Shipping from Toronto to Shanghai takes a little over a month from the Mississauga warehouse and has a slightly shorter transit than Montreal at the same rate; Vancouver is cheaper and faster but only worth it for cargo in Western Canada. The route serves Chinese-Canadian families in Markham, Richmond Hill, Scarborough and downtown Toronto, professionals relocating to Shanghai, and Ontario exporters selling to buyers in the Yangtze delta.
China's conditions in the tariff are strict: a commercial invoice and packing list are required, the consignee's USCC or tax ID and the shipper's business tax number must be on the documents, and alcohol and tobacco are not accepted. Personal effects are accepted on carrier approval after A1 sends the packing list and passport copy; Chinese customs releases them to residents holding a work or residence permit. Cargo for Chongqing is also cleared in Shanghai, so inland consignees should plan clearance there.
Toronto to Shanghai: rate, minimum and transit
| Gateway | Rate | Minimum, all A1 fees | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Toronto | USD 4 / cu ft | USD 406.28 | 33 days |
| From Montreal | USD 4 / cu ft | USD 406.28 | 35 days |
| From Vancouver | USD 2 / cu ft | USD 335.64 | 23 days |
Compared with Toronto, the same cargo from Montreal: the same rate and 2 days longer (35 days, minimum USD 406.28); from Vancouver: USD 2 per cu ft less and 10 days shorter (23 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 406.28
- 2.5 CBM / 500 kg, e.g. 20 medium moving boxes: USD 618.20
- 4 CBM / 800 kg, e.g. three pallets: USD 830.12
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 China
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.
- Commercial Invoice / Packing List Required
- Subject to ISPM 15 Packing Regulations
- Alcohol / Tobacco Are NOT Accepted in China
- USCC or Tax ID Number Of Consignee Required
- Enterprise Code (VAT, GST) Number Of Shipper Required
- Chongqing Cargo Customs Cleared in Shanghai
- Personal Effects Accepted in Hong Kong but not in Guangzhou
- No Personal Effects Accepted in Macau
- Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Collect Freight On Approval
- Hong Kong: Commercial Invoice / Packing List Required
- Hong Kong: Subject to ISPM 15 Packing Regulations
- Hong Kong: Alcohol / Tobacco Are Accepted to Hong Kong if consignee can provide import permit
- Hong Kong: Alcohol / Tobacco Are NOT Accepted via Hong Kong for any transhipment
- Hong Kong: USCC or Tax ID Number Of Consignee Required
- Hong Kong: Enterprise Code (VAT, GST) Number Of Shipper Required
- Hong Kong: Personal Effects is NOT Accepted in or via Hong Kong
- Hong Kong: No Personal Effects Accepted in Macau
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 Shanghai
All gateways and rates for shipping to Shanghai and the overview of shipping to China from Canada. Other gateways: from Vancouver to Shanghai. Other routes from Toronto: Manila, Mumbai, Delhi, Karachi, Colombo, Ho Chi Minh City, Kochi, Lisbon, Cebu, Mombasa, Southampton, Hamburg. 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 Shanghai?
From USD 406.28 for the smallest shipment (up to 1 CBM), including A1's processing fee, surcharges and solar fee. About USD 618.20 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 Shanghai take?
The carrier estimates 33 days from the Toronto warehouse to Shanghai. 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.