Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Canada to the UK
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Canada and the UK have an existing Trade Continuity Agreement, which preserves and fosters market access for Canadian and UK businesses. If you are a Canadian business looking to access the UK consumer market, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we tell you all about your shipping options to get freight from Canada to the UK, how much to expect to spend for shipping, how long the transit time is, customs clearance requirements, and more.
What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Canada to the UK?
To ship freight from Canada to the UK, you can choose ocean or air freight.
Ocean Freight From Canada to the UK
Ocean freight is the standard means to ship goods from Canada to the UK. It’s highly economical and can cater to large, oversized, and heavy shipments. Under ocean freight, you have two options: less than container load or full container load.
Less than container load is when your goods get consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers. They are then shipped together in one container bound to the same destination. This makes LCL more economical since you share the container space with other shippers.
A full container load, on the other hand, enlists an entire container for your shipment alone. No consolidation happens here—you own the space in the whole unit and can ship your cargo in isolation. But that means that FCL can be more expensive than LCL but has faster transit times.
Air Freight from Canada to the UK
If you need to get your goods to the UK faster, you might be inclined to engage air freight services. Shipping by air is a fast and easy way to get your goods to their destination, but it can be more expensive considering plane fuel costs.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Canada to the UK?
Whether you ship by ocean or air, the cost of shipping cargo from Canada to the UK depends on several factors. 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 deliveries
- Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
- Weight and size limits
You will find below the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Canada to the UK:
TRADE LANE RATES
Freight Shipping Cost From Canada to the UK for a 20-foot Container
How long does it take to ship cargo from Canada to the UK?
The time it takes to ship cargo from Canada to the UK is also reliant on several factors. Perhaps the most determining one is which mode of transport you choose—ocean or air freight.
How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Canada to the UK?
Ocean freight from Canada to the UK can take 15 to 40 days, according to whether the shipment was sent by:
- FCL
- LCL
- The vessel’s journey us direct
- The vessel needs to be changed
The table below shows the estimated transit time from and to different ports.
How long does shipping cargo by air from Canada to the UK take?
Air freight is much faster than ocean freight, able to get your cargo from Canada to the UK in one to five days. For exact transit times, refer to the table below.
Customs Clearance in Canada and the UK
Before your goods arrive in the UK, they must go through customs. Here, you’ll need to be ready with the following documents to ensure the smooth import of your goods:
- 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
We have a full documents list that you can refer to for examples of each customs clearance document.
Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?
Whether to ship via ocean freight or air freight will depend on your needs as well as the specifications of your cargo. Here are some things you need to keep in mind before deciding.
Ocean Freight
Ocean freight is best for large, oversized, and heavy cargo that doesn’t need to arrive at its destination at a specified date and time. It’s also suitable for goods that don’t require any specialized handling, such as non-perishables and non-valuable goods.
Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping
Shipping via LCL is a good idea if you’re looking for an economical ocean freight shipping option. Because your cargo is consolidated with other shipments, you only have to pay a fraction of the cost that you would in a full container shipment.
However, LCL has longer transit times to give way for the consolidation and deconsolidation of shipments. It’s also not ideal for high-value goods or fragile items.
Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping
Full container load, on the other hand, is the right choice if you have fragile goods that require special handling and isolated shipping. Because the container is yours to use fully, you don’t have to worry about other goods damaging your cargo.
This also means that FCL transit times are much faster than LCL. But still relatively long compared to air freight. FCL can also get costly, and you get more value from it if you utilize every square inch of the container you’re paying for.
Air Freight
Air freight is an excellent option for time-sensitive shipments simply because it can get your goods to the UK in a matter of days. It’s also more secure because of airport regulations.
However, this mode of shipping can be expensive. It also doesn’t support large cargo shipping as it has strict size and weight limitations.
Ocean Cargo Port Guide
Cargo ports of origin in Canada
The Port of Vancouver is the largest in Canada and North America. It handles 76 million metric tons of the country’s cargo, contributing $43 billion to Canada’s global trade economy. It’s the main Canadian port that facilitates trade between Canada and the rest o the world.
The Port of Montreal is situated on the Saint Lawrence River seaway, giving it a direct trade route to North America, Europe, and the Mediterranean. It’s a highly advanced port that uses cutting-edge technology, such as AI-driven intelligence, to streamline container pick-ups and drop-offs.
The Port of Prince Rupert was initially set up as an alternative to the Port of Vancouver. But since its establishment, it has played an important role in Canada’s trade market. It prioritizes the export of Canadian grains and natural resources.
Cargo ports of arrival in the UK
The Port of Felixstowe is the eighth busiest port in Europe, handling over 3.8 million TUEs of container traffic. It is responsible for facilitating 48% of the UK’s container trade, especially with its access to the major ports in Continental Europe.
The Port of Southampton is located in the center of the UK, giving it direct access to rail and road systems. This makes it efficient in handling cargo and shipments, especially vehicle cargo traffic. It handles 1.5 million TEUs every year, with one of its terminals being the second-largest container terminal in the whole UK.
The Port of London serves as a gateway to UK’s capital city. It’s the second-largest port in the country, handling over 51.2 million tons of cargo in 2018. It’s expected that cargo flow in this port will reach 80 million tonnes by 2035.
Air Freight from Canada to the UK: An airport guide
If you are shipping by air from Canada to the UK, many airports can cater to your shipping needs. These are the following.
Airports of origin in Canada
The Calgary International Airport serves the city of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. It houses advanced warehouses for cargo handling, with 3 million square feet of cargo space in its facility. In 2021, it received the Air Cargo World Award of Excellence for cargo handling.
Edmonton International Airport
The Edmonton International Airport is also located in the Canadian province of Alberta. It caters to several cargo shipping providers, including FedEx, Korean Air Cargo, and Cargojet.
Fredericton International Airport
The Fredericton International Airport in Lincoln, New Brunswick, Canada, is the nineteenth-busiest airport in the country. It was recently expanded to 50% of its terminal size, which cost $30 million.
Airports of arrival in the UK
Heathrow Airport is the main international airport that serves London and is the largest of six airports in the area. It has over 80 airlines that fly to 84 countries and 185 destinations.
The Manchester Airport is located near the Manchester city center and is the third busiest airport in the United Kingdom. It has one dedicated cargo terminal and flies to 199 destinations around the world.
The Liverpool Airport, located in Liverpool, England, has its own FedEx Express courier service for air freight. It is the 13th-busiest airport in the UK and one of the fastest-growing commercial airports in Europe.
About Us
Why Ship From Canada to the UK With Shipa Freight?
Why Us?
Shipping from Canada to the UK is no easy feat. A lot of complications are involved, which is why you need the help of a reliable freight forwarder. Shipa Freight is a digital-first freight forwarder that gives you the benefits of traditional freight forwarding services improved by technological advancements.
We have a digital platform where you can manage your entire shipment, from booking to tracking, in the comfort of your device. Experience hassle-free international shipping with Shipa Freight — get a quote for your shipment from Canada to the UK today.
