Vancouver, Canada
Sea freight in Vancouver
We book FCL and LCL sea freight for shippers and consignees in Vancouver, via Port of Vancouver. Pre-carriage, on-carriage by road or rail and the customs entries are planned together with the ocean booking.
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.
FCL and LCL via Port of Vancouver
Full containers are booked directly with the shipping line; for smaller volumes we use LCL consolidation services. Pre-carriage from Vancouver to Port of Vancouver, or on-carriage after arrival, is arranged by road or rail as part of the same booking.
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 port is used for sea freight to and from Vancouver?
Usually Port of Vancouver. Depending on the shipping line and the destination, another port can be faster or more economical; we compare the options when quoting.