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Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to Montreal?


  • Daily deep-sea links on two coasts. Asia cargo rails across Canada after West-coast discharge or sails direct up the St Lawrence; Europe and South-America services call Montreal directly.
  • Rail fluidity built in. On-dock trackage totals 100 km and feeds 60–80 trains a week; roughly 45 % of the port’s volume rides CN & CPKC steel-wheel service to the U.S. Midwest within 48 h (port-montreal.com).
  • Straight-forward landed cost. Most industrial goods attract 0–8 % duty plus 5 % GST, all pre-calculated in the quote.
  • Air-cargo back-up. YUL handled ≈ 287 000 t of freight in 2024, while cargo-dedicated Mirabel moved ≈ 88 000 t—door-to-door in 3-5 days for urgent spares (ttnews.com, en.wikipedia.org)).

Our Container Shipping Services to Montreal


Full Container Load (FCL)


Auto makers, grocery chains and chemical firms import sealed 20′, 40′ & 40′HC boxes straight into Viau, Cast, Termont or Racine terminals, then rail or truck to Toronto, Detroit and Chicago.


Less-than-Container Load (LCL)


SMEs cut freight bills up to 50 % on loads < 15 m³ via weekly LCL consolidations that devan in bonded depots at Viau.


Popular mode: FCL still rules automotive & food supply; LCL is surging for Amazon-CA and Shopify restocks.

Ports / airports served: Montreal-Port (MTR), Contrecœur (future); urgent air via YUL & YMX.

Typical cargo: Auto parts, forest products, electronics, bulk wine & spirits.

Transit-time references:


  • Shanghai → Montreal: ≈ 25–35 days (ocean to Vancouver + 4-day rail inland)
  • Rotterdam → Montreal: ≈ 11–14 days direct North-Atlantic loops.

Country-specific challenges:


  • Winter ice & Seaway closures (late Dec–late Mar) can slow piloting—build 2-3 buffer days. (pilotagestlaurent.gc.ca)
  • Periodic longshore labour actions (Nov 2024 lockout cut 40 % of traffic) may force rerouting via Halifax or New York. (reuters.com)

Alternative option: Air freight trims door-to-door to 3-5 days via YUL/YMX for pharma and AOG parts.

Container shipping rates to Montreal

How much does it cost to ship a container to Montreal?

How Long Does It Take?


  • Asia → Montreal (land-bridge): 25–35 days
  • North Europe → Montreal: 11–15 days
  • US East Coast → Montreal: 2–4 days rail/truck
  • Air freight via YUL/YMX: 3–5 days door-to-door

Popular Routes and Ports Feeding Montreal


Asia cargo discharges at Vancouver / Prince Rupert, then rides CN or CPKC stack-trains east; North-Atlantic services berth Montreal directly after Liverpool, Antwerp or Rotterdam; MSC and Maersk short-sea loops link Halifax and the Gulf.


Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers


  1. Quote online in seconds.
  2. Upload paperwork—commercial invoice, packing list & HS codes.
  3. Book & pay securely.
  4. Track vessel, rail and customs milestones 24/7.
  5. Clear—pay duty (0–8 %) + 5 % GST; release your box.
  6. Deliver—truck or rail to Toronto, Detroit or Amazon-CA FCs.

What Can You Ship in a Container to Montreal?


Common commoditiesRestricted / Prohibited
Automotive parts & machineryCounterfeit brands
Electronics & appliancesControlled chemicals without HC licence
Wine, spirits & food ingredientsMeat/dairy lacking CFIA permits
Forestry products & paperHazardous waste without ECCC permit

FAQs About Shipping Containers to Montreal

How are duty & GST calculated?

Most goods clear at 0–8 % duty plus 5 % GST on the CIF value.

Is LCL really cheaper for small loads?

Yes—below 15 m³ you avoid paying for unused FCL space, typically saving 40–60 %.

Do I need cargo insurance?

Not mandatory, but strongly recommended—add door-to-door cover at checkout.

When should I book before winter?

Secure space 6 – 8 weeks ahead of December to buffer for St Lawrence ice and holiday congestion.

Ready to connect your supply chain to Montreal?

Get your instant iContainers quote now and lock in space.

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iContainers is a digital freight forwarder based in Barcelona that assists thousands of companies and families around the globe in moving their merchandise internationally.


Our online freight quoting platform has the latest technology in the sector and simplifies ocean freight, quoting and managing your bookings from the same user area.


We work side by side with Shipa Freight to fully cover the demands of our customers.

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