Canada
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Toronto
Toronto Pearson is Canada's largest cargo airport, serving the Ontario industrial heartland.
Services in Toronto
- Air freight in TorontoAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in TorontoFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in TorontoImport 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 Toronto
- AirportToronto Pearson
YYZ - SeaportMontreal and Halifax, rail from the US East Coast
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is Canada's largest airport and its main air cargo gateway, with widebody passenger and freighter connections to Europe, Asia, Latin America and the US. John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM), south-west of Toronto, is a major cargo airport and a hub for domestic overnight freighter services. Toronto has no deep-sea container port of its own; ocean containers reach the region by rail from the Ports of Montreal and Halifax, or from US East Coast ports.
Highway 401 is the main east-west artery, linking Toronto with Windsor and Detroit to the west and Montreal to the east, with Highway 427, Highway 400 and the 407 ETR toll highway serving the airport area. The QEW leads to the Niagara crossings into New York State. CN and CPKC operate large intermodal terminals in Brampton and Vaughan, connecting Toronto with the ports and Western Canada.
Industries in Toronto and how we support them
The Greater Toronto Area is the economic centre of Canada, with automotive assembly plants and suppliers across southern Ontario, a large pharmaceutical and life sciences sector in Mississauga and Toronto, food processing, and the country's financial centre. Many supply chains cross the US border daily. We support them with air freight under our own air waybills via YYZ, Next Flight Out for production-critical automotive parts, On-Board Courier for samples and documents, sea freight via Montreal or Halifax with rail delivery to Toronto, and road freight to and from the US. Customs data is prepared before arrival.
Operational logistics facts for Toronto
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) | Widebody and freighter connections worldwide | Canada's largest air cargo gateway |
| Hamilton International Airport (YHM) | Freighter and express operations | Alternative cargo airport for southern Ontario |
| CN Brampton and CPKC Vaughan intermodal terminals | Rail containers from Montreal, Halifax and Vancouver | Inland delivery of sea freight to Toronto |
| Highway 401 corridor | Road freight to Detroit, Montreal and the US | Direct road access across Ontario and to the border |
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 airport do you use for urgent shipments to Toronto: YYZ or Hamilton?
Toronto Pearson (YYZ) has the widest range of international flights and is our usual choice. Hamilton (YHM) is an option for some freighter and express routings. We compare capacity and routing for each shipment and book under our own air waybills.
Can you handle urgent parts for automotive plants in southern Ontario?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out to YYZ, submit the customs data before arrival and arrange direct delivery to the plant. For critical parts that must stay under supervision, an On-Board Courier can carry them door to door.
Do winter conditions affect air freight via Toronto Pearson?
Yes, snow and de-icing between December and March can delay flights. For time-critical shipments we monitor the weather, inform you of expected disruption and propose alternative routings or dates where needed.
Who handles Canadian customs clearance for shipments into Toronto?
Clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, working 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.
What does an importer need for customs clearance in Canada?
A business number with an import-export account from the Canada Revenue Agency and registration in the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management system (CARM). You also need a commercial invoice with correct tariff classifications under the Customs Tariff.
Do pharmaceuticals imported via Toronto need additional approvals?
Yes. Drugs and many health products are regulated by Health Canada, and importers may need an establishment licence or product authorisation. We check the product details and licence references with you before the shipment departs.