Imports into Canada

Freight Forwarding for High-Volume Imports Into Canada

Importing steel coils, solar panels, machinery, building materials, electrical equipment, furniture, or other commercial goods into Canada? RRA coordinates international freight, in-house customs clearance, port drayage, optional warehousing, and inland delivery through one accountable team. We move and clear your goods — we don't sell them.

FMC-Registered NVOCCIn-House Customs ClearanceCanada & USA BondedNationwide Canadian CoverageMoving freight since 2013
Priority freight categories

Commodities We Coordinate Into Canada

These are high-volume, commonly imported categories where one team for freight, customs, and delivery makes the difference. RRA arranges the logistics — it does not supply or distribute the goods.

Ocean/Breakbulk · Customs · Flatbed

Steel Coils, Sheet & Plate

Heavy, securement-sensitive freight with SIMA and import-control review — coordinated end to end.

Steel import freight →

Containerized · Customs · Project delivery

Solar Panels & Renewable-Energy Equipment

Bulky, damage-sensitive cargo with trade-remedy exposure, warehousing, and staged project delivery.

Solar import freight →

FCL · Breakbulk · Project cargo

Industrial Machinery & Equipment

FCL, LCL, breakbulk, out-of-gauge, and project cargo with transloading and specialized delivery.

Machinery import freight →

Containerized · Warehousing · Site delivery

Construction Materials

Tile, stone, glass, fixtures, and prefabricated components — heavy or fragile, planned to the job site.

Construction import freight →

Containerized · Warehousing

Electrical Equipment, Cable & Components

High-volume containerized imports for manufacturers and distributors, with warehousing and distribution.

Electrical import freight →

Containers · Deconsolidation · Distribution

Furniture, Cabinetry & Fixtures

Container-intensive cargo with consolidation, deconsolidation, warehousing, and final-mile distribution.

Furniture import freight →

Ocean · Air · Cross-border

Automotive & Industrial Parts

Parts, components, and time-sensitive replenishment freight by ocean, air, and cross-border trucking.

Auto parts import freight →

DG confirmed case by case

Batteries & Energy-Storage Systems

A fast-growing category with dangerous-goods, packaging, and carrier-acceptance requirements confirmed with our team before booking.

Battery import freight →

FCL · Warehousing

Plastic Resins, Products & Packaging

Bulk and containerized resin and plastic products with warehousing and distribution for manufacturers.

Plastics import freight →

Heavy FCL · Breakbulk · Flatbed

Aluminum, Copper & Fabricated Metals

Heavy industrial and construction cargo — containerized or breakbulk, with customs and flatbed delivery.

Metals import freight →

FCL · Truckload · Warehousing

Paper, Paperboard & Packaging

High-volume container and truckload freight with warehousing and distribution.

Paper import freight →

Ambient · Customs · CFIA coordination

Food, Beverage & Agricultural Products

Ambient food and beverage freight with customs and CFIA/SFCR coordination — cold-chain confirmed separately.

Food import freight →

LCL · Bonded warehousing · Distribution

Apparel, Textiles & Footwear

Containerized retail and e-commerce imports with consolidation, bonded warehousing, and distribution.

Apparel import freight →

Air/Ocean · Customs · Health Canada-aware

Medical Devices & Healthcare Equipment

Air and ocean freight with customs; Health Canada licensing rests with the importer, specialized handling confirmed.

Medical import freight →

DG confirmed · Customs

Chemicals & Industrial Inputs

Non-hazardous inputs as standard freight; dangerous goods confirmed against operational capability before booking.

Chemical import freight →

How it works

How RRA Moves Imported Goods Into Canada

  1. Origin coordinationWe book with the carrier and work with your supplier and origin partners on pickup, shipping instructions, export documentation, and cut-offs.
  2. Ocean or air freightFCL, LCL, breakbulk, or air toward the Canadian gateway that fits the origin, commodity, mode, and destination.
  3. Pre-arrival document & customs reviewOur in-house customs team reviews classification, origin, permits, and any SIMA or surtax exposure before arrival, CARM-ready.
  4. Canadian gateway & drayageContainer pickup and terminal handling at the gateway, plus deconsolidation or transload when required.
  5. Warehousing when requiredBonded or standard warehousing, cross-dock, and consolidation while delivery is arranged.
  6. Delivery across CanadaFinal transportation across Canada and onward into the United States when required, with the right equipment for the freight.
Plan the move

Commodity-Specific Planning Considerations

The commodity drives the plan. These are the factors we confirm up front so freight, customs, and delivery line up on the first attempt.

Freight & equipment

Dimensions, Weight & Packaging

Piece size, total weight, and packaging decide container type, breakbulk vs. containerized, and the delivery equipment required.

Customs

HS Classification & Country of Origin

Correct classification and origin drive duty treatment and documentation. HS codes are references for review, not automatic conclusions about duty.

Compliance

Import Permits & Other-Government Departments

Some goods need permits or other-government-department requirements. Our in-house customs team confirms what applies before arrival.

Trade remedy

SIMA or Surtax Exposure

Certain goods and origins carry anti-dumping, countervailing (SIMA), or surtax exposure. We flag it at quote stage and review before filing.

Handling

Dangerous Goods & Temperature Control

DG, temperature-controlled, or specialized handling is confirmed case by case against operational capability before we commit.

Delivery

Delivery Equipment & Unloading

Flatbed, step-deck, or standard trailer, plus unloading and site-access requirements, are planned into the final-mile leg.

Gateways

A National Program, Not a Single Port

RRA recommends the Canadian gateway based on origin, commodity, mode, final destination, timing, and operational requirements — West Coast or East. Imports are cleared and delivered Canada-wide, with onward movement into the United States when required, so your routing is chosen for the freight rather than forced through one port.

Services

The Services Behind Every Import

Freight Forwarding

One accountable file across ocean, air, customs, and inland — the coordinating layer over every import move.

Ocean Freight

FCL, LCL, breakbulk, and out-of-gauge sailings from origin to a Canadian gateway.

Air Freight

For urgent, high-value, or production-critical imports where speed matters.

Customs Brokerage

In-house, CARM-ready clearance — classification, permits, and trade-remedy review before arrival.

Drayage & Port Services

Container pickup and terminal handling at the gateway, with deconsolidation when required.

Warehousing & Distribution

Bonded or standard warehousing, cross-dock, transload, and staged distribution.

FAQ

Importing Into Canada — FAQ

RRA coordinates international freight, in-house customs clearance, drayage, optional warehousing, and inland delivery for importers across most commercial commodity categories. RRA does not sell or supply the goods — we move and clear them. Tell us the commodity and we'll confirm the fit and any special requirements.
Send the origin, destination, commodity, HS code if known, dimensions, weight, quantity, Incoterm, and target delivery date. The more detail on packaging and handling, the tighter the quote.
Yes. Our in-house, CARM-ready customs team can review classification, country of origin, permits, and any SIMA or surtax exposure before the goods ship — so there are no surprises at the border. Release remains subject to CBSA and any other government agencies.
Yes. Bonded or standard warehousing, cross-docking, transloading, and inland delivery across Canada and into the US are part of the same accountable file.
It depends on origin, commodity, mode, final destination, timing, and operational requirements. We recommend the gateway that fits the move rather than forcing every import through one port.

Import context based on Statistics Canada 2025 customs-basis merchandise-trade data (Table 12-10-0171-01): approximately C$788.9 billion in total Canadian merchandise imports. Figures cited for market context only.

Tell Us What You're Importing

Send the origin, destination, commodity, HS code if known, dimensions, weight, quantity, Incoterm, and target delivery date. A real reply from our operations team, usually within one business day.

Tell Us What You're Importing