Shipping From China to Canada

Quick Answer: Shipping From China to Canada

Cargo from China reaches Canada mainly by sea freight into Vancouver, Prince Rupert or Montreal, or by air freight for urgent shipments. The right method depends on shipment size, urgency, the delivery province, and who is responsible for Canadian customs clearance.

Shipping modes available: sea freight in a full container (FCL), sea freight in shared container space (LCL), air freight, and DDP door-to-door for eligible shipments.
Main gateways: Vancouver and Prince Rupert on the Pacific coast, and Montreal and Halifax serving eastern Canada. Inland destinations are usually served by rail or truck from these ports.
What happens before export in China: supplier coordination, cargo received and consolidated through our China-side operations, carton counting and outer-carton condition check, re-weigh and re-measure where required, then export customs handling and loading.
What you should prepare: a commercial invoice and packing list, your business number for Canadian customs, and a decision on whether you will clear customs yourself or use a DDP service.

Last reviewed: 11 September 2026

Shipping Methods to Canada

Choose the best option based on your cargo volume and timeline.

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Sea Freight FCL

Full container load. Suited to larger-volume shipments. Transit time varies by origin port, destination gateway and service. Explore our sea freight services →

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Sea Freight LCL

Shared container load. Suited to smaller-volume shipments. Cost-effective consolidation service. Transit time varies by routing and destination.

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Air Freight

Delivery to major airport gateways. Typically faster than sea options. Best for urgent shipments and high-value cargo. Final delivery time depends on destination location. Explore our air freight services →

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DDP Door-to-Door

For eligible DDP shipments, we can arrange customs clearance, GST and final delivery depending on destination, cargo type and service requirements. Explore our DDP shipping services →

How to Choose a Shipping Method to Canada

Four questions usually settle the choice: how much you are shipping, how soon you need it, where in Canada it has to arrive, and who is handling customs clearance.

Option	Shipment size	Urgency	Delivery scope	Customs responsibility	Best suited to
Sea freight — FCL	Larger volumes that fill a container	Not time-critical	Port-to-port, or door-to-door if arranged	Usually the importer, unless DDP is arranged	Regular importers moving consistent volumes
Sea freight — LCL	Smaller volumes sharing container space	Flexible — consolidation adds handling time	Port-to-port, or door-to-door if arranged	Usually the importer, unless DDP is arranged	Trial orders and shipments from several suppliers
Air freight	Lower volume, higher value, or urgent cargo	Time-critical	Airport-to-airport, or door-to-door if arranged	Usually the importer, unless DDP is arranged	Launches, urgent restocks, high-value goods
DDP door-to-door	Any eligible volume — sea or air underneath	Depends on the transport mode chosen	Door-to-door	Coordinated by us for eligible shipments	Importers who want one quotation and a known landed cost

This page covers modes, process and gateways. For rate structure, cost drivers and Canadian destination charges, see our China to Canada shipping cost guide.

Canada Destination Ports

We deliver to all major Canadian ports and offer door delivery.

Port of Vancouver

West Coast gateway. Typically faster transit from Asia. Serves BC and Western Canada.

Montreal (YUL)

East Coast gateway. Serves Quebec and Eastern Canada. Rail connections to Toronto.

Toronto (YYZ)

Major distribution hub. Serves Ontario and surrounding provinces.

Halifax (YHZ)

Atlantic gateway. Serves Atlantic Canada provinces.

Route	Sea FCL	Sea LCL	Air Freight
Shanghai → Vancouver	14-18 days	16-22 days	3-4 days
Shenzhen → Vancouver	16-20 days	18-24 days	4-5 days
Shanghai → Montreal	22-28 days	25-32 days	4-5 days
Shenzhen → Montreal	25-32 days	28-36 days	5-6 days

Canada Customs & Import Requirements

Required Documents

Commercial Invoice — Must show FOB/CIF value, terms, and HS codes
Packing List — Detailed weights and dimensions
Bill of Lading (B/L) — Original or sea waybill
Canada Customs Invoice — CBSA requires prescribed invoice information for commercial imports. A commercial invoice containing all required information may be used; otherwise, a Canada Customs Invoice (CI1) may be used to provide the remaining information.
CFIA Requirements — For food, plant, and animal products (where applicable)

Official sources for Canadian import rules

Canada Border Services Agency — Import commercial goods into Canada — CBSA's entry point for commercial importing.
CBSA's CARM (CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management) portal is the platform used for commercial import accounting. Registration requirements and the exact portal address should be confirmed directly with CBSA before you rely on them.

GST and duty rates depend on your tariff classification and the province of import. Confirm the current rate for your goods with CBSA or with your own licensed customs broker before you order. Nothing on this page is tax or legal advice, and we are not a licensed customs broker at destination.

Canada GST & Import Duties

Tax rates vary by cargo type and province. Confirm rates for your specific shipment.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Standard rate: 5%. Applied to CIF value plus duties. May apply to most commercial imports.

Import Duties

Based on HS code and country of origin. MFN rates typically apply to China-origin goods.

Provincial Sales Tax (PST/HST/QST)

Depending on the province, additional provincial sales tax (PST), the harmonized sales tax (HST), or Quebec sales tax (QST) may apply in addition to the federal GST. Treatment varies by province and should be confirmed.

Why Ship With Yuntuo

China Operations

Shenzhen HQ with pickup from any Chinese factory.

Canada Expertise

Experienced with CBSA requirements and Canadian regulations.

Consolidation

Combine multiple orders into one shipment. Explore warehousing & consolidation →

Tracking

Real-time visibility from factory to delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sea freight transit time to Canadian ports depends on the destination port and routing. West Coast ports (Vancouver) typically take approximately 14-20 days. East Coast ports (Montreal) typically take approximately 22-32 days. Door-to-door delivery adds additional time depending on the final destination and customs clearance processing. Actual transit time varies based on carrier schedule, port congestion, weather conditions and customs procedures. We can provide estimated schedules based on your specific shipment details and destination.

For DDP shipments, we can arrange customs clearance on your behalf as part of the service. For CIF or FOB shipments, you may need to arrange your own customs broker or use our clearance service. Using a licensed customs broker is recommended to ensure proper classification, valuation and compliance with CBSA requirements. The broker can handle the customs documentation, duty payments and regulatory compliance on your behalf. Contact us to discuss the best option for your specific shipment.

The federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 5% applied to the CIF value of imported goods plus any import duties. In addition to GST, depending on the destination province, provincial sales taxes may apply: PST in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, HST in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, or QST in Quebec. The specific tax treatment depends on the province of import and the nature of goods. We can advise on the applicable taxes for your shipment.

The choice of Canadian port depends on your final destination. Vancouver is a common choice for West Coast destinations and the West Coast of Canada. Montreal is optimal for Quebec and Eastern Canada. Toronto (via Hamilton or Montreal) serves Ontario. The optimal port depends on your cargo destination, volume and budget. We can advise on port selection based on your specific requirements and destination within Canada.

We can arrange delivery to Amazon FBA fulfillment centers in Canada as part of our door-to-door service. FBA delivery requires advance appointment at the Amazon warehouse and compliance with Amazon's labeling, packaging and pallet requirements. The service is subject to carrier capacity and appointment availability at the specific FBA facility. Your inventory must meet Amazon's receiving standards. Contact us with your FBA destination details to confirm availability for your shipment.