Freight Forwarding
Questions Answered.

FCL (Full Container Load) means your cargo fills an entire 20ft or 40ft shipping container — ideal for large volumes (typically over 15 CBM), offering faster transit and reduced handling risk. LCL (Less than Container Load) means your shipment shares container space with other cargo, and you pay only for the space you use. LCL is cost-effective for smaller loads but involves consolidation and deconsolidation at origin and destination, adding 2–5 days to transit. Nuvotrade can advise the right option based on your volume, timeline, and budget.

Transit times from China to Canada vary by origin port and Canadian destination port. From Shanghai or Ningbo to Vancouver: approximately 14–18 days direct service. From Shenzhen or Guangzhou (via Yantian) to Vancouver: approximately 15–19 days. LCL (consolidated) shipments typically add 5–7 days for consolidation and deconsolidation at both ends. For Montreal or Toronto-bound cargo, add 8–12 days for inland rail from Vancouver. These are vessel transit times only — allow additional time for origin cargo receipt, customs clearance at CBSA, and delivery to your facility. Nuvotrade books weekly departures on major carriers including COSCO, Evergreen, Yang Ming, and MSC, ensuring consistent vessel access year-round.

We manage shipments from all major Chinese export ports. Shanghai (Port of Shanghai / Yangshan) and Ningbo-Zhoushan are the two largest container ports in the world and handle the majority of Canada-bound cargo. We also operate regularly from Shenzhen (Yantian International Container Terminal), Guangzhou (Nansha), Tianjin, Qingdao, and Xiamen. We have established agent relationships at each of these ports for origin documentation, customs export clearance, and container booking — ensuring your cargo is handled professionally at the source, not just at the Canadian end.

Canada imports a wide range of goods from China including electronics and components, furniture and home furnishings, clothing and textiles, machinery and industrial equipment, consumer goods and general merchandise, solar panels and EV components, and construction materials. We handle all of these categories regularly. Our customs team is experienced with the specific HS code classifications, CBSA valuation requirements, and any applicable anti-dumping or countervailing duties that apply to Chinese-origin goods in Canada. We advise clients proactively on tariff exposure before they place purchase orders.

All goods entering Canada must be declared to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Our licensed customs brokers handle the full CBSA entry process: HS code classification, duty and GST/HST calculation, Form B3 preparation, and electronic submission through the CBSA's CARM system. For goods from China, we verify whether any Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) duties — anti-dumping or countervailing — apply to your commodity, as these can significantly increase landed costs if not identified in advance. We also manage any CBSA examination requests, hold releases, and re-determination appeals. Most straightforward shipments clear within 1–2 business days of vessel arrival at Vancouver.

For China-to-Canada shipments, FCL (Full Container Load) is typically cost-effective once your cargo exceeds 12–15 CBM or roughly 10,000 kg. A 20ft container holds approximately 25–28 CBM and 18–20 metric tonnes; a 40ft holds approximately 55–58 CBM. FCL offers faster transit, lower risk of cargo damage, and simpler documentation. LCL (Less than Container Load) is better suited for smaller shipments — you share container space with other cargo and pay only for your cubic meters. LCL from China to Vancouver typically adds 4–6 days for consolidation in China and deconsolidation at the Vancouver CFS (Container Freight Station). Nuvotrade handles both and will recommend the most cost-effective option based on your specific cargo dimensions and delivery timeline.

Yes — this is one of our core strengths for Canadian importers. We manage the complete door-to-door journey: factory pickup and inland trucking in China, export customs clearance and port handling at the origin port, ocean freight booking, Canadian import customs clearance through CBSA, and final delivery by truck to your warehouse or distribution center anywhere in Canada. You deal with one team, receive one invoice, and have full visibility from the moment your goods leave the factory floor in China to the moment they arrive at your door in Canada. This fully managed approach eliminates the coordination risk of using multiple providers across borders.

Standard export documentation from Canada includes a Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading (issued by the ocean carrier), and Export Declaration (B13A filed with CBSA for goods valued over $2,000 CAD). Destination countries may require a Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate (for food/agricultural goods), or other specific certificates. Nuvotrade prepares and manages all documentation on your behalf.

Our ocean freight quotes include ocean freight charges, origin documentation fees, carrier booking fees, and Bill of Lading charges. We separately itemise destination charges, customs duties/taxes, and cargo insurance so you have a full landed cost picture. We never bundle charges in a way that obscures what you're paying for — complete transparency is our standard.

Air freight is the right choice when speed is more important than cost — typically for high-value goods, time-sensitive production inputs, perishable products, or shipments where late delivery has a contractual or commercial consequence. Air freight typically costs 4–8 times more than ocean per kg, but delivers in days vs weeks. We help you evaluate the cost of delay vs the cost of air freight to make the right decision for each shipment.

Yes. We provide FTL and LTL cross-border trucking from Vancouver to all US states via our carrier network. We handle CBSA export documentation, US CBP entry, and coordinate pickup and delivery on both sides of the border. Vancouver to Seattle is typically same-day or next-day, and we move loads into California, the US Midwest, and the East Coast regularly.

Yes. We handle DG shipments by ocean (IMDG Code), air (IATA DGR), and ground (TDG Regulations in Canada, PHMSA in the USA). We assist with DG classification, packaging compliance, mark/label requirements, and preparation of Shipper's Declarations or DG manifests. Some DG classes are restricted by air — we'll advise on alternatives where air is not permitted.