To ship furniture from China to Canada, choose the right method (LCL, FCL, air, or DDP), use strong export packaging, prepare accurate documents, and follow a clear pickup-to-delivery process. DDP is the easiest option because duties and customs clearance are fully handled for you.
Most people think shipping furniture from China to Canada is simple—place the order, book a shipment, and wait for delivery.
But after 12+ years handling thousands of furniture shipments at DFH Logistics, I’ve seen how easily things go wrong for importers at every level:
- Prices change after booking
- Cargo arrives damaged due to weak factory packaging
- LCL charges in Canada suddenly cost more than the furniture
- Wood furniture gets flagged for fumigation or CBSA inspection
- Suppliers don’t coordinate loading properly
- Mixed shipments from Foshan, Shunde, and Bazhou are difficult to consolidate
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to ship furniture from China to Canada smoothly, whether you’re buying 1 piece, 10 CBM, or 1×40HQ container.
Every section includes real steps, not theory—so you can apply this immediately.
What Are the Best Shipping Methods for Furniture From China to Canada?
Furniture can be shipped from China to Canada by sea freight (LCL/FCL), air freight, express, or DDP door-to-door services. The most cost-effective option for most buyers is DDP sea freight, while full container loads are best for large importers.
Different importers require different solutions. Here’s how to choose:
1. Sea Freight LCL (1–15 CBM)
Best for small to medium shipments.
- Cheapest per CBM
- Suitable for buyers shipping from multiple suppliers
- Requires stronger packaging to avoid damage
- Higher destination charges in Canada (CFS fees, warehouse fees)
Best for: small business owners, mixed orders
2. Full Container Load (FCL)
Ideal when you ship more then 20 CBM each shipment. Such us 1×20GP / 40GP / 40HQ.
- Cheapest per unit
- Safest shipping method
- No mixing with other cargo
- Fixed destination fees
Best for: wholesalers, large orders, repeating buyers
3. DDP Door-to-Door (Highly Recommended)
DFH handles:
- Pickup (Foshan / Shunde / Guangzhou / Shenzhen / Dongguan / Bazhou)
- Export declaration
- Sea or air freight
- Canadian customs clearance
- Duty/tax prepayment
- Final delivery (residential / warehouse / Amazon FBA)
No need for a business number or customs broker.
Related reading: What is DDP Shipping?
4. Air Freight
For urgent or small furniture.
- 5–10 days
- Higher cost
- Strict size limits
5. Express (DHL/UPS/FedEx)
Suitable for: Small and Urgent shipments. Like the Sample order.
How Long Does It Take to Ship Furniture From China to Canada?
Furniture shipping from China to Canada takes 20–40 days by sea, 5–10 days by air, and 25–35 days by DDP sea. Transit time depends on origin, port congestion, season, and delivery address.
Practical Shipping Timelines Based on DFH Logistics Data
| Method | Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Freight LCL | 25–35 days | Foshan/Shenzhen → Vancouver/Toronto |
| FCL 40HQ/20GP | 20–30 days | Fastest sea freight option |
| DDP Sea Freight | 25–45 days | Door-to-door, includes clearance |
| Air Freight | 5–10 days | Limited by cargo size |
| DDP Air | 8–12 days | For small furniture (<200 kg) |
If your furniture ships from Foshan (Lecong / Shunde), add 1–2 days for pickup.
There are so many factors influence the shipping time, So if you want to get the exactly shipping time from China to Canada, need to provide your shipment detail information and the pick up address in china, delivery address in Canada.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship Furniture From China to Canada?
Shipping furniture to Canada typically costs USD $80–$250 per CBM by sea freight, $1.9–$3.9 per KG for DDP door-to-door, and $5–$12 per kg by air. Costs depend on volume, materials, and delivery address.
LCL Sea Freight (Foshan/Shenzhen → Canada)
- USD $80–$250 / CBM
- Not including local destination fees
- Suitable for mixed small furniture
DDP Sea Freight (All taxes included)
- USD $1.9–$3.9 / kg
- Door-to-door
- Includes: pickup, export declaration, Canada customs clearance, duties, delivery
FCL Shipping Cost (40HQ Container)
- USD $2,900–$5,500 depending on month/season
Air Freight Cost
- USD $6–$12 / kg (chargeable weight)
- Only suitable for small or flat-packed furniture
For an accurate quote, DFH needs:
- Product photos
- Volume (CBM)
- Dimensions & weight
- Links to your suppliers
- Delivery postal code
Related reading: How to Get Accurate Shipping Quotes
What Documents Do You Need to Import Furniture to Canada?
You need a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, HS codes, and sometimes a fumigation certificate for wood furniture. Correct paperwork ensures smooth CBSA clearance.
Required Documents:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
- HS Codes
- Fumigation Certificate (if required)
- Material declaration for wood/metal parts
Incorrect HS codes are a top cause of CBSA inspections.
Related reading:
Essential Customs Documents
How Should Furniture Be Packaged for International Shipping?
Proper export packaging is critical because most furniture damage happens during loading, unloading, and last-mile delivery. Reinforced packaging dramatically reduces risk.
DFH Recommended Packaging:
- Double-layer cardboard
- Extra bubble-wrap
- Corner protectors
- Foam padding for delicate items
- Palletizing for LCL loads
- Custom wooden crates for marble, glass, or luxury furniture
For buyers working with multiple suppliers:
We can repack and unify packaging at our Shenzhen warehouse, especially when factory packaging is too weak.
How Does Canadian Customs Treat Furniture Shipments?
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) requires correct HS codes, proper valuation, and compliance with wood packaging rules. Duties vary from 0% to 9% depending on the furniture type and materials.
Duty Rate Examples
| Furniture Type | Duty |
|---|---|
| Wooden home furniture | 8–9% |
| Office desks | 5–9% |
| Metal furniture | 0–5% |
| Sofa sets | 0–9% |
Special Notes:
- Wood furniture may require fumigation
- Poor HS classification triggers inspection
- Under-declared value may lead to penalties
Using DDP avoids these issues because DFH handles compliance and clearance.
Read more: How to Avoid Customs Delays When Shipping from China
Step-by-Step: How I Help Clients Ship Furniture From China to Canada
Here is the exact workflow DFH uses to move furniture safely from Chinese suppliers to Canadian destinations, no matter the volume.
Step 1 — Collect Your Order Details
You send me:
- Supplier contacts
- Product list
- Dimensions & weight
- Volume (CBM)
- Delivery address
Step 2 — Pickup & Consolidation
For clients buying from Foshan, Shunde, Longjiang, Bazhou, and Guangzhou:
- We collect goods from each supplier
- Check quantities
- Photograph each item
- Consolidate into one shipment
- Provide 30 days free warehousing
Step 3 — Packaging Reinforcement
If packaging is too weak, we:
- Add bubble wrap
- Add corner protectors
- Build wooden crates
- Palletize cargo
Step 4 — Booking the Shipping Method
We compare:
- DDP Sea
- DDP Air
- LCL
- FCL
- Direct trucking to loading ports
And give you a clear cost comparison.
Step 5 — Export Declaration
DFH handles:
- Export paperwork
- Customs declaration
- CIQ (if applicable)
Step 6 — International Transport
Cargo departs by sea or air.
Step 7 — Canadian Customs Clearance
For DDP shipments, DFH handles:
- Duties
- Taxes
- Brokerage
- Documentation
- Inspection handling
You don’t need to do anything.
Step 8 — Final Delivery
Delivery to:
- Residential addresses
- Business warehouses
- Retail stores
- Amazon FBA Canada
Which Shipping Method Is Best for Your Furniture?
For most importers, DDP sea freight is the best overall solution because it provides predictable cost, smooth customs clearance, and reliable door-to-door delivery.
Best by importer type:
| Importer Type | Best Method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buying 1–3 pieces | DDP Air / DDP Sea | No paperwork, no license needed |
| Small business (5–20 CBM) | DDP Sea LCL | Most cost-effective |
| Large importers (1×40HQ+) | FCL + DFH customs support | Lowest unit cost |
Get a Free Furniture Shipping Plan for Canada
If you already have:
- Supplier links
- Product photos
- Packaging dimensions
- Delivery postal code
I can prepare a clear, accurate shipping plan with the best route, timeline, and cost breakdown.
As the Co-founder of DFH Logistics, my job is to help you ship safely, legally, and efficiently without stress from China to your doorstep.
