Commercial Imports From Asia
Importing From China and Asia to Canada
FCL, LCL and Air Freight for Businesses, to Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary
A Canadian Freight Forwarder for Your Imports
Vancouver based, shipping across the Pacific since 2008
Full Containers (FCL)
20ft, 40ft and high cube containers from Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen and the other major ports in Asia.
Shared Containers (LCL)
Not enough for a full container? Ship a few pallets as LCL and pay only for the space you use.
Air Freight
Samples, urgent restocks and high value goods by air to Vancouver or Toronto in days.
Warehouses in Three Cities
Receive, unload, palletize and store at our warehouses in the Lower Mainland, Greater Toronto and Calgary.
Shipping From China to Canada
China is Canada’s largest source of imports after the United States, and most of that freight crosses the Pacific to Vancouver. Whether you are bringing in a first order from a new factory or a steady flow of containers, we plan the route, book the space with the carrier and keep you updated until the goods reach you.
We ship full containers and LCL cargo from every major Chinese port, including Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen (Yantian and Shekou), Qingdao, Xiamen, Tianjin and Guangzhou, and air freight from Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Most importers buy FOB, which means your supplier delivers the goods to the port and we take it from there.
Typical cargo we bring in from China:
How Importing From Asia Works
Tell us where your supplier is, what you are buying and where it needs to go. We book the space, follow the shipment across the Pacific and bring it to your door or our warehouse in Canada.
1
Get a Quote
Send us your supplier’s city, the cargo with its weight and dimensions, and where it needs to go in Canada. We quote FCL, LCL or air so you can compare.
2
Booking With Your Supplier
We book your cargo on a sailing or flight from the port nearest your supplier, and tell you and your supplier the cutoff and what to have ready.
3
Across the Pacific
Ocean freight arrives in Vancouver or Prince Rupert, with rail on to Toronto and Calgary. Air freight lands in Vancouver or Toronto.
4
Arrival and Delivery
Your cargo is delivered to your door, or unloaded and stored at our warehouse until you need it.
Ready to start? A quote takes about two minutes.
FCL or LCL From China: Which Should You Choose?
As a rough guide, LCL is usually the better value for shipments up to about 13 to 15 cubic metres. Beyond that, a full 20ft container, which holds around 33 cubic metres, often costs about the same and arrives sooner because it skips consolidation. Many importers start with LCL for a first order and move to full containers as volumes grow.
Learn more about container shipping and our ocean freight services.
How Long Shipping From China to Canada Takes
These are typical port to port times. Sailing schedules, the season and the carrier all change them, so we confirm the timing with your quote.
| Route | Mode | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| China to Vancouver | Ocean | 13 to 18 days |
| China to Prince Rupert | Ocean | 13 to 18 days |
| China to Toronto | Ocean and rail | 22 to 30 days |
| South Korea or Japan to Vancouver | Ocean | 12 to 21 days |
| Any route, shared container | LCL | Add 1 to 2 weeks |
| China to Vancouver or Toronto | Air | 3 to 8 days |
Book early before Chinese New Year and the fall peak season from August to October, when space across the Pacific fills up fast.
Customs Clearance for Your Imports
Every commercial import into Canada is cleared through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). We work with your customs broker, or arrange one for you, and send them the shipping documents early, so the entry is ready when your cargo lands. To import, your business needs a CRA Business Number with an import/export program account. Your broker uses your supplier’s commercial invoice and packing list to classify the goods and work out the duties and GST owed.
Importers We Work With
From a first order to a regular flow of containers
Retailers and E-commerce
Inventory and seasonal stock, from a few pallets to full containers, delivered to your store, your warehouse or ours.
Manufacturers
Parts, components and raw materials on a steady schedule, so your production line keeps moving.
Construction and Trades
Building materials, fixtures, tools and equipment, including heavy and oversized pieces.
Distributors and Wholesalers
Regular containers from several suppliers, received, stored and delivered across Canada.
Ports We Ship From Across Asia
Beyond China, we ship from the main ports and airports across East and Southeast Asia to Canada. Is your supplier somewhere else? Ask us for a quote from their nearest port.
| Country | Main ports |
|---|---|
| China | Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Xiamen, Tianjin, Guangzhou |
| Hong Kong and Taiwan | Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Taipei |
| South Korea | Busan, Incheon |
| Japan | Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya |
| Vietnam | Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong |
| Thailand and Malaysia | Laem Chabang, Port Klang |
| Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines | Singapore, Jakarta, Manila |
Receiving, Unloading and Storage in Canada
Your shipment does not have to go straight to your door. Containers and LCL cargo can come to our warehouses in the Lower Mainland, Greater Toronto and Calgary, where we:
See our warehouse services.
Import Freight Experts You Can Trust
World Cargo is a Vancouver freight forwarder shipping worldwide since 2008, with more than 35 years of combined experience in ocean and air freight. We work with leading carriers across the Pacific and keep you updated from the port in Asia to delivery in Canada, so a single pallet gets the same care as a full container.
Importing From China and Asia: Your Questions Answered
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. Open a question for the short answer.
Still have questions?
Talk to a real person. Our Vancouver team answers the phone and replies to every enquiry.
How long does shipping from China to Canada take?
By ocean, about 13 to 18 days port to port to Vancouver, and about 22 to 30 days to Toronto with rail. Air freight takes about 3 to 8 days.
How much does it cost to ship a container from China to Canada?
It depends on the port, the container size, the season and the delivery in Canada. Rates change often, so fill in the form and we will quote your route, with FCL and LCL prices to compare.
Should I ship FCL or LCL from China?
LCL is usually the better value up to about 13 to 15 cubic metres. Past that, a full 20ft container often costs about the same and arrives sooner.
What do I need from my supplier?
Their name and address, the port they ship from, and a packing list with the number of pieces, weights and dimensions. Most importers buy FOB, where the supplier delivers the goods to the port in Asia.
Do you handle customs clearance?
We work with your customs broker, or arrange one for you. Either way, we send them the shipping documents early so your entry is filed before the cargo lands.
What does my business need to import into Canada?
A CRA Business Number with an import/export program account, plus a commercial invoice and packing list from your supplier. Your customs broker uses these to clear the goods and calculate duties and taxes.
Can you combine orders from several suppliers?
Yes. Send us each supplier’s location and volume and we will suggest the best plan, often separate LCL bookings that we receive and combine at our warehouse in Canada.
Which Canadian ports does cargo from Asia arrive at?
Most ocean freight from Asia arrives in Vancouver or Prince Rupert on the West Coast, with rail on to Toronto, Calgary and the rest of Canada.
Can you deliver to Toronto and Calgary?
Yes. We deliver across Canada, and our warehouses in the Lower Mainland, Greater Toronto and Calgary can receive and store your goods.
Can you unload my container and store the goods?
Yes. We unload containers, palletize goods and store them at our warehouses until you need them.
When should I book before Chinese New Year?
Factories close for the holiday and space fills up in the weeks before it. Ask for your quote four to six weeks ahead.
Do you also ship personal effects and vehicles from Asia?
Yes. We ship household goods, personal effects, cars and motorcycles from Asia to Canada. See vehicle shipping.
Do you also ship from Canada to Asia?
Yes. We ship personal effects, vehicles and commercial cargo from Canada to Asia. See shipping to Asia.
Moving home or buying a vehicle in Asia? See personal effects shipping and vehicle shipping.
Have more questions?