Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Canada to Germany

The trade relations between Canada and Germany are fruitful. The latter is one of Canada’s key economic partners, enjoying a strong trade and investment relationship. Germany is Canada’s largest merchandise export market in the EU and the seventh-largest global trading partner. 

If you’re looking to take advantage of the strong trade relations between Canada and Germany, you first need to know your shipping options. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Canada to Germany?

To ship freight from Canada or Germany, you can utilize either ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Canada to Germany

Ocean freight is the most economical way to ship goods from Canada to Germany. It can accommodate a range of cargo types, sizes, weights, and volumes and offers shippers the choice between less-than-container load (LCL) or full-container load (FCL) shipping. 

LCL involves the consolidation of your cargo with shipments belonging to other shippers. This makes LCL cost-effective since you’re sharing the load with other consignments. But this also makes LCL take longer than FCL. 

Speaking of FCL, this is the ocean freight mode of shipment where you rent the space in an entire container. Your goods will be shipped in isolation, which means faster transit times but higher expenses. 

Air Freight from Canada to Germany

Air freight is the fastest way to get your goods from Canada to Germany. It’s also the most secure, considering strict airport regulations. But these rules also mean that air freight is limited in terms of what you can ship and how big and heavy it can be. Air freight is also expensive. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Canada to Germany?

The cost of shipping cargo from Canada to Germany will depend on the following factors: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

Determine your shipping costs by using our online freight costs calculator. The table below shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Canada to Germany:

How long does it take to ship cargo from Canada to Germany?

The transit time for goods shipped from Canada to Germany depends mainly on the international shipping mode you select. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• Direct or indirect shipment route
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Canada to Germany?

Shipping by sea from Canada to Germany will take around 15-50 days. 

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Canada to Germany?

It takes approximately 2-8 days to get your goods from Canada to Germany by air, but this would depend on the airports of origin and destination. 

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in Canada and Germany

Before your goods can be imported to Germany, they must go through customs clearance. This requires that you submit the following documents to the customs authorities: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

If you’re unfamiliar with these documents, you can refer to our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Whether to ship via ocean or air freight will depend on your needs, preferences, and priorities. We outline some points for you to consider below. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is the best option if you’re looking for a cheap way to get your goods from Canada to Germany. However, you must be prepared to wait a while for your cargo to arrive at its destination. 

You must also consider the pros and cons of shipping via LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

Shipping via LCL is best for cargo that is: 

• Small, lightweight, and few 




• Suitable for consolidation with other cargo 




• Not requiring special handling or movement 




• Not delicate, high-value, or fragile 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

If LCL doesn’t seem right, you might consider FCL shipping. This mode of shipment is ideal if your cargo is: 

• Large, heavy, oversized, overweight 




• High volume 




• Not suitable for consolidation with other cargo 




• Requiring particular movement or handling 




• Delicate, high-value, or fragile 

Air Freight

If you’re looking for a fast way to get your goods from Canada to Germany, air freight is your best bet. But keep in mind that this mode of shipment will have certain restrictions on the type, size, weight, and volume of goods you can ship. It is also more expensive than ocean freight. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Canada

Port of St. John

The Port of St. John is the largest in Atlantic Canada, connecting it to the rest of the country by road and rail. Every year, this port sees 28 million metric tonnes of cargo, which it directs or receives from 500 ports worldwide. 

Port of Halifax

The Port of Halifax is a highly advanced and data-driven port that captures shipment data every 15 minutes. This allows it to have one of the lowest wait times for trucks in Canada and move through its operations quickly. 

Port of Prince Rupert

The Port of Prince Rupert is the third-largest port in Canada, handling 32 million tonnes of cargo per year. It handles most of the goods shipped in British Columbia and sees an increase in movement by 9% every year. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Germany

Port of Hamburg

The Port of Hamburg is the busiest in Germany, named as a major hub for container shipping. It has existed for 800 years and handles over 9 million containers yearly. 

Port of Bremerhaven

The Port of Bremerhaven is the second-busiest in Germany, handling over 4 million TEUs annually. It handles a wide range of cargo, including Ro-Ro, bulk commodities, and containers. 

Port of Wilhelmshaven

The Port of Wilhelmshaven is the third-busiest in Germany. Located in Lower Saxony, it connects to the mainland by ferries. The port has the latest harbor facilities for handling cargo, allowing it to handle 656,000 TEUs annually. 

Air Freight from Canada to Germany: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Canada

Halifax/Robert L Stanfield International

Also called the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, this airport is located in Nova Scotia in the Halifax region in Canada. It handles a large amount of air cargo, with its total loaded and unloaded cargo reaching 29,562.8 tonnes in 2021. 

Montréal/Mirabel International

The Montreal-Mirabel International Airport is located in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada. It has a 24/7 all-cargo service, which handled 82,508.1 tonnes of cargo in 2021. 

Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International

The Montreal Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport is located in Dorval, Quebec. It is the main Canadian airport serving East Great Lakes, and in 2021, it handled 87,749.1 tonnes of cargo. 

Airports of arrival in Germany

Frankfurt

The Frankfurt Airport is the main international airport in Germany. It is located in the country’s fifth-largest city, close to the leading financial centers in the world. In 2022, this airport handled over 2 million tonnes of air cargo. 

Leipzig/Halle

The Leipzig/Halle Airport is located in Schkeuditz, Saxony, Germany. While it mainly conducts flights to leisure destinations in Europe, it also has strong cargo operations, handling over 1.5 million tonnes of cargo in 2022. 

Cologne Bonn

The Cologne Bonn Airport in Cologne, Germany, handled 971 tonnes of cargo in 2022. It is a hub for airlines such as Eurowings, Ryanair, Germanwings, TUI fly Deutschland, and more.