Learning how to ship containers from China to Canada is a necessary course for Chinese exports and Canadian imports. It is also necessary to understand local delivery operations in Canada. Of course, the entire operation process will be handled by delivery and logistics. After studying and discussing, local delivery in Canada seems simple, but the actual operation is also very tedious. After understanding the details, the import and export will be much more convenient.

China shipping to Canada

Concepts and definitions

Import Full Truck Loading Dispatching (FTL) refers to the mode in which the entire shipping containers (containers) are transported and dispatched by chartered vehicles. Concepts and definitions related to this operation are summarized as follows:

  1. Curbside Delivery

It refers to the delivery method in which the truck picks up the container from the yard according to the reservation of the terminal/train station, delivers it directly, stops at a suitable place near the delivery address, and delivers it to the receiver for unloading. Delivery depends on whether the driver needs to wait on-site. According to whether the driver needs to wait at the scene, the whole cabinet delivery can be divided into two operating modes: Live Unloading and Drop Off. Regardless of the mode, the FCL delivery service does not include other additional services such as unloading the container and subsequent moving of the goods to the room and unpacking. The semantics of a delivery system can be divided into two operating modes: Live Unloading and Drop Off. Regardless of the mode, the FCL delivery service does not include other additional services such as container unloading, subsequent moving of cargos indoors, unpacking, and so on.

  1. Drop Off Operation Mode

After the container is delivered, the driver separates the frame and drives away. When the receiver finishes unloading the container, the driver returns to pick up the vehicle frame and empty the container and return to the operation mode of the container yard. It is often used for delivery to commercial addresses with unloading platforms, or when the on-site conditions of unloading containers allow for a long period (usually 1 working day) to retain the container and frame. The receiver is required to ensure the safety of the container and vehicle frame and bear all additional costs that may occur for a prolonged stay, such as government tickets, damage to the container, etc.

  1. Live Unloading Mode

Canadian trailer delivery: After the container is delivered, the driver will wait for the completion of unloading on site and directly haul away the empty container and return the empty container to the designated yard. It is often used in residential areas, long distances, or on-site unloading conditions that are not suitable for Drop Off.

  1. Guarantee of Charges (GOC)

According to the requirement of cargo release in the port of destination, such a payment guarantee shall be issued before the container is released. Therefore, the actual receiver (or its agent) is required to issue this document back-to-back; undertaking to pay for additional charges that may arise due to their reasons (or force majeure), including but not limited to:

✓ Demurrage Charge: late delivery charges for containers charged by terminals/train stations

✓ Detention Charge: the overdue fee charged by the shipping company/container owner for returning empty containers

✓ Repair/Clean Charge

  1. Waiting Charge for Unloading

In the Live Unloading mode, the driver will wait for 1 hour for free, after which the driver will be charged at the rate of CAD95/hour.

  1. Pre-pull Charge for Container

To avoid the demurrage charges caused by the overdue storage of the containers at the terminal/train station, the cost of bringing the containers back to the fleet yard for temporary storage will be arranged in advance and then delivered according to the container delivery time required by the receiver. The rate is CAD150/time (including the vehicle frame and venue rental fee for one day); if it is more than one day, it will add up to CAD85 per day.

    1. Additional Service

    Additional services for delivery of FCL to the door are also provided upon prior notice and at an additional cost to the client. Including but not limited to the following five items:

    ✓ Unloading

    ✓ Move-in

    ✓ Unpacking

    ✓ Installation

    ✓ Garbage Disposal

    Most of the additional services require manual work. According to the Canada Labour Code and related industry regulations, 3 persons are required to handle a single shipment weighing more than 90KGS, and 4 persons are required to handle a shipment weighing 180KGS or more.

    1. Long Distance Dispatching

    FCL delivery with a delivery distance of 30 km or more. Long Distance Dispatching can only be arranged in Live Unloading mode, and the billing rate and free waiting time may vary.

Delivery procedure

    1. Delivery will be arranged after the following five necessary conditions are met:

      1) The cargos have been cleared and released, and the cargo release system at the dock/yard/railway station has been updated accordingly;

      2) The agent at the port of destination agrees to release the container;

      3) The overseas agent/shipper at the port of departure agrees to release the container;

      4) The receiver shall settle the relevant fees and confirms the following key delivery information:

      ✓ Delivery address, contact person, and specific pickup location

      ✓ Unloading operation mode (Drop off / Live Unloading)

      ✓ Whether additional services are required

      ✓ Do you need to wait for unloading or pre-lifting the container?

      5) The payment guarantee letter has been filled in and signed by GOC and returned to our company.

      1. Introduction to the delivery process

      Check and verify the seal

      1) After all the necessary conditions for delivery are met, the Delivery Order will be sent to the fleet for a container pickup appointment at the dock. If additional services are required, staff will be provided accordingly.

      2) The delivery driver will pick up the container at the designated yard according to the appointment confirmation and check the appearance of the container. If any accident such as damage is found, the driver will make a clear statement on the container receipt and take a photo for the record.

      3) After the container is mentioned, the driver will call the receiver by phone (at the latest 30 minutes before arriving at the delivery address), inform the receiver of the estimated time of arrival, and remind him to reserve time to pick up and unload the container.

      4) After the container is delivered, the receiver must first check the lead seal and the appearance of the container. After confirming that the seal is correct and the appearance of the container is in good condition, instruct the driver to cut the lead seal and unload the container as soon as possible.

      5) During the unloading process, the receiver shall supervise and ensure that the container is not damaged in any way.

      6) After unloading, the receiver must clean the interior of the container and sign the delivery note as a Prove of Delivery (POD).

      Follow-up operations after delivery

      1) Notify other relevant parties (if necessary) that the container has been delivered; and notify them of possible special circumstances;

      2) Convey other requirements (if any) made by the receiver at the time of receiving the cargos, such as missing, damaged, unsatisfactory, or other special circumstances;

      3) Invoices will be provided within three working days after delivery.