Container Shipping to Montreal — Get Instant Quotes
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
- Quote online in seconds.
- Upload paperwork—commercial invoice, packing list & HS codes.
- Book & pay securely.
- Track vessel, rail and customs milestones 24/7.
- Clear—pay duty (0–8 %) + 5 % GST; release your box.
- Deliver—truck or rail to Toronto, Detroit or Amazon-CA FCs.
What Can You Ship in a Container to Montreal?
| Common commodities | Restricted / Prohibited |
|---|---|
| Automotive parts & machinery | Counterfeit brands |
| Electronics & appliances | Controlled chemicals without HC licence |
| Wine, spirits & food ingredients | Meat/dairy lacking CFIA permits |
| Forestry products & paper | Hazardous waste without ECCC permit |
FAQs About Shipping Containers to Montreal
Most goods clear at 0–8 % duty plus 5 % GST on the CIF value.
Yes—below 15 m³ you avoid paying for unused FCL space, typically saving 40–60 %.
Not mandatory, but strongly recommended—add door-to-door cover at checkout.
Secure space 6 – 8 weeks ahead of December to buffer for St Lawrence ice and holiday congestion.