Canada
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Winnipeg
Winnipeg is a 24-hour cargo airport in the centre of Canada, with an aerospace cluster.
Services in Winnipeg
- Air freight in WinnipegAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in WinnipegFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in WinnipegImport 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 Winnipeg
- AirportWinnipeg
YWG - SeaportRail links to Vancouver, Montreal and the US
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) is the main airport of Manitoba and an important cargo airport in the centre of Canada, with freighter and express operations. Winnipeg has no seaport; ocean freight arrives by rail from the Ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert and Montreal, or from US ports. Adjacent to the airport, CentrePort Canada is a large inland port and industrial area with foreign trade zone status, combining air, rail and road.
Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) runs east-west through Winnipeg, and Highway 75 leads south to the US border at Emerson, continuing as I-29 into North Dakota. The Perimeter Highway rings the city and CentrePort Canada Way connects the inland port with the Perimeter. CentrePort is served by three Class I railways (CN, CPKC and BNSF), with connections to both Canadian coasts and the US.
Industries in Winnipeg and how we support them
Winnipeg has a significant aerospace cluster, with aircraft component manufacturers and engine maintenance companies, and is a centre for bus and coach manufacturing. Agriculture is a major part of the economy, with grain, canola and pulses exported worldwide, and the city is a transport hub for the Prairies. We support these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via YWG, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for aerospace parts, sea freight with rail delivery to Winnipeg, and road freight to and from the US Midwest. In winter, we agree freeze protection for sensitive goods.
Operational logistics facts for Winnipeg
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG) | Freighter and express operations | Central air cargo airport in Canada |
| CentrePort Canada | Inland port with foreign trade zone status | Air, rail and road combined next to the airport |
| CN, CPKC and BNSF rail connections | Rail containers from both coasts and the US | Inland delivery of sea freight to Manitoba |
| Highway 75 / I-29 | Road freight to the US Midwest | Direct road link to North Dakota and beyond |
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
Can you handle aerospace parts shipments via Winnipeg?
Yes. For urgent aerospace parts and engine components, we book Next Flight Out to or from Winnipeg (YWG) or a connecting hub under our own air waybills, prepare the customs data in advance and arrange delivery to the plant. An On-Board Courier is available for critical items.
Which routings do you use for air freight to Winnipeg?
Winnipeg (YWG) has freighter and express operations, but many international shipments connect via Toronto, Vancouver or US hubs. We compare routings and capacity for each shipment and confirm cut-off times with every booking.
How do you protect sensitive goods from extreme cold in Winnipeg?
Between December and February, extreme cold can damage sensitive goods. We agree insulated packaging, keep the time outdoors short and use heated vehicles for pick-up and delivery where required.
Who handles customs clearance for shipments into Winnipeg?
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 benefits does the foreign trade zone status of CentrePort offer?
Canada's foreign trade zone programmes, such as duties relief and customs bonded warehouses, can allow companies to defer or avoid duties and taxes on goods that are stored, processed or re-exported. Eligibility depends on the company and its activities, so the conditions should be checked in advance.
Can goods from the US be imported into Winnipeg by truck?
Yes. Road freight from the US usually crosses at Emerson on Highway 75. Advance electronic data must be submitted to the CBSA before the truck arrives, and goods that meet the CUSMA rules of origin may qualify for preferential treatment.