Choosing the right shipping method, or combination of methods, is vital to export success—Indonesian exporters should ensure that the product gets to Canada on time and at the lowest cost.
Most products being exported from Indonesia to Canada are transported by ocean. It is ideal for large items, bulk commodities, and non-urgent or non-expensive goods. Canada has 4 major container ports: Vancouver, Montreal, Price Rupert, and Halifax.
It is not very common for Indonesian exporters to ship by air freight because of the very high cost. Air freight is typically only used when the product is in urgent need, is small, or has a high value. Canada has 13 international airports. Shipping from Indonesia to Canada by air usually takes 2–4 days.
As the 2nd largest landmass in the world, Canada encompasses nearly 10 million square kilometers. Be aware of travel time and transportation costs across the regions of Canada. It takes up to eight hours to fly across the country, and travelling by road or train takes several days.
Most goods from Indonesia enter Canada by air or ocean shipping and are further transported across the country on land by rail or highway truck freight.
Most Indonesian shipments arriving by sea enter at Port Metro Vancouver on Canada’s west coast, however, the Port of Halifax on Canada’s east coast is not uncommon and can sometimes be a more suitable choice.
Given the large size of Canada, it is common practice for Indonesian exporters to consolidate shipments to the country’s three primary consumer markets—Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Goods are typically shipped to these three cities by rail. Delays in transporting your goods across Canada are not uncommon, especially between November to April, when snow and bad weather can slow things down.
Indonesian exporters (or Canadian importers) will need to deal with a lot of documents and logistics when sending or bringing products to Canada. For this reason, most Indonesian exporters use freight forwarders and customs brokers.
Freight forwarders can arrange for the transportation and delivery of goods in Canada. They can help select the best shipping routes to improve delivery times and negotiate carrier rates on behalf of the Indonesian exporter. Many specialize in arranging shipments to certain countries, while others concentrate on particular types of products. Their services can also include preparing, translating, certifying and presenting shipping and customs documents, booking transportation space, obtaining and claiming insurance, handling payments, securing charters, and arranging inland transportation (air forwarders). Contacts can be found through the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (www.ciffa.com).
Indonesian exporters of smaller shipments should consider using the services of a freight forwarder who offers the option of consolidating the shipment instead of shipping independently. Consolidation can result in lower shipping costs. It can also provide the convenience of a single billing and tracing service. Indonesian exporters should check the reliability, capability, and experience of the freight forwarder to find one best suited to their needs. One of the biggest challenges for Indonesian SME exporters is high shipping cost. Consolidating shipments can help reduce this cost.
Customs Brokers can help an Indonesian exporter clear goods through Canadian customs, prepare customs documentation, and help with payment of all import duties. They are also a good source of information on recent tariff changes and other customs-related developments. Lists of Customs Brokers can be found through the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (www.cscb.ca/customs-broker-search) and CBSA: List of Licensed Customs Brokers (www.cbsaasfc.gc.ca/services/cb-cd/cb-cd-eng.html).