Fast delivery on core boxes and mining supplies in Canada comes down to three things: stocking real inventory of the most-ordered sizes (so we're not waiting on a build run when you call), being inside a one-truck transit window to most of the Shield (Cranberry Portage is centrally placed for northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario projects), and treating an active drilling program as a real-time customer rather than a quarterly account. We ship most standard-size core box orders within one week, and we batch in same-week top-ups for repeat customers whose drilling moved faster than planned. This guide is about how we set that up — and what you can ask any supplier to confirm before you commit a program to them.
Why delivery speed decides programs
Active drill programs run on a calendar that doesn't flex. The rig is contracted by the day. The geologist is on site for a defined window. The crew is on shift. If you run out of core boxes mid-program, every day waiting is a day of the rig drilling onto the floor of the saw bench instead of into numbered, labelled, stacked storage.
The per-box price difference between a fast-shipping domestic supplier and a slow-shipping import is almost always smaller than the cost of one lost rig-day. That math is why we've built the shop around stocking and shipping fast.
How we set up to ship fast
1. Stocked inventory on the high-volume sizes
We mill and stock the sizes that 80% of Canadian exploration programs need. NQ and HQ are the bulk of demand. Within those, we keep plywood and 2x6" framed in the standard 4'9" inside length pre-built or pre-cut and ready to assemble in 24-48 hours. That stock is the difference between a one-week and a four-week lead time.
2. Central Manitoba location
Cranberry Portage is three hours north of The Pas, which puts us inside a one-truck transit window to most of the northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and northern Ontario projects we serve. From here, we can get a truck on the road and onto a customer's site in:
| Destination | Approximate transit | Direct or freight |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Manitoba (Flin Flon, Thompson) | 1 day | Direct |
| Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, La Ronge) | 1-2 days | Direct |
| Northern Ontario (Thunder Bay, Red Lake) | 2 days | Direct |
| Southern MB / Winnipeg | 1 day | Direct |
| BC, Alberta, Yukon | 3-5 days | Common carrier |
| Quebec, Maritimes | 5-7 days | Common carrier |
| Nunavut, NWT (to nearest hub) | 5-10 days | Common carrier + air |
3. Real-time response for active programs
We treat active drill programs as real-time customers. That means:
- Phone reach. You call us, you talk to someone at the shop, not a sales desk three time zones away.
- Notional reserves on standard sizes for repeat exploration customers, so a mid-program top-up doesn't fight for inventory with new accounts.
- Same-day quotes. Tell us what you need by noon, we usually have you a confirmed price and ship date by end of day.
- Direct trucking within our region so a shipment doesn't sit at a freight terminal for two days waiting on consolidation.
Logistics edge cases we handle
- Fly-in projects. Coordinate to local hub (e.g. Thompson, La Ronge, Red Lake). You arrange the last leg.
- Multi-site programs. Drop-shipping to multiple drill camps on the same order.
- Phased delivery. Build the full quantity, ship 30% now and 70% on call.
- Mixed bundles. Core boxes + marking blocks + lids + custom-sized blanks on one PO, packed together.
Talk to us about your timeline
The faster we know your meterage, your bit size, and your rig dates, the faster we can confirm stock and book a ship slot. Reach the shop through our contact page or browse the CanadaCoreBox lineup.
Frequently asked questions
How fast can you ship core boxes in Canada?
Standard stock sizes (NQ and HQ in plywood or 2x6" framed, 4'9" inside length) typically ship inside a week from our shop in Cranberry Portage, Manitoba. For active customers running a drill program, same-week top-ups are common when we're stocked. Custom dimensions, large volumes (1,000+ boxes), or specialty species batch into 1-3 week build runs.
Where in Canada do you deliver core boxes and mining supplies?
We ship anywhere in Canada from Cranberry Portage. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and northern Ontario are inside our direct trucking window. BC, Yukon, Quebec, the Maritimes, and Nunavut we arrange through common-carrier freight. Northern fly-in projects we coordinate to local hubs and you arrange the last leg.
Do you keep core boxes in stock or build to order?
Both. We stock the high-volume standard sizes (NQ and HQ in our two main constructions) so common orders ship from inventory. Custom dimensions, specialty species, and large-volume orders are built to order. The mix means most exploration programs get fast turn on standard needs and we can still take on custom builds without disrupting stock orders.
What is the freight cost for shipping core boxes from Manitoba?
Freight depends on volume, destination, and whether the boxes ship empty (palletized, light) or loaded (rare for new orders). For a typical order of 200-500 boxes within Manitoba/Saskatchewan, freight runs $0.50-$1.50 per box. Cross-country freight to remote destinations can be more. We quote freight as a separate line item on every order so there are no surprises.
Can you handle emergency or rush orders for active drill programs?
Yes — that's most of our business with active exploration customers. If a program is mid-season and needs 100 boxes by Friday, call us Monday morning. We'll confirm stock the same day and quote a ship date. For repeat customers on active programs we keep a notional reserve.
How are core boxes packed for shipping to remote sites?
Empty boxes ship banded onto standard 48" x 40" pallets, shrink-wrapped, with edge protectors. Plywood ships 40 per pallet; 2x6" framed ships 28-32 per pallet depending on lid stack. For remote sites we can switch to skid-mounted crating for rougher handling at multiple transfer points. Marking blocks, lids, and small parts go in poly-bagged kits packed on top.
Need a quote on a real drilling program?
Tell us your meterage, your bit size, and your timeline. We'll come back with a real number — usually the same day.
Get a quote