Shipping From China to Canada
Customized shipping solutions from China to Canada for Canadian importers, wholesalers, procurement companies, etc.
DFH Logistics—Give You the Most Reliable Logistics Services From China to Canada
DFH Logistics is a professional international logistics Co., Ltd. located in Shenzhen. We have extensive experience in shipping. Up to now, we have successfully assisted over 30,000 customers in shipping from China, achieving a 99% satisfaction rate because of our high shipping efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Shipping from China to Canada is one of our core businesses. We are well-versed in the customs procedures in Canada, local delivery requirements, and international freight regulations.
The most economical choice for large-scale imports, with high safety (applying sealing and locking design) and environmental protection properties.
One of the fastest transportation methods, ideal for shipping small and medium-sized batches of goods with a high demand for speed.
We provide a comprehensive service that includes shipping, customs clearance, and tariffs. Fast and no need for any additional fees or procedures.
We are very experienced and promise to get a huge discount on purchasing freight insurance for you.
We offer 15-day free storage for your containerized goods, regardless of the size or quantity.
We support free quality and quantity inspection and provide photos and videos for you to check.
For fragile and irregular packaging, we will repackage them to ensure safety and save space and freight costs.
We provide labeling services based on the different needs of each platform.
Why Choose DFH Logistics as Your Partner for Freight from China to Canada?
- Customize shipping solutions from China to Canada according to your goods types, delivery time, budget, and business requirements.
- Established in 2013, with a warehouse of 3,000 square meters, we provide a solid foundation for your China to Canada shipping.
- Offer transparent freight quotations without any hidden charges.
- Support flexible China to Canada logistics solutions for different cargo sizes and transportation priorities, including sea freight, air freight, door-to-door delivery, etc.
- Offer a complete end-to-end China to Canada logistics service from picking up the goods to customs clearance and final delivery.
- Assist with customs documents, import procedures, and DDP transportation solutions from China to Canada.
How to Choose the Cheapest Shipping Method to Canada?
Usually, sea freight is the cheapest method for shipping from China to Canada. In comparison, sea freight LCL costs slightly less than FCL due to the CFS Charge (Container Freight Station Charge). Sea freight DDP is also economically efficient, and it is a one-stop solution without any extra fees.
Which Canadian Ports Do You Ship To?
The seaports include Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Halifax, Nanaimo, Toronto, Saint John, and Montreal.
The airports include Montreal, Pierre, Calgary, and Vancouver.
What Products are Restricted from Being Shipped to Canada?
Some products are not allowed to be shipped to Canada, including Illicit drugs, counterfeit goods, dangerous materials (explosives, flammable liquids, etc), endangered species products, and obscene materials.
Besides, transporting tobacco and alcohol requires corresponding licenses and high taxes, and transporting firearms and ammunition needs specific import licenses and permits.
What is the Shipping Cost from China to Canada?
The shipping cost always varies by shipping method, cargo volume, and the current market. Here we give you an estimation for reference:
Take the door-to-door transportation cost for 200 kilograms of goods per cubic meter as an example.
| Sea Freight | From Shanghai | From Ningbo | From Shenzhen |
| To Vancouver Port | $679 | $692 | $657 |
| To Toronto | $743 | $743 | $703 |
| Air Freight | From Shanghai | From Ningbo | From Shenzhen |
| To Vancouver Port | $1,960 | $1,565 | $1,399 |
| To Toronto | $1,314 | $1,303 | $1,282 |
How to Reduce Costs of Shipping from China to Canada?
To reduce your shipping costs, you can take these factors into consideration.
- Choose the most economically efficient shipping mode.
For example, although on most occasions, seafreight is cheaper, for shipments under 150 kg, air freight can be more economically efficient actually, because its fixed destination charges are lower.
- Strategically arrange the shipping time.
Last-minute bookings always cost more, so you should plan ahead. It’s better to avoid peak periods, such as the period before the holiday. Besides, booking in the last two weeks of the month can be cheaper.
- Smart consolidation and packaging.
DFH can collect and pack all of your Chinese shipments into a single container to save fees. When packaging, using vacuum packing or the smallest possible boxes can reduce the volumetric weight of your goods.
If you are not sure how to make your shipping more economically efficient, just have a consultation with us. DHF will help you to find the best shipping plan.
How Long Does Shipping from China to Canada Take?
The shipping time is determined by lots of factors, including the shipping method, peak period/seasons, customs clearance, weather, route, cargo size and type.
You can get a general time from the following chart:
| Shipping Method | Estimated Time |
| Air Freight (Direct Flight) | 1 – 3 days |
| Air Freight (Transit Flight) | 3 – 7 days |
| Sea Freight (FCL) | 20 – 35 days |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | 25 – 45 days (includes consolidation time) |
| Express Shipping | 2 – 7 days (DHL/UPS/FEDEX) |
| DDP (Air Freight) | 8 – 12 days (door-to-door service) |
| DDP (Sea Freight) | 30 – 45 days (door-to-door service) |
How to Choose between Sea Freight and Air Freight from China to Canada?
| Factor | Sea Freight From China to Canada | Air Freight From China to Canada |
| Typical Transit Time | Around 20 – 45 days | Around 1 – 7 days |
| Shipping Cost | Lower overall shipping cost | Higher freight cost |
| Best For | Bulk cargo and large shipments | Urgent, high-value, or time-sensitive cargo |
| Cost Calculation | Usually based on container size or CBM | Usually based on chargeable weight |
| Minimum Shipment Size | Flexible for both FCL and LCL | Better for smaller shipments |
| Customs Clearance | Standard customs process | Faster customs handling in many cases |
| Risk of Delay | More affected by port congestion and weather | More stable transit schedules |
| Environmental Impact | Lower carbon emissions per unit | Higher carbon footprint |
| Cargo Safety | Good for durable and bulk products | Better for fragile and high-value products |
| Suitable Industries | Manufacturing, machinery, furniture, building materials | Electronics, medical products, fashion, samples |
From the chart, you can find that the main advantages of sea freight are its lower cost and greater transportation volume, and the main benefit of air freight is its fast delivery and shorter lead times. Therefore, the final choice depends on your cargo size, delivery deadline, product value, and overall logistics budget.
FCL vs. LCL From China to Canada: How to Choose?
FCL (Full Container Load) refers to one shipper using the entire container, and LCL (Less than Container Load) refers to multiple shippers sharing one container. The following can help you clearly know the pros and cons of these two shipping methods.
| Factor | FCL (Full Container Load) | LCL (Less than Container Load) |
| Best For | Large-volume cargo | Small or medium shipments |
| Cost Structure | Fixed container price | Charged by CBM (cubic meter) |
| Typical Cargo Volume | Usually 15+ CBM or enough to fill a container | Usually under 15 CBM |
| Transit Time | Faster overall transit | Longer due to cargo consolidation and deconsolidation |
| Risk of Cargo Damage | Lower risk because cargo stays sealed | Higher risk due to shared container handling |
| Customs Inspection Impact | Less affected by other shipments | Other cargo in the container may cause delays |
| Shipping Flexibility | Better for regular bulk imports | Better for trial orders or flexible purchasing |
| Peak Season Stability | More stable during busy shipping seasons | More easily delayed during peak periods |
| Recommended For | Importers, wholesalers, distributors, project cargo | SMEs, eCommerce sellers, startup importers |
| Main Advantage | Lower unit shipping cost for bulk cargo | Lower upfront logistics cost |
| Main Disadvantage | Higher upfront shipping expense | Longer transit time and more handling risk |
Generally, if you frequently import large quantities of goods, FCL from China to Canada usually offers higher cost-effectiveness and better cargo security. For smaller shipments, LCL can help you reduce upfront logistics costs.
If you are not sure which one to choose, our professional teams are always here to help you achieve the most cost-effective shipping solution.
What are Shipping Options from China to Canada?
There are 3 main options for you to ship from China to Canada:
1.Shipped directly by Chinese suppliers
The supplier will be responsible for the entire transportation process, so it is very convenient for you. However, it has some risks for large and complex shipping, such as limited transportation methods and logistics capacity, high costs, etc.
2.Shipped by local freight forwarders in Canada
You can use a Canadian freight forwarder to be responsible for your shipment from the entry port to your doorstep.
3.Shipped by Chinese freight forwarders
You can also choose a Chinese freight forwarder like DFH Logistics to shoulder your shipment. We promise to handle the entire process from picking up goods from the supplier to managing international transportation and Canadian customs clearance.
Why Is It Better to Choose a Freight Forwarder From China?
On most occasions, if you want a shipment from China to Canada, we recommend that you choose a freight forwarder from China instead of a Canadian freight forwarder.
Direct communication with your product supplier
A Chinese freight forwarding company is in the same time zone and has the same language as your supplier. We can directly contact the factory to solve the problem of delayed cargo pick-up, verify the packing list, and coordinate logistics matters in real time. However, if you use a Canadian freight forwarder, there may be delays due to a 12-hour time difference.
Achieve cost savings
Chinese freight forwarders have closer partnerships with local transportation companies. We can always achieve a better price than the international prices offered by Canadian companies.
Consolidation service
We can collect all your goods from different cities in China at our local warehouse. Then, we can consolidate them into one shipping batch, which largely saves you costs at the Canadian port and customs declaration fees.
Procurement and quality inspection support
Chinese freight forwarders can offer multiple “value-added” services that Canadian companies do not provide. For example, we provide cargo quality and quantity checking services before loading, and we will take videos and photos for verification.
More Stable Export
Chinese freight forwarders are more familiar with the complex export regulations in China, preventing your goods from being detained or delayed upon entering the Chinese border.
What Documents are Required for Shipping from China to Canada?
Here’s a list of required documents for shipping from China to Canada:
| Commercial Invoice | Detailed information about the transaction, including the details of both the buyer and the seller, the description of the goods, the quantity, and the value. |
| Packing List | Lists the dimensions, weights, and packaging details of all the goods. |
| Bill of Lading (B/L) or Airway Bill (AWB) | A receipt for the goods and a transportation contract. |
| Certificate of Origin | Used to identify the country of origin of the goods. |
| Import/Export Licenses | Necessary for shipping some special goods. |
| Customs Declaration Forms | Provide goods information to the Canadian customs authorities. |
| Insurance Certificate | Proof of insurance taken out during the transportation. |
You don’t need to worry about the preparation of these documents, because DFH Logistics always properly deals with them for you.
What are the Custom Procedures of Canada?
- Prepare all the necessary documents (as proposed above).
- Submit customs declaration. The customs declaration agency or freight forwarder will help you provide the necessary information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
- Pay the applicable tariffs and taxes before the goods are released.
- Complete the payment, and your goods will be finally delivered.
DFH will help you with the customs clearance, so you don’t need to worry about this.
