Sea freight shipping services to Canada: What you need to know

Shipping goods to Canada is increasingly being prioritized and promoted by many businesses, thanks to the strong growth in export demand to this market. In this context, 3W Logistics plays the role of an intermediary, providing reputable, fast, and professional shipping services to Canada in Vietnam.

1. Overview of export services to Canada

Exports to Canada have been growing steadily since Vietnam and Canada officially became members of the CPTPP free trade agreement. Accordingly, Canada’s export value reached 5.3 billion USD, up 20.8% (Vietnam Customs statistics, 2021).

Products in industries such as garments, wood – furniture, and agricultural and seafood products have also achieved impressive figures when exported to Canada. For example, footwear, handbags, and textiles reached over 1.4 billion USD (up 16.6%); wooden furniture reached 234 million USD (up 6.5%); shrimp accounted for 30%, cashew nuts accounted for 90% of the market…

>> See more: Sea freight rates

2. What is sea freight shipping service to Canada?

Canada is a market that places strong emphasis on aviation safety regulations as well as national border security. Therefore, when exporting goods to Canada by air, businesses often face difficulties related to procedures and taxes. This is also why sea freight shipping to Canada is more widely chosen than ever.

It is known that sea freight services from Vietnam to Canada utilize large vessels for export. Goods are packed into containers with an average volume of 15 cubic meters.

3. Advantages of shipping to Canada by sea

Nowadays, sea freight services to Canada are considered a safe and optimal solution, offering businesses many benefits such as:

– Shipping rates to Canada are highly competitive, saving much more cost compared to air freight.

– Goods are shipped to Canada continuously, facilitating business transactions, trade, and import-export activities.

– There are many sea routes available, and customs procedures are relatively simple. In addition, shipping by sea involves fewer collisions compared to road transport, ensuring maximum safety for goods.

– Sea transport is a natural route, so delays rarely occur. At the same time, the variety of goods that can be shipped is much broader than international express delivery.

– Suitable for large-volume or bulky shipments that do not require urgent delivery.

Sea freight shipping to Canada is widely preferred by businesses due to relatively simple procedures and lower costs compared to air freight

4. Methods of shipping goods to Canada

Canada is a market that places strong emphasis on aviation safety regulations as well as national border security. Therefore, when exporting goods to Canada by air, businesses often face difficulties related to procedures and taxes. This is also why sea freight shipping to Canada is more widely chosen than ever.

Sea freight services from Vietnam to Canada use large vessels for export. Goods are packed into containers with an average volume of 15 cubic meters.
Currently, shipping goods to Canada by sea is carried out through the following three methods:

4.1 LCL sea freight to Canada

LCL (Less than Container Load) is an optimal and cost-effective solution for businesses that need to ship small quantities of goods to Canada by sea.

4.2 FCL sea freight to Canada

FCL (Full Container Load) is suitable for companies that frequently ship goods and have container volumes exceeding 15 cubic meters.

4.3 Door-to-door sea freight to Canada

“Door to Door” is a full-package service including pickup – International transportation – customs procedures from Vietnam to Canada and vice versa.

For air freight services to Canada, there are two main forms: LCL shipping and full charter shipments with express or standard flight services. This method is suitable for small, high-value, and urgent shipments.

>> See more: U.S. import regulations

5. How long does sea freight shipping to Canada take?

Basically, shipping to Canada by sea takes significantly longer than by air. Typically, export time is about 3–5 days (air freight) and 25–45 days (sea freight).

However, this is only an estimate for reference. The actual time depends on the shipping schedule, geographical distance, customs procedures, as well as weather and climate conditions.

Shipping time to Canada is not fixed as it depends on the service and the type of goods being exported

>> See more: Sea freight transit time

6. Goods allowed and prohibited for shipping to Canada

Before shipping goods to Canada, businesses should research and select items that are permitted and prohibited for export to this market, specifically:

6.1 Permitted goods for shipping to Canada

– Letters, parcels, documents, paperwork, passports, birth certificates, contracts, or invoices.

– Cosmetics (powder, liquid, or cream forms), makeup tools, skincare products, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, or laundry detergent.

– Pharmaceutical products in blister packs, dietary supplements, traditional medicine, eye drops, and nasal sprays.

– Personal items, including shoes, belts, glasses, áo dài, wedding dresses, hats, wallets, backpacks of all kinds.

– Food items such as dried fish, dried shrimp and squid, shredded pork, jams, noodles, vermicelli, dried bamboo shoots, cereals, juice, confectionery, vegetables.

– Furniture such as tables, chairs, beds, wardrobes, bookshelves, heated blankets.

– Handicrafts, sculptures, paintings.

– Industrial machinery, electronics, ice cream machines, sugarcane juice extractors.

6.2 Prohibited goods for shipping to Canada

– Explosives, weapons, fireworks, ammunition.

– Gold, silver, and high-value gemstones.

– Opium, stimulants, or synthetic drugs.

– Counterfeit goods.

– Cultural products or publications that violate laws, politics, security, or ethics and are banned in Vietnam.

– Right-hand drive vehicles, garbage trucks, street sweepers, or cranes.

>> See more: Customs procedure consulting

7. Shipping costs to Canada

Shipping costs to Canada may vary depending on the transportation method and the nature of the goods. To get detailed pricing, contact 3W Logistics for a quotation suitable for your shipping needs HERE.

What are the surcharges for shipping to Canada by sea?

Below is a reference table of surcharges for sea freight shipping to Canada:

8. Important notes when shipping goods to Canada by sea

To ensure a smooth, successful, and cost-effective shipping process to Canada by sea, businesses should consider the following:

8.1 Packaging standards

Proper packaging is required to ensure cargo safety:

• Measure dimensions, weight, and volume of the shipment.
• Choose suitable packaging based on the physical and chemical characteristics of the goods.
• Clearly indicate product name, quantity, and weight on the packaging. Dangerous goods must include proper labeling.
• Clearly state the recipient’s address, name, and destination country on labels, aligned with packing slips.

>> See more: Shipping line agents

8.2 E-Manifest declaration requirement

Currently, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) requires freight forwarders/NVOCCs to submit E-Manifest at least 24 hours before cargo arrives in Canada:

– Submit House Bill information if goods are imported or transiting Canada.
– Submit Supplement Cargo Data if goods are in transit without unloading (FROB).

To comply, forwarders/NVOCCs must:
– Register business information with CBSA to obtain a carrier code (about 2 weeks).
– Ensure all involved parties submit E-Manifest (including co-load/consolidation).
– Register EDI connection or use a third-party system.

Sea freight shipping to Canada requires E-Manifest submission at least 24 hours before vessel arrival

8.3 Prepare commercial invoice

This is a key document reflecting the amount payable by the importer. A complete commercial invoice helps optimize shipment value and supports accounting reconciliation.

>> See more: Freight rates to the USA

8.4 Choose a reliable logistics provider

3W Logistics is a trusted partner offering:

– Competitive pricing suitable for business budgets.
– Partnerships with major shipping lines such as Maersk Lines, Sea Land, ONE, Yang Ming, Evergreen, Cosco, Hyundai, OOCL, Hapag-Lloyd, Wan Hai, KMTC, SITC, CMA-CGM, MSC.
– Flexible shipping options: FCL, LCL, and Door-to-Door.
– OTI-NVOCC with FMC and bond, capable of issuing HBL and filing E-Manifest independently (FMC #029003).
– Extensive experience across industries: agriculture, seafood, consumer goods, garments, wood, rubber, furniture.
– Full documentation support, licensing, and compliance procedures.
– Cargo insurance consulting.
– Professional and responsive customer service team.
– Electronic customs declaration support to speed up clearance.

Competitive pricing and high-quality service are key priorities of 3W Logistics

9. Export process to Canada at 3W Logistics

– Step 1: Negotiate and sign contract.
– Step 2: Book space with shipping line.
– Step 3: Deliver goods to port.
– Step 4: Complete export customs clearance.
– Step 5: Issue Bill of Lading and exchange documents.
– Step 6: Submit E-Manifest via ACI at least 24 hours before loading.
– Step 7: Notify arrival.
– Step 8: Issue delivery order.
– Step 9: Complete import customs clearance.
– Step 10: Importer receives goods and completes payment.

Overall, the success of export shipments depends heavily on the logistics provider. 3W Logistics offers reliable, professional, and cost-effective sea freight services to Canada.