Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Canada to India

Canada and India are formulating a trade agreement to improve the services, mechanisms, and investments involved in their trade relations. This stems from a large import and export market between the two countries.

If you are a Canadian business looking to tap into the Indian market, read on to learn everything you need about ocean and air freight shipping from Canada to India. 

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

To ship freight from Canada to India, you can either engage ocean freight or air freight services. 

Ocean Freight From Canada to India

Ocean freight is the most economical shipping option to get goods from Canada to India. The only drawback is its long transit times, which makes it only suitable for goods that aren’t expected in India at a specified time. 

Ocean freight provides two shipping options: less than container load and full container load. 

The former, LCL, is when your goods are consolidated with other consignments and shipped together in a single container. This leads to greater cost-efficiency but also longer transit times to give way for consolidation and deconsolidation. 

FCL, on the other hand, is faster but more expensive. This is because, in this mode of shipping, you pay for the space in an entire container for the sole shipping of your goods. You can ship as large or heavy as you need since you won’t share the container with other shippers. 

Air Freight from Canada to India

Air freight is a great shipping option, especially if you need to transport goods quickly. While more expensive than ocean freight, it can get your goods to India within a few days. Thus, air freight is a solid choice for time-sensitive and valuable shipments. 

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

The cost to ship goods from Canada to India would depend on a variety of factors that include: 

• 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

To calculate your shipping costs, try our online freight costs calculator. The table below displays the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Canada to India: 

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

The transit time for goods shipped from Canada to India is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)
• Whether the shipment route is direct or not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Possible incidents at any port

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

It typically takes an average of 15 to 50 days to ship cargo by sea from Canada to India.

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

Air freight shipping from Canada to India only takes 2 to 8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in Canada and India

Before your goods can be successfully imported into India, they must go through customs clearance. As long as you prepare the necessary paperwork correctly and completely, however, this process should be a breeze. Below are the documents you need to satisfy for customs: 

• 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

Learn more about the required customs documents in our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice between ocean freight and air freight is not something to take lightly. Ultimately, the right mode of shipping for you would depend on your needs and preferences. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is an ideal choice if you’re shipping large, oversized, or overweight cargo. Some containers can accommodate goods no matter how large or heavy they are. The only drawback is the transit time, so if you’re shipping in a rush, it’s best to avoid ocean freight altogether. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL shipping is right for cargo that is:

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL shipping, on the other hand, is better for cargo that is:

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

Air freight should be your choice of shipping if you need your goods to arrive in India fast, as most shipments can be completed in 2-8 days. Air freight is also more secure considering airport regulations, but that also means strict limits on how large or heavy your cargo can be accommodated. Air freight’s benefits also come at a much higher cost. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Canada

Port of Halifax

The Port of Halifax is a highly efficient Canadian port, serving over 150 economies around the world. It sits at a strategic location, making it a prime gateway for goods going to and coming from North America. 

Port of Saint John

The Port of Saint John is the largest in East Canada. It handles the region’s liquid cargo, dry cargo, bulk, and breakbulk shipments, with connections to 500 ports around the world. 

Port of Prince Rupert

The Port of Prince Rupert is the prime location for the export of Canada’s natural resources. It handles lumber, coal, and other materials, considering its links to Canada’s forests, fields, and mines. 

Cargo ports of arrival in India

Nhava Sheva Port

Also called the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, the Nhava Sheva Port is among the busiest in India. It handles 5.05 million TEUs a year and is responsible for 56% of the country’s container traffic. 

Port of Mudra

The Port of Mudra is the second-busiest port in India, handling 4.4 million TEUs annually. It’s ranked #32 of the Word’s Top 50 seaports. The port has four container terminals with a combined capacity of 7.5 million TEUs. 

Chennai Port

The Port of Chennai handles 1.5 million TEUs a year, making it the third-busiest in India. It’s also the country's oldest port, opening in 1881. The port is the location of India’s first container terminal. 

Air Freight from Canada to India: An airport guide

Canada and India have several airports that facilitate trade between the two countries. These are: 

Airports of origin in Canada

Vancouver International Airport

The Vancouver International Airport is located in Richmond, British Columbia. It is one of the best airports in Canada, thanks to its cutting-edge facilities. The port focuses on sustainability, adopting a solar-powered heating system and a living wall filled with plants. 

Toronto Pearson International Airport

The Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada's largest and busiest airport. Its modern and clean facilities make it attractive for passenger and cargo transit. 

Halifax Stanfield International Airport

The Halifax Stanfield International Airport serves the regions of Halifax and Nova Scotia, located 36 kilometers away from downtown Canada. It’s an award-winning airport with sought-after facilities. 

Airports of arrival in India

Indira Gandhi International Airport

The Indira Gandhi International Airport serves the capital city of India, Delhi. It spans 5,106 acres and is the busiest airport in India regarding cargo traffic. It caters to cargo operators such as Cathay Pacific Cargo, Singapore Airlines Cargo, and SF Airlines. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport serves the Mumbai Metropolitan Region in India. It’s the country's second-busiest airport in terms of cargo traffic, handling about 950b aircraft movements per day. 

Kempegowda International Airport

The Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, is 4,000 acres large and serves to decrease congestion in the HAL Airport. It is the third-busiest airport in the country in terms of total cargo handled.