the quantity of boxes, approximate weight and size, pickup and drop-off details, and any access required to docks, elevators, and stairs. We’ll assign the right vehicle and bring dollies, wagons, padded moving blankets and straps as needed.
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We prefer that items be packaged, but we can supply basic envelopes or boxes when needed. For loose or irregular items, we can secure them in-vehicle with straps and padded moving blankets.
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We have dollies and 3 wagons for multi-box jobs and catering orders, as well as padded moving blankets and straps to protect and secure items in vehicles. Two-person service is available for heavier pieces and our team can assess whether a second courier is needed. Two-person service may incur additional charges.
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Yes. Email us the labels and any instructions and we’ll print and apply them.
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Yes. We will apply your label and hand off to the carrier.
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Yes. Email us the file and we will print the document and then deliver it. Helpful details to include: paper size, single or double-sided, colour or black and white and quantity.
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Yes. Email the bill of lading to us and we will follow the warehouse’s release procedures.
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Although we’re not movers, if a piece fits safely in our van and doesn’t require disassembly, we can deliver it. Stairs, tight corners, or heavy items may need two-person service. Two-person service may incur additional charges.
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Yes. Please advise us of the weight and box dimensions so we can assign a suitable vehicle and lifting support.
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Not at this time as we don’t operate a refrigerated van. Shelf-stable foods are fine under our normal service as well as direct service catering orders.
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We do have drivers certified for Transportation of Dangerous Goods. Some classes require specific packaging, documentation, or may be restricted. Please call us to discuss your requirements.
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Yes. Our staff sign confidentiality agreements and are trained to handle sensitive materials. We never open client packages, minimize handoffs, and we obtain name and signature on delivery. We provide you with proof of delivery, including a photo.
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Yes. Your courier will wait on-site for signed documents and deliver them to the next location immediately after.
Where we deliver
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We are primarily a Toronto and GTA courier. Foot and TTC couriers are common downtown; our vehicles can handle longer distances and larger items, bulk orders and catering.
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We are able to deliver outside Toronto when we have the capacity. Please contact our customer service team and we will let you know if we are able to accommodate your request. We can sometimes coordinate special trips. Please ask us.
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Yes. As long as we have specific instructions and a street address we can pick up and deliver to those locations.
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Yes. We can deliver to addresses on the island but the customer has to cover the courier’s ferry fare. Please allow extra time for ferry schedules.
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We need a physical pickup or delivery address. For airport cargo desks with a street address and release paperwork, call us to confirm feasibility and timing.
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No. We’re focused on Toronto and GTA service.
Booking a delivery
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There are 3 easy ways to place a delivery, through our online guest order page, calling us at 416-424-2266, or by emailing orders@awayexpress.ca. If you have an account with us you can place your order by logging in to your account or starting a delivery.
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Yes, you can book days, weeks or months in advance.
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Please call us at 416-424-2266 to make changes to a delivery in progress, or to cancel your order.
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Yes; you can create an account online, by calling 416-424-2266 or emailing us at orders@awayexpress.ca. We will email you login details and information to get started.
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Yes. Our customer service team is available Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We are always
available when you need to speak to a real person.
Shopify
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No. The A-Way Express app works with all Shopify plans, including Basic, Premium, and Plus.
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No. A-Way Express appears as an additional delivery option at checkout when same-day delivery is available. Your existing shipping methods remain unchanged.
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Yes. Delivery status and confirmation are sent to the customer's email.
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Delivery support is handled by A-Way Express’s Toronto-based operations team. We actively support and work with you directly if coordination or questions arise.
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Yes. Our Shopify integration is designed specifically for same-day local delivery within the GTA. It’s built for local orders, not national shipping.
Pricing & payments
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Use our online price calculator for simple single-package quotes. You can also call us at 416-424-2266 or email us at orders@awayexpress.ca for multi-stop, bulk or special handling quotes.
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We look at package weight and dimensions (actual or volumetric), distance and zones, and your chosen service speed. Special handling, wait time, or after-hours service may also affect price. See transparent rates.
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We use zone-based pricing. Most local business deliveries fall in the $10–$35 range while larger, heavier, or time-critical jobs are quoted on a case-by-case basis. See our transparent rates & zone map.
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Yes. When you send 15 packages or more we offer a 10% discount. Please book the day before.
For large volume accounts, please contact us. We will provide a custom quote based on your specific delivery requirements, schedule and volume.
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A fuel surcharge is a small, variable fee added to delivery rates to offset fluctuating fuel costs. It helps keep base prices stable while covering real-time fuel expenses for vehicles. A fuel service charge offsets fuel price fluctuations and is reviewed regularly so base rates remain more stable.
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We accept Visa, MasterCard, Amex and e-transfer payments. Business accounts can receive monthly invoicing.
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Yes. We send monthly invoices to our business account customers. For your convenience we can also securely store your credit card and charge you monthly.
Pick-up & delivery
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On foot and TTC downtown; we have a hybrid car and 2 vans for longer distances, larger items, or multi-stop routes.
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Our fleet includes a hybrid car and 2 compact cargo vans and we’ll assign what fits your job. The maximum cargo space in our vans is approximately 80" long, 48" wide, and 48" high.
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A foot courier can safely carry a package of 12 by 24 inches and up to 10 lbs.
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If the delivery fits in our car or van and can be safely secured (and lifted by the courier or two-person team if required), we can likely take it. Please tell us the dimensions and weight and any loading constraints such as dock, elevators and stairs.
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We pick up and deliver Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Customer service is also available at that time. Our office is closed on weekends and statutory holidays. However we do deliver year round for contract customers.
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We often support weekend and after-hours delivery for contract customers. Please call us for anything urgent.
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Yes. Our drivers can start as early as 7:00 am. Please contact us if you need an early pickup.
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Yes. With your permission we can leave your package in a safe location and provide a photo and/or email confirmation. Building rules may affect this option.
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If we can’t deliver your package we’ll notify you immediately for instructions. We can return the package to our office if required, and attempt redelivery on the next business day or as instructed. A redelivery fee may apply depending on the situation such as the site being closed, wrong address, or no safe drop allowed.
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Yes. We provide a name and signature when a package is delivered and a photo on request. If a signature cannot be obtained, we can provide photo confirmation with delivery time and location note.
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We will email you proof of delivery upon completion. If you have an account with us you can also view delivery details online. We can provide signature and photo confirmation.
Customer service
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During business hours, Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm., call us at 416-424-2266 and we’ll help place the order and sort out any issues. You can also send us an email and we will respond the next business day.
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Yes. During business hours, Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm., please call us for bookings, quotes, or questions and you’ll reach a live person on our team.
Jobs at A-Way
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Please check the Jobs page for current openings. At any time you may send your resume to jobs@awayexpress.ca
When there are job openings, selected candidates will be invited for an interview .
If there are no current job openings and you’d like to learn more about working at A-Way, contact A-Way’s Employment Specialist.
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Please check our Jobs page for current job openings.
Frequently posted jobs:
Foot Courier – casual part-time, starting at $17.60/hour
Driver Courier – casual part-time, starting at $18.78/hour
8-10 week Work placements – $17.60/hour
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Supported Employment is an evidence-based model that helps people with disabilities gain job readiness and employment opportunities.
Supported employment starts with the belief that everyone who wants paid employment can attain it, if the proper supports are in place. Supported employment takes a person-centred, individualized approach. Job seekers receive support tailored to their specific skills and career goals. (Canadian Association for Supported Employment)
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Supports for employees include:
Peer-led on-the-job training
Accommodations – shift scheduling, work assignments, leaves
Logo shirts/hats, sturdy walking shoes
Monthly Transit pass
Work-related learning – health and safety, rights and responsibilities, customer service
Job Retention Coaching
Peer Support
Food programming
Wellness programs – WRAP, Mindfulness
CALM app subscription
Social activities
Referrals to community and healthcare servicesscription
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Yes! A-Way’s PREP Employment Program is peer-led and designed to meet the needs of people with lived experience. We offer one-on-one employment coaching and host The PREP Peer Group which is dedicated to job search topics. Contact A-Way’s Employment Specialist for more information.
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If you’re interested in working, you are always welcome at A-Way. A meeting with A-Way’s Employment Specialist can help to clarify your goals and the PREP services that will work best for you. You are also welcome to check us out by joining a community event first. Contact A-Way’s Employment Specialist for more information.
Mental health services
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Yes - we’re both! A-Way’s courier services have earned 4.8* on Google from many happy customers. Our employees are the best in the business – and they happen to have lived experience of mental illness. A-Way is a Health Services Provider funded by Ontario Health to provide employment and training supports that aid in the recovery of people with lived experience of serious mental illness.
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No. As a Health Services Provider, A-Way focuses on social determinants of health. However, we are able to refer employees and community members to clinical services when asked.
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Yes! Employment for individuals with serious mental illness is correlated with positive outcomes in social functioning, symptom levels, quality of life and self-esteem (CAMH, MHCC)
Peer-support organizations “have beneficial impacts on social support, community integration, personal empowerment, subjective quality of life, symptom distress, utilization of hospitals, and employment/education.” (Ontario Ministry of Health funded Longitudinal Study of Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Initiatives, by Geoffrey Nelson, Wilfred Laurier University. Journal of Community Psychology, vol.34 2006)
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A-Way offers basic case management related to employment services and supports. When requested we will advocate for clients and provide referrals to counselling, housing assistance and other community services. We are affiliated with East Toronto Health Partners.
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A-Way impacts employee and service user wellness by addressing the social determinants of health.
Employment directly impacts income, housing and food security. Peer support offers hope and encouragement. A-Way food, wellness and social programs address nutrition, self-care and social inclusion.
More information about A-Way Impact here.