With Mark Carney stepping in as Canada's new Prime Minister, global logistics and cross-border e-commerce are entering a new phase. As a former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, Carney brings international clout, a strong climate mandate, and a clear plan to diversify Canada's trade beyond the United States.

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Why This Matters for E-Commerce Logistics

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Retailers operating in Canada—or shipping into it—should expect ripple effects. Especially since he has already stated that his country deserves respect from the US and will only enter trade and security talks with President Donald Trump "on our terms".

Apart from the tensions with the US, Carney has already outlined plans to:

• Strengthen trade with Europe and Asia
• Invest in green port infrastructure and rail networks
• Create more resilient supply chains through the federal Supply Chain Advisory Council
• Reduce reliance on U.S. imports amid tense trade conditions
  
  

According to the Canadian government, over $25 billion in goods flow between Canada and the U.S. every month, and returns on those goods represent a growing cost center for retailers. In fact, e-commerce return rates average 20–30%, and cross-border returns cost up to 3x more to process than domestic returns.

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Cross-Border Returns: The Hidden Margin Killer

As Carney moves toward broader global partnerships and infrastructure changes, retailers may face:

• New shipping tariffs or trade restrictions
• Higher customs and carrier costs
• Stricter sustainability expectations
  
  

This makes reverse logistics—not just last-mile delivery—a top priority for brands looking to stay competitive.

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How ReturnBear Helps

ReturnBear is Canada's first end-to-end return consolidation platform. We help retailers:

• Batch international returns to reduce costs and complexity
• Offer local drop-off return hubs across Canada for faster, package-free returns
• Deliver sustainable returns experiences that align with ESG goals, and reduce landfill waste
• Forward fulfill shipments to keep products in the country they arrived in. 

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Forward Fulfillment: Why Ship It Twice?

As brands face rising tariffs, customs costs, and carbon scrutiny, reshipping returned items internationally is no longer viable.

ReturnBear enables forward fulfillment, letting brands:

• Resell returned inventory locally from within Canada, the US, the UK, or Australia
• Avoid re-import duties and tariffs, and all the paperwork associated with the process
• Shorten refund and restock cycles
  
  

Instead of shipping returned goods back to your home warehouse or country, we help you get items back into inventory to resell them where your customers already are.

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The Takeaway

Return logistics are no longer just a post-purchase problem—they’re a strategic lever. As Canadian trade policy evolves, brands that optimize cross-border returns will protect profit margins and improve customer retention.

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Looking to reduce your Canadian return costs by up to 50%? Let’s Talk.

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