Shipping from Toronto to Cebu costs less per cubic foot than Toronto to Manila, so families in the Greater Toronto Area with relatives in the Visayas often save by sending straight to Cebu instead of paying for Manila plus a domestic ferry. Filipino-Canadian households in Scarborough, North York, Mississauga and Brampton use this route for balikbayan boxes, school supplies and household goods for parents back home. The trade-off is transit: Cebu takes almost twice as long as Manila from Toronto, so book well before Christmas or a family event.
Montreal has the same rate and transit, while Vancouver is cheaper and faster but only sensible for cargo already in British Columbia. Mark every box with the country of origin and the full names and phone numbers of shipper and consignee, and give the receiver the house bill of lading number. The carrier gives no free storage in the Philippines, so the family in Cebu should be ready to collect on arrival.
Toronto to Cebu: rate, minimum and transit
| Gateway | Rate | Minimum, all A1 fees | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Toronto | USD 3 / cu ft | USD 370.96 | 57 days |
| From Montreal | USD 3 / cu ft | USD 370.96 | 57 days |
| From Vancouver | USD 2 / cu ft | USD 335.64 | 47 days |
Compared with Toronto, the same cargo from Montreal: the same rate and the same transit (57 days, minimum USD 370.96); from Vancouver: USD 1 per cu ft less and 10 days shorter (47 days, minimum USD 335.64).
What a shipment from Toronto costs
- Up to 1 CBM (35.3 cu ft) and 200 kg, the minimum: USD 370.96
- 2.5 CBM / 500 kg, e.g. 20 medium moving boxes: USD 529.90
- 4 CBM / 800 kg, e.g. three pallets: USD 688.84
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 Toronto
The Toronto receiving warehouse is in Mississauga, next to Pearson airport, and receives cargo from 08:00 to 16:00. This gateway usually serves the Greater Toronto Area and the rest of Ontario. 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 Philippines
Personal effects and household goods are accepted subject to carrier approval: we send your packing list and passport copy to the carrier before you pay.
- Subject to ISPM 15 Packing Regulations
- Required to have proper "MARKINGS/ LABELS" of Country of Origin
- Shipper's Full details, Consignee's Full details, HBL NO
- No Freetime in Philippines
Documents: a signed packing list and a passport copy for personal effects, 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 Cebu
All gateways and rates for shipping to Cebu and the overview of shipping to Philippines from Canada. Other gateways: from Vancouver to Cebu. Other routes from Toronto: Manila, Mumbai, Delhi, Karachi, Colombo, Ho Chi Minh City, Kochi, Lisbon, Mombasa, Southampton, Hamburg, Shanghai. 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 Toronto to Cebu?
From USD 370.96 for the smallest shipment (up to 1 CBM), including A1's processing fee, surcharges and solar fee. About USD 529.90 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 Toronto to Cebu take?
The carrier estimates 57 days from the Toronto warehouse to Cebu. Add the time to collect documents and to clear customs at destination.
Does A1 pick up in Toronto?
No. You or a trucking company you hire deliver the packed cargo to the receiving warehouse in Mississauga, next to Pearson airport; 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.