Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Spain to Canada

Spain is one of Canada's top 10 trading partners. The former is an important market for Canadian companies exporting goods and services, particularly energy, chemicals, and machinery.

If you are looking to expand your business to the Canadian market, you first need to know about the ocean and air freight shipping from Spain to Canada. 

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

There are a few options available for shipping freight from Spain to Canada, including ocean and air freight.

Ocean Freight From Spain to Canada

Ocean freight is an excellent option for shipping large quantities of goods. It is also a good option if you are shipping heavy or oversized items. This mode of shipment can be slower than other shipping methods, but it is typically more affordable.

Less Than Container Load

Less Than Container Load, or LCL, is a term used in the shipping industry to describe a shipment that does not fill an entire container. This can happen for several reasons, including when a shipper only has a small amount of cargo to send or when the cargo is too large or oddly shaped to fit into a standard container.

LCL shipments are often consolidated with other shipments bound for the same destination, which helps to keep costs down. Once the consolidation container arrives at its destination, the cargo is unloaded and delivered to the individual consignees.

Full Container Load

Full container load (FCL) describes a container filled with cargo. It is generally the preferred option for businesses shipping large quantities of cargo. FCL shipments have several advantages over LCL, including faster transit times. FCL is also a more secure shipping option, as the entire container is under the control of the shipper.

Air Freight from Spain to Canada

There are many benefits to using air freight, including the fact that it is faster than other methods of transportation and that it can be more cost-effective.

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

It can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000 or more to ship cargo from Spain to Canada, depending on the size and weight of the shipment, the shipping method used, and the distance involved. Air freight is typically the most expensive option, followed by sea freight.

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

It can take up to 45 days for cargo to ship from Spain to Canada. This is due to the distance the cargo must travel and the time needed for transit through customs. Shipping times may be shorter or longer depending on the specific route and carriers involved.

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

It can take anywhere from two weeks to a month to ship cargo by sea from Spain to Canada. This is because there are many factors that can affect the shipping time, such as the route taken, weather conditions, and the size and type of cargo being shipped.

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

It usually takes around 5-7 days to ship cargo by air from Spain to Canada. However, this can vary depending on the airline and the specific route. For example, if there are any stops or layovers along the way, it may take longer. Additionally, inclement weather or other delays can also impact shipping times.

Customs Clearance in Spain and Canada

Customs clearance is the process of ensuring that goods entering or leaving a country are properly declared and taxes or duties are paid. In Spain, customs clearance is handled by the General Directorate of Customs and Special Taxes (DGII), part of the Ministry of Finance. In Canada, customs clearance is handled by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

For you to meet customs clearance requirements, you need to provide the Canadian customs authorities with the following documents: 

• Commercial invoice 
• Packing list 
• Certificate of origin 
• Letter of credit or other payment terms 
• Airway bill or bill of lading 

For examples of these, check out our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Ocean Freight

There are many factors to consider when choosing a shipping method, but ultimately it comes down to cost and time. Ocean freight is usually the more affordable choice if you're looking to save money.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

There are several reasons why you might choose LCL shipping over other options:

• You have a small shipment that doesn't justify the cost of shipping it on its own.
• You want to consolidate multiple smaller shipments into one larger shipment to save on shipping costs.
• You're shipping dangerous or hazardous materials that require special handling.
• You need more flexibility in terms of delivery times and routes.
• You want to avoid the hassle of packing and unpacking your shipment yourself.
• You need storage for your shipment before it's delivered to its final destination.

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

You should choose FCL freight shipping when you have a large volume of goods to ship and you need the goods to arrive at their destination quickly and in good condition. FCL shipping is also a good choice if you are shipping expensive or delicate items.

Air Freight

There are a few different scenarios when air freight is the best shipping option. 

• You need to get your shipment to its destination as quickly as possible
• You're shipping high-value or perishable items that can't afford to be delayed in transit.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Spain

Port of Barcelona

The Port of Barcelona is one of Europe's busiest seaports, handling over 33 million tonnes of cargo each year. Situated on the Mediterranean Sea in northeastern Spain, the port is a popular cruise ship destination, with over 1.5 million passengers passing through each year.

Port of Valencia

The Port of Valencia (also known as the Valencia Port) is the largest seaport in Spain. Located in the city of Valencia on the country's east coast, it is also one of Europe's busiest Mediterranean ports.

Port of Sevilla

The Port of Sevilla is the fourth largest port in Spain and is located on the left bank of the Guadalquivir River. The port has a long history, dating back to the Roman Empire when it was used as a base for trade with North Africa. In recent years, the port has become an important hub for container traffic and cruise ships. The port is also home to many industries, including shipbuilding, fishing, and tourism.

Cargo ports of arrival in Canada

Port of Montreal

The Port of Montreal is a major seaport in Quebec, Canada. It is the largest container port in Eastern Canada, handling over 1.8 million TEUs annually. The port also handles substantial amounts of break bulk cargo and is a leading grain transshipment hub.

Port of Toronto

The Port of Toronto is the largest and busiest inland port in Canada. Located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, the port handles over 31 million tonnes of cargo each year. The port is a significant hub for containerized freight, with over 1.3 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) moving through the port annually.

Port of Halifax

The Port of Halifax is one of Canada's busiest ports, handling over $25 billion in trade each year. The port is located in the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is home to a large deepwater harbor.

Air Freight from Spain to Canada: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Spain

Barcelona International Airport

Barcelona International Airport is the main airport in Spain and one of the busiest airports in Europe. The airport offers a wide range of cargo services, including airfreight, courier, express, and postal services.

Madrid Barajas Airport

Madrid Barajas Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe, handling over 50 million passengers and 2.5 million tons of cargo per year. The airport has a dedicated cargo terminal with a capacity of 1.2 million tons, making it one of the largest in Europe.

Palma de Mallorca Airport

Palma de Mallorca Airport offers a wide range of cargo services to its clients, including national and international companies. The airport has two dedicated cargo terminals, one for handling import shipments and the other for export shipments. In addition, the airport also offers a full range of value-added services such as storage, packaging, and labeling.

Airports of arrival in Canada

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada, handling over 50 million passengers and 500,000 metric tonnes of cargo each year. As Canada's primary air cargo gateway, YYZ offers services to support the movement of goods to, from, and within the country.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is one of North America's busiest airports, handling over 19 million passengers and more than 400,000 tonnes of cargo each year.

Located just minutes from downtown Vancouver, YVR is a major gateway for trade and travel to and from Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)

The Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is one of Canada's busiest airports, handling over 18 million passengers yearly. The airport is also a major cargo hub, with over 500,000 tonnes of cargo passing through its facilities each year.