Door-to-Door Freight from China to Canada
CheapBulk handles the entire shipping process from Chinese factories to your Canadian address — freight booking, export documentation, customs clearance, duty payment and final-mile delivery.
Short answer
Shipping from China to Canada takes 25–35 days by sea (FCL costs $2,500–$5,500 per 20ft container), 5–8 days by air ($4–$8/kg), or 3–5 days by express ($20–$50/kg). CheapBulk manages the entire process door-to-door — from our Yiwu warehouse to your Canadian warehouse, retail location or Amazon FBA centre.
Shipping Methods
Sea Freight (FCL)
Best for: Full container loads — bulk orders, heavy goods, cost-sensitive shipments
A 20ft container holds approximately 28 CBM or 25,000 kg. FCL is the most cost-effective method for large orders. Main routes go through Vancouver (Pacific) or Montreal/Toronto via the St. Lawrence Seaway or intermodal rail.
Sea Freight (LCL)
Best for: Smaller shipments that do not fill a full container
Your cargo is consolidated with other shipments in a shared container. LCL costs more per CBM than FCL but requires much less volume. Minimum charge is typically 1 CBM. CheapBulk consolidates orders from Yiwu to reduce per-client costs.
Air Freight
Best for: Urgent orders, high-value goods, lightweight products
Air freight arrives at Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR) or Montreal (YUL). Faster customs clearance than sea freight. Best for orders under 500 kg or when time-to-market is critical. Air freight rates fluctuate seasonally.
Express Courier
Best for: Samples, small parcels, documents
Door-to-door service via DHL, FedEx or UPS. Includes customs clearance and delivery. Practical for shipments under 50 kg. Duties and taxes may be collected on delivery.
Our Door-to-Door Process
Shipment Planning
We determine the optimal shipping method based on your cargo volume, weight, budget and timeline. For Amazon FBA orders, we also create shipping plans aligned with your Seller Central account.
Cargo Preparation
Products are consolidated at our Yiwu warehouse, palletised or carton-packed to shipping specifications, and photographed for documentation. We verify packaging meets Canadian import requirements.
Freight Booking & Documentation
We book freight at competitive rates through our carrier network. All export documentation is prepared — commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and any product-specific certificates required by CBSA.
Customs & Duties Management
We prepare all Canadian customs documentation, classify goods under the Harmonized System (HS codes), estimate duties and GST/HST, and coordinate with your customs broker for smooth clearance at the port of entry.
Canadian Port Handling
We arrange terminal handling, container drayage and port clearance at Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal or other Canadian ports. For LCL shipments, we coordinate deconsolidation and local delivery.
Final-Mile Delivery
Door-to-door delivery to your Canadian warehouse, retail location, or Amazon FBA fulfilment centre. We coordinate delivery appointments and provide tracking updates throughout.
Canadian Ports of Entry
| Port | Advantage | Transit from China | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver (BC) | Closest Pacific port — shortest transit from China | 22–28 days | Western Canada, fastest sea freight option |
| Toronto (ON) | Canada's largest import hub, extensive distribution network | 30–38 days (via rail from Vancouver) | Ontario businesses, central distribution |
| Montreal (QC) | Direct Atlantic access, lower congestion than Vancouver | 33–40 days | Eastern Canada, Quebec-based businesses |
| Prince Rupert (BC) | Less congested alternative to Vancouver, fast rail connections | 23–30 days | Cost-sensitive shipments avoiding Vancouver congestion |
Incoterms Explained for Canadian Importers
Incoterms define who pays for what and who assumes risk at each stage of shipping. Understanding these terms is essential for negotiating with Chinese suppliers.
FOB (Free On Board)
Supplier delivers goods to the Chinese port. Buyer pays freight, insurance and import costs.
Risk: Buyer assumes risk from Chinese port onward
Best for: Experienced importers who want control over freight
CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight)
Supplier pays freight and insurance to Canadian port. Buyer handles customs and delivery.
Risk: Supplier assumes risk until goods arrive at Canadian port
Best for: Mid-experience importers wanting simpler supplier quotes
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
Supplier delivers goods to your door with all duties, taxes and freight paid.
Risk: Supplier assumes all risk until delivery
Best for: Buyers wanting all-inclusive pricing, less experienced importers
DAP (Delivered at Place)
Supplier delivers to your location but buyer pays import duties and taxes.
Risk: Supplier assumes risk until arrival, buyer handles customs costs
Best for: Buyers wanting door delivery but managing their own customs
CheapBulk typically arranges DDP or DAP shipping so you receive goods at your door with no surprises. We handle all the complexity behind the scenes.
Canadian Customs & Duties
All goods imported into Canada are subject to customs clearance by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Duties are calculated based on the product's HS code classification and the declared value of the goods.
Customs duties: 0–18% depending on product classification (HS code)
GST: 5% on the value of goods + duty + freight costs
HST: 13–15% in certain provinces (Ontario, Nova Scotia, etc.) instead of GST
Customs broker fee: $50–$200 per shipment for clearance processing
CBSA examination fee: Charged only if goods are physically inspected
Anti-dumping duties: May apply to certain product categories from China
Use our Canada landed cost guide to estimate total import costs, or try our landed cost calculator.