Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Italy to Canada

Italy is Canada’s 9th largest global merchandise trading partner and third most important in the European Union. This is evidenced by two-way trade between the two countries, valued at $11.8 billion in 2022. Canada’s imports from Italy amounted to $8.9 billion in the same year.

If you are looking to export goods from Italy to Canada, here’s everything you need to know about your options to ship cargo. 

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

To ship freight from Italy to Canada, you can either go for ocean or air freight, depending on your goods, priorities, and needs. 

Ocean Freight From Italy to Canada

Ocean freight is the most economical way to get your goods from Italy to Canada. It offers a cheap mode of transport and is also quite versatile and flexible when it comes to what you can ship. 

You have two shipping options in ocean freight: less than container load (LCL) or full container load (FCL). 

In LCL, your goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers. And as such, you share the cost of transport with them. While cheaper, this mode of ocean freight shipping does have longer transit times. 

FCL, on the other hand, is preferred if you have large shipping needs. Here, you rent the space in an entire container for your goods alone. This makes FCL more expensive than LCL, but it also gets your goods to Canada much faster. 

Air Freight from Italy to Canada

Air freight is the fastest mode of transport for goods coming from Italy and bound for Canada. It’s also the most secure thanks to stricter airport regulations, making it ideal for high-value goods. However, air freight is much more expensive than ocean freight and has more limitations when it comes to what you can ship. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Italy to Canada will depend on various factors, which 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 determine your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. Additionally, you can find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Italy to Canada in the table below:

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

The time it takes to ship goods from Italy to Canada is largely dependent on the international shipping mode selected. However, the following factors also play a role:

• The season (peak or low) during which you ship




• Whether the shipment route is direct




• The popularity of the trade lane




• Geopolitical instability




• Incidents that might occur at ports

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

Ocean freight from Italy to Canada can take as long as 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from Italy to Canada is much faster, taking only 2 to 8 days to complete. 

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

Customs Clearance in Italy to Canada

When your goods arrive in Canada, they will need to pass the customs clearance process before they are successfully imported. Customs clearance requires you to prepare and submit the following documents: 

• 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

If you’re a first-time shipper and need examples of these customs clearance paperwork, refer to our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice between ocean and air freight will depend on your needs, priorities, and goals. Here are some pointers to help you make the best decision for your shipment. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is for you if you prioritize cost-efficiency in your shipping endeavor. But remember that ocean freight can take a while to complete, so it’s not the best choice for time-sensitive shipments. You also need to decide between LCL and FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is best if your cargo 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

On the other hand, you might find that FCL makes more sense for your shipment if your cargo 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

If your priority is to get your goods from Italy to Canada fast and securely, then you should choose air freight. But remember that this shipment mode is the most expensive way to transport goods internationally. There are also strict regulations when it comes to the nature, size, and volume of your shipments. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Italy

Port of Trieste

The Port of Trieste is the largest in Italy in terms of cargo volume. It has five free port zones, including the Old, New, Timer, Mineral Oil, and Industrial zones. It handles around 62 million tonnes of cargo per year. 

Port of Genoa

The Port of Genoa handles 54 million tonnes of cargo per year. It’s a hub for international trade and commerce and is one of the busiest on the Western coast of Italy. The port is an artificial harbor that berths over 8,000 vessels annually. 

Port of Livorno

The Port of Livorno has a significant annual cargo transit volume, handling over 36 million tonnes of goods annually. It welcomes a range of ships, including liquid and dry bulk, cruise liners, ro-ro, and general-purpose vessels. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Canada

Port of Vancouver

The Port of Vancouver is the largest port in Canada and the third largest in North America by tonnage capacity. It is the country’s main port, located strategically, facilitating ocean trade routes. 

Port of Montreal

The Port of Montreal is an important port that contributes to the Quebec and Montreal economies. It provides the shortest direct trade route between the regions of Europe, North America, and the Mediterranean. 

Port of Prince Rupert

The Port of Prince Rupert is Canada’s main port for handling natural resources. It houses modern grain facilities that help it handle the shipment of grain, coal, and lumber. This is thanks to its location that links it to forests, fields, and mines within Canada. 

Air Freight from Italy to Canada: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Italy

Rome-Fiumicino (FCO)

The Rome-Fiumicino airport, also called the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, is located in Fiumicino and serves Rome. It opened over 63 years ago and has housed Ryanair, ITA Airways, easyJet, Alitalia, Blu-express, and other airlines since then. 

Milan-Malpensa (MXP)

The Milan Malpensa airport is Northern Italy’s largest international airport. It serves the regions of Liguria, Piedmont, Lombardy, and the Swiss Canton of Ticino. The airport is a hub for airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, Lufthansa, Neos, Alitalia, EasyJet Europe, and more. 

Milan-Linate (LIN)

The Milan Linate Airport is one of the three international airports in Milan, Italy’s second-largest city. It is the country’s fifth-busiest airport, housing airlines such as ITA Airways, Alitalia, Alitalia CityLiner, C.A.I. First, Link Air Express, and Eurojet Italia.

Airports of arrival in Canada

Hamilton International (YHM)

The Hamilton International Airport, also called the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, is in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. With the help of its airlines, including Swoop, Cargojet, UPS Airlines, SkyLink Express, and KF Cargo, it handles 121,800 tonnes of cargo annually.

Vancouver International (YVR)

The Vancouver International Airport is the leading international airport in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. It serves Vancouver and its lower mainland region—the airport houses Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, and Pacific Coastal Airlines. 

Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau (YUL)

The Montreal-Trudeau International Airport is located in Dorval, Quebec, Canada. It handles around 81,400 tonnes of cargo per year thanks to its network of airlines, including Air Canada, Air Transat, Sunwing Airlines, and more.