Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Vietnam to Canada

Vietnam is Canada’s largest trading partner in the ASEAN region, building strong trade relationships with each other since 2015. Canada imports more than $4 billion worth of merchandise from Vietnam annually, comprising electrical machinery and equipment, textiles and apparel, industrial products, footwear, and fish and seafood. 

If you’re a Vietnamese business looking to take advantage of this flourishing trade relationship, here’s everything you need to know about ocean and air freight shipping from Vietnam to Canada.

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

You can choose between ocean and air freight to ship freight from Vietnam to Canada. 

Ocean Freight From Vietnam to Canada

Ocean freight is the most economical way to ship cargo from Vietnam to Canada. Although it has long transit times, it provides shippers with versatility and flexibility. It offers two shipping options: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

When you ship via LCL, your goods will be consolidated with consignments from other shippers and shipped together in one container. This allows you to enjoy cheaper shipping rates as you’ll be sharing the space with other shippers. While this can make LCL’s transit times longer, it’s a good option for shippers on a budget. 

FCL, on the other hand, is the ideal choice if you’re shipping heavy cargo. This mode of shipment transports your goods in isolation. You rent the space in an entire container, which allows you to be more flexible regarding the size and type of cargo you need to transport. FCL is also faster than LCL because there is no consolidation process involved. 

Air Freight from Vietnam to Canada

Air freight is the fastest and most secure way to ship goods from Vietnam to Canada. Thanks to airport regulations, you can rest assured that your goods are less likely to get lost or damaged. This makes it ideal for fragile or high-value shipments. However, air freight can become expensive. There are also strict limitations regarding the type of goods you can ship by air. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Vietnam to Canada will depend on various 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 shipment




• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size




• Weight and size limits

Determine your shipping costs by using our online freight costs calculator. The table below shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Vietnam to Canada:

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

The time it takes to ship goods from Vietnam 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 Vietnam to Canada?

By sea, it will take approximately 15 to 50 days for your goods to arrive in Canada from Vietnam. 

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

Air freight from Vietnam to Canada will take about 2-8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in Vietnam and Canada

When your goods arrive in Canada, they will need to go through the customs clearance process. This should be easy, provided that you have completed and submitted 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

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

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice to ship via air or ocean freight will depend on your priorities, as well as the specific requirements of your cargo. Here are some pointers to help you make the best decision. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is the best choice if you are looking for a cheap way to ship goods from Vietnam to Canada. Although it has long transit times, it can cater to a wide range of cargo and is very flexible thanks to its two shipping options. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is best for cargo that is: 

• Small in size and quantity 




• Lightweight 




• Suitable for consolidation with other cargo 




• Not fragile, delicate, or high-value 




• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL might be a better option if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 




• Heavy 




• Not suitable for consolidation with other cargo 




• Fragile, delicate, or high-value 




• Requires special handling or movement 

Air Freight

If your top priority is getting your goods from Vietnam to Canada as soon as possible, then air freight is the way to go. This mode of shipment can get your cargo to the destination in a matter of days. It’s also the most secure, perfect for high-value goods. 

However, you must keep in mind that air freight can get expensive. There are also limitations when it comes to the type, size, weight, and volume of cargo you can ship, so make sure to do your due diligence beforehand. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Vietnam

Da Nang Port

The Da Nang Port is Central Vietnam’s largest seaport, covering a land area of 300,000 square meters. It connects North and South Vietnam with its three berth areas: Tien Sa-Son Tra, Tho Quang, and Lien Chieu.

Saigon Port

The Saigon Port is the largest seaport in Vietnam, facilitating the country’s international trade relations. It is located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s most prominent industrial hub. The port has various terminals to cater to container shipments. 

Haiphong Port 

The Haiphog port, located in Northern Vietnam, is one of the country’s largest and most important ports. It is highly modern, adopting advanced navigation and networking facilities. The port has a strategic location, making it ideal for trade and international affairs. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Canada

Port of Montreal

The Port of Montreal is an innovative port that adopts advanced technology. This makes it the most expensive seaport in Quebec, Canada. Among the technologies it uses is AI, which helps it streamline its port operations and ensure the smooth flow of goods. 

Port of Halifax

The Port of Halifax is highly efficient due to its data-driven operations. Its technologies allow it to capture data in 15 minutes, providing information on ship arrivals and departures, wait time, container dwell, and terminal turnaround time. 

Port of St. John

The Port of St. John is the largest in Atlantic Canada. It handles 28 million tonnes of cargo annually and has facilities spanning 120 hectares of land. The port is connected to over 500 other seaports around the world. 

Air Freight from Vietnam to Canada: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Vietnam

Nội Bài International Airport

The Nội Bài International Airport is one of two cargo-focused airports in Vietnam, transporting goods to several countries around the globe. It is located in Hanoi and facilitates the international shipment of goods from other airports in Vietnam. 

Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport

The Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport is one of Vietnam’s most critical cargo-focused airports. It is located in the bustling industrial hub of Ho Chi Minh, although it has fewer cargo and air transit operations than other airports in the country. 

Airports of arrival in Canada

Hamilton International 

Hamilton International Airport in Ontario, Canada, is a hub for airlines, including Swoop, Cargojet, UPS Airlines, SkyLink Express, and KF Cargo. These operators handle the airport's cargo shipments of 121,800 tonnes per year. 

Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau

The Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport is located in Dorval, Quebec, Canada. Its airlines, including Air Canada, Air Transat, and Sunwing Airlines, handle cargo shipments to the airport, which amount to 81,400 tonnes per year. 

Calgary International

The Calgary International Airport is located in Alberta, Canada, 17 kilometers from downtown. It has strong cargo operations, handling more than 79,500 tonnes of cargo annually. The airport serves as a transit hub for airlines such as Lynx Air and WestJet.