The development of e-commerce has made it possible for consumers worldwide to buy goods from anywhere with the click of a button and deliver them directly to their door. Since transportation routes are now highly developed, e-commerce entrepreneurs have been able to sell Chinese goods on various marketplaces and deliver them to Canada quickly.
Options for routes to Canada
The delivery route of the goods depends on the destination city in Canada, the goods’ characteristics, the carrier’s service, and other factors. Let’s examine the rules, costs, and features of shipping routes from China to Canada to choose the best option.
Air transportation
It is the fastest way to get the cargo, as delivery times range from 1 to 5 business days, depending on the airline and route. From China, goods usually depart from Shenzhen Airport and arrive in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary.
The cost of air freight from China to Canada may vary depending on several factors:
- Weight
- Size of cargo
- Product type
- Delivery route
- Carrier tariffs
Generally, air freight is more expensive than ocean freight due to faster delivery time and higher cost of air freight. Air freight rates are typically calculated based on the chargeable weight, whichever is the greatest of the shipment’s actual weight or bulk weight.
Sea transportation
Ocean freight rates are a cost-effective option for shipping large volumes of goods from China to Canada. Transit time varies from 15 to 35 days, depending on the shipping line and port of departure and arrival.
Sea freight rates for shipping from China to Canada may vary depending on several factors, such as shipment type (FCL or LCL), cargo size and weight, shipping route, etc. FCL (Full Container Load) shipments typically have lower unit rates than LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments due to economies of scale.
In addition, rates may vary depending on the port of departure and arrival, with major ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shenzhen typically having more competitive rates.
Also, as an additional method of transportation, you can use rail deliveries of goods. Delivery by rail is to Vancouver or Montreal. If necessary, the goods are redirected from there to the warehouse by road or by other means.
How to calculate the cost of logistics services?
For this, the websites of logistics companies offer online calculators that allow you to orient yourself in prices, depending on specific conditions roughly. The cost varies because it is affected by routes and the product’s type, weight, volume, and quantity. To find out the exact price, you should contact the managers of several companies, make calculations, compare them, and, based on this, choose the most favorable conditions for your business.
