Montreal, Canada
Customs clearance in Montreal
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Montreal. 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 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 |
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.
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 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.