A Comprehensive guide shipping from China to Canada

1. If you want to save time and money while making an international delivery by air, sea, or land, consider using a freight forwarder for shipping from China to Canada.

2. It is always best to choose a freight forwarder from China because we have the advantages of language and geography becoming the ideal choice for overseas transporters.

3. Advantage of hiring a freight forwarder for shipping from China to Canada is speed. DFH global logistics can keep in touch with your supplier, and inform you about everything that happens. If there will be a problem, We will solve it in no time.

4. Consolidating your cargo is important especially if the goods are being bought from different suppliers. DFH global logistics can provide a consolidation process at any port of origin, where goods from different suppliers can be stored and delivered to you together.

5. You also have to consider the delivery time. Sea vessels take a longer time to reach Canada from China. Airplanes take less time. Factor in the amount of time you have before making a final decision. If you have a short time on your hands, consider using air freight, or even express shipping.

6. DFH global logistics is an experienced, reputable Chinese freight company specialized in shipping goods from China to Canada.
We have an excellent reputation for shipping, airline connections, and good customs reputation, and we are known for offering competitive pricing and timely delivery to capture the market in the freight forwarding industry.

7. DFH global logistics is a tested and trusted shipping agent with a track record of excellence. We ensure that the goods belonging to our clients are delivered to their location in Canada in one piece and without delay. We understand the shipping industry, and our experience is something you can count on.

8. We also offer DDP shipping, freight shipping, and Shenzhen shipping directly from China to Canada. With DFH Global Logistics, you have nothing to worry about since your goods are in safe hands.

Despite the current Covid-19 pandemic ravaging the entire globe, trade has continued to thrive as expected. Although the current climate has negatively impacted shipping and trade for months this year, industries, businesses, and importers have found ingenious ways to start afloat. The same holds true for intercontinental shipping from China to Canada. Shippers who buy goods from China ship them to Canada via air and sea.  This article will bring to light all you need to know about China to Canada shipping.

1. Should you choose a freight forwarder from China or Canada?
2. Canada Import Rules and Regulations
3. Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports
4. Prohibited & Restricted Items
5. Important Shipping documents
6. Shipping from China to Canada Incoterms
7. Shipping From China to Canada
8. How to choose the fastest and cheapest way to ship your items
9. Special shipping arrangements you might want to consider
10. Why choose DFH Global Logistics

We will also provide you with relevant information about shipping times, shipping costs, required documents, and the shipping codes of Canada. Read on to know more.

Should you choose a freight forwarder from China or Canada?

International trade is all about decision making, and one hey decision you will have to make is to decide whether to use the services of a freight forwarder in China or one in Canada. Using a forwarder in either of the two countries carries its own opportunities and risks. Above all, a Chinese freight forwarder provides you with more opportunities and little or no risk.

The reason being that the Chinese forwarder understands the market more than a forwarder operating from Canada. DFH Global Logistics understands not only the Chinese market but also the shipping industry in the country. With our help, you can negotiate a favorable contract with shilling companies, amongst other opportunities our services provide.

Here are some of the services provided by a reliable freight forwarder from China to Canada.

Pick up: If you pick a good forwarder from China, you can rest assured that the agent will pick up your cargo from the pickup point without a minute’ delay. It doesn’t matter whether you are picking the goods directly from the manufacturer’s warehouse or factory or from a middleman supplier. A good freight forwarder is always on time for your pick up without the need for your presence.

Packaging: There are certain standards and codes for packing different items. If items are not properly packaged, the Canadian customs agency may reject the item. In some cases, even the shipping company may refuse to take delivery. To avoid such a situation, your items need to be packaged as per prescribed standards. You can contact a freight forwarder to package your items for you all the way from your base in Canada.

Inspection: Inspection of items occurs in two folds. First, they must be inspected from the exported country, which is China, and by the importing country, which is Canada. DFH Global Logistics can arrange a pre-inspection on your behalf to make sure that everything is in order before your items are prepped for shipping.

Insurance: Insurance provides liability against potential loss. The insurance company you contract to indemnify your cargo against loss or damage has do be a reliable one. This is one more reason why you need a trusted freight forwarder to pick a reliable insurer for your cargo.

Consolidate your cargo: Cargo consolidation is a flexible term used to describe general logistics services. Cargo consolidation simplifies the shipping process and ensures that shipping timelines are adhered to.

Warehousing services: If your agent has already taken delivery of your ordered items, but the carrier is not ready to set sail, the items need to be kept in a safe place until the time of right. A reliable freight forwarder like DFH Global Logistics offers clients warehousing services to ensure cargo safety. In our warehouse, you don’t have to worry about your goods going bad or stolen. Our staff handles the items belonging to our customers with the utmost care.

Custom Clearance:  On the Chinese side of the trade, you need a trusted agent to represent you in your interaction with Chinese customs. To avoid delays, only the services of the best freight forwarder will suffice.

Find a reasonable shopping solution: There are two major means of shipping goods from China to Canada, and they are by Sea and by Air. Undersea freight, you can either go for LCL or FCL. Even under airfreight, there are variations such as express shipping and normal freight. You may not know the best option to choose, but a good freight forwarder knows what works best for your goods. The freight forwarder will make a decision by factoring in the nature of your goods, the shipping season, and any other relevant factor of importance.

Canada Import Rules and Regulations

The Canadian importation system is regulated by The Canada Customs Act, which corresponds with an ever-changing free trade model. Although some imports from certain countries do not require authorization, tariff quotas are applied for the following items

• Cheese
• Barley
• Beef
• Wheat

Any importer shipping any item placed under the tariff quota list needs to obtain an Import Permit. To obtain the permit, he or she must provide a pro forma invoice issued by the Export and Import Controls Bureau.

Some goods are also prohibited from entry, such as used vehicles (cars of this nature from the US are expected). Other items like weapons, munitions, and nuclear materials are also prohibited. As for the safety of consumables, cereals, and beverages such as juice products need to be fortified with varieties of vitamins and minerals. The rules for packaging every single item is also strict.

It is also important to note that Canada has one of the toughest anti-dumping regulations in the world with a loaded list of more than 85 products. 35 countries that produce the items on this list are affected though the list may be extended to include more countries in the future.

To be on the safe side, make sure you consult the website of the Canada Border Services Agency to know more.

Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports

As with all countries, the government of Canada levies duties and taxes on items imported onto the country. Currently, there is a 4.8% rate place on imported items on average. This rate changes from time to time, so make sure you find out about the exact rate on the item you intend to import before you place an order with your Chinese supplier.

How the Customs Process Works

The Customs process of Canada is relatively straightforward. Let us take you through the process from start to finish for a clear understanding.

1. You place your order and pay for the item

The process starts from the point where you order and pay for your goods in China. After placing your order, you will have to order the services of a freight forwarder to handle the processing for you. The forwarder will arrange shipping, clearance with Chinese Customs, and all other logistics arrangement.

2. Open a Canadian Customs Broker Account

The next stage is for you to open an account with the Customs authority of Canada. To do this, you will have to seek the services of a licensed customs broker in Canada. Provide the broker with the bill of lading and any other relevant shipping document. The broker will be your middle man and will liaise with the Customs agent on your behalf once your cargo arrives.

3. Obtain a Commercial invoice

A commercial invoice issued to you by your Chinese seller will be demanded by the Customs authorities. The invoice should include information such as the Seller’s personal information, your personal information, the number of units, cost per unit, date of purchase, and currency used to make the purchase.

4. Freight Pickup

The shipping company you have contracted to pick up your cargo will pick it up at the port in China and will receive a copy of the commercial invoice from your Chinese freight forwarder. The moment the shopping carrier receives the document, a barcoded sticker will be placed on it for easy identification when the time comes to provide it to the Customs authorities. In some cases, the invoice will be faxed to the Customs ahead of the vessel’s arrival at the designated Canadian port.

5. Your Canadian broker will receive the shipping document

The broker working on your behalf in China will also send copies of the shopping document to your Canadian broker. Once the broker gets it, he will get to work to determine just how much the authorities will charge as a duty for your cargo. The broker will also notify you about the date of arrival.

6. Cargo Arrival

When the carrier arrives at the port of destination, your Canadian broker will present your invoice to the Customs agent. The agent will scan the bar code on the document. Once the code is recognized by his system, the process to clear your cargo will commence.

7. Shipment clearance

At this final stage, your items will be cleared after your broker pays the required duty for the items. After payment has been processed, a truck will be arranged by your broker to take delivery of your items for onward transportation to your location.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Here are some of the prohibited items not allowed into Canada.

• Obscene and Pornographic materials
• Counterfeit goods
• Coins and Cash
• Items made in prisons
• Used mattresses and cushions
• Items with fake addresses of origin
• Used cars
• White phosphorous matches
• Items/ materials that elicit sedition and hate speech

Important Shipping documents

Find below some of the vital documents required to facilitate the shipping of items from China to Canada.

Invoice

An invoice is one of the most important shipping documents required by customs agents, without which your items will not be cleared. An invoice is used by the customs authorities to assess the value of your cargo in order to charge duty for it.

Packing List

A packing list is a form pasted on the carton or container with which the item is being transported; the packing lost contains information such as the size and weight of the items as well as the unit. This list also provides information about the nature of items as well as their country of origin.

Bill of Lading

This is one of the documents you will have to submit to Canadian Customs once your goods arrive in Canada. The bill of lading is issued by the carrier. This document provides all the necessary information about the cargo as well as the terms of delivery.

Insurance policy

The insurance policy or certificate is required for all imports into the country. This is a supporting document that is used by the customs to verify whether there is an insurance cover placed on your items or not. It is also used to assess the true value of the cargo so as to determine import duty.

Certificate of Origin

The government of Canada wants to know where every item shipped into the country is coming from. The certificate of origin provides detailed information about where the item is coming from.

Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED)

A SED is a form that provides essential details about the goods that’s about to be exported from China to Canada. This document is used by the government of China and other countries to control the shipping of selected items outside the country.

What is a Customs Bond?

A Customs Bond is a signed contract between three parties, namely the Customs authorities, the importer, and a surety. This document ensures that all the fees and duties associated with the item are paid for by the principal on arrival.

What is an Arrival notice?

An arrival notice informs the principal and the broker about the due date the vessel is set to arrive at the port. This information helps all parties to prepare ahead of time.

HS Codes and Tariffs

Entrepreneurs looking to import items into Canada need to be aware of the HA codes of the country. HS codes are codes used in classifying items into various categories. Knowing these codes is very important if you want to engage in the trade of importation.  Also, note that different tariffs apply to different items.

When a Customs agent inspects an item, he or she is guided by the prescribed HS code for the item. It is only after the inspection has been done that the item can the item be cleared.

Shipping from China to Canada Incoterms

For shipments from China to Canada, here are some common incoterms to bear in mind.

EXW (EX Works)

Under EXW, the seller is under the obligation to make the goods available at a predetermined location designated by the buyer. Once the goods arrive at the location set by the buyer, the safety of the goods becomes the sole responsibility of the buyer as the seller will have honored the terms of the contract.

FOB

FOB stands for Free On Board. Under this arrangement, the seller retains all the risks until the goods reach the final destination of the buyer. Once it does, the seller is free from any further obligation.

CFR

Cost and Freight specify that the seller will make all the arrangements to deliver the goods to the buyer and will pay for the freight costs. The seller also has to provide the buyer with all the necessary documents for customs clearance at the port of destination.

CIF

CIF stands for Cost, Insurance, and Freight. Under CIF, all shipping expense is paid for by the seller, including insurance cover.

DDP

Duty Paid Delivery requires the seller to deliver the goods to an agreed location. The seller bears responsibility for the item until it gets to that final location. The seller also covers all the costs involved.

DDU

Under Delivered Duty Unpaid, the freight cost and import duty is the responsibility of the buyer and not the seller. The buyer nears responsibility for the items as soon as they are delivered by the seller to an agreed location.

Shipping From China to Canada

The tax and duties levied on goods coming into Canada from China are subject to change.  However, the current import duty is 4.8% of the value of the item.

Sea Freight from China to Canada

Sea freight is one of the most common means of shipping items from China to Canada. Also called Ocean shipping, it is the cheapest means of transport. This is because sea vessels are able to carry more goods, let units compared to airplanes, for example. Although ships are not as fast as airplanes, they represent an economic option, and shippers use them to reduce the transport cost per unit.

LCL Shipping from China to Canada

There are two types of sea shipping modes. They are LCL and FCL. FCL is a contract in which the shipped rent the entire container solely for the transportation of his goods. LCL, on the other hand, is the cheaper alternative. Under LCL, items belonging to more than one Shipper are loaded into a single container.  At the port of destination, the items are separated and releases to their respective owners

Shipping route from China to Canada

There are two main shipping routes vessels all through to connect Canada from China. They are the Pacific route and the Atlantic route. For the Pacific route, the vessel sets sail from any of the seaports from the East of China and sails off the coast of Japan to connect the West of Canada and the US.

As for the Atlantic route, the vessel will sail through the South China Sea to connect the Indian Ocean. From the Indian Ocean, it will either sail for the Mediterranean Sea through the Arabian Peninsula to connect Europe or its sails for the Cape of Good Hope to the South of Africa. Either of these two routes can be taken to connect the Atlantic Ocean. From the Atlantic, the voyage will be concluded when the ship arrives on the East Coast of Canada

Shipping Rates from China to Canada

                                                 From Shanghai              From Ningbo                    From Shenzhen

Shipping to Vancouver port	$679	$692	$657
Shipping to Toronto	$743	$743	$703
Shipping to Toronto	$723	$733	$692

Note: The estimates provided is for the door to door shipping for 200 kg/1 cbm

Air Freight from China to Canada

Airfreight from China to Canada is the fastest shipping method. If time is of the essence to you, consider using air freight over sea freight.

	Shipping from Shanghai	Shipping from Ningbo	Shipping from Shenzhen
Shipping to Vancouver	$1,960	$1,565	$1,399
Shipping to Montreal	$1,314	$1,303	$1,282
Shopping to Toronto	$1,289	$1,115	$987

Shipping from China to Canada time

Find in the table below the shipping time for both sea freight and air freight. Also included is the timing for express shipping.

	Port to Port	Door to Door
Sea Freight	50-55 days	29-33 days
Sea Freight	22-35 days	25-30 days
Air Freight	4-7 days	6-13 days
Express	–	1-4 days

Sea shipping from China to Canada tracking

You can track your shipments from China to Canada. Tracking allows you to know where the vessel carrying your cargo is located at every point in time. It also allows you to make projected estimates regarding the arrival time.

Sea Ports in China

The Seaports from which goods can be shipped to Canada are:

• Shanghai – Guangzhou – Ningbo – Xiamen – Qingdao – Shenzhen

The seaports in Canada that receive imports from China include

• Vancouver – Prince Rupert – Halifax – Nanaimo – Toronto – Saint John – Montreal

Airfreight from China to Canada

You can also track your shipment should you choose to ship by air. The airports from which cargo is shipped to Canada from China include

• Beijing – Xi’an – Shanghai – Shenzhen – Guangzhou – Chengdu

Airports in Canada that receive imports from China include

• Montreal- Pierre – Calgary – Vancouver

Express Shipping from China to Canada

Express shipping is another name for air freight, but the difference is that the items are quickly processed and delivered to you’re your destination at a much quicker rate. There are several

express shipping

firms offering their services. They include

• DHL – FedEx – EMS – UPS

How to choose the fastest and cheapest way to ship your items?

Deciding on the means of transport for your goods is one of the most important decisions you will ever make as far as engaging in international trade is concerned. Do you use sea or air freight? Or do you pay for express shipping? You are free to make a decision, but you have to consider their cost implications. If you utilize an expensive mode, the final price of your goods will go up, thereby affecting your profitability potential. With that said, here are things to consider to help your decision making.

Quantity: Consider the number of items you are shipping. If you are shipping in large units, consider using sea freight. Sea freight is by far the cheapest option when it comes to moving goods in large quantities. The cheap pricing allows you to spread transport costs across each unit of the item. If the items are not so much, air freight or express shipping is the better option.

Weight: The weight of your cargo should also be considered carriers charge based on the weight of the item. Very heavy cargo will attract a much higher feel for air freight compared to what sea freight will attract.

Nature of the item: Another thing to consider is the nature of the item. If the item is sensitive to heat or is perishable such as medicines and certain food items, shipping my air is advisable.

Delivery time: You also have to consider the delivery time. Sea vessels take a longer time to reach Canada from China. Airplanes take less time. Factor in the amount of time you have before making a final decision. If you have a short time on your hands, consider using air freight or even express shipping.

Special shipping arrangements you might want to consider

Amazon Shipping from China to Canada

Amazon fulfillment program offers shippers excellent warehousing services, amongst other benefits. You can take advantage of their supply chain if you want. Before you do so, make sure you do your due diligence to be sure that their service is right for you.

Alibaba Shipping

Alibaba has a similar service network to that of Amazon. You can buy goods on Alibaba and use their supply chain to ship your items to Canada via Aliexpress.

Drop shipping

Under a drop shipping arrangement, you don’t have to be involved in the shipping process. You buy the item online and pay for the shipping. The item will be delivered to your address in Canada.

Why choose DFH Global Logistics

Many of our clients trust the service that we offer, and you should too. We are a tested and trusted shipping agent with a track record of excellence. We ensure that the goods belonging to our clients are delivered to their location in Canada in one piece and without delay. We understand the shipping industry, and our experience is something you can count on.

We offer DDP shipping, freight shipping, and Shenzhen shipping directly from China to Canada. With DFH Global Logistics, you have nothing to worry about since your goods are in safe hands.