Canada
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Montreal
Montreal is one of the world's leading aerospace clusters, with constant AOG and spare-parts traffic.
Services in Montreal
- Air freight in MontrealAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in MontrealFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in MontrealImport 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 Montreal
- AirportMontreal-Trudeau
YUL - AirportMirabel
YMX - SeaportPort of Montreal
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is the main airport of Quebec, with widebody passenger flights to Europe, Africa and other regions that carry belly cargo, as well as freighter operations. Montreal-Mirabel International Airport (YMX), north-west of the city, is a cargo-focused airport and the site of aircraft assembly. By sea, the Port of Montreal on the St. Lawrence River is one of Canada's main container ports, with a strong focus on transatlantic trade with Europe and direct rail links to Ontario and the US Midwest.
Autoroute 20 and Autoroute 40 run east-west through Montreal, linking it with Toronto via Highway 401 and with Quebec City. Autoroute 15 runs south to the US border and I-87 to New York, and Autoroute 13 and Autoroute 15 connect Mirabel with the city. CN and CPKC operate rail lines that connect the Port of Montreal with Toronto, Chicago and Detroit.
Industries in Montreal and how we support them
Montreal has one of the largest aerospace clusters in the world, with aircraft and engine manufacturers, flight simulator makers and a wide supplier base, generating constant AOG and spare parts traffic. The city also has a strong pharmaceutical and life sciences sector and is a centre for artificial intelligence research. We support these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via YUL and YMX, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for AOG parts, temperature-controlled transport for pharma, and FCL and LCL sea freight through the Port of Montreal. Customs data is prepared in advance.
Operational logistics facts for Montreal
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) | Belly cargo to Europe and freighter operations | Main air gateway for Quebec |
| Montreal-Mirabel International Airport (YMX) | Cargo operations and aircraft assembly | Air freight close to the aerospace cluster |
| Port of Montreal | FCL/LCL containers, transatlantic focus | Direct rail links to Ontario and the US Midwest |
| Montreal aerospace cluster | AOG, engine and spare parts | Time-critical handling for aircraft parts |
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 handle AOG shipments for aerospace companies in Montreal?
Yes. For aircraft on ground situations, we book Next Flight Out under our own air waybills, submit the customs data before arrival and arrange direct delivery to the hangar or plant. For the most critical parts, an On-Board Courier can carry them door to door.
Do you use Montreal-Trudeau or Mirabel for cargo?
Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) has the widest range of passenger flights with belly capacity, while Mirabel (YMX) handles cargo operations. We choose the airport based on the routing, capacity and delivery address for each shipment.
Do you ship pharma from Montreal under temperature control?
Yes. We agree the temperature range and packaging with you, choose carriers and routings with suitable handling and plan the handovers carefully. For very sensitive or high-value shipments, an On-Board Courier is an alternative.
Who handles customs clearance for shipments into Montreal?
Clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, working under the Ziem Logistics brand, to our procedures and with the data we prepare. Declarations are filed with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and you deal only with Ziem Logistics.
Are there special labelling rules for products sold in Quebec?
Yes. Quebec's Charter of the French Language generally requires French on product labelling and documentation for products sold in the province. This is not a customs requirement as such, but it should be checked before goods are imported for the Quebec market.
Can aircraft parts be imported into Canada duty-free?
Many civil aircraft parts can be imported free of duty under the Customs Tariff if the conditions are met, but this depends on the product and its use. Correct classification and supporting documents are needed, which we check with you before shipping.