Quick answer: Ocean is the most cost‑effective for bulky freight; air and express are best when speed or value matters. Recent schedules show East China → Vancouver port‑to‑port as fast as ~13–17 days, with inland rail to Toronto typically ~6–7 ramp‑to‑ramp days; add terminal handling and customs for door‑to‑door. Importers should budget for GST/HST, check duty by HS code, and (as of 2025) be registered in CBSA’s CARM with Release Prior to Payment (RPP) financial security posted.
What are my shipping options from China to Canada?
1) Sea freight (FCL & LCL)
When to choose: Best cost per kg for non‑urgent goods; ideal from ~2+ CBM (LCL) or when you can fill a container (FCL).
Example schedules (port‑to‑port, verify live):
- Qingdao → Vancouver (ZIM ZNP): ~13 days.
- Shanghai → Vancouver: shortest published ~14–17 days.
- Shanghai → Halifax (East Coast): ~41–42 days.
Learn more: Zggship Sea freight service overview
Planning tip: “Port‑to‑port” excludes terminal dwell and inland moves. Canadian rail schedules (ramp‑to‑ramp) Vancouver → Toronto typically show Available Day 6–7, which you should add to the ocean leg.
2) Air freight
When to choose: High‑value, fragile or time‑critical pallets (typically 100–5,000 kg).
Typical door‑to‑door speed: ~3–7 days depending on capacity and handling.
Reference for express/priority levels: FedEx lists 1–3 business‑day, time‑definite international services.
Learn more: Zggship Air freight service overview
3) Express courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS)
When to choose: Samples, small e‑commerce orders, urgent spares.
Typical speed: 1–3 business days to major Canadian gateways (service‑level dependent).
Note: Express parcels up to CAD $3,300 value are eligible for CLVS operational processing (this is not a tax‑free threshold).
Learn more: Zggship Express shipping service
4) DDP door‑to‑door
What it means: The seller/forwarder manages import clearance and taxes; the Importer of Record (IOR) carries compliance liability. Canada’s Non‑Resident Importer (NRI) framework allows overseas sellers to act as IOR and offer landed‑duty‑paid pricing.
When it fits: Cross‑border e‑commerce and B2B where you want to simplify delivery for Canadian buyers.
2025 snapshot: methods, typical times & when to use
| Mode | Typical door‑to‑door speed | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express | 1–3 business days | Samples, small e‑commerce, urgent spares | Time‑definite delivery options to Canadian cities. |
| Air freight | ~3–7 days | High‑value or time‑sensitive pallets | Airport‑to‑airport can be <24 h; handling & customs add days. |
| Sea LCL | ~22–35+ days | 1–12 CBM | Include origin CFS cut‑off + destination deconsolidation. |
| Sea FCL (West Coast) | ~20–30+ days | 13–68 CBM | Shanghai/Ningbo/Qingdao → Vancouver as fast as ~13–17 days port‑to‑port; add Vancouver → Toronto rail ~6–7 days. |
| Sea FCL (East Coast) | ~35–50+ days | Atlantic Canada / rail‑avoidance | Longer via Panama/Suez; sometimes smoother inland to Atlantic Canada. |
Example routes & indicative transits (verify live before booking)
| Mode | Origin → Canada gateway | Fastest published (port‑to‑port / flight) | Add inland to Toronto (ramp‑to‑ramp) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea – FCL | Qingdao → Vancouver | ~13 days | ~6–7 days | ZIM ZNP West‑Coast string; add handling & customs for door‑to‑door. |
| Sea – FCL/LCL | Shanghai or Ningbo → Vancouver | ~14–17 days | ~6–7 days | Multiple weekly services; varies by rotation and port dwell. |
| Sea – FCL/LCL | Yantian/Shenzhen → Vancouver | ~15–17 days | ~6–7 days | South China export hub; strong capacity into Western Canada. (Check live schedules.) |
| Sea – FCL | Shanghai → Halifax (East Coast) | ~41–42 days | ~2–3 days | Useful for Atlantic Canada or to bypass interior rail congestion. |
| Air | PVG (Shanghai) → YYZ (Toronto) | <1 day flight time | — | Door‑to‑door typically ~3–5 days incl. handling & customs. |
| Express | South/East China pickup → Canada | 1–3 business days | — | CLVS streamlines courier processing up to CAD $3,300 value (not tax‑free). |
2025 customs, duties & taxes: what you pay in Canada
HS code, duty rate & tools
GST/HST & provincial rules
GST (5%) is usually payable at the time of import. Provincial rules still matter for sales to your customers. The CRA 2025 table shows HST 13% in Ontario and HST 14% in Nova Scotia effective April 1, 2025 (down from 15%).
Courier de minimis & CLVS (important for parcels)
- From the U.S. or Mexico via courier: CAD $40 taxes and CAD $150 duty thresholds under CUSMA.
- From other countries (e.g., shipped direct from China): Canada maintains a much lower threshold (around CAD $20 for mail/courier) above which duties/taxes typically apply.
- CLVS processing limit: courier shipments ≤ CAD $3,300 qualify for streamlined processing (not a tax‑free limit).
What does it cost to ship China → Canada (and how to reduce it)?
Spot ocean prices move with supply/demand. As of late August 2025, Drewry’s World Container Index composite was $2,119 per FEU; Xeneta data reported Far East → U.S. West Coast spot rates falling sharply into late August/early September (WSJ citing Xeneta showed ~$1,802/FEU on Sept 1, 2025). Use indices for trend‑checking, then request a dated all‑in quote that reflects your lane, equipment, and local charges.
Five cost drivers you can control
- Mode & service level: FCL usually beats LCL on $/CBM above the break‑even; choose deferred vs. priority air by deadline.
- Routing: West Coast entry (Vancouver/Prince Rupert) plus rail is often fastest to inland Canada; validate with the delivery postal code.
- Cargo readiness & cut‑offs: Align documents (CI/PL/HS), VGM and cut‑off times to avoid rollovers/storage.
- Packaging density: Optimize cartons and pallets to reduce chargeable volume, especially for LCL/air.
- Consolidation: Combine multiple suppliers in China to reach FCL break‑even (buyer’s consolidation) and lower unit cost.
Need a firm number? Tell us your HS code(s), cargo‑ready date, pickup address, and Canadian delivery postal code — we’ll return a dated FCL/LCL/air/express quote and a route comparison.
Duties, taxes & compliance checklist (DDP/NRI‑friendly)
- Confirm HS codes and duty via Canada Tariff Finder; verify in CBSA Customs Tariff 2025 (T2025).
- Register in CARM and ensure RPP security is active before booking.
- Decide who is Importer of Record (IOR). Under DDP, overseas sellers often register as NRI to act as IOR.
- Calculate GST/HST and any duty at import; registrants can usually claim ITCs under CRA rules (see CRA HST rate table).
- For courier, apply the correct CUSMA vs. non‑CUSMA de minimis rules; remember CLVS ≤ CAD $3,300 is a processing limit, not a tax‑free threshold.
How ZGGship helps on China to Canada lanes
- Door‑to‑door DDP (including NRI support) for e‑commerce and B2B.
- Consolidation hubs across South/East China to reach FCL break‑even sooner.
- Compliance‑first brokerage coordination aligned with CBSA/CRA requirements (incl. CARM & RPP).
- Transparent milestone tracking from factory pickup to Canadian delivery.
FAQs
How do I find the duty rate for my product?
Use Canada Tariff Finder to look up rates by HS code, then confirm in CBSA Customs Tariff 2025.
Are parcels shipped directly from China tax‑free under de minimis?
No. The higher $40 (taxes) / $150 (duty) thresholds apply only to courier imports from the U.S. or Mexico under CUSMA. Direct imports from China generally face duties/taxes above ~$20.
How fast can ocean be to Canada?
On some loops, Qingdao → Vancouver is published at ~13 days; Shanghai/Ningbo → Vancouver shortest published ~14–17 days, plus inland to final delivery.