Canada
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Calgary
Calgary is a major distribution hub for Western Canada and the energy industry.
Services in Calgary
- Air freight in CalgaryAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in CalgaryFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in CalgaryImport and export clearance by our in-house customs teams in 8 countries and by partner teams in the Ziem network.
Airports, seaports and connections in Calgary
- AirportCalgary International
YYC - SeaportPort of Vancouverby rail
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is a major cargo airport for Western Canada, with freighter operations, express services and widebody passenger flights to Europe and other destinations. It is the main air freight gateway for southern Alberta and the energy industry. Calgary has no seaport; ocean freight arrives by rail from the Port of Vancouver and other ports to intermodal terminals operated by CN and CPKC in the Calgary area. CPKC has its headquarters in Calgary.
Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) runs east-west through Calgary, Highway 2 links the city with Edmonton to the north and the US border to the south, and the Stoney Trail ring road connects the airport with the distribution centres in the north-east, including the Balzac area. CN and CPKC rail lines connect Calgary with Vancouver and Central Canada.
Industries in Calgary and how we support them
Calgary is the headquarters location of many Canadian energy companies and a major distribution hub for Western Canada, with large warehouses for retail and e-commerce. Agriculture, including beef and grain production, is also important in southern Alberta. We support these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via YYC, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for urgent energy equipment parts, sea freight via Vancouver with rail delivery to Calgary, and road freight across the Prairies. In winter, we agree freeze protection for sensitive goods in advance.
Operational logistics facts for Calgary
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Calgary International Airport (YYC) | Freighter, express and widebody belly cargo | Main air cargo gateway for southern Alberta |
| CN and CPKC intermodal terminals | Rail containers from the Port of Vancouver | Inland delivery of sea freight to Alberta |
| Stoney Trail / Balzac distribution area | Warehousing for Western Canada | Short trucking from YYC to distribution centres |
| Highway 2 corridor | Road freight to Edmonton and the US border | Direct road link across Alberta |
Customs clearance in Canada
Ziem network
Customs clearance in Canada is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
For air freight to and from Canada we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Canada need a business number with an import-export account and registration in CARM.
Frequently asked questions
Can you send urgent energy equipment parts from Calgary?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out from Calgary International (YYC) under our own air waybills, prepare the export data in advance and coordinate delivery at destination. For critical parts that must stay under supervision, an On-Board Courier can carry them door to door.
How do you protect sensitive goods from extreme cold in Calgary?
Between December and February, temperatures can damage sensitive goods. We agree insulated packaging, keep the time outdoors as short as possible and use heated vehicles for pick-up and delivery where required.
Do you deliver to distribution centres around Calgary?
Yes. We arrange delivery to distribution centres across the Calgary area, including Balzac and the north-east industrial areas, with trusted road partners. Please share appointment requirements when booking.
Who handles customs clearance for imports into Calgary?
Clearance is done by a partner team in the Ziem network under the Ziem Logistics brand, to our procedures and with the shipment data we prepare. Declarations are filed with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and you deal only with Ziem Logistics.
Can sea containers be cleared in Calgary instead of Vancouver?
Yes. Containers can move in bond by rail from the Port of Vancouver to Calgary and be cleared there. We agree the clearance location with you before the vessel arrives so that the documents are ready in time.
Can goods from the US enter Canada duty-free via Calgary?
Goods that meet the CUSMA rules of origin may qualify for preferential tariff treatment when imported into Canada. The importer must be able to support the origin claim with the appropriate documentation, which we check with you before the goods are shipped.