Halifax, Canada
Customs clearance in Halifax
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Halifax. Customs clearance in Canada is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Industries in Halifax and how we support them
Halifax and Nova Scotia are major exporters of seafood, especially live lobster, which is flown to Asia and Europe. The city is also home to Canada's East Coast naval base, a large naval shipbuilding yard and a growing ocean technology sector. We support these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via YHZ, temperature-controlled and live animal handling for seafood, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for urgent shipbuilding and defence parts, and FCL and LCL sea freight through the Port of Halifax with rail delivery inland. Export and import data is prepared in advance.
Operational logistics facts for Halifax
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) | Freighter flights for live seafood, belly cargo | Direct air connections for Atlantic Canada exports |
| Port of Halifax | FCL/LCL containers, deep ice-free harbour | Often first North American port of call from Europe |
| CN rail from the port | Rail containers to Montreal, Toronto and Chicago | Inland delivery of sea freight from the Atlantic |
| Nova Scotia seafood industry | Live lobster and fresh seafood exports | Specialised handling for live and perishable goods |
Airports, seaports and connections in Halifax
- AirportHalifax Stanfield
YHZ - SeaportPort of Halifax
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) is the main airport of Atlantic Canada, with freighter operations and passenger flights to Europe, the US and Canada. It plays a key role in exporting live lobster and seafood to Asia and Europe, often on dedicated freighter flights. By sea, the Port of Halifax is Canada's main Atlantic container port, with deep, ice-free water and terminals in the south end and at Fairview Cove, and it is often the first North American port of call for vessels from Europe.
Highway 102 links Halifax with the airport and continues to Truro, where it connects with the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 104) towards New Brunswick and Central Canada. Highway 103 serves the South Shore and Highway 118 the Dartmouth side. CN operates rail service from the port terminals to Montreal, Toronto and Chicago.
Clearance through the Ziem network in Canada
In Canada, customs entries are filed by a partner team in the Ziem network. They work under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures; our operations desk prepares the shipment data and remains your contact for the whole shipment.
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.
Documents we check before shipping
Commercial invoice, packing list, the transport document and, where needed, certificates of origin, licences or permits. We check that descriptions, values and HS codes are consistent across all documents before the goods move.
Frequently asked questions
Who handles customs clearance for shipments into Halifax?
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 containers arriving in Halifax be cleared in Toronto or Montreal?
Yes. Containers can move in bond by rail from the Port of Halifax to an inland destination and be cleared there, or be cleared at the port. We agree the clearance location with you before the vessel arrives.
What does an importer need for clearance in Halifax?
A business number with an import-export account and registration in CARM, the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management system, plus a commercial invoice with correct tariff classifications. Some goods, such as food or defence items, need additional permits.