UK ⇆ Canada Shipping Rates 2025

UK ⇆ Canada
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DFS Worldwide is a specialised shipping company renowned for its exceptional services to Far East destinations, including Canada. With a commitment to providing reliable and efficient logistics solutions, we offer competitive rates that cater to businesses of all sizes looking to expand their reach into these vital markets.

Sea freight

LCL - UK ports to Canada

Destination port	1 CBM	3 CBM	5 CBM
Montreal	£190.00	£337.23	£526.72
Toronto	£190.00	£348.18	£544.97
Vancouver	£185.00	£479.57	£763.95

FCL - UK ports to Canada

Destination port	20 ft	40 ft
Montreal	$2700	$3800
Toronto	$3400	$4800
Vancouver	$3300	$4500

• Above rates are port to port only, excluding customs clearance and local charges.
• To obtain an accurate quote, please email: [email protected]

Air freight

UK airports to Canada airports

Destination Airport	100 kg
Montreal	£540
Toronto	£430
Vancouver	£450

• Above rates are airport to airport only, excluding customs clearance and local charges.
• To obtain an accurate quote, please email: [email protected]

Doing business in Canada

Canada has a stable political environment and a strong record of economic growth. It offers opportunities for UK companies across all sectors.

The implementation of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) opens up further opportunities for UK companies as well as removing barriers to trade.

CETA also gives UK investors assured preferential access into the USA and Mexico for goods produced in Canada that comply with rules of origin requirements under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Benefits for UK businesses

There are a number of reasons to choose Canada as an export destination:

• it has similar legal and business practices to the UK
• there are fewer trade restrictions due to the CETA agreement
• it offers close proximity and easier access to the US market
• it has a strong business and consumer base
• like the UK, it is considered to have one of the most transparent legislatures, with Canada ranked as one of the least corrupt nations in the world

EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

CETA will help strengthen trade between Canada and the UK.

Overall the CETA agreement will:

• eliminate nearly all Canadian import duties
• create more opportunities to bid for public contracts in Canada
• make it easier to access Canadian services and investment markets
• improve the framework for temporary movement of key company personnel and service-providers between the EU and Canada
• strengthen the Canadian intellectual property environment
• increase cooperation between European and Canadian standards setting bodies

Specifically the CETA agreement:

• ends customs tariffs on 98% of goods and eliminates 90.9% of tariffs on agricultural products
• bases fees charged by local liquor boards on the volume (rather than value) of alcohol, providing a more level playing field for UK exporters of high-value products
• abolishes Canada’s requirement to blend imported bulk spirits with local spirits before bottling
• provides improved opportunities to bid on procurement contracts at all levels of government
• strengthens patent protection for pharmaceutical products

Challenges of doing business in Canada

Canada’s government has a federal structure which means that business activities and taxation are affected by regulation and laws at federal, provincial and local levels. This can make doing business complicated for first time exporters to the country.

The Canada Border Services Agency provides a step-by-step guide for importers of goods into the country, which will help you understand the requirements.

Additionally you should be aware that:

• some UK professional accreditations may not be recognised in Canada. You can check requirements relevant to your goods or services with Canadian trade bodies, or contact the Department for International Trade (DIT) in Canada
• some agricultural import tariff quotas will remain under CETA. Read more about how CETA will affect imports of cheese into the Canadian market.
• small to medium sized businesses may struggle to enter Canada’s defence and security sector because of its industrial and technological benefit (ITB) policies. Market entry is not impossible - read more about ITB and speak to a member of DIT’s Defence and Security Organisation for support and advice about entering the Canadian market

Top goods and services imports into Canada

UN Comtrade ranks Canada’s top goods imports as:

1. vehicles (not railway or tramway vehicles)
2. boilers and machinery
3. electrical and electronic equipment
4. distillation products and mineral fuels, including oil
5. plastics and plastic products
6. optical, technical, photographic and medical apparatus
7. pharmaceuticals
8. pearls, precious stones, metals and coins
9. furniture, lighting, signs and prefabricated buildings
10. iron or steel products

UN Comtrade ranks Canada’s top services imports as:

1. travel
2. transport
3. government services

Researching the Canadian market

Market research and planning are important before starting to sell your products and services in Canada. Doing so will help prevent mistakes and increase the potential for profits.

Canada’s federal structure means that there are different regulatory structures in place in each province or territory. Therefore good local research is needed to ensure you meet the legal requirements for your products at all appropriate levels of government control.

In addition, you need to research market entry requirements in specific provinces or territories for certain products, using desk research or visits to the country.

You need to determine whether:

• there is a market for your product or service
• your pricing is competitive
• you need to change your product, its packaging and marketing due to cultural considerations
• you need to adapt your business model

Find out more about researching an overseas market.

DIT’s trade specialists can help you commission services from local experts in Canada. This includes:

• country and sector advice
• local market research
• support during overseas visits
• identification of possible business partners
• preparation for exhibitions and events

Opportunities for UK businesses in Canada

DIT provides free international export sales leads from its worldwide network. Find export opportunities in Canada.