Halifax, Canada
Sea freight in Halifax
We book FCL and LCL sea freight for shippers and consignees in Halifax, via Port of Halifax. Pre-carriage, on-carriage by road or rail and the customs entries are planned together with the ocean booking.
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.
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 |
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.
FCL and LCL via Port of Halifax
Full containers are booked directly with the shipping line; for smaller volumes we use LCL consolidation services. Pre-carriage from Halifax to Port of Halifax, or on-carriage after arrival, is arranged by road or rail as part of the same booking.
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
Which port is used for sea freight to and from Halifax?
Usually Port of Halifax. Depending on the shipping line and the destination, another port can be faster or more economical; we compare the options when quoting.