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France exports a variety of goods to Canada, ranging from agricultural products to manufactured items.
The majority of France's exports to Canada are finished goods, such as aircraft, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles. France is also a major supplier of agricultural products to Canada, with wheat, beef, and pork being among the most popular items.
If your business handles any of these items, you might be thinking about expanding your reach to the Canadian market. But first, you need to know about shipping. Here’s everything you need to know about ocean and air freight shipping from France to Canada.
There are a few different ways to ship freight from France to Canada. The most popular methods are by air and sea.
Airfreight is the fastest option but also the most expensive. It is typically used for time-sensitive shipments or when shipping high-value items. Seafreight is a slower option, but it is less costly. It is generally used for large or heavy shipments.
Ocean freight is the most common method of shipping goods from France to Canada. It is also the most economical option for large shipments. Ocean freight offers two options for container shipping: LCL and FCL.
LCL shipping is a service offered by freight companies for shipments that do not fill an entire container. LCL shipping consolidates multiple small shipments into one larger shipment to maximize space and reduce costs.
FCL refers to the standard size container used to ship goods overseas. These containers are typically 20 or 40 feet long and can hold up to 25 tons of cargo. FCL shipments are usually made by ocean freight carriers, and the cost of shipping is typically based on the size and weight of the shipment.
Air freight is one of the most popular methods for shipping goods from France to Canada. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that it is a fast and efficient way to get your goods to their destination. Additionally, air freight is generally more secure than other shipping methods, which is important when shipping valuable or delicate items.
The cost of shipping cargo from France to Canada can vary greatly depending on:
To determine your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. Additionally, you can find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from France to Canada in the table below:
TRADE LANE RATES
The duration for shipping goods from France to Canada is primarily influenced by the international shipping mode chosen. Other factors that can affect this include:
It takes an average of about 15 to 50 days to ship cargo by sea from France to Canada.
It typically takes 2-8 days to ship cargo by air from France to Canada.
For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.
When it comes to customs clearance, there are a few things you need to prepare before your goods can be cleared to enter Canada. These include:
Check out our full documents list for examples of each of these documents.
Ocean Freight
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to ship your goods via ocean freight or another method. Some of the key considerations include:
LCL freight shipping is a great option for cargo that is:
FCL shipping is usually the best option for cargo that is:
Air freight is often the most expensive shipping method, but it also offers the fastest transit times. If you need to get your goods to their destination quickly, air freight may be the best option.
The Port of Marseille is France's largest and busiest port. It is located on the Mediterranean Sea and is also one of the busiest ports in Europe. The port handles a wide range of cargo, including containers, roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) traffic, and passengers.
The Port of Le Havre is a major French port located on the English Channel in Normandy. It is the largest container port in France and the fourth busiest container port in Europe, handling over 3 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) per year. The port is also a hub for car imports and exports.
The Port of Bordeaux is located in southwestern France on the Garonne River. As one of the busiest ports in the country, it plays an important role in the economy of both Bordeaux and France as a whole. The port handles a wide range of cargo, including containers.
The Port of Vancouver is a seaport located in Vancouver, British Columbia. It is the largest and busiest port in Canada and one of the largest ports in North America. The port handles over 140 million tonnes of cargo annually and is responsible for nearly $200 billion in trade yearly.
The Port of Montreal is a major seaport in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is a deep-water port that handles container traffic and general cargo. The port has a total of 26 berths and can accommodate ships up to 225 meters long.
The Port of Halifax is the largest natural harbor in the world and is located on the eastern coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. The harbor is formed by a large, deep glacial fjord that meets the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Halifax is one of Canada's busiest ports, handling over 3 million TEUs of containerized cargo each year.
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling over 60 million passengers and 2.6 million tons of cargo per year. The airport is home to several major airlines and freight carriers, making it an important hub for international air travel.
Orly Airport is a popular travel destination in France, and it offers a variety of cargo services to its visitors. The airport has a dedicated cargo terminal, which handles all of the airfreight that arrives and departs from Orly. There are also several storage facilities on-site, which can accommodate both perishable and non-perishable goods.
Nice Airport (NCE) is one of the busiest airports in France, handling over 14 million passengers and more than 100,000 tons of cargo every year. The airport's cargo services are provided by several different airlines, including Air France, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, and British Airways.
As the largest airport in Canada, Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is a significant hub for air cargo. The airport offers a wide range of services to support the shipping needs of businesses and individuals. YYZ is home to two cargo terminals - Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 - which can handle a combined total of over 1.6 million tons of cargo per year.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is one of the busiest airports in Canada, handling over 19 million passengers and more than 400,000 aircraft movements annually. The airport is also a major cargo hub, handling over 1.3 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is one of the busiest airports in Canada, handling over 20 million passengers and over 400,000 tons of cargo annually. The airport is a major hub for both passenger and cargo traffic, with direct flights to destinations all over the world.
About Us
Shipping cargo requires considering various factors, such as the season, the size of the cargo, the shipping method, and the origin and destination.
With years of industry expertise, iContainers combines traditional freight forwarding services with advanced technology for your convenience. Our digital platform allows you to oversee your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.
Feel free to contact us for a free quote at any time. We are always available to provide the information you need.