Canada
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Vancouver
Vancouver is Canada's gateway to Asia and the country's largest port.
Services in Vancouver
- Air freight in VancouverAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in VancouverFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in VancouverImport 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 Vancouver
- AirportVancouver International
YVR - SeaportPort of Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is Canada's main air gateway to Asia, with widebody passenger and freighter connections across the Pacific as well as to Europe and the US. Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) in the Fraser Valley handles some cargo operations. By sea, the Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest port, handling containers at terminals in Burrard Inlet and at Deltaport on Roberts Bank, as well as bulk, breakbulk and automobiles. The Port of Prince Rupert further north offers an additional container route to Asia.
Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) leads east through the Fraser Valley, Highway 99 connects Vancouver with the US border and I-5 to Seattle, and Highway 17 (South Fraser Perimeter Road) links Deltaport with the regional highway network. CN and CPKC provide rail connections to Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto and the US Midwest, carrying large volumes of containers inland.
Industries in Vancouver and how we support them
Vancouver is Canada's centre for Asia-Pacific trade and handles exports of forest products, grain, potash and other commodities, as well as imports of consumer goods from Asia. The city also has a growing technology and film industry and a food and seafood sector. We support these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via YVR, FCL and LCL sea freight through the Port of Vancouver, Next Flight Out for urgent parts, On-Board Courier for prototypes and film equipment, and temperature-controlled transport for seafood. Customs data is prepared before arrival.
Operational logistics facts for Vancouver
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver International Airport (YVR) | Widebody and freighter connections to Asia | Canada's main air gateway to the Asia-Pacific |
| Port of Vancouver (Burrard Inlet and Deltaport) | Containers, bulk, breakbulk and automobiles | Canada's largest port |
| CN and CPKC rail to Central Canada | Rail containers from the port to inland destinations | Sea freight delivered across Canada |
| Highway 99 / I-5 to Seattle | Cross-border road freight to the US | Direct road link to the US Pacific Northwest |
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
Is Vancouver a good gateway for air freight from Asia to Canada?
Yes. Vancouver International (YVR) has direct connections to many Asian cities. For destinations further east, we compare routings via YVR with onward connections against direct flights to Toronto or Montreal and book under our own air waybills.
Can you ship fresh seafood from Vancouver to Asia?
Yes. We book carriers with suitable perishables handling, agree packaging and temperature requirements with you and check the export certificates required by the destination country, which are usually issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Do you collect from companies across the Lower Mainland?
Yes. We arrange pick-up across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, including Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey and Delta, with trusted road partners, and connect the cargo to the most suitable flight.
Who handles customs clearance for imports into Vancouver?
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 Vancouver be cleared in Toronto or Calgary?
Yes. Containers can move in bond by rail from the Port of Vancouver 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 do I need to register for Canadian import clearance?
A business number with an import-export account and registration in CARM, the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management system. Commercial invoices must show correct tariff classifications, and some goods need permits from other government departments.