Air Cargo Services from China to Canada: A Comprehensive Guide for you

As a professional international freight forwarding company, we are dedicated to providing our clients with the most efficient and reliable air cargo solutions. , we will delve into the key aspects of air freight services from China to Canada, covering everything from the major airports involved to the shipping times, costs, and available carriers. Whether you are shipping high-value goods, perishables, or large volumes of cargo, this guide will help you navigate the complexities of air cargo transportation between these two countries.

Major Airports Offering Air Cargo Services from China to Canada

In recent years, the air freight corridors between China and Canada have become increasingly efficient, with numerous Chinese airports offering direct and transit services to major Canadian destinations. Here are some of the key airports in China that provide air cargo services to Canada:

Here are some details about those airports what you maybe want to know:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
As one of China's three major international air freight hubs, Beijing Capital International Airport is located in Shunyi District, Beijing. It features a 4F-class facility with an annual cargo throughput exceeding 3 million tons. The airport operates multiple direct freight routes to Canada.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
China's largest air freight hub and one of the top ten global freight airports, Shanghai Pudong International Airport is located in Pudong New District. It features a 4F-class facility with an annual cargo throughput exceeding 3.9 million tons. The airport leverages its West Cargo Area and multimodal transportation system to offer multiple direct freight routes to Canada.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
A core hub in South China, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is located in Baiyun District. It features a 4F-class facility with a cargo volume ranking among the top in China. The airport focuses on serving cross-border e-commerce and high-value goods.
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
China's first "dual-hub" airport for both passenger and cargo services, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is located in Bao'an District. With an annual cargo throughput exceeding 1.5 million tons, the airport offers direct freight services to Vancouver, Canada.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
The global leader in cargo throughput, Hong Kong International Airport is located on Lantau Island. With an annual cargo throughput exceeding 5 million tons, the airport leverages Cathay Pacific's freight routes to build a high-frequency freight network covering Canada.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
An important air hub in Central and Western China, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is located in Shuangliu District. It ranks among the top in Western China in terms of cargo volume and connects to Canada via Sichuan Airlines' freight services.
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
The largest civil transport hub constructed during China's "13th Five-Year Plan," Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is located in Jianyang City. It focuses on expanding freight routes to Europe and America and operates air cargo services to Canada.
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO)
The core airport of China's first aviation economy experimental zone, Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport is located in Xinzheng City. It operates air cargo services to multiple Canadian cities.
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
A key international air hub in the Yangtze River Delta region, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is located in Xiaoshan District. It leads in the growth rate of cross-border e-commerce cargo volume and offers direct freight services to Vancouver, Canada.
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN)
An important air hub on the southeast coast, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is located in Huli District. It has a significant advantage in cross-strait freight services and connects to North America via air cargo routes to Canada.
Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (TAO)
The only 4F-class international airport on the Shandong Peninsula, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport is located in Jiaozhou City. It operates high-frequency air cargo routes to Canada.
Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN)
A major international air logistics center in North China, Tianjin Binhai International Airport is located in Dongli District. It offers direct freight services to Vancouver International Airport, Canada.
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
The first dual-runway airport in Central and Western China, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport is located in Yubei District. It connects to Vancouver via direct freight routes, with three flights per week.
Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
A key "air-rail multimodal" hub in the Yangtze River Delta, Nanjing Lukou International Airport is located in Jiangning District. It has opened direct freight services to Canada.
Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH)
The largest air hub in Central China, Wuhan Tianhe International Airport is located in Huangpi District. It offers direct freight services to Vancouver, Canada.
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY)
The largest air hub in Northwest China, Xi'an Xianyang International Airport is located in Weicheng District. It connects to Vancouver via direct freight routes.
Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE)
An important air hub in Northeast China, Shenyang Taoxian International Airport is located in Hunnan District. It operates direct freight services to Vancouver, Canada.
Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB)
An important air hub in Northeast Asia, Harbin Taiping International Airport is located in Daoli District. It operates direct freight routes to Vancouver, Canada, with three flights per week.

• These airports are equipped with advanced facilities and infrastructure to handle a wide range of cargo types, from high-tech products to perishables.

Below are the main destination airports for air cargo services from China to Canada:

Airlines Offering Air Cargo Services from China to Canada

Several airlines operate regular freight services between China and Canada, providing shippers with a variety of options to suit their specific needs. These carriers include both Chinese domestic airlines and international carriers. Some of the key airlines offering air cargo services from China to Canada are:

• - Air China Cargo (CA)
• - China Eastern Airlines Cargo (MU)
• - China Southern Airlines Cargo (CZ)
• - SF Airlines (O3)
• - Sichuan Airlines Cargo (3U)
• - Xiamen Airlines Cargo (MF)
• - Okay Airways Cargo (BK)
• - Hainan Airlines Cargo (HU)
• - Long Dragon Airlines Cargo (GJ)
• - Tianjin Airlines Cargo (GS)
• - Spring Airlines Cargo (9C)
• - Juneyao Airlines Cargo (HO)
• - Air Canada Cargo (AC)
• - Cathay Pacific Cargo (CX)
• - Cargolux (CV)
• - Canadian North Cargo (W8)
• - Korean Air Cargo (KE)
• - Lufthansa Cargo (LH)
• - Emirates SkyCargo (EK)
• - Japan Airlines Cargo (JL)
• - All Nippon Airways Cargo (NH)
• - Singapore Airlines Cargo (SQ)
• - Qatar Airways Cargo (QR)
• - Turkish Airlines Cargo (TK)
• - KLM Cargo (KL)
• - British Airways Cargo (BA)
• - Air France Cargo (AF)
• - Atlas Air (5Y)
• - Polar Air Cargo (PO)
• - Asiana Airlines Cargo (OZ)
• - Thai Airways Cargo (TG)
• - Malaysia Airlines Cargo (MH)
• The air cargo services from China to Canada offered by various airlines have distinct characteristics, allowing you to make an optimal choice based on your requirements. Below are introductions to some of the airlines providing air cargo services from China to Canada:
• Air China Cargo (CA): As a leading enterprise in China's air cargo industry, Air China Cargo relies on the hubs of Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) to operate multiple regular all-cargo routes to Canada. Among them, the Beijing-Toronto route (CA1033, three flights per week) and the Beijing-Vancouver route (CA1035, four flights per week) provide stable capacity support for cross-border e-commerce and bulk cargo. The Zhengzhou-Toronto route (CA1035, three flights per week) strengthens the logistics connection between the central region of China and North America through the "Silk Road in the Sky."
• China Eastern Airlines Cargo (MU): Centered around Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), China Eastern Airlines Cargo extends its services to cities like Qingdao (TAO) and Nanjing (NKG). Its combined transportation model of all-cargo aircraft and passenger aircraft belly holds offers direct services from Shanghai to Vancouver (MU7157, five flights per week) and from Qingdao to Vancouver (MU7159, three flights per week), supporting the transportation of cross-border e-commerce parcels and high-value goods.
• China Southern Airlines Cargo (CZ): In deep cooperation with Jiayou International, China Southern Airlines Cargo launched a regular all-cargo route from Guangzhou/Qingdao to Vancouver-Toronto in March 2023 (three flights per week). Relying on the B77F all-cargo aircraft, this route provides an integrated "door-to-door" logistics solution, focusing on serving cross-border e-commerce and high-end manufacturing products and enhancing the last-mile delivery capability in North America.
• SF Airlines (O3): Leveraging the hub advantage of Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX), SF Airlines introduced a direct flight from Shenzhen to Vancouver (O36988, three flights per week). This route specializes in high-speed cargo transportation and, combined with SF International's overseas warehouse network, offers a full-chain service of "trunk transportation + local delivery" for cross-border e-commerce enterprises.
• Xiamen Airlines Cargo (MF): Xiamen Airlines Cargo operates a direct flight from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) to Vancouver (MF805, three flights per week).
• Sichuan Airlines Cargo (3U): Based at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), Sichuan Airlines Cargo launched a direct flight from Chengdu to Vancouver (3U8581, three flights per week). This route radiates electronic products and specialty goods from the southwestern region, facilitating the export of Sichuan products and promoting economic and trade exchanges between the central and western regions of China and North America.
• Okay Airways Cargo (BK): Okay Airways Cargo operates a direct flight from Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) to Vancouver (BK2876, two flights per week).
• Air Canada Cargo (AC): Air Canada Cargo uses Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) as an important node to operate a direct flight from Beijing to Vancouver (AC6608, three flights per week). Relying on Air Canada's domestic network, this route provides stable trunk transportation support for Sino-Canadian trade, covering high-value goods such as electronic products and fresh cold-chain products.
• Canadian North Cargo (W8): Canadian North Cargo launched an all-cargo route from Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE) to Vancouver in November 2024 (W81808, three flights per week, initially one flight per week with gradual increases). This route, filled with cross-border e-commerce goods and stopping over in Tokyo, has become an important channel for the export of goods from the northeastern region of China.
• Cathay Pacific Cargo (CX): Relying on the hub of Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), Cathay Pacific Cargo operates a daily direct flight to Vancouver (CX068) and provides services from Hong Kong to Toronto (CX088, four flights per week). Its B747 freighters have outstanding capacity, supporting the transportation of large-sized goods and cold-chain products, meeting the needs of high-end manufacturing and fresh trade.

• The above airlines provide cargo services from China to major Canadian airports, covering the main freight hubs in China and key airports in Canada. The flight frequency and specific departure airports may be adjusted due to the airlines' operational strategies, seasonal changes, or special circumstances. It is recommended to visit the airlines' official websites or contact their customer service departments directly for the latest and most accurate information.

Shipping Times for Air Cargo from China to Canada

The transit time for air cargo from China to Canada depends on several factors, including the departure city, airline, flight type (direct or transit), and customs clearance procedures. Here are some general time estimates:
1.Direct Flights
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR): Approximately 11-13 hours.
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ): Approximately 14-16 hours.
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR): Approximately 12-14 hours.
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR): Approximately 13-15 hours.
- Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR): Approximately 12-14 hours.
2.Transit Flights
- Transit Time: Typically an additional 2-6 hours, depending on the transit airport and flight schedule.
- Total Time: Direct flight time + transit time.
3. Customs Clearance
- Canadian Customs Clearance: Usually takes 1-3 days, depending on the nature of the goods, the completeness of the documentation, and the efficiency of customs operations.
4.Overall Transit Time
- Direct Flights + Customs Clearance: Typically 3-5 days.
- Transit Flights + Customs Clearance: Typically 4-7 days.
5.Special Situations

- Peak Seasons and Holidays: Customs clearance times may be extended due to increased volumes.
- Special Cargo: Perishables, dangerous goods, and other special items may require additional handling time.

Charter Flights for Air Cargo from China to Canada

In addition to regular scheduled services, many airlines also offer charter flight options for air cargo from China to Canada. These charter services can provide additional flexibility and capacity, especially for large shipments or urgent deliveries. Some of the available charter flights include: