Sea Freight from China to Canada

Overview

Canada is a growing destination for Chinese imports, with container volumes increasing steadily year over year. Apexsourc logistics offers regular sailings from China's major ports to Canada's primary container gateways on the West Coast (Vancouver, Prince Rupert) and East Coast (Montreal, Halifax).

Our door-to-door service covers all Canadian provinces — from British Columbia to the Maritime provinces — with full customs clearance through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Major Canadian Ports

Port	Coast	Key Features
Vancouver	West Coast	Canada's busiest port; 14–18 days from Shanghai; serves BC and western provinces
Prince Rupert	West Coast	Fastest-growing Canadian port; 13–16 days from Shanghai; closest to Asia
Montreal	East Coast	Primary East Coast gateway; 25–28 days via Suez or transshipment
Halifax	East Coast	Deep-water port; 26–30 days; serves the Maritime provinces

Vancouver and Prince Rupert are the primary gateways for imports from China. Both offer excellent rail connections for inland distribution across Canada.

Transit Times from China

Origin Port	Destination Port	FCL Transit	LCL Transit
Shanghai	Vancouver	14–18 days	19–24 days
Shenzhen / Yantian	Vancouver	15–19 days	20–25 days
Shanghai	Prince Rupert	13–16 days	18–23 days
Shanghai	Montreal	25–28 days	30–35 days
Ningbo	Halifax	26–30 days	31–36 days

FCL shipments move faster because there is no consolidation delay. Prince Rupert has a slight transit advantage over Vancouver due to its more northerly location and shorter rail distance from the port to major inland markets.

Canada Customs (CBSA)

Required Documents

• Bill of Lading — carrier-issued receipt and contract of carriage
• Canada Customs Invoice (CCI) — or Commercial Invoice with equivalent information
• Packing List — detailed breakdown of every package
• Certificate of Origin — Form A for GPT (General Preferential Tariff) treatment
• Cargo Control Document (CCD) — electronic manifest filed by the carrier

Key Information

• Duty rates: Vary by HS code; typically 0–18% for manufactured goods. Canada applies MFN (Most-Favored-Nation) tariff rates to imports from China.
• GST: 5% federal GST, plus provincial sales tax (PST/HST) depending on the province of entry (5–15% combined)
• PIP (Partners in Protection): Canada's equivalent of C-TPAT. Voluntarily program that expedites border clearance for compliant importers.
• CARM (CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management): New digital system for import accounting. All importers must register.

Why Ship to Canada with Apexsourc?

• Regular FCL and LCL sailings from Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Ningbo
• Both West Coast (Vancouver, Prince Rupert) and East Coast (Montreal, Halifax) gateways covered
• Experienced with CBSA customs clearance and documentation
• Door-to-door service to any Canadian address
• Inland rail and trucking coordination for delivery beyond port cities
• Competitive contract rates with major carriers serving the Pacific Northwest

Common Questions

Which Canadian port is best for shipping from China?

For most destinations, Vancouver or Prince Rupert on the West Coast provide the fastest and most cost-effective routing. Prince Rupert offers slightly shorter transit from China and efficient rail connections to Chicago and the US Midwest (useful for US-bound cargo via Canada). Montreal and Halifax are better for direct delivery to eastern provinces.

Do I pay both GST and provincial tax on imports?

Yes. Federal GST (5%) applies to all imports. Provincial tax (PST/HST) varies by province and is assessed upon importation. GST-registered businesses can claim input tax credits for the GST portion.

How does Canadian customs clearance compare to the US?

Canadian customs (CBSA) is generally considered more efficient than US CBP. The CBSA focuses on risk assessment and trade compliance. With proper documentation, most shipments clear within 1–2 business days. However, Canada has stricter labeling requirements (bilingual English/French) for consumer goods.