Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from China to Canada

China is a large exporter, sending things like electrical equipment, machinery, plastics, furniture, and more to various countries around the world. It has great trade relations with Canada, exporting a total of US$51.51 billion worth of goods in 2021. 

If you are considering expanding your Chinese supplies to Canada, here’s everything you need to know about your ocean and air freight shipping options. 

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

To ship freight from China to Canada, you can engage a freight forwarder for ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From China to Canada

In ocean freight, your goods will be sent from a port in China to a port in Canada onboard a vessel. Ocean freight grants you two container options: less than container load or full container load. 

LCL shipping is an economical way to ship your goods from China to Canada. In this mode of shipment, your cargo will be loaded in a container and consolidated with goods belonging to other sellers. Because you share the cargo space, LCL is the cheapest shipping option. However, the consolidation process will delay the transit time. 

In FCL, you consign a single container for your shipping needs. You have all the space to yourself, making FCL a good choice for large, bulky, and overweight cargo. Because there is no consolidation and cost-sharing with other shippers, FCL is more expensive compared to LCL. However, the shipping time is also much faster. 

Air Freight from China to Canada

If you need your goods to arrive in Canada faster, you should consider air freight. Shipping your goods by air enables a faster transit time, but it is more expensive considering fuel costs. 

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

The cost of shipping from China to Canada would depend on various 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

For an estimate of your shipping costs, use our freight costs calculator online. The table below lists the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from China to Canada:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from China to Canada 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 China to Canada?

Ocean freight from China to Canada can take anywhere from 15 to 50 days. FCL is a faster shipping option compared to LCL. 

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

On average, shipping your cargo from China to Canada will last 2 to 8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in China and Canada

Before your goods can enter Canada, you will need to be cleared by the Canadian customs authorities. This would require you to provide them with the necessary paperwork for your shipment. 

Some of the most important documentation you need to provide include: 

• 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

Depending on the goods you are shipping, customs authorities may require other documentation. See our full documents list for examples of all customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When deciding between ocean freight and air freight, you need to determine your priorities and consider the nature of your cargo. Here are some pointers to help you decide. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight, although slow, is a cheap way to get your goods from China to Canada. If speed is your concern, this may not be the right mode of shipment for you. But if you are on a budget or want to save on shipping costs, ocean freight is a good choice. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL freight shipping is a good option if your cargo is: 

• Small or few 
• Not prone to damage 
• Able to withstand frequent handling and movement 
• Suitable for consolidation with other shipments 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

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

• Large and bulky 
• Oversized or overweight 
• Delicate, perishable, and easily prone to damage 
• Not able to withstand frequent movement and handling 
• Not suitable for consolidation 

Air Freight

As the fastest mode of shipment, air freight is a good option for time-sensitive shipments. However, it can be expensive to ship by air, not to mention the limitations on the size, weight, and volume of cargo. But as long as your cargo fits the threshold and you are okay with the rates, then you can opt for air freight to get your goods from China to Canada. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in China 

Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan 

Located in the East China Sea and Zhejiang Province coastline, the port of Ningbo-Zhousan is close to Shanghai and Jiaxing. It is the third biggest port in the world, handling over 2 million TEUs annually. 

Owned By: Ningbo Zhoushan Port Company. 

Annual Container Volume: >27.5 million TEUs. 

UN/LOCODE: CNNGB.

Port of Xiamen 

The Port of Xiamen is hailed as the gateway to the South China Sea, exporting goods to over 50 countries worldwide. Its world-class facilities all aim to make it Xiamen’s fully-intelligent port. 

Owned By: Xiamen Port Authority. 

Annual Container Volume: >11.1 million TEUs. 

UN/LOCODE: CNXMN.

Port of Shanghai 

The Port of Shanghai is the world’s largest and busiest ocean port. It has over 125 docks and 19 terminals, enabling it to handle bulk cargo. Its location connects it to roads and railways in Shanghai, making the port ideal for shippers in Eastern China. 

Owned By: Shanghai International Port Company Ltd. 
Annual Container Volume: >43.3 million TEUs. 
UN/LOCODE: CNSHA.

Cargo ports of arrival in Canada

Port of Vancouver 

The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s biggest port. It is as large as five of the other ports in Canada combined. The port’s location on the Southwestern coast of British Columbia gives over 16 municipalities access to it. 

Owned By: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. 

Annual Container Volume: >3.3 million TEUs. 

UN/LOCODE: CAVAN.

Port of Montreal 

Located in Quebec, the Port of Montreal is 1,600 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean. It has three container terminals, giving ample space for over 2,000 cargo ships. 

Owned By: Montreal Port Authority. 

Annual Container Volume: >1.6 million TEUs. 

UN/LOCODE: CAMTR.

Port of Toronto 

The Port of Toronto is a small port on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. Its location makes it a prime gateway to the St. Lawrence Seaway, which is also in close proximity to Buffalo, New York. The port receives traffic from 400 ships annually. 

Owned By: Ports Toronto. 

Annual Container Volume: >Unknown. 

UN/LOCODE: CATOR.

Air Freight from China to Canada: An airport guide

Airports of origin in China

Chengdu Airport 

The Chengdu Airport in China’s Sichuan province handles over 600,000 tonnes of cargo each year. It is 16 kilometers outside Chengdu city and has two runways. 

Canada Airports Served: Vancouver. 

Chengdu to Canada Cargo-Only Operators: None. 

IATA Code: CTU.

Beijing Airport 

The Beijing Airport is located in China’s capital city, in the northeast area of the city center. As the third-largest cargo hub, it handles more than 2 million tonnes of cargo every year. Because of this, the Beijing Airport is also one of the world’s busiest airports for freight shipping. 

Canada Airports Served: Toronto Pearson, Montreal Pierre Trudeau, Vancouver. 

Beijing to Canada Cargo-Only Operators: None. 

IATA Code: CKG.

Shenzhen Airport 

The Shenzhen Airport is one of Southern China’s largest airports, covering a 115,000 square-meter logistics site. It handles more than 1 million tonnes of cargo yearly. 

Canada Airports Served: Vancouver. 

Shenzhen to Canada Cargo-Only Operators: None. 

IATA Code: SZX.

Airports of arrival in Canada

Calgary Airport 

The Calgary Airport is the fourth-busiest airport in Canada, handling more than 110,00 tonnes of cargo a year. It brings in a lot of cargo from Asia, making it the gateway to freight movements of this nature. 

Connected Airports in China: None. 

China to Calgary Cargo-Only Operators: None. 

IATA Code: YYC.

Edmonton Airport 

The Edmonton International Airport is the largest airport in Canada by size. Its location, just 26 kilometers outside Edmonton, makes it a prime choice for shipping goods to Nothern and Central Alberta, Yukon, and Northern British Columbia. 

Connected Airports in China: None. 

China to Edmonton Cargo-Only Operators: None. 

IATA Code: YEG.

Toronto Airport 

The Toronto-Pearson Airport in Downtown Toronto is the main airport in the country, handling more than 50% of Canada’s air cargo operations. It has several facilities for freight shipping, including its five runways. 

Connected Airports in China: Beijing-Capital, Shanghai-Pudong, Guangzhou. 

China to Toronto Cargo-Only Operators: None.