Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Canada to the Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of Canada’s most significant trade partners and its seventh-largest foreign direct investment source. In 2021, bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to $8.7 billion, with Canadian exports totaling $4.8 billion.

If you’re a Canada-based business looking to take advantage of Canada and the Netherlands’ trade, investment, and innovation relations, you first need to know about ocean and air freight shipping to get your goods from Canada to the Netherlands. 

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

To ship goods from Canada to the Netherlands, you can choose between ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Canada to the Netherlands

Ocean freight is the standard shipping method for cargo from Canada to the Netherlands. It offers the most economical way to get your goods overseas while allowing you to ship a wide range of cargo of different sizes, weights, and volumes. 

There are two other shipping options within ocean freight: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

In LCL, your goods will be consolidated with shipments belonging to other shippers. As such, it’s best if you’re shipping smaller goods or cargo of small quantities. The consolidation process will make the shipping cost cheaper, as you’re sharing the container with other consignments. But it will also make the transit time slightly longer. 

In FCL, on the other hand, you can rent an entire container to ship your goods. No consolidation is involved, meaning you can use the unit as needed. This makes transit time quicker and means you’ll shoulder the full cost. 

Air Freight from Canada to the Netherlands

Another way to get your goods from Canada to the Netherlands is via air freight. This mode of shipment is the fastest way to import goods to the Netherlands, with most cargo arriving at their destination in a couple of days. Air freight is also more secure because of stricter and more particular airport regulations. 

However, air freight can significantly limit the type of cargo you can ship. It cannot accommodate large and heavy loads and has some restrictions on certain types of goods. It can also be expensive to ship goods by air due to higher aircraft fuel costs. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Canada to the Netherlands?

The cost to ship cargo from Canada to the Netherlands will depend on a variety of factors. Some of these 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 the Netherlands:

How long does it take to ship cargo from Canada to the Netherlands?

The transit time for goods shipped from Canada to the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands?

Shipping cargo from Canada to the Netherlands by sea takes an average of 15 to 50 days. 

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

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

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

Customs Clearance in Canada and the Netherlands

When your goods arrive in the Netherlands, they must go through customs clearance. But this should be a breeze, provided that you submit all the necessary documentation, which includes: 

• 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

You can check out our full documents list for examples of these customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Before you choose whether to ship with ocean freight or air freight, you first need to consider your priorities, needs, and the specifications of your cargo. We outlined a couple of pointers below to help you make an informed decision. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is the most cost-effective way to get your goods from Canada to the Netherlands, making it perfect for shippers who are on a budget. The caveat is that it can take much longer than air freight. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL freight shipping is the best option for you if your cargo is: 

• Small and lightweight/ small quantity 




• Suitable for consolidation with other shipments




• Not requiring special handling 




• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

On the other hand, you might want to opt for FCL freight shipping instead if your cargo is: 

• Large, bulky, or heavy




• Overweight or oversized 




• Not suitable for consolidation with other shipments




• Requiring special handling and movement 




• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 

Air Freight

If you need your goods to arrive in the Netherlands in a shorter or stricter timeframe, you should go for air freight shipping. With shipments taking only a few days, it’s the fastest and most secure way to get your goods to their destination. 

However, remember that air freight will be significantly more expensive than ocean freight. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Canada

Port of Montreal

The Port of Montreal is located on the Saint Lawrence River in Canada and serves the cities of Quebec and Montreal. Its location is ideal for shippers, providing the shortest direct trade route between Europe, North America, and the Mediterranean. 

Port of Prince Rupert

The Port of Prince Rupert is an alternative to the Port of Vancouver. It is mainly used to ship Canada’s natural resources, including coal, wheat, and barley. It has access to Canada’s mines, forests, fields, and a food production terminal for handling grains. 

Port of Halifax

The Port of Halifax is connected to over 150 economies worldwide, making it a highly efficient port in Canada. The port is known for its self-imposed deadlines, which help it handle and move cargo much faster. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the Netherlands

Port of Rotterdam

The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest and busiest seaport in the Netherlands. It can accommodate 10,000,000 TEUs and 434,600,000 tonnes of cargo per year, making it an essential driver for the growth of the Netherlands’ economy. 

Port of Amsterdam

The Port of Amsterdam is situated between the North Sea Canal and the Amsterdam Rhine Canal. It boasts 35 berths used for handling a wide range of cargo, from breakbulk and liquid cargo to general cargo and forest products. 

Port of Moerdijk

The Port of Moerdijk mainly handles imports of oil and chemical products in the Netherlands. It sees 14,000,000 tonnes of cargo and 500,000 TEUs every year. The port is known as an industrial complex with terminals for transporting and storing chemicals, energy, metals, minerals, and other resources.

Air Freight from Canada to the Netherlands: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Canada

Toronto Pearson

The Toronto Pearson International Airport is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. It serves the metropolitan area of Toronto and its surrounding regions. Popular airlines in the Toronto Pearson Airport include Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Swoop, and Porter Airlines.

Vancouver International

The Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia, serves the areas of Vancouver and Canada’s lower mainland region. It is Canada’s second-busiest airport, housing airlines such as Air Canada, Pacific Coastal Airlines, and WestJet.

Montreal Trudeau

The Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport is located in Dorval, Quebec, Canada. It houses airlines such as Air Canada, Air Transat, and Sunwing Airlines, handling 81,400 tonnes of cargo annually. 

Airports of arrival in the Netherlands

Amsterdam Airport

The Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the Netherlands’ main international airport, located in Haarlemmermeer, North Holland. It houses the country’s most popular airlines, including KLM, Transavia, Delta Air Lines, and TUI.

Eindhoven Airport

The Eindhoven Airport in Eindhoven, Netherlands, is used for civil and military flights. It is the second-largest airport in the country in terms of passenger traffic. The airport houses Air Exel and Base Airlines.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport

Rotterdam The Hague Airport is located in South Holland and serves the second-largest city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam. It is the country’s third-busiest airport and is a hub for airlines such as Transavia, CityJet, Dynamic Airlines, Shell Aircraft, Schreiner Airways, and NetherLines.