Exporting From Canada: A Practical Guide for Growing Businesses

Start with the agreement with your buyer. Before anything ships, agree on who pays for and handles each part of the journey: trucking to the port, export clearance, ocean freight, and costs at the destination. International sales terms (Incoterms such as FOB or CIF) exist for exactly this, and getting them clear up front avoids disputes over surprise costs later.

Next, know your cargo. You'll need an accurate description of what you're shipping, its weight and dimensions, its value, and how it's packed. These details drive your quote, your container choice and your paperwork. At a minimum, most export shipments travel with a commercial invoice and a packing list, and the carrier issues a bill of lading once the cargo is loaded.

Canada also has its own export reporting. Many commercial exports must be declared to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) before they leave, usually electronically, depending on the goods, their value and where they're going. Used vehicles have additional requirements, including proof of ownership. Thresholds and rules change, so confirm the current requirements for your shipment; a freight forwarder can tell you what applies.

Then check the destination's rules. Every country sets its own import requirements. Some limit the age of imported vehicles, some require import permits or inspections before shipping, and duties and taxes vary widely. Your buyer, or their customs agent, is usually the best source for the destination side, and it's worth confirming before you book rather than after the cargo arrives.

Choose the right way to ship. If you're filling a container, a full container load (FCL) is usually the simplest and most secure option. If your volumes are smaller, a shared container (LCL) lets you pay only for the space you use. Vehicles, heavy machinery and oversized equipment may need specific container types, such as flat racks or open tops.

Plan around timing. Ocean carriers have booking cut-offs, and container space can be tight in busy periods. Knowing when your goods will be ready, and booking ahead of that date, is the easiest way to avoid delays. Build in time for pickup and trucking to the port, especially if your cargo is far from the departure port.

Finally, turn your first shipment into a routine. Once your first export goes out, the next ones get easier: the same documents, the same route, the same contacts. Businesses that ship regularly benefit from a consistent process with one point of contact who knows their account, so shipping becomes something they plan rather than something they worry about.

Freightivo takes care of the Canadian side of your exports: pickup anywhere in Canada, export paperwork, booking and ocean freight to the destination port. Customs clearance in the destination country is handled by your buyer or their customs agent. Quotes are free, with no obligation, and we reply within 1 business day.