Vancouver, Canada
Air freight in Vancouver
Ziem Logistics books air freight to and from Vancouver via Vancouver International (YVR). We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Vancouver area and prepare the customs entries before the cargo flies. For air freight to and from Canada we issue our own air waybills.
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.
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 |
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.
Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier in Vancouver
Next Flight Out means your shipment travels on the first available flight to or from Vancouver International (YVR), booked and documented by our operations desk.
An On-Board Courier is the option when even that is too slow or the goods need to stay in sight: a courier travels with the shipment and delivers it to the consignee in the Vancouver area.
Booked directly with the airline
For Canada we issue the air waybill ourselves. The booking, the shipment data and the advance cargo information come from one desk, which reduces handovers and keeps the documents consistent.
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.
How do I get a quote for air freight to or from Vancouver?
Send us the origin, destination, goods description, weight and dimensions. Our operations desk replies with a routing via Vancouver International (YVR) and an itemised quote.