Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Canada to Ireland

Canada and Ireland share a common heritage and have similar cultures and values. This creates a strong connection between the two nations, which has blossomed into a highly beneficial trade relationship.

As Canada works to expand its global trade presence, Ireland, with its role as a gateway to the European Union, becomes an important partner. In 2023, Canada exported $726.3 million in goods to Ireland. Overall, bilateral trade between the two countries totaled $4 billion in 2023.

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Canada to Ireland?

You can ship freight from Canada to Ireland in one of two ways: ocean and air freight.

Ocean Freight From Canada to Ireland

Ocean freight is the most common shipping option, owing to its flexibility and affordability. It can transport any type of cargo and even offers you two options for container shipping. These are less than container load and full container load. 

LCL is the container shipping option for small shipments. Here, goods belonging to different shippers are consolidated and transported together in one container. Each shipper will only pay for their cargo's space, making it highly economical.

FCL is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This gives them more space, control, and security for their cargo. The space inside the container should be maximized to get good value for money, hence, this shipping option is best for larger shipments.

Air Freight from Canada to Ireland

The other way to transport goods from Canada to Ireland is by air. This is the fastest international shipping mode, allowing goods to be transported to their destination in days. It’s also the most secure, with strict airport regulations helping protect high-value cargo.

However, air freight isn’t as popular as ocean freight because it’s expensive. It’s also not as flexible, with strict limitations on the type, size, weight, and volume of cargo you can transport.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Canada to Ireland?

The cost to ship cargo from Canada to Ireland will depend on the following factors:

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

For an accurate estimate of your shipping costs, utilize our freight costs calculator. Below, you'll find the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from Canada to Ireland:

How long does it take to ship cargo from Canada to Ireland?

The transit time for goods shipped from Canada to Ireland is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)
• Whether the shipment route is direct or not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Possible incidents at any port

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Canada to Ireland?

It will take 15-50 days to complete an ocean freight shipment from Canada to Ireland.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Canada to Ireland?

Air freight from Canada to Ireland takes only 2-8 days.

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in Canada and Ireland

When your Canadian goods arrive in Ireland, they will need to go through the customs clearance process. This requires that you prepare and submit the following documents:

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

If you need examples of these customs clearance requirements, take a look at our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

To choose the right shipping option for you, consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you decide.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is best for budget-conscious shippers or those who need shipping flexibility. This shipping mode can transport any type of goods and even offers you two container shipping options to optimize your shipment.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL shipping is used for cargo that is:

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL shipping is more suitable for you if your cargo is:

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

Should you need your goods to arrive in Ireland fast, then you should choose air freight. The fastest mode of international shipping, air freight, can get your cargo to its destination in a matter of days, making it highly suitable for time-sensitive or perishable shipments.

This is also the most secure shipping option. With strict airport rules and regulations, air freight can better guarantee the security of your high-value goods during transit.

However, it’s not all pros. Air freight also has its fair share of cons. The first is its cost, which is significantly higher than ocean freight. The second is its lack of flexibility, unable to ship all cargo types, sizes, weights, and volumes.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Canada

Port of Vancouver

The Port of Vancouver is the largest port in Canada and the third-largest in North America. It handles over 145 million tonnes of cargo per year. It’s an integral part of Canada’s trade infrastructure, and it handles a wide range of goods.

Port of Montreal

The Port of Montreal is the second-largest port in Canada and the country's largest inland port. It handles over 40 million tonnes of cargo per year. The port is an important gateway for trade between Canada and Europe, and its strategic location is on the St. Lawrence River.

Port of Prince Rupert

The Port of Prince Rupert is located in British Columbia. Despite being a new port established only in 2007, it has quickly made its mark, handling over 32 million tonnes of cargo every year. The port serves the need for a deep, ice-free port on Canada’s west coast to accommodate large container ships used for transpacific trade.

Cargo ports of arrival in Ireland

Port of Dublin

The Port of Dublin is located at the mouth of the Liffey River in Dublin Bay. It’s the biggest port in Ireland, handling over 50% of all its maritime traffic. It welcomes over 7,500 ships per year and has an annual cargo traffic of 700,000 TEUs.

Port of Galway

The Port of Galway is located on the western coast of Ireland on the sheltered corner of Galway Bay. It spans 32 acres of land and boasts multiple facilities for port operations. The port welcomes over 300 ships per year, carrying over 1 million tonnes of cargo.

Port of Shannon Foynes

The Port of Shannon Foynes is on the Shannon River on Ireland’s southwestern coast. It mainly imports fertilizers, oil, fuel, timber, and conventional cargo. It handles over 7.6 million tonnes of cargo per year and welcomes over 300 ships.

Air Freight from Canada to Ireland: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Canada

Toronto Pearson International Airport

The Toronto Pearson International Airport is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. It is the main airport that serves Toronto and its metropolitan area. It’s also the airport of choice for the residents of the Golden Horseshoe surrounding region. The airport serves as a hub for Air Canada, WestJet, Porter Airlines, Air Transat, Sunwing, and more. It handles over 303,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year.

Vancouver International Airport

The Vancouver International Airport is on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia. It serves the city of Vancouver and the lower mainland region. The airport is a hub for Air Canada, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Air Transat, and more. It handles 232,000 metric tonnes of cargo annually.

Hamilton International Airport

The Hamilton International Airport is located in Ontario, Canada. It’s approximately six nautical miles southwest of Downtown Hamilton and 64 kilometers southwest of Toronto. The airport is a hub for Cargojet, UPS Airlines, and SkyLink Express. It handles over 121,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year.

Airports of arrival in Ireland

Dublin Airport

The Dublin Airport is located in Collinstown, which is about 7 kilometers north of Dublin and 3 kilometers south of the town of Swords. It’s a hub for Ryanair, Aer Lingus, TUI Airways, Ryanair Holdings PLC, and more.

Shannon Airport

The Shannon Airport is located in County Clare in Ireland. It is the third busiest airport in the Republic and the fifth busiest on the island. The airport serves as a hub for Ryanair, Aer Lingus, ASL Airlines Ireland, Skynet Airlines, and Eirjet.

Belfast International Airport

The Belfast International Airport is the main airport for the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland. It used to be known as the Aldergrove Airport, named after the nearby village of Aldergrove. The airport is a Ryanair, Woodgate Aviation, MyTravel Airways, and First Choice Airways hub.

Why Ship From Canada to Ireland With iContainers?

Transporting cargo depends on several variables, including the season, the size of your shipment, the shipping method, and the origin and destination points.

Drawing on years of expertise, iContainers provides traditional freight forwarding services with a technological edge for your convenience. Our digital platform gives you control over every step of your shipment—from getting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—from your mobile device.

Reach out to us anytime for a free quote. We are always here to assist you with the information you need.