Flat Rate Shipping Questions | Cleanflow Canada & USA

Flat Rate Shipping — Transparent, Fair, and Simple

Trusted by municipalities, chosen by professionals, and built for anyone who demands more.

At Cleanflow, we believe in honest, predictable shipping costs. Our flat rate shipping policy for orders under $199 is designed to keep things simple and affordable for everyone — no matter where you live in Canada or the U.S.

Instead of unpredictable, location-based rates, we charge a single low flat fee so you always know what to expect at checkout.

Flat Rate Shipping

🚚 Flat Rate Shipping Overview

If your order is under $199 (before tax):

$20 CAD — Most Canadian provinces
$30 CAD — Atlantic Canada
$30 USD — Continental U.S.

✅ Transparent and predictable

✅ No hidden fees

✅ Fair rates across North America

💡 We help cover the cost — shipping often costs more than we charge, but we absorb part of it so you get a fair, consistent rate across Canada and the U.S.

Once your subtotal reaches $199 or more, your shipping is completely free (excluding rural areas and freight-only shipments).

Why We Use a Flat Rate System

We use a flat rate shipping system because it's the fairest and simplest way to handle the wide range of shipping costs across Canada and the U.S.

By using a flat rate, we're able to:

✅ Keep shipping costs predictable and affordable for all customers

✅ Avoid charging sky-high courier rates to customers in rural or distant regions

✅ Balance the cost across all orders — sometimes we lose money shipping to far-away places, and other times we break even on nearby deliveries

✅ Offer a reasonable, honest rate that works on average, instead of unpredictable, location-based prices

✅ Maintain consistency for repeat customers and bulk orders

In fact, due to rising courier costs, we lose money on shipping charges more than 75% of the time, but we believe keeping shipping simple, transparent, and fair is better for everyone in the long run.

💬 Common Questions About Flat Rate Shipping

❓ "Why does shipping cost $20 when my item is only $5?"

We understand this concern! Shipping cost isn't based on item value. It's based on weight, size, distance, and handling requirements.

Even a small item can cost $15–$30 to ship once you factor in:

Packaging materials and labor
Fuel surcharges from carriers
Courier pickup and delivery fees
Insurance and handling costs

Our flat rate ensures you pay a fair, predictable amount, not inflated location-based prices that could be much higher for rural deliveries.

💡 Tip: Add a few items to your cart or visit our [Clearance Section] to reach $199 and unlock free shipping.

❓ "Amazon ships for free — why can't you?"

We're not Amazon, and here's why that's actually better for you:

Amazon runs billion-dollar logistics networks and offsets "free" shipping through:

Higher seller fees (passed to customers)
Membership programs like Prime
Inflated product prices to hide shipping costs

At Cleanflow, we keep pricing honest and predictable:

Low flat rate for orders under $199, so you always know the real cost
We absorb part of the courier cost on most orders (75%+ of the time) to keep rates fair
We don't inflate product prices to hide shipping
You can still get free shipping at $199+ (excluding remote/LTL shipments)
Professional-grade products at competitive prices

So while we can't copy Amazon's model, we aim for the fairest, most transparent total cost for professional-grade equipment.

❓ "Can I avoid the shipping fee?"

Yes! Here are several ways:

Reach $199 before tax and get free shipping (except for rural or freight-only orders)
Check out our Clearance Section for affordable add-ons that help you reach the threshold
Combine multiple smaller orders into one larger shipment
Ship to a commercial address with dock access to avoid residential delivery fees

❓ "What if I need to exchange an item I paid shipping for?"

If you paid $20 for shipping on a smaller order, return and exchange shipping can add up quickly.

To save time and money:

Try reselling the original item on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji
Re-gift it to a friend or coworker who could use it
Then place a new order with the correct size — and consider topping up your cart to $199 for free shipping next time

For businesses: Consider stocking commonly needed sizes to reduce exchange needs.

❓ "Is shipping tax-deductible for businesses?"

Yes!

In Canada: Shipping fees are a deductible business expense
In the U.S.: Buyers may also qualify — check with your accountant about recording shipping under Cost of Goods Sold or Operating Expenses

This can help offset shipping costs for business customers making regular purchases.

❓ "Do you offer expedited shipping?"

Absolutely! While our standard processing is 3-10 business days, we offer:

Rush processing for urgent orders
Express shipping options through UPS, Purolator, and FedEx
Next-day delivery in major centers (additional fees apply)

⚠️ Rural Locations & LTL Shipments

Our flat rate and free shipping offers do not apply to:

🗺️ Rural locations (where couriers apply surcharges)

🚛 LTL (truck freight) shipments (for oversized or palletized products)

If your order falls into one of these categories:

Checkout will display a "requires extra freight" notice
Our team will email you a freight quote and payment link before shipping
Your order will only ship once you've approved and paid that freight invoice
✅ You'll never be billed automatically — we always confirm with you first

Examples of items requiring special freight:

Chemical tanks and bulk containers
Machinery and large equipment
Palletized orders over 150 lbs
Hazardous materials requiring special handling

How to Save on Shipping

💰 Maximize Your Savings:

🛒 Reach $199 and get free shipping — add practical, low-cost items from our Clearance Section

🏢 Ship to a commercial address with a dock or forklift to avoid tailgate fees

📦 Combine smaller orders into one shipment whenever possible

📅 Plan seasonal purchases to take advantage of bulk ordering

🤝 Join our Subscribe & Save program for $10 off orders over $100

Pro tip for contractors: Stock up on commonly used supplies during slower periods to reach the free shipping threshold and save on individual emergency orders.

🤝 Our Commitment to Fair, Transparent Shipping

We don't profit from shipping — in fact, over 75% of the time, we lose money covering actual courier costs.

We do this because we believe in:

Clarity over complexity
Fairness over profit
Honesty over hidden fees
Consistency for our professional customers

You'll always know what to expect and never face surprise charges. This commitment has helped us build lasting relationships with municipalities, contractors, and professionals across North America for over 20 years.

Trusted by Municipalities, Contractors, and Professionals Across North America

We supply the same professional-grade gear used by cities, utilities, and industrial crews and make it available to everyone who values durability and transparency.

Our shipping program supports:

Municipal infrastructure projects requiring reliable delivery schedules
Contractor operations need predictable cost structures
Industrial facilities managing inventory and budget planning
Individual professionals demanding the same quality gear as large organizations

Thank you for choosing Cleanflow, delivering professional-grade gear with fair, transparent shipping you can trust across Canada and the USA.