Shipping from China to Canada

Shipping from China to Canada | Sea, Air & Express, DDP Shipping

This guide provides valuable information to help you choose the optimal shipping service for your shipments from China to Canada. Various transportation modes, such as air and sea freight, are available, each with pros and cons. Proper selection can result in significant time and cost savings for your shipping needs.

Air freight provides rapid delivery but is more expensive. It is ideal for time-sensitive shipments or goods that require quick transportation.

Sea freight is the predominant mode of transportation from China to Canada. Although it takes longer than air freight, it offers a more economical option.

You need the best freight forwarder in China!

When conducting cross-border business from China to Canada, choosing a reliable Chinese freight forwarder presents numerous opportunities with minimal risks. NewSmartShip profoundly understands the market, surpassing that of their Canadian counterparts.

Here are some of the services offered by a trustworthy freight forwarder for shipping from China to Canada:

• Pickup: A trustworthy forwarder ensures prompt pickup of your cargo from the designated location, whether it’s the manufacturer’s warehouse or a supplier. They prioritize timeliness and handle the pickup without requiring your presence.
• Packaging: A reliable freight forwarder can provide re-packaging services.
• Inspection: Items are inspected in two stages: first, they must be inspected in the exporting country, which in this case is China, and then again by the importing country, which is Canada. NewSmartShip can arrange a pre-inspection on your behalf to ensure that everything is in order before your items are prepared for shipping.
• Insurance: Insurance safeguards against potential loss or damage. We can assist you in selecting a reputable insurer to ensure your cargo is adequately protected throughout the shipping process.
• Warehousing Services: NewSmartShip, as a reliable freight forwarder, offers clients warehousing services to ensure the safety of their cargo.
• Discovering a cost-effective shipping solution: When shipping goods from China to Canada, there are two primary methods: by Sea and by Air. For sea freight, you have the option of LCL or FCL. Similarly, air freight offers variations such as express shipping and standard air freight.

Sea shipping from China to Canada

Shipping from China to Canada is popular among businesses due to its cost-effectiveness and reliable delivery times. Various factors, such as the products’ size, weight, and distance, determine the shipping cost. To ensure a smooth shipping process, choose a trustworthy Chinese service provider that can cater to your specific shipping needs from China to Canada, with costs tailored to your product’s specifications and destination requirements.

• Canada boasts three major seaports: Montreal, Vancouver, and Halifax. These ports are all equipped with state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure to facilitate seamless and efficient transportation.
• Freight forwarding from China to Canada involves the comprehensive shipment process of goods from China to Canada. A freight forwarder offers a wide range of services, including customs clearance, warehousing, and delivery, to streamline the shipping process and ensure smooth operations.

Ocean Freight FCL & LCL 

When shipping from China to Canada, you can transport your goods through FCL and LCL.

Here are some factors to consider:

• Container Capacity: A standard 40-foot container can accommodate 22 standard pallets, while a 20-foot container can hold ten pallets. Consider the volume of your goods and choose the container size accordingly.
• FCL (Full Container Load): If you have a large volume of goods and can fill a container, opting for FCL is often cost-effective.
• LCL (Less than Container Load): LCL shipping involves sharing container space with other client’s goods. If you have smaller quantities that take up less than half of the volume of a full container, LCL shipping provides a more economical option.

Sea freight costs for containers from China to Canada

• FCL shipping: The average sea freight cost of a 40-foot container from China to Canada is approximately $4,030, providing a cost-effective solution for transporting larger volumes of goods.
• LCL shipping: The average cost of shipping 200 kg or 1CBM through LCL consolidation is around $170

Sea shipping from China to Canada generally takes 29 to 32 days, with a door-to-door transit time of 35 to 38 days. Due to high-frequency sailing schedules, sea shipping methods are known for their stability.

Importing from China involves various considerations, such as finding a reliable shipping company with competitive rates and engaging a freight forwarder for documentation and customs clearance in China.

Lead time can pose challenges when importing goods from China. The shipping transit time for China-Canada shipments varies based on distance and transportation mode, typically from several weeks to a few months. It is crucial to accurately assess the time required for product movement and consider the available transportation methods. For instance, cargo ships often turn around near Canada before returning to China. Businesses should be aware that multiple factors contribute to the shipping transit time and consider them.

Air freight from China to Canada

Air freight from China to Canada offers several advantages, making it an ideal choice for shipping cargo.

First, air freight is suitable for high-value and time-critical goods.

Second, air freight provides door-to-door delivery, eliminating the need for additional transportation steps.

While air freight may be more expensive than sea or rail freight, it surpasses other transportation methods in terms of safety, speed, and convenience. It is particularly beneficial for scheduling deliveries and managing the flow of goods efficiently.

For instance, let’s consider a scenario where your business is based in Vancouver and urgently requires new store inventory. Your supplier is located in Beijing, which allows you to choose between air and ocean freight. Opting for air freight ensures faster delivery with reduced risk of damage. Although the cost of air freight is slightly higher than ocean transport, the advantages of prompt delivery make it a worthwhile investment.

How long does air freight from China to Canada?

The shipping time from China to Canada is usually about 3-5 days. Several factors, such as the season, day of the week, and customs procedures, can impact the delivery duration. Additionally, the type of cargo, its weight, and its value also influence the overall delivery timeline.

We provide direct flights to major airports in Canada, including Vancouver (YVR) and Toronto (YYZ). These flights depart from various airports in China, such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and more, ensuring convenient and efficient transportation options for your shipments.

Aspect	Detail
Transit Time	3 to 5 days
Cost per Kg	$4 to $8
Best Suited For	High-value, perishable, time-sensitive goods

Air freight rates from China to Canada

• The average cost of air freight from China to Canada is approximately $12/kg for shipments weighing 45 kilograms and above. For shipments weighing 100kg+, the average cost is around $9/kg.

Air freight charges from China to Canada include various components, including air freight, fuel surcharge, and other surcharges. Each airline determines these charges based on operating costs, which fluctuate due to seasonality and international oil prices.

 

Express Shipping from China to Canada

Express freight refers to expedited air transportation of items. It prioritizes fast processing and delivery to the destination, offering speedier transit times than standard air freight. Express shipping firms specialize in time-sensitive delivery, ensuring swift and efficient transportation. They often provide additional services such as real-time tracking and dedicated customer support to enhance the overall experience.

Some of the well-known express shipping ways include:

• DHL
• FedEx
• UPS
• TNT

Door-to-door shipping from China to Canada

Door-to-door delivery services for international shipments, including DAP and DDP options. Two main delivery methods are trucking and express door-to-door delivery.

• Trucking delivery involves shipping your goods using trucks from the origin station to your designated door, typically taking 3 to 4 days for transit.
• Express door-to-door delivery is adapted for swift delivery of your shipments, which generally provides faster 1-2 days than trucking.

DDP shipping from China to Canada

DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) means that the seller is responsible for covering all cargo delivery costs, including shipping, customs clearance, duties, and insurance expenses. DDP is a widely used shipping method between Canada and China, favored by businesses across various industries.

1. The cargo needs to be cleared by customs in China before being exported. You can arrange to send your goods to our warehouse in Shenzhen, or we can arrange pickup directly from your China factory.
2. In Canada, we collaborate with our trusted business partners who act as importers for import declarations, eliminating the need for VAT and EORI registration. We handle all customs clearance procedures both in China and Canada.
3. For the final leg of the delivery, we arrange last-mile transportation through reputable express courier services such as UPS and DPD. This ensures reliable delivery of your goods.

DDP shipping route and transit time from China to Canada

Two main options are available: DDP air freight and DDP sea shipping. We can arrange to pick up the goods from your factory and transport them to the designated seaport or airport for shipment. Alternatively, you can send the goods to our warehouses in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, or other locations.

DDP air freight：

First Leg: Air freight

Shipping Type: FCL/LCL

Shipping Time: 9-13 days

Export/Import Customs Clearance

Door-to-door delivery: After the cargo finishes customs clearance, we will arrange to send it to your business or private address and Amazon FBA warehouses.

DDP sea shipping

First Leg: Sea freight

Shipping Type: LCL/FCL

Shipping Time: 30-35 days

Export/Import Customs Clearance

Door-to-door delivery: After the cargo finishes customs clearance, we will arrange to send it to your business or private address and Amazon FBA warehouses.

Amazon Shipping from China to Canada:

 

Amazon’s fulfillment program offers shippers access to excellent warehousing services and other benefits. If interested, you can use their supply chain to ship your goods. However, conducting thorough research and due diligence is essential to ensure their services align with your needs and requirements.

• Alibaba Shipping: Alibaba also provides a comprehensive service network similar to Amazon. You can purchase goods on Alibaba and utilize their supply chain to ship your items to Canada, primarily through Aliexpress.
• Dropshipping: You can avoid direct involvement in the shipping process. Instead, you purchase the item online and pay for the shipping. The item will then be delivered to your designated address in Canada. Carefully evaluate shipping options based on cost, reliability, delivery time, and your business needs. Conduct thorough research, compare services and prices, and seek recommendations to determine the best shipping option from China to Canada.

Importing customs clearance in Canada

Import customs clearance is a necessary procedure when a shipment arrives in Canada. Typically, this process takes 1-2 days from the cargo’s arrival date at the seaport and is generally completed on the same day.

When the ship arrives at the Canadian seaport, your cargo undergoes import customs clearance. NewSmartShip has its own customs broker in Canada who handles the import customs declaration for your shipment. If you don’t have a customs broker, we can help you find one.

The first step in import customs clearance involves determining the applicable duty that needs to be paid for your cargo. A customs agent will prepare a “bill of entry” containing relevant information about duty rates and a comprehensive list of duties applicable to each item. Once the bill of entry is completed, it is submitted to a customs officer for review and approval.

Import duties in Canada

The government imposes various taxes and customs duties, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). The tax rates differ across provinces and territories.

For instance, the HST rate in Prince Edward Island is 15%, while in Ontario, it is 8%.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) offers a duty calculator on its website at no cost to assist Canadians in estimating the import duty amount for goods brought into Canada from overseas.

 

FAQ

 

When is it cheaper to ship from China to Canada?

Shipping sea freight during the off-peak season can indeed result in cost savings. During this time, demand for shipping services tends to be lower, leading to more competitive rates. For example, as of December 2023, the estimated cost of shipping a 40-foot equivalent container from the Chinese port of Ningbo to the Canadian port of Vancouver is approximately $3000.

What route do ships take from China to Canada?

Two main shipping routes connect China with Canada: the Pacific and the Atlantic.

2. Pacific Route: The Pacific route involves ships departing from various seaports in eastern China, such as Shanghai, Ningbo, or Tianjin. These ships then sailed across the Pacific Ocean, passing off the coast of Japan and continuing towards the west coast of Canada and the United States. The primary destination ports in Canada along the Pacific route include Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Victoria.
3. Atlantic Route: The Atlantic route involves ships departing from seaports in eastern China, such as Shanghai or Qingdao. These ships sail across the Indian Ocean, pass through the Strait of Malacca, cross the Indian Ocean, and navigate the Suez Canal. They then continue through the Mediterranean Sea, cross the Atlantic Ocean, and arrive at ports in eastern Canada, such as Halifax and Montreal.