Shipping goods out of Canada, or bringing them in, means choosing between courier, air freight and ocean freight, and between handling it yourself or working with a logistics partner. Mississauga is one of the best places in Canada to do it from: Toronto Pearson, Canada’s busiest airport, sits next door, and the 401, 427 and 410 highways connect to the rest of Ontario and the US border. This guide explains your international shipping options from Mississauga and Toronto and how to choose.
International shipping options at a glance
| Option | Best for | Typical speed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courier (express parcel) | Small, urgent parcels and samples | Fastest, often a few days door to door | Highest per kilogram |
| Air freight | Urgent or high-value cargo too big for courier | Days, depending on routing | High, priced by actual or volume weight |
| Ocean freight (LCL) | Smaller loads that do not fill a container | Weeks, plus port time | Low per cubic metre |
| Ocean freight (FCL) | Full 20′ or 40′ containers | Weeks, plus port time | Lowest per unit for large volumes |
| Truck (LTL/FTL) to the US | Pallets and full loads to US customers | Days for most US destinations | Moderate |
Speeds and costs vary by route, season and carrier, so always get a quote for your specific shipment.
How to choose
- Size and weight: a few small boxes suit courier; pallets suit air, LTL or LCL; large volumes suit FCL.
- Deadline: if the shipment must arrive within days, air or courier is usually the only option.
- Value: high-value, low-weight goods often justify air freight.
- Destination: the US is usually best served by truck; overseas by air or ocean.
- Paperwork: every international shipment needs a commercial invoice, and many need HS codes, certificates of origin or permits.
Documents you will usually need
- Commercial invoice with the value, description and HS code of each item
- Packing list with carton counts, dimensions and weights
- Bill of lading (ocean or truck) or air waybill (air)
- Certificate of origin when claiming a trade-agreement duty rate, such as CUSMA for the US and Mexico
- Any permits or licences required for your product
A customs broker can file the entries and calculate duties and taxes. For shipments to the US, read our guide to shipping from Canada to the US.
Where a 3PL fits in
A 3PL near the airport and highways can receive your international shipments, store them, and ship onward to customers in Canada, the US and overseas. That means one partner for ocean freight arrivals, air freight, warehousing and order fulfillment. If you also work with a freight forwarder, read freight forwarder vs 3PL to see who does what.
International shipping from our Mississauga warehouse
Newsom 3PL serves and ships anywhere in Canada and worldwide from our warehouse on American Dr in Mississauga, near Toronto Pearson. We handle air freight, ocean freight, cross-border fulfillment, courier delivery and Canada-wide fulfillment. Request a quote with your shipment details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to ship internationally from Canada?
For large volumes, ocean freight is usually the cheapest per unit. For small parcels, compare courier rates; for a few pallets, compare air freight with ocean LCL.
What is the difference between LCL and FCL?
LCL means your goods share a container with other shippers; FCL means you use a whole container. Read FCL vs LCL shipping for details.
Do I need a customs broker?
For most commercial imports and exports, yes. A broker files the customs entries and calculates duties and taxes for you.
Can you store my goods after they arrive in Canada?
Yes. We receive international shipments at our Mississauga warehouse, store them and ship orders onward.