Montreal to Chennai is open to commercial cargo only, because the tariff prohibits personal effects to this port. Families moving to Tamil Nadu can look at Tuticorin instead, where household goods are accepted on approval. Transit from Montreal is about 58 days, identical to Toronto, while Vancouver takes ten days less.
The lane is used by Quebec manufacturers, distributors of machine parts and small exporters with customers around Chennai. Each consignment travels on prepaid freight with a commercial invoice, a packing list and the Indian importer's GSTIN, IEC and e-mail on the bill of lading. Liquids, food, electronics and batteries fall under commodity restrictions in India. A1 keeps every booking within a customs value of CAD 2,000, accepts no dangerous goods, and asks the shipper to deliver the crated or palletized cargo to its east-end Montreal warehouse.
Montreal to Chennai: rate, minimum and transit
| Gateway | Rate | Minimum, all A1 fees | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Toronto | USD 6 / cu ft | USD 476.92 | 58 days |
| From Montreal | USD 6 / cu ft | USD 476.92 | 58 days |
| From Vancouver | USD 5 / cu ft | USD 441.60 | 48 days |
Compared with Montreal, the same cargo from Toronto: the same rate and the same transit (58 days, minimum USD 476.92); from Vancouver: USD 1 per cu ft less and 10 days shorter (48 days, minimum USD 441.60).
What a shipment from Montreal costs
- Up to 1 CBM (35.3 cu ft) and 200 kg, the minimum: USD 476.92
- 2.5 CBM / 500 kg, e.g. 20 medium moving boxes: USD 794.80
- 4 CBM / 800 kg, e.g. three pallets: USD 1,112.68
The carrier charges by volume or by weight (1,000 kg per CBM), whichever is greater. Totals include A1's processing fee, surcharges and solar fee; destination charges are added once the carrier confirms them.
Delivering the cargo in Montreal
The Montreal receiving warehouse is in the east end of Montreal, on Notre-Dame Street East, and receives cargo from 08:00 to 16:00. This gateway usually serves Quebec, eastern Ontario and the Atlantic provinces. A1 does not offer pickup and does not palletize or pack: bring the cargo yourself or with a trucker of your choice, boxed, crated or on pallets of ISPM 15 wood. Household goods must be professionally packed, as the tariff requires.
Personal effects and carrier conditions for India
Personal effects are not accepted to Chennai under the current carrier tariff; commercial cargo is accepted.
- Freight Prepaid Only
- Subject to ISPM 15 Packing Regulations
- GSTIN / IEC / E-Mail ID Of Importer Required
- Importer Exporter Code no. of the Importer to be indicated on HBL (IEC no. is a registration number allotted to all Indian traders / manufacturers who are in the IMP/EXP business)
- Personal Effects On Approval Only, Except Prohibited to Chennai
- Hyderabad Cargo Customs Clearance in Chennai
- Liquid items, food stuff, medicines, alcohol, electronic items and batteries are subject to commodity restrictions.
- Final confirmation of acceptance can only be advised by consignee custom broker at destination.
Documents: a commercial invoice and packing list for commercial cargo. Customs value up to CAD 2,000; cargo palletized or crated on ISPM 15 wood.
What A1 does: the price, the booking with the carrier, checking your packing list and documents, the warehouse labels and the contact until the cargo arrives. What A1 does not do: pickup, packing or palletizing, customs clearance and duties at destination (arranged and paid by the receiver), air freight, courier, vehicles and full containers.
More about shipping to Chennai
All gateways and rates for shipping to Chennai and the overview of shipping to India from Canada. Other gateways: from Toronto to Chennai, from Vancouver to Chennai. Other routes from Montreal: Beirut, Casablanca, Southampton, Genoa, Mumbai, Shanghai, Karachi, Manila, Colombo, Mombasa, Bangalore, Kochi, Hyderabad. Read how to ship personal effects from Canada, or see every destination in shipping destinations A–Z.
Questions and answers
How much is shipping from Montreal to Chennai?
From USD 476.92 for the smallest shipment (up to 1 CBM), including A1's processing fee, surcharges and solar fee. About USD 794.80 for 2.5 CBM / 500 kg. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier before you pay; duties and taxes are paid by the receiver.
How long does sea shipping from Montreal to Chennai take?
The carrier estimates 58 days from the Montreal warehouse to Chennai. Add the time to collect documents and to clear customs at destination.
Does A1 pick up in Montreal?
No. You or a trucking company you hire deliver the packed cargo to the receiving warehouse in the east end of Montreal, on Notre-Dame Street East; the address and labels come with the booking.
Rates valid through December 25, 2026; totals include A1 fees of USD 265.00. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier, duties and taxes are paid by the consignee, and transit days are the carrier's estimate.