Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from India to Canada

India and Canada have a strong trade relationship. Canada is India's 9th largest trading partner globally, and India is Canada's second-largest trading partner in Asia. The two countries have signed a number of bilateral agreements to further strengthen trade ties.

If you are thinking about bringing your business goods from India to Canada, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about ocean and air freight shipping between the two countries. 

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

There are a few options available for shipping freight from India to Canada. The most popular method is by sea, which can take up to eight weeks. Airfreight is also an option, but it is significantly more expensive.

Ocean Freight From India to Canada

India is a large and populous country with a thriving economy. As such, it should come as no surprise that there is a lot of ocean freight traffic between India and Canada. In fact, India is one of the top sources of imported goods for Canada.

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

LCL is a shipping method used when a shipper has a small volume of cargo that will not fill an entire container. In this case, the shipper must share the container with other consignees and pay for the portion of space that their goods occupy in the container.

FCL is a term used in the shipping industry to describe a container filled with cargo. FCL shipments are typically larger and have more complex logistics than less than container load (LCL) shipments.

Air Freight from India to Canada

Air freight from India to Canada is a popular shipping method for businesses and individuals. There are many reasons why people choose to ship by air, but the most common reason is that it is the fastest way to get goods from one country to another. Air freight is also very reliable, which makes it a good option for those who need their shipments to arrive on time.

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

The cost of shipping cargo from India to Canada can vary depending on a number 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 

For an accurate estimate of your shipping costs, utilize our freight costs calculator. Below, you'll find the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from India to Canada:

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

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

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

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

The average transit time for shipping cargo by air from India to Canada is approximately 2 to 8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in India and Canada

Canadian customs authorities require you to provide certain documents before they allow your goods to enter the country. These 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

We have a full documents list that you can check out to learn more about customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Ocean Freight

There are certain circumstances when it makes more sense to ship your goods via ocean freight rather than by air. If you have time to spare and are shipping large or bulky items, ocean freight is usually the best option in terms of cost.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL freight shipping is best 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 freight shipping is the better option 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

There are many factors to consider when choosing a shipping method, and air freight is not always the best option. Here are some instances when you should choose air freight:

• When time is of the essence
• When shipping high-value items
• When shipping perishable items
• When shipping dangerous goods

Of course, there are also many instances when air freight is not the best option. Some of these include:

• When shipping large or heavy items
• When shipping to remote locations
• When cost is a major consideration

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in India

Mumbai Port

The Mumbai Port is a natural harbor located on the west coast of India. It is one of the busiest ports in the country, handling approximately 60% of India's maritime trade. The port consists of two main docks - the Victoria Dock and the Indira Dock - and several smaller ones.

Chennai Port

The Chennai Port, formerly known as the Madras Port, is one of the major seaports of India. It is located on the Coromandel Coast in the Bay of Bengal and serves as the gateway to southern India. The port is administered by the Chennai Port Trust (CPT), a body of the Government of India.

Kolkata Port

Kolkata Port, formerly called the Calcutta Port, is located in the city of Kolkata on the eastern coast of India. It is the oldest and largest of the three major ports serving the country's east coast and one of the world's largest artificial harbors.

Cargo ports of arrival in Canada

Port of Vancouver

The Port of Vancouver is situated on the west coast of Canada and is one of the busiest seaports in the country. It is a major hub for trade and transportation, handling a large volume of cargo each year. The port is also home to a diverse range of businesses, from shipping companies to manufacturing firms.

Port of Montreal

The Port of Montreal is one of Canada's busiest ports, handling over 26 million tonnes of cargo each year. Located on the St. Lawrence River and is the major hub for shipping goods to and from the Great Lakes region. The port is also an important stop for cruise ships traveling to and from the Atlantic Ocean.

Port of Halifax

The Port of Halifax is one of Canada's major seaports located in Nova Scotia's capital city. The port is Canada's east coast gateway to the transatlantic shipping routes and is a key link in the global supply chain. With its deep water harbor, the port is capable of handling the largest container ships and cargo vessels in the world.

 Air Freight from India to Canada: An airport guide

Airports of origin in India

Indira Gandhi International Airport

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is the main airport serving the National Capital Region of India. It is located in Palam, 16 km (10 mi) southwest of the New Delhi city center. The airport is operated by the Airports Authority of India and serves as the hub for Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) is the primary airport serving the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India. It is operated by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL). CSIA caters to both domestic and international passengers and provides a wide range of cargo services.

Chennai International Airport

Chennai International Airport is the primary airport serving the city of Chennai, India. It is located in Meenambakkam, about 21 km (13 mi) from the city center. The airport handles over 23.6 million passengers and 513,650 tonnes of cargo annually.

Airports of arrival in Canada

Toronto Pearson International Airport

Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada. It is also the country's primary hub for air cargo. The airport handles over 1.8 million metric tons of cargo, making it the seventh-busiest cargo airport in North America.

Vancouver International Airport

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is one of Canada's busiest airports, handling over 19 million passengers and nearly 400,000 tonnes of cargo each year. YVR is also a major gateway for air cargo traveling to and from Asia.

Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport

Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is Canada's second busiest airport, handling over 20 million passengers and 500,000 tons of cargo annually. The airport is a major hub for both Air Canada and WestJet and offers direct flights to destinations across the globe.