Importing freight into Canada involves more than booking a container. Between tariff classification, CBSA documentation, duty calculations, and coordinating last-mile delivery, the process has real complexity — and the cost of getting it wrong can be significant. This guide breaks down the full import freight process for Canadian businesses, from choosing the right transport mode to clearing customs and receiving your goods at the door.
How the Canadian Import Freight Process Works
When goods are shipped to Canada from another country, they must be declared to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) before being released for domestic delivery. A licensed customs broker prepares the formal entry — known as a B3 form — and submits it electronically on your behalf. Duties and taxes are assessed, and if all documentation is in order, the CBSA releases the shipment.
As a full-service freight forwarder, Shippers First manages both the logistics and the customs coordination. You don't need to track down a separate broker — we handle it end-to-end, whether your goods are arriving by air, ocean, or truck.
For a broader overview of the forwarding process, see our guide to what is freight forwarding.
1
Booking & Documentation
Confirm freight details, arrange pickup at origin, and prepare all required shipping documents — commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading.
2
International Transport
Goods move from origin country to Canadian port of entry by air, ocean, or cross-border truck, depending on urgency and budget.
3
Canadian Customs Clearance
CBSA entry is filed, duties and GST assessed, and any inspections or holds resolved. Most commercial shipments clear within 1–3 business days.
4
Domestic Delivery
Cleared freight moves from the port of entry to your warehouse, distribution centre, or final consignee anywhere in Canada.
Import Freight Modes: Air, Ocean, and Ground
Choosing the right mode depends on your cargo type, volume, timeline, and budget. Here is a direct comparison to help you decide — and when to consider combining modes for the optimal result.
| Mode |
Typical Transit |
Best For |
Cost Range |
| Air Freight |
3–7 business days |
Time-sensitive, high-value, or low-weight cargo |
Highest per kg |
| Ocean FCL |
18–40 days |
Full container loads, large volumes |
Lowest per CBM |
| Ocean LCL |
25–45 days |
Partial loads, SME importers |
Mid-range |
| Cross-Border Truck |
1–5 days |
US-origin cargo, temperature-sensitive goods |
Mid-range |
| Intermodal Rail |
5–12 days |
Long-haul domestic, eco-conscious shippers |
Lower than air |
For a detailed breakdown of air versus ocean trade-offs, see our guide: air freight vs ocean freight. If your goods are moving from the US into Canada, our Canada–US freight forwarding page covers the cross-border specifics in full.
Canadian Import Documentation: What You Need
Missing or incorrect documents are the single most common cause of customs delays. Preparing these accurately before your shipment departs the origin country saves significant time and potential storage costs at the Canadian port.
Commercial Invoice
Must state seller and buyer details, HS code, country of origin, unit prices, and total value in the transaction currency. This is the foundation of the customs entry.
Packing List
Itemises the contents of every carton or pallet — weights, dimensions, and quantities. Cross-referenced against the commercial invoice by the CBSA.
Bill of Lading / AWB
The transport contract and proof of shipment. Ocean shipments use a bill of lading; air freight uses an air waybill. Learn more about what is a bill of lading.
Canada Customs Invoice (B3)
The formal declaration filed with the CBSA. Your broker or forwarder prepares this from your commercial invoice and other documents.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms where goods were manufactured. Required for preferential tariff treatment under CUSMA, CETA, CPTPP, and other Canadian trade agreements.
Permits & Licences
Certain goods — food, plants, electronics with radio components — require CFIA, Health Canada, or ISED permits before clearance can be granted.
Understanding Canadian Import Duties and Taxes
Most commercial imports into Canada are subject to both customs duties and GST (Goods and Services Tax). The rate of duty depends on the HS tariff classification of the goods and the country from which they originate.
Under CUSMA (formerly NAFTA), goods of US or Mexican origin that qualify under the rules of origin often attract a 0% duty rate. Canadian trade agreements with the EU (CETA) and many Asia-Pacific countries (CPTPP) provide similar preferential rates — but only when the correct certificate of origin is presented.
GST of 5% is applied to the customs value of the goods plus the applicable duty. Some provinces also collect PST or HST on imported goods once they enter domestic commerce. Shippers First works with licensed brokers to ensure correct classification and maximum use of applicable trade agreement benefits.
For a deeper dive into import costs, see our guide to freight forwarding costs in Canada.
Common Import Freight Challenges — and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced importers encounter the same recurring problems. Here are the most common and how a freight forwarder prevents them:
!
Incorrect HS/HTS Classification
Wrong tariff codes lead to incorrect duty assessments and potential penalties. Shippers First works with licensed brokers to classify goods correctly from the start.
!
Undervalued or Incomplete Invoices
CBSA scrutinises transaction values carefully. Commercial invoices must reflect the true price paid, including any assists or royalties that form part of the customs value.
!
Missing Regulatory Permits
Food products, certain plastics, and electronics with wireless components require advance permits from CFIA, Environment Canada, or ISED. These cannot be obtained after arrival.
!
Incoterms Confusion
Who is responsible for import duties — buyer or seller? The Incoterms on your purchase order determine this. Shippers First reviews Incoterms with you before booking to ensure you're not surprised by unexpected costs.
Why Choose Shippers First for Your Canadian Import Freight
With over 40 years of combined experience in Canadian freight forwarding, Shippers First offers genuine expertise — not a booking platform or a rate aggregator. As a CIFFA-member freight forwarder in Canada, we bring professional accountability and a network of trusted ocean carriers, airline partners, and licensed customs brokers.
We handle imports from every major trade corridor — Asia, Europe, the United States, Australia, and South America — by air, ocean, and ground. Whether you are importing a single pallet of samples or a monthly program of full container loads, we provide the same level of attention and the same experienced team.
Our offices serve the full Canadian market. If you are based in Ontario, see our freight forwarding Ontario page. For British Columbia importers, visit freight forwarding Vancouver. For Quebec, see freight forwarding Montreal.
Ready to Import Into Canada?
Get a quote from an experienced Canadian freight forwarder — air, ocean, and ground handled end-to-end, with customs clearance included.
Or call us directly: 888-826-6118
Frequently Asked Questions: Import Freight Canada
What documents are required to import freight into Canada? +
Core documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and a Canada Customs invoice (B3 entry). Depending on origin and goods type, you may also need certificates of origin, CFIA permits, Health Canada approvals, or ISED licences for regulated items such as food, plants, or wireless electronics.
Do I need a customs broker to import goods into Canada? +
Technically no — you can self-clear goods as an importer of record. In practice, the vast majority of commercial importers use a licensed customs broker to ensure correct classification and compliance. Shippers First coordinates customs clearance as part of our freight forwarding service, so you do not need to source a broker separately.
How are import duties calculated in Canada? +
Duties are calculated on the customs value of the goods — typically the transaction value — multiplied by the applicable tariff rate for the HS code. GST (5%) is then applied to the duty-inclusive value. Rates vary significantly by country of origin and applicable trade agreements such as CUSMA, CETA, and CPTPP.
How long does it take to import freight into Canada? +
Transit times vary by mode: air freight typically arrives in 3–7 business days, ocean LCL in 25–45 days depending on origin, and ocean FCL in a similar range. Cross-border trucking from the US usually takes 1–5 days. Customs clearance adds 1–3 business days once all documentation is submitted and in order.
What is a Canada Customs invoice (B3)? +
The B3 is the Canadian customs entry form used to declare imported goods to the CBSA. It includes the customs value, tariff classification, country of origin, and duty calculation. Your customs broker or freight forwarder prepares and submits this electronically on your behalf as the importer of record.
Can Shippers First handle both the international shipping and Canadian customs clearance? +
Yes. Shippers First provides end-to-end import freight management — ocean, air, and ground transport combined with customs clearance coordination, duty calculation guidance, and last-mile delivery to your door anywhere in Canada. You deal with one team from origin to final delivery.