Shipping to Canada from Dubai by air, by sea, door to door
We collect your cargo anywhere in the UAE, handle the export paperwork and coordinate Canadian customs, so it reaches your address in Canada. You see the price before anything moves.
5% + taxGST plus provincial tax, depending on the province
1 teamFrom UAE pickup to Canadian delivery
Quick answer
How do you ship cargo from Dubai to Canada?
To ship cargo from Dubai to Canada, choose air freight (about 6 to 8 days door to door) or sea freight (about 30 to 40 days), book a freight forwarder and have the customs paperwork ready at both ends. Aeron Shipping collects from anywhere in the UAE, prepares the export documents, coordinates Canadian customs clearance and delivers to the address in Canada. The price depends on weight, volume, mode and cargo type, so you get a quote for your actual shipment.
The route
Why Businesses and Families Ship from Dubai to Canada
Canada is a major destination for people relocating from the UAE. Many Indian, Filipino, Arab and Western expatriates in the Gulf move to Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal, and ship household goods and personal belongings. Canadian businesses also import textiles, spices, car parts and general goods from the UAE.
Canadian imports are handled by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Newcomers can usually bring personal and household goods as settlers' effects, with goods that arrive later declared on a separate list. Commercial importers need a CBSA business number, and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% applies, plus provincial tax in some provinces.
This page explains how shipping from Dubai to Canada works in practice: the options, realistic timings, what Canadian customs expects, how freight is priced and what to prepare. If you would rather skip the reading, send your details on WhatsApp and we will work it out for you.
Pick the mode that fits your cargo and deadline. If you are not sure, message us what you are sending and we will tell you which one makes sense.
Air freight to Canada
The fastest way to get cargo from Dubai to Canada. It flies from Dubai or Abu Dhabi into Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver and goes on by truck to the final address. A good fit for urgent orders, samples, spare parts and valuable goods.
Cargo sails from Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port to Halifax, Montreal or Vancouver, then moves inland by rail or truck. Choose LCL for a few boxes or pallets, or a full 20 ft or 40 ft container for larger loads. It is by far the cheapest per kilo.
Cars travel in a container or on a roll-on roll-off vessel to a Canadian port. Imported vehicles must meet Canadian rules and often need approval, so check eligibility before you ship.
Pallets, machinery parts, trade goods for Canadian buyers or your own warehouse. We prepare the commercial invoice and packing list and line up customs clearance so the goods are not held at the border.
Contracts, product samples and small parcels move as express air cargo with tracking. Quick to book, and usually delivered to the address in Canada within days.
Five steps, one point of contact, from your door in the UAE to the address in Canada.
01
Tell us what you are sending
Share what the cargo is, roughly how much of it there is and where in Canada it needs to go. Photos or a packing list help.
02
Get a quote and book
You get an itemised price for air or sea, with the pickup date. Nothing moves until you say yes.
03
We collect and prepare the export
We pick up anywhere in the UAE, pack if you want us to, and prepare the UAE export documents.
04
Transit and Canada customs
Your cargo flies or sails to Canada while we coordinate import clearance with Canadian customs and work out duty and tax in advance.
05
Delivery in Canada
It goes on by truck to the address. You get updates on WhatsApp until the signature.
Air freight
Air Freight from Dubai to Canada: How It Works
Air is the right choice when time matters. Your cargo is collected in the UAE, checked in at Dubai International (DXB), Al Maktoum (DWC) or Abu Dhabi (AUH), and flown to Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Canada's main cargo airport, or to Montreal (YUL) or Vancouver (YVR). From there it clears customs and goes on by truck to the final address.
Air freight is billed on chargeable weight, which is the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Light but bulky cargo therefore costs more than its weight suggests, and dense cargo costs less. Good packing that keeps the carton size down is the easiest way to cut the bill.
We do not carry cosmetics, batteries, liquids, food or jewellery. Tell us what is in your cargo and we confirm what can travel.
Who air freight suits
Urgent business orders, spare parts and replacement stock
Samples, documents and small parcels
High-value or fragile goods that need fewer handling stages
Anything that must reach Canada in under two weeks
A typical air freight timeline
From the day we collect your cargo.
Day 0Pickup in the UAEWe collect, check and weigh the cargo, and confirm the documents.
Day 1Export clearance and bookingUAE export paperwork is completed and a flight is booked.
Days 2 to 4Flight to CanadaDirect or connecting cargo flight to a Canadian airport.
Days 3 to 6Customs clearance in CanadaImport declaration is filed, and duty and tax are settled where due.
Days 4 to 8Delivery by truckDelivered to the address you gave us, with a signature on receipt.
Sea Freight from Dubai to Canada: FCL and LCL Explained
The cheapest way to move large, heavy or non-urgent cargo, and the usual choice for household moves.
Sea cargo leaves from Jebel Ali in Dubai or Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi. Halifax and Montreal serve the East and central Canada, and Vancouver serves the West. From the port the cargo moves inland by rail or truck, and a full journey door to door normally takes 30 to 40 days for a full container.
Sailing schedules change, and carriers sometimes reroute around the Red Sea and Suez Canal, which can add days. We check the current schedule before we book, so the dates we give you are realistic.
Container options for sea freight from Dubai to Canada
Option
Approximate capacity
Best for
How it is priced
LCL (shared container)
From one box to a few cubic metres
A few pallets, boxes or a small move
Per cubic metre or per tonne, whichever is greater
20 ft container
About 33 cubic metres
A one to two bedroom home, or several pallets
A flat rate for the container
40 ft container
About 67 cubic metres
A larger home or big commercial loads
A flat rate for the container
Capacities are approximate and vary by container. We will tell you which size fits your cargo.
Air Freight or Sea Freight to Canada: Which Should You Choose?
Speed, cost and cargo size decide it. A mix of both often works best.
Choose air freight if
You need the cargo in Canada within about two weeks
The shipment is small, light or high in value
You are replacing stock, parts or samples urgently
You want fewer handling stages for fragile goods
Choose sea freight if
The cargo is heavy, bulky or a full household
You can wait 30 to 40 days
Cost matters more than speed
You are sending machinery, furniture or large pallets
Many people use both. Urgent essentials such as documents, work equipment and a few weeks of clothes go by air, and the rest of the household goes by sea. Tell us your deadline and we will price both.
Canada customs
Customs, Duty and Tax for Shipments to Canada
What Canadian customs expects depends on whether you are moving your belongings or importing goods for business. Rules and rates change, so we confirm the current position at booking.
Moving to Canada with your belongings
Settlers' effects may enter without duty, if you qualify.
People moving to Canada can usually bring personal and household goods as settlers' effects.
You generally need to list goods you are bringing with you and goods that arrive later, on separate forms.
The goods must normally have been owned and used before the move.
Vehicles, alcohol and tobacco follow separate rules.
We check the current CBSA conditions with you before you book, as the details change.
A quick reference for importers and families. We confirm the details for your goods before they ship.
Canada import rules at a glance
Topic
What to know
Import tax
GST of 5%, plus provincial tax in some provinces
Customs duty
Based on the HS code and country of origin
Importer registration
CBSA business number for commercial importers
Customs authority
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
Relocation relief
Settlers' effects for qualifying personal belongings
Main gateways
Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver airports; Halifax, Montreal and Vancouver ports
Customs rules change. We check the current requirements with Canadian customs (CBSA) before your cargo ships. For the official position, see the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Paperwork
Documents You Need to Ship to Canada
We prepare the UAE side. Here is what we usually ask you for.
For a household move
Passport copy and Canadian visa, permit or permanent residence document
Your Canadian address once you have it
A detailed list of the goods you are bringing with you and those arriving later (we help you build it)
Receipts or other proof of ownership, where you have them
Details of your arrival date in Canada
For business cargo
Commercial invoice with product codes (HS codes) and values
Packing list with weights and dimensions
Consignee name, address and CBSA business number
The agreed trade terms, such as EXW, FOB or DAP
Certificate of origin and any permits for regulated goods
What you can ship
What You Can and Cannot Ship to Canada
Most cargo is fine. A few categories need permits, and some cannot go at all.
Ships normally
Household goods and furniture
Personal effects and baggage
Vehicles
Commercial goods and pallets
Machinery and spare parts
Documents, samples and parcels
Needs a permit or checks
Food, plants and agricultural products (CFIA rules)
Common Mistakes and Packing Tips for Shipping to Canada
Most delays at customs in Canada come from a short list of avoidable problems.
Mistakes that hold cargo up
Vague goods descriptions such as "spare parts", or the wrong HS code
Mixing up the list of goods arriving with you and goods arriving later
No CBSA business number for a commercial importer
Shipping food or plant products without checking CFIA rules
No phone number or email for the consignee, which carriers need to arrange delivery
Under-declaring the value on the invoice, which customs can check and penalise
Packing and insurance tips
Use export-grade cartons or wooden crates for heavy or fragile items
Number every box and match the numbers to your packing list
Label each box with the consignee name and delivery address
Photograph valuable items before they are packed
Wrap furniture and use corner protectors to avoid transit damage
Take transit insurance for high-value goods and household moves
Pricing
What Decides the Cost of Shipping to Canada
We quote each shipment on its own because a single box and a full container are priced in very different ways. These are the things that move the price.
Chargeable weight. Air freight is billed on whichever is higher, the actual weight or the volumetric weight (length x width x height in cm, divided by 6,000). A 60 x 40 x 40 cm box weighing 12 kg is billed as 16 kg.
Sea volume. Sea LCL is billed per cubic metre or per tonne, whichever is greater. A full container has a fixed rate for the container.
Pickup and delivery. Where the cargo is collected in the UAE and how far it travels inside Canada.
Customs, duty and tax. Paid on import into Canada and depends on the goods. We estimate it for you before shipping.
Extras. Packing, insurance and storage if you need them.
Quick chargeable weight check
Enter one box or a whole pallet to see what air freight would bill.
Chargeable weight (air)16 kgVolumetric weight is higher than actual weight.
Moving from the UAE to Canada: A Step-by-Step Timeline
Moving country is easier when the shipment is planned backwards from your arrival date. Here is the order that works for most people moving from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or elsewhere in the UAE to Canada.
Start with sea freight for the bulk of your things, and use air freight only for what you will need in the first weeks. Keep your inventory and proof of ownership in one folder from the start. It saves hours at customs.
10 to 12 weeks beforeDecide what to ship and what to sellGet quotes, decide what comes with you and sell or donate the rest. Less cargo means a lower bill.
8 to 10 weeks beforeMake your inventory and gather proofWrite a detailed inventory and collect receipts and your visa or permit documents.
7 to 8 weeks beforeBook your shipmentBook sea freight now, as it takes 30 to 40 days. Book air freight later for urgent essentials.
1 to 2 weeks beforePacking and collectionWe pack at your home or collect your boxes, label everything and complete the UAE export paperwork.
On arrivalCustoms clearanceProvide your Canadian address and documents so customs can clear the shipment, and declare your goods lists.
After clearanceDelivery and unpackingThe goods are delivered to your new home. Keep your declaration documents in case customs asks for them.
Delivery in Canada
Where We Deliver in Canada
Cargo clears customs at a Canada gateway and goes on by truck to your address, anywhere in the country.
Air gateways: Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), Vancouver (YVR), Calgary (YYC)
Sea gateways: Halifax, Montreal and Vancouver, with onward rail or truck to inland cities
Final delivery: homes, offices, warehouses and business parks
Air freight usually takes 6 to 8 days door to door, depending on express or standard service. Sea freight takes about 30 to 40 days, since cargo sails from Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port to a Canadian port and then moves inland. Customs checks, the destination and peak season can add days, so we confirm dates when you book.
How much does it cost to ship from Dubai to Canada?
The price depends on the weight or volume of your cargo, whether you ship by air or sea, what you are sending, where it is collected in the UAE and where it is delivered in Canada. We do not publish flat rates because a 20 kg box and a full container are priced very differently. Send us the details and you get an itemised quote with the freight, handling and any extra services listed separately.
Is air freight or sea freight better for Canada?
Choose air freight for urgent, small or high-value cargo and when you need it in under two weeks. Choose sea freight for heavy or bulky cargo, household moves and anything that is not time-critical, because it costs much less per kilogram. If you are unsure, tell us the weight, size and deadline and we will recommend one.
Can I ship my household goods to Canada without paying duty?
Often yes. People moving to Canada can usually bring personal and household goods as settlers' effects, as long as the goods were owned and used before the move. You list the goods arriving with you and those arriving later separately. The exact conditions are set by CBSA and change from time to time, so we confirm them with you before you book.
How much tax will I pay on goods shipped to Canada?
For commercial goods, the federal GST is 5%, and some provinces add their own tax or use a combined harmonised rate. Duty depends on the product code and country of origin. We work out the likely charges before you commit.
What documents do I need to ship to Canada?
For business shipments you need a commercial invoice, a packing list and an airway bill or bill of lading, plus a CBSA business number and a certificate of origin where relevant. For a household move you need your passport, visa or permit, your Canadian address and lists of the goods you are bringing. We prepare the export side in the UAE and tell you what the Canadian side needs.
Can you ship a car from the UAE to Canada?
Yes, if the vehicle is eligible. Canada has strict rules on importing vehicles from outside North America, and many vehicles need approval and modifications. Send us the make, model and year and we check what is needed before you commit.
Which items do you not carry to Canada?
We do not carry cosmetics, batteries, liquids, food or jewellery. Tell us what is in your cargo and we confirm what can travel.
Do you deliver to my door in Canada?
Yes. Cargo arrives at a Canadian airport or seaport, clears customs and goes on by truck to the final address in cities such as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa, or to smaller towns and business parks.
How is volumetric weight calculated for air freight?
Multiply length, width and height in centimetres, then divide by 6,000 to get the volumetric weight in kilograms. The airline bills whichever is higher, the actual weight or the volumetric weight. A 60 x 40 x 40 cm box weighing 12 kg is billed as 16 kg. The calculator on this page does the sum for you.
Do you ship to Canada from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates too?
Yes. We collect from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, and consolidate everything for the same flight or sailing to Canada.
Can I ship less than a full container?
Yes. LCL (less than container load) lets you ship a few boxes or pallets in a shared container and you pay only for the space you use. Transit is a little longer than a full container because cargo is consolidated before sailing and separated after arrival.
Is cargo insurance available?
Yes. We can arrange transit insurance for air and sea shipments. It is worth taking for high-value goods, household moves and anything fragile. Tell us the declared value of your cargo and we will include the cost in your quote.
How far in advance should I book?
For air freight, a few days before the cargo is ready is usually enough. For sea freight, plan one to two weeks ahead, and longer before the end-of-year peak season when space is tight. For a house move, start getting quotes eight to ten weeks before you leave.
Can I track my shipment from Dubai to Canada?
Yes. Every shipment gets a tracking number you can check on our Track Shipment page, and our team sends updates on the key milestones by phone and WhatsApp, including pickup, departure, customs clearance in Canada and delivery.
Keep exploring
Shipping from Dubai to Other Countries
The same pickup, paperwork and delivery service, with each country's customs rules covered.
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