Shipping from China to Canada

Reliable China → Canada freight for importers who need air, sea, express and DDP (door-to-door) with customs support in one place.

✓ Regular FCL & LCL sailings to YVR/YYZ/YUL✓ GST/duty itemized on every DDP invoice✓ FBA shipments to Canadian FCs handled weekly

Get Your Canada Quote

Quick Answer: China to Canada Shipping Costs & Times

Shipping from China to Canada is available by air (3–8 days, around $3.80–$7.80/kg), sea freight (20–35 days, 20ft from about $1,100, LCL from $350–$460/CBM) and DDP door-to-door with customs and taxes included.

Most Canadian importers choose sea freight for bulk cargo and DDP air for eCommerce replenishment. The final price depends on weight, CBM, product type, pickup city and your Canadian delivery address (Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and nationwide).

Choose the Best Shipping Method to Canada

Compare by speed, cost, cargo size and customs needs — then pick the option that fits.

✈️

Air Freight

Best for: Urgent, high-value cargo and time-sensitive eCommerce stock.

Transit time: Usually 3–8 days via YVR / YYZ / YUL.

Cost guide: Around $3.80–$7.80/kg depending on weight and route.

✅ Choose this if: Speed matters more than cost and cargo is under ~500kg.

🚢

Sea Freight (FCL/LCL)

Best for: Bulk cargo, containers and cost-sensitive shipments.

Transit time: 20–35 days to Vancouver; 30–40 days to Toronto/Montreal.

Cost guide: 20ft from about $1,100; LCL $350–$460/CBM.

✅ Choose this if: You want the lowest freight cost per unit for larger shipments.

🚚

Express

Best for: Samples, documents and small parcels under 10kg.

Transit time: 3–7 days door-to-door.

Cost guide: Courier zone-based; ask for our discounted rates.

✅ Choose this if: Small, urgent packages need door-to-door delivery.

📦

DDP

Best for: Importers and sellers who want one all-in price with GST/duties handled.

Transit time: DDP air 6–9 days; DDP sea 35–45 days.

Cost guide: All-in per-kg or per-CBM pricing by route and cargo type.

✅ Choose this if: You want customs, duties and final delivery managed by one team.

Get a Free Quote →

Air Freight from China to Canada (2026 Reference Rates)

Reference air cargo rates by weight break on popular routes. Final quotes depend on exact weight, volume, season and airline space.

Route	Transit	100kg	300kg	500kg	1000kg
Shenzhen (SZX) → Vancouver (YVR)	3–6 days	$1,180–$1,520	$2,480–$3,260	$3,720–$4,880	$6,950–$9,100
Shanghai (PVG) → Toronto (YYZ)	5–8 days	$1,320–$1,720	$2,760–$3,620	$4,150–$5,420	$7,680–$10,050

📦 HOW AIR RATES ARE CALCULATED: Air cargo is billed on chargeable weight — the higher of gross weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H in cm ÷ 6,000). A light 20 kg carton of plastic goods can be billed at 40 kg if its volume says so.

Surcharges: fuel and peak-season surcharges can move rates 10–25% in Q4. Rates above are estimates — use our Freight Cost Calculator for a quick quote.

Sea Freight from China to Canada (2026 Reference Rates)

FCL (full container) and LCL (per CBM) reference rates on major lanes:

Route	Transit	20ft FCL	40ft FCL	LCL / CBM
Shanghai → Vancouver	20–28 days	$1,120–$1,680	$2,480–$3,240	$350–$430/CBM
Ningbo → Montreal	30–40 days	$1,650–$2,480	$3,280–$4,260	$430–$460/CBM

🚢 FCL OR LCL? FCL wins when you have roughly 15 CBM or more, or need faster door-to-door handling; LCL bills per CBM with a minimum charge and suits first orders and market stock. We quote both and recommend the cheaper landed route.

Surcharges: BAF (bunker adjustment) and PSS (peak season surcharge) move with fuel and demand — our quotes are all-in and itemized.

DDP Shipping from China to Canada

DDP to Canada covers pickup in China, international freight, Canadian customs clearance, GST/duties per agreement and final delivery. Popular for eCommerce sellers shipping to Canadian warehouses and storefronts.

💡 PRO TIP: DDP is the simplest choice for first-time importers — one price covers pickup, freight, customs, duties and final delivery. You focus on selling, we handle the logistics.

📦 What's included in our DDP service

Pickup from your supplier — any city in China
Export customs clearance and consolidation at our warehouse
International air or sea freight on the confirmed schedule
Canada customs clearance with duties and taxes handled
Duties and taxes prepaid per the agreed terms — no surprises at arrival
Final delivery to your door — warehouse, shop or home, nationwide

🛣️ How a DDP shipment actually flows

Pickup from your supplier anywhere in China — we consolidate at our export warehouse.
Export customs clearance, then air or sea freight booked on the confirmed schedule.
Destination clearance prepared before arrival: HS classification, duties and taxes calculated upfront.
Customs clearance and duty settlement on arrival, handled by our local team.
Final delivery to your door — warehouse, shop or home, nationwide.

Learn More About DDP →

Major Ports in Canada: Key Gateways from China

Most sea shipments from China arrive through the gateways below. Choosing the right arrival port can save hundreds of dollars per container on inland trucking — we route every FCL quote through the most cost-effective gateway for your delivery address.

Port / Hub	Transit from China	Why it matters	Best for
Vancouver	20–28 days	Fastest transit from China; gateway to BC and western Canada with rail links east.	West-coast warehouses and cargo rail-forwarded to Toronto and Montreal.
Prince Rupert	22–30 days	Growing alternative gateway with excellent rail connections inland.	FCL cargo heading to the Prairies and central Canada.
Toronto & Montreal	30–40 days	Eastern gateways reached by rail from Vancouver or via Suez services — closest to the largest consumer markets.	Retail, eCommerce and consumer goods for Ontario and Quebec.
Halifax	32–40 days	Niche Atlantic gateway for Atlantic Canada and some US east-coast rail.	Atlantic Canada distribution and reefer flows.

Customs & Documents: Importing to Canada

Canada uses the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) process via the CARM system. The key to smooth clearance is accurate valuation and correct HS codes — plus ISPM 15 for wooden packaging.

📋 The Canada clearance process

CARM (Assessment and Revenue Management) registration for importers — we handle this for DDP clients.
Commercial invoice with accurate value in CAD conversion.
ISPM 15 fumigation certificate for wooden packaging (a very common delay point).
GST/HST and duty assessment at clearance; NAFTA/CETA/CPTPP origin claims reduce duty.

📄 Documents checklist

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
CARM security & registration (handled for DDP)
COO for FTA preference claims
ISPM 15 fumigation certificate
Health Canada / CFIA docs for regulated goods

Local Market Insight: What We Know About Shipping to Canada

Canada's market is smaller than the US but has its own quirks — the biggest is that most Chinese suppliers quote 'door to Canada' without understanding that east-coast delivery (Toronto/Montreal) costs significantly more than west-coast (Vancouver). A $1,500 20ft rate to Vancouver becomes $2,600+ to Toronto once rail or truck legs are added.

GST (5%) applies on most imports, and provincial HST (13–15%) in Ontario/Quebec/Nova Scotia. Buyers often assume 'tax included' means one rate — we itemize it so there are no surprises.

The bilingual labeling requirement (English/French) surprises many first-time importers of consumer goods; it's not optional for sale in Quebec.

🧑‍💼 Who imports from China to Canada?

eCommerce sellers serving Canada from China — need Vancouver or Toronto-area fulfillment delivery.
Furniture & home goods importers (BC furniture cluster is a major buyer of Shandong/Zhejiang product).
Food & beverage importers using reefer services via Vancouver.

Seasonal Shipping Calendar — Canada

When to book, what to expect — the real seasonality of the Canada lane:

🗓️ Jan–Feb (CNY)Same factory shutdown window as the US — book before late January.

🗓️ Apr–May (spring restock)Rates are soft post-CNY; good window for large FCL bookings.

🗓️ Aug–Oct (Q4 pre-holiday)Canadian Thanksgiving (Oct) and holiday retail push — book Q4 stock by late August.

🗓️ Nov–Dec (holiday)Winter weather can delay inland rail to Toronto/Montreal; pad 3–5 extra days.

Ports & Inland Logistics: The Ground Reality

Vancouver (YVR): fastest transit from China (20–28 days); gateway to BC and the west; rail to eastern Canada adds 4–6 days.
Prince Rupert: growing alternative with excellent rail connections inland.
Toronto (YYZ) & Montreal (YUL): reached via rail from Vancouver or via Suez services (30–40 days); closest to eastern consumer markets.
Halifax: niche gateway for Atlantic Canada and some US east-coast rail.

Importing to Canada: Key Things to Know

Canada applies GST/HST on imported goods; duties vary by HS code and trade agreements (CETA, CPTPP can reduce rates).
Goods over CAD 20 via courier may attract taxes; DDP service handles this transparently.
Wooden packaging must be ISPM 15 fumigation-certified.
Bilingual labeling (English/French) is required for many consumer products sold in Quebec.

Related Routes