Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Canada to Mexico

Canada is heavily investing in trade with Mexico, with two-way trade between the two countries reaching $41.7 billion in value in 2021. Mexico is Canada’s third-largest trading partner for single-country merchandise, meaning exporting from Canada to Mexico is rife with opportunities.

If you are a Canadian business that wants to tap into the Mexican market, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about ocean and air freight to ship goods from Canada to Mexico. 

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

You can ship goods from Canada to Mexico via ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Canada to Mexico

Ocean freight is the most economical shipping option to get goods from Canada to Mexico. It enables you to ship large and oversized cargo at a low cost. However, it does come with longer transit times, which can be a drawback for high-value or perishable goods. 

Ocean freight has two shipping options: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

In LCL, your goods will be consolidated with consignments belonging to other shippers. These goods will be shipped together in one container, making shipping costs more affordable. But to give way to the consolidation and deconsolidation processes, the transit time for LCL can be much longer compared to FCL. 

Speaking of FCL, this shipping option allows you to rent the space in an entire container. You can ship your goods in isolation, making it ideal for large and overweight cargo. This also ensures a faster delivery time, but FCL can be more expensive as you’re paying for the whole unit. 

Air Freight from Canada to Mexico

Another option to ship goods from Canada to Mexico is air freight. Best for small, high-value shipments, air freight can get your cargo to its destination quickly and safely. But air freight is known for being more expensive than sea freight. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Canada to Mexico would depend on a variety of factors, including:

• 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 Mexico: 

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

Shipping goods from Canada to Mexico varies in transit time, primarily based on the international shipping mode you choose. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

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

To ship cargo from Canada to Mexico by sea would take an average of 15 to 50 days.

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

It takes an average of 2-8 days to ship cargo by air from Canada to Mexico. 

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

Customs Clearance in Canada and Mexico

Before your goods can successfully enter Mexico, they must go through Mexican customs authorities. This process should be easy, provided that you have the following customs clearance requirements: 

• 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

For examples of these documents, 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 priorities and the specifications of your shipment. Here are some pointers that you need to consider. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is the cheapest way to get your goods from Canada to Mexico, so it’s a great option if you’re shipping larger and heavier goods on a budget. However, keep in mind that ocean freight can take a while to complete, so you may want to avoid it if you’re shipping time-sensitive goods. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is a viable option for shipments that are: 

• Small in size and quantity
• Suitable for consolidation with other cargo
• Not delicate, fragile, or perishable 
• Not requiring special handling 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

On the other hand, FCL is best for shipments that are: 

• Large, oversized, heavy, and overweight 
• Delicate, fragile, and sensitive 
• Requiring special handling 
• Required to be shipped in isolation 

Air Freight

You may also consider air freight, especially if your shipment needs to arrive in Mexico fast. With air freight completing in a matter of days, it’s the fastest shipping option. It’s also more secure thanks to strict airport regulations. 

However, these regulations also limit the capacity of air freight. Certain goods may not be allowed in airplanes, and they may not be able to accommodate large and overweight shipments. Air freight is also relatively expensive compared to ocean freight. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Canada

Port of Montreal

The Port of Montreal has the shortest direct trade route between North America, Europe, and the Mediterranean, making it one of Canada’s most important ports. It serves Quebec and Montreal and boasts utilizing the latest technology for maximum efficiency. 

Port of Halifax

The Port of Halifax has connections to over 150 economies worldwide, making it a valuable Canadian Port. It is also one of the country’s most efficient ports, with self-imposed deadlines enabling it to move cargo quickly. 

Port of Saint John

The Port of Saint John is the largest in Eastern Canada, with excellent connectivity to the region’s road and rail transport systems. It handles 28 million metric tonnes of goods annually, comprising bulk, breakbulk, liquid cargo, dry cargo, and containers. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Mexico

Port of Manzanillo

The Port of Manzanillo is located on the Western Pacific Coast of Mexico. It is the country’s main gateway for international trade, with direct connections with 120 ports in over 40 countries. 

Port of Lazaro Cardenas

The Port of Lazaro Cardenas is the second busiest port in Mexico, handling over 25 million tonnes of cargo and 2.25 million TEUs per year. It mainly handles the import and export of industrial materials. 

Port of Ensenada

The Port of Ensenada is located near the U.S. border in northern Mexico. Because of its strategic location, it has access to vital shipping routes that lead to 64 ports in 29 countries worldwide. 

Air Freight from Canada to Mexico: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Canada

Calgary International (YYC)

The Calgary Internal Airport serves the city of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. It spans 20.82 square kilometers and houses cargo operators like WestJet, Air Canada, Lynx Air, WestJet, and Encore.

Hamilton International (YHM)

The Hamilton International Airport, also called the Toronto-Hamilton International Airport, is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It houses popular cargo operators, including Swoop, Cargojet, UPS Airlines, SkyLink Express, and KF Cargo.

Vancouver International (YVR)

The Vancouver International Airport is located in Richmond, British Columbia. It serves the city of Vancouver and Canada’s lower mainland region. The airport houses a range of cargo operators, including Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, and Pacific Coastal Airlines.

Airports of arrival in Mexico

Mexico City International Airport (MEX)

The Mexico City International Airport, also called the Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez, is the country’s main airport in Greater Mexico City. It is a hub for airlines and cargo flight operators such as Aeroméxico, Volaris, Aeromar, and Interjet. 

Cancun International Airport (CUN)

The Cancun International Airport, Quintana Roo, is the third busiest airport in Latin America and the second most active in Mexico. It houses crucial cargo operators, including Viva Aerobus, Mexicana de Aviación, and MAYAir. 

Guadalajara International Airport (GDL)

The Guadalajara International Airport, also called the Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Guadalajara International Airport, is located in Mexico’s third-largest city, Guadalajara. It opened in 1996 and serves as a hub for Volaris, Aeroméxico, Aeromar, and Mexicana de Aviación.