Shipping to California
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California is one of the two largest U.S. trade partners with Canada (the other being Texas). ShipCanada provides freight transportation from all points in Canada directly into California — LTL, full truckload, flatbed, rail intermodal, expedited and air freight. California is also a major exporter to Canada, so northbound capacity keeps southbound rates competitive in both directions. Every cross-border shipment is monitored 24 hours a day to ensure smooth, efficient customs clearance at the border.

Transit Times from Canada to California

Typical LTL transit times to major California destinations, in business days:

Expedited LTL service mirrors truckload transit times with no cross-docking. Single-driver and team truckload options are available for time-sensitive freight, and team service can reach Southern California from Ontario in as little as 2–3 days.

California Cities We Serve

We deliver to all points in California with daily capacity into Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Riverside and Stockton — plus rural, residential and limited-access destinations through our residential shipping network.

Service Options for California Freight

LTL (Less Than Truckload): Options range from economy consolidated service to direct expedited service with no cross-docking. Rates are driven in part by freight class — classifying your freight correctly avoids costly billing adjustments.

Truckload & Partial TL: Dry van and temperature-controlled (reefer) equipment, with single-driver and team options for time-sensitive loads.

Flatbed & Specialized: Open-deck, step-deck and specialized trailers for oversize and overweight freight.

Rail Intermodal: For freight that is not time-sensitive, intermodal from points west of Ontario offers the best economy shipping rates to California.

Air Freight: When freight is absolutely time-sensitive (meaning hours), air service is available between major Canadian and California airports.

Customs Clearance: Canada to California

Freight entering the United States clears customs under the PAPS (Pre-Arrival Processing System). Your carrier submits the PAPS barcode and your U.S. customs broker files the entry before the truck arrives at the border. You will need a commercial invoice with an accurate description and value of the goods, plus a bill of lading. ShipCanada coordinates directly with your broker and monitors clearance status on every shipment — the costliest cross-border delays happen when freight sits at the border, so we make sure paperwork is complete before the wheels roll. Shipping northbound instead? See our Shipping California to Canada page for the reverse lane and PARS clearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping to California from Canada take?

LTL from Ontario and Quebec typically runs 5–7 business days; from Alberta 3–5; and from B.C. 2–4. Expedited and team truckload service is faster.

What is the cheapest way to ship freight to California?

Rail intermodal (from points west of Ontario) and economy consolidated LTL offer the lowest rates. Final pricing depends on weight, dimensions, freight class, and pickup and delivery locations — get a freight quote for exact pricing.

Do I need a customs broker to ship to California?

Yes — commercial freight entering the U.S. requires entry by a U.S. customs broker under PAPS. If you don't have a broker, we can point you to one through our customs portal.

Can you ship residential or limited-access deliveries in California?

Yes. Liftgate, residential, and limited-access delivery options are available throughout the state.

Questions about your shipment? Call our Customer Service Line at 1-888-308-4872 or email sales@shipcanada.ca. We can get the job done.