Japan Luggage Express · International Moving Cost Guide
Moving from Japan to Canada: Sea & Air Shipping Costs
Planning to move back to Canada or relocate there from Japan? Compare indicative sea freight charges to Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal with air freight rates for sending your own personal belongings. See realistic examples for 1–3 cubic metres and multiple cardboard boxes.
Rate guide prepared October 2026 · Unaccompanied personal effects · Not a binding quotation
How much does moving from Japan to Canada cost?
For eligible international moving shipments packed in cardboard boxes, our indicative sea freight charges start at ¥125,000 for the first 1.00 m³ to Vancouver, ¥130,000 to Toronto and ¥135,000 to Montreal. Additional volume is charged at the corresponding destination rate shown below.
Our indicative sea freight rates are based on pickup from the Tokyo/Yokohama area under normal collection conditions. They include residential pickup in that area, export customs clearance in Japan, CFS and port handling charges in Japan, and ocean freight to the specified Canadian destination terminal. Pickup is available throughout Japan. For other areas, additional collection charges may apply and will be confirmed in the quotation. This is a door-to-port (destination-terminal) service, not door-to-door. Canadian destination-terminal charges, import clearance and delivery to your residence are extra.
Important: These are indicative rates for unaccompanied personal effects related to an international move. They are not prices for purchased merchandise, gifts or other general cargo. Route availability, collection conditions and actual charges must be confirmed for each shipment.
Nationwide pickup available
We can arrange pickup anywhere in Japan. The sea freight examples below are based on normal pickup from the Tokyo/Yokohama area. Additional pickup charges may apply elsewhere; please contact us for the actual cost.
Sea freight rates by destination
Minimum billed volume: 1.00 cubic metre (m³) for the examples below. Charges for larger shipments follow the destination-specific rate per additional 0.10 m³. The final measured volume and billing precision are confirmed in the quotation.
Vancouver
Toronto
Montreal
How to calculate: For example, a 1.50 m³ shipment to Toronto is ¥130,000 + (5 × ¥11,500) = ¥187,500. These are Japan-origin charges only; Canadian destination costs are not included.
Sea freight cost examples: 1.0 to 3.0 m³
The examples below use the published city rates and assume normal service conditions. They do not include Canadian-side charges, insurance, examinations or other exceptional expenses.
1.00 m³
1.10 m³
1.50 m³
2.00 m³
3.00 m³
Volume, not box count, determines sea freight charges. Two customers with 10 cartons each may have different volumes if their boxes have different dimensions.
What if I have 5, 10, 15, 24 or 32 cartons?
For a practical example, consider sturdy moving cartons measured at 35 × 51 × 35 cm for freight calculation. Each occupies 0.062475 m³ (0.0625 m³ approximately). We use these rounded-up centimetre dimensions for illustration, not the dimensions of a particular customer’s shipment.
5 cartons · 0.3124 m³
Below the 1.00 m³ minimum. All three destinations are billed at their 1.00 m³ minimum in this illustrative case.
10 cartons · 0.6248 m³
Below the 1.00 m³ minimum. All three destinations are billed at their 1.00 m³ minimum in this illustrative case.
15 cartons · 0.9371 m³
Below the 1.00 m³ minimum. All three destinations are billed at their 1.00 m³ minimum in this illustrative case.
24 cartons · 1.4994 m³
Approximately 1.50 m³. Use the 1.50 m³ examples above.
32 cartons · 1.9992 m³
Approximately 2.00 m³. Use the 2.00 m³ examples above.
For 24 or 32 cartons, the estimated totals are close to 1.50 or 2.00 m³, respectively. The final charges depend on the exact outer dimensions, freight measurement and applicable billing increment. The illustrations above should not be treated as an exact quotation for a particular number of boxes.
Air freight costs to Canada
For smaller moving shipments, air freight may cost less overall than sea freight because sea freight has a minimum-volume charge. The following air tariff is consistent with our Service by Air rate guide (August 2026).
Vancouver · Toronto · Montreal · Calgary
Fuel and security surcharges, Canadian airport terminal fees, import customs charges and final delivery are extra. Quoted prices depend on city, pickup area and shipment conditions.
Example: a 45 kg chargeable shipment
The minimum 45 kg is used in this example. The actual chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and dimensional (volumetric) weight, subject to the minimum.
Air freight + example pickup + export handling
This is a mathematical range, not a firm quote. Surcharges and Canadian destination charges are excluded.
Example: a 100 kg chargeable shipment
Air freight + example pickup + export handling
Fuel/security surcharges and destination charges are not included. The real price depends on the final chargeable weight and route.
Which is better: sea freight or air freight?
- Sea freight is worth considering for multiple moving cartons and larger volumes. The minimum billed volume is 1 m³, regardless of how few boxes are shipped.
- Air freight may offer a lower total transport cost for a small consignment such as 45–70 kg, even though the rate is weight-based and subject to the dimensional-weight rule.
- Transit time and the date cargo becomes available for customs clearance are different. Ask us about the currently available schedules and expected terminal availability.
- Both methods are quoted to destination terminals unless a separate delivery service is specifically arranged.
Canadian destination charges and customs clearance
The sea and air examples above are not all-inclusive moving costs. Charges payable in Canada may include terminal or CFS handling, carrier agent charges, storage, customs-broker services (if used), inspection charges, duty or taxes where applicable and transport from the terminal to your residence. Confirm the Canadian-side amounts separately before choosing a shipping method.
Goods to Follow and Form BSF186
If you are moving or returning to Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) explains that you should prepare lists of goods accompanying you and goods arriving later (“goods to follow”). Present the relevant list when you first enter Canada. The border services officer may prepare or complete Form BSF186; keep the stamped documentation so you can account for your unaccompanied goods when they arrive. A detailed supplementary inventory may be required (BSF186A or an accepted list).
Do not assume automatic duty-free entry. Eligibility depends on whether you are a qualifying settler or former resident, the items’ ownership and use, and applicable Canadian restrictions. Import clearance arrangements—including whether you must attend CBSA personally—should be confirmed with the destination terminal and CBSA for your circumstances.
Our existing Moving from Japan to Canada page contains general service information. For official customs rules, rely on the current guidance issued by the Canada Border Services Agency.
Packing, collection and the shipment inventory
- Pack your own clothing, books and household effects in sturdy, securely sealed cardboard boxes suitable for freight handling. Ask us in advance about furniture, fragile or unusual items.
- Prepare a packing list describing the contents of each carton; customs officials may also request values and product details.
- Advise the approximate number of boxes, measurements and weights, collection address and destination city when requesting a quotation.
- Large or heavy boxes, upper-floor collection without lift access, difficult truck parking or short-notice pickup may incur extra charges.
- Commercial merchandise, gifts or purchases sent independently of an international move are not covered by these personal-effects rates.
Ask for your Canada moving quotation →
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship 1 m³ from Japan to Vancouver by sea?
The indicative Japan-origin charge is ¥125,000 for the first 1.00 m³. Canadian terminal charges, import clearance and local delivery are additional.
How much is 2 m³ from Japan to Toronto by sea?
At the illustrative Toronto rates, ¥130,000 + (10 × ¥11,500) = ¥245,000, excluding Canadian destination charges and special fees.
Can I ship only five or ten cartons?
Yes, subject to acceptance and quotation. For sea freight, a shipment below the 1.00 m³ minimum is generally billed at 1.00 m³ under this rate guide. Air freight may be more economical for a small shipment.
How much does it cost to send 15 moving boxes from Japan to Canada?
If each box measures 35 × 51 × 35 cm for freight purposes, 15 boxes total approximately 0.937 m³, below the 1.00 m³ minimum. The illustrative sea rate therefore starts at ¥125,000 to Vancouver, ¥130,000 to Toronto or ¥135,000 to Montreal, before Canadian destination charges. Different-size boxes produce different totals.
Does a Canada sea freight quote include delivery to my home?
No. The basic rates here cover a door-to-port / destination-terminal service, not door-to-door delivery. Local delivery and destination charges are separately arranged or paid.
What paperwork do I need when moving back to Canada?
Plan to prepare a shipment inventory and the goods-to-follow documentation required by CBSA. If eligible, Form BSF186 and accompanying inventory help document unaccompanied personal effects; the precise requirements depend on immigration/residency status and the shipment.
Can I use the same prices for goods I purchased online in Japan?
No. These rates apply to eligible unaccompanied personal effects associated with an international move, not general cargo, gifts or commercial merchandise. Different export documentation and freight charges may apply.
Is air freight cheaper for a few boxes?
It can be. The air tariff has a minimum 45 kg chargeable weight, while sea freight has a minimum 1.00 m³ volume. Compare both methods using a full quotation, including pickup, surcharges and Canadian-side costs.
