Shipping from the USA to Canada
Gelle Transport arranges freight from the United States to Canada through vetted international air and ocean partners, building on our experience as a Kansas City trucking company since 2014. We collect your cargo in the US, prepare it for export, book the international leg and coordinate arrival in Canada, with routing and availability confirmed before every booking.
For Canada and Mexico, road freight across the border is often faster and more economical than ocean or air. Caribbean and Central American islands are mainly served by short-sea routes from Florida and the Gulf Coast.
Air freight to Canada
Air cargo from the United States to Canada normally arrives at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Air freight is the best choice for urgent, compact and high-value shipments such as electronics, spare parts, documents and medical supplies. Typical door-to-door transit from the USA to this region is about 1–5 days, depending on the origin airport, connections and customs clearance. Air cargo is charged on chargeable weight — the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight.
Sea freight to Canada
Ocean freight to Canada usually arrives at Vancouver, Montreal and Halifax — plus cross-border trucking. Choose a full container (FCL) for larger volumes or a shared container (LCL) for smaller consignments. Typical ocean transit from the USA to this region is about 1–3 weeks, depending on the US port, sailing schedule and transhipment.
Customs and import documents for Canada
Canada trades with the United States under the USMCA agreement. Qualifying goods can receive preferential treatment, and cross-border trucking is often the fastest option.
Most shipments to Canada need the following. Product-specific requirements vary, so we confirm them before your cargo leaves the US:
- Commercial invoice with item values
- Detailed packing list
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Importer registration / tax ID in Canada
- Certificates of origin or conformity where required
- Permits for regulated goods (food, medicines, chemicals)
Import duties and taxes are assessed in Canada in the local currency (Canadian dollar (CAD)) and are normally paid by the importer. US export rules also apply — some goods, technologies and destinations need an export licence.
How Gelle Transport helps
- 01
Assess the shipment
We confirm the route to Canada, what can be shipped and any restrictions before you commit.
- 02
US pickup and export
We collect from your address or supplier and prepare the cargo and documents for export.
- 03
International freight
Air or ocean booked with vetted carriers, with updates while in transit.
- 04
Arrival coordination
Clearance and delivery in Canada coordinated with local agents where available.
Shipping to Canada: FAQs
How long does shipping from the USA to Canada take?
Air freight typically takes about 1–5 days and sea freight about 1–3 weeks, plus clearance and inland delivery. We confirm timelines on every quote.
Which airport and port serve Canada?
Air cargo usually arrives at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Sea cargo usually arrives at Vancouver, Montreal and Halifax — plus cross-border trucking.
Can Gelle Transport ship to Canada?
Yes, on request. We confirm routing, availability and timing for each shipment. Our main international lane is USA to Kenya.
Who pays import duties in Canada?
Duties and taxes are normally paid by the importer in Canada, in Canadian dollar (CAD).