Vancouver, Canada
Customs clearance in Vancouver
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Vancouver. 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 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 |
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.
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.
Avoiding delays at customs
Most customs delays come from inconsistent documents: different values on invoice and packing list, missing HS codes or unclear goods descriptions. We review the documents against each other before departure, so the declaration in Canada can be filed without queries.
Frequently asked questions
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.