Import Freight Forwarding to Canada
International Freight • Canadian Delivery
BriCargo Group arranges import freight forwarding to Canada for businesses moving inventory, machinery and other commercial cargo. We coordinate air freight and LCL or full-container ocean shipping, supplier pickup, customs-broker communication and delivery to the agreed Canadian address. Share your shipment details so we can plan the route and the services you need.
Commercial Cargo We Can Help Import
Whether you are buying stock for resale, bringing in equipment or replenishing production parts, the shipment starts with what you need to move. We review the goods, packed size, timing and delivery requirements before recommending a freight option.
Machinery and Parts
Production equipment, pumps, motors, tools and replacement parts. Send the packed dimensions and weight, plus any lifting or handling requirements, so we can review container, air freight or specialist transport options.
Retail Inventory, Furniture and Home Goods
Furniture, housewares, textiles, store fixtures and packaged non-food stock. LCL and full-container options can support smaller commercial orders or larger inventory shipments, depending on the volume and delivery plan.
Electronics and Electrical Equipment
Computers, servers, components, cables and electrical equipment. Tell us whether batteries are installed, packed separately or shipped on their own so the transport requirements can be checked before booking.
Other cargo can be reviewed too. Describe the goods accurately and flag anything needing special handling. Acceptance depends on the commodity, route, carrier and applicable Canadian import requirements.
Air Freight, LCL or a Full Container?
Choose around the date you need the goods, the shipment size and the complete transport cost—not the freight rate alone. BriCargo can review air and ocean options without requiring you to choose a mode before enquiring.
| Import option | When it is worth considering | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Air freight to Canada | Urgent parts, time-sensitive inventory and suitable higher-value cargo. | Packed dimensions, chargeable weight, flight availability and onward delivery timing. |
| LCL ocean freight (less-than-container load) | Smaller commercial loads that can share container space with other shipments. | Consolidation and unloading time, minimum charges, handling and Canadian delivery costs. |
| FCL ocean freight (full-container load) | Larger orders or cargo that benefits from a container reserved for your shipment. | Container size, loading arrangements, total route cost and unloading at the delivery point. |
A full-container booking does not require the container to be completely filled. As your order grows, compare the total LCL cost with a dedicated container rather than assuming shared space will always be cheaper.
Overseas Collection and Delivery in Canada
Starting at Your Supplier
BriCargo can arrange pickup from an overseas supplier and coordinate the onward shipment to Canada. Send the collection address, cargo-ready date and the shipping arrangements already agreed with the seller. We can then establish where our service needs to begin.
Buying machinery in Germany, stock in China or goods from another international supplier? Share the actual collection city and Canadian delivery location. The service is not limited to those examples; routing is reviewed for your shipment.
Arriving in Canada
Imports can be routed through major Canadian seaports and international airports, with inland delivery arranged to the agreed address. The arrival gateway is selected around the origin, available service, cargo and final destination—not simply the nearest port or airport.
Tell us whether the receiving address is a warehouse, shop, job site or residence. Access, unloading equipment and delivery appointments should be discussed before the transport plan is confirmed.
Our Global Shipping Network
Our network connects North America with major trade hubs across Africa, and Europe. Whether you’re moving commercial freight, vehicles, or personal cargo, we coordinate every step from pickup to final delivery through trusted partners and verified carriers.
Loading global shipping network…
- 30+ Countries
- 6 Continents
- Commercial & Personal Cargo
What to Prepare Before Shipping to Canada
Getting the importer and shipment details in order before departure gives the broker and transport providers the information they need to prepare the movement. You do not need every document ready to start a conversation, but the required information must be resolved before the relevant booking and customs steps.
Canadian Customs Clearance and CARM
For commercial imports, confirm your business number, import-export program (RM) account and registration in the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) Client Portal. The importing business must register itself; a customs broker cannot register the business on its behalf.
When using a broker, arrange both the written agency authorization and the appropriate access in the CARM portal. These are separate requirements. BriCargo can coordinate your freight and shipment information with a licensed customs broker or your existing broker handling Canadian customs clearance. Using a broker does not remove the importer's responsibilities for customs documentation and applicable duties and taxes.
Planning to have goods released before paying duties and taxes? The optional Release Prior to Payment (RPP) program requires enrolment and the importer's own financial security. Ask your broker to confirm the arrangement before shipping; CARM registration alone does not provide RPP privileges.
Shipment Documents and Details
The working file commonly includes:
- A commercial invoice with the buyer, seller, a detailed goods description, quantity, value, currency and country-of-origin information. The broker can confirm any additional customs-invoice details needed.
- A packing list showing the contents, piece count, packed dimensions and weights.
- Transport documents, such as an air waybill or bill of lading, as applicable to the shipping mode.
- Any origin evidence, permits, certificates or product-specific information required for the goods and their import treatment.
The exact document set depends on the shipment. The broker can confirm the applicable customs information, while the supplier and transport providers supply their respective records.
Goods That Need Additional Review
Flag vehicles, food, batteries and other regulated or specially handled cargo at the enquiry stage. Canadian eligibility, permits, packaging or carrier conditions may need to be checked before booking. Josh reviews these shipments individually; a freight quotation is not confirmation of legal admissibility.
How Your Import Shipment Moves
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Shipment Review
Send the origin, Canadian destination, cargo description, size and ready date. Josh reviews the shipment and identifies any information needed before the route can be quoted.
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Quote and Service Scope
We outline the proposed mode and the services being arranged, including pickup and Canadian delivery where requested. The quote sets out the agreed scope and any exclusions before you book.
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Supplier Collection and International Transport
We coordinate the agreed origin arrangements and air or ocean booking. Your shipment moves according to the selected routing and the carrier's operating schedule.
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Canadian Arrival and Customs Coordination
BriCargo stays in contact with the broker and transport providers as the cargo arrives. Customs release depends on the required information, applicable rules and any inspection or authority decision.
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Delivery and Shipment Updates
Once the cargo is released and available for collection, we coordinate the agreed inland delivery. Josh provides updates on the shipment and any next steps that need your attention.
Import Shipping Costs and Transit Planning
What Does It Cost to Import Freight to Canada?
The quote depends on where the cargo is collected, its packed size and weight, the transport mode and where it needs to be delivered. Air freight uses chargeable weight, which considers both actual weight and the space occupied. Ocean quotes also need the shipment volume or container requirements.
To compare proposals, check the full service scope:
| Cost component | What to clarify |
|---|---|
| Supplier pickup and origin handling | Collection address, export-side handling and which services the supplier has already included. |
| International freight | Air, LCL or FCL transport, routing, equipment and applicable surcharges. |
| Canadian handling and brokerage | Terminal or receiving charges, customs-broker services and any additional examination-related costs. |
| Inland delivery | Final address, access, unloading requirements and appointments. |
| Duties, taxes and optional cover | Applicable government charges and any requested cargo insurance; do not assume either is included in the transport price. |
Before booking, confirm the quote currency, validity, included services and charges that remain payable separately.
The amount of duty and tax cannot be inferred from a freight rate. Product classification, country of origin, customs value and applicable treatment need to be reviewed for the goods. The country the goods are shipped from is not necessarily their country of origin.
For full-container imports, also confirm the time allowed to collect the cargo and return the empty container. Storage or container-use charges may apply after the agreed free period.
Send the supplier's packing list and delivery details for a shipment-specific quote rather than relying on a general per-kilogram or per-container headline rate.
How Long Does Import Shipping Take?
Ask for an estimate covering the part of the journey you actually need. A flight or vessel transit estimate is not the same as delivery from your supplier to your Canadian address.
The overall plan may include pickup, origin handling, consolidation for LCL, international transport, Canadian release and final delivery. Carrier schedules, connecting services, inspections and delivery availability can change the timing. Tell us both the cargo-ready date and the date the goods are needed so the options can be reviewed against your deadline.
Your Import Shipment, Coordinated by Josh
Josh Minkutu, BriCargo Group's Sales Manager, reviews import enquiries, handles onboarding and coordinates the shipment arrangements. He also provides updates and follows up when more information is needed from you, the supplier or the broker.
BriCargo is based in North York, Ontario.
Import Shipping Questions
Can I Enquire Before My Supplier Has a Final Packing List?
Yes. Send the product details, collection location, Canadian destination and any approximate dimensions or weight available. We can start reviewing the requirements, then confirm the remaining information needed for an accurate quote and booking.
My Supplier Has Included Shipping in the Price. Can BriCargo Still Help?
Share the supplier's quotation and the point at which their service ends. We can review whether you need a full transport arrangement or help with a remaining part of the shipment. This helps avoid pricing the same service twice or leaving a delivery stage unaccounted for.
Can I Keep My Existing Customs Broker?
Yes. Give Josh the broker's contact details when enquiring. BriCargo can coordinate transport and shipment information with your broker rather than asking you to change an established arrangement.
Can You Arrange Delivery Somewhere Without a Loading Dock?
Tell us before requesting the delivery quote. The address, access and unloading requirements need to be reviewed so an appropriate delivery arrangement can be confirmed. A standard freight delivery should not be assumed to include specialist unloading or placement inside the premises.
Can BriCargo Review Vehicle or Food Imports Too?
Yes—send the shipment details to Josh for an individual review. Vehicles and food have separate Canadian import requirements, and availability depends on the goods, origin and transport arrangements. Confirm eligibility and any required permits or licences before committing to shipment.
Request an Import Freight Quote
Send the collection city and country, Canadian delivery address, cargo details, piece count, packed dimensions and weight (including units), and cargo-ready date. Josh will review what is needed for a shipment-specific quote.