A Comparison and Selection Guide to the Most Efficient Shipping Methods from Korea to Amazon FBA in Canada

Shipping your products from Korea to an Amazon FBA warehouse in Canada?The cost, lead time, and risk can vary significantly depending on which shipping method you choose.The three most commonly used options are Express Shipping, Air Freight, and Ocean Freight.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of each method and how to choose the right one for your business.

1. Express Shipping

Item	Details
Recommended For	Small shipments under 1 CBM or 200kg total weight
Rate Calculation	Charged based on the greater of actual weight or volumetric weightVolumetric weight formula: CBM ÷ 5000
Major Carriers	DHL, UPS, FedEx, EMS
Transit Time	Average 3–7 days (including customs clearance)
Advantages	- Fastest delivery- Simplified customs process- Some carriers offer direct delivery to Amazon FBA
Disadvantages	- Highest shipping cost- High risk of return if there are documentation or labeling errors
Trufulfillment Special Services	- Korea-based domestic warehouse (Korean prep center) available- Preferential rates with UPS and FedEx through Trufulfillment- From arrival at the Korean warehouse, Trufulfillment handles all steps: shipping, customs, and FBA delivery- Easy KRW payment without international remittance hassle

2. Air Freight

Item	Details
Recommended For	Shipments over 1 CBM or 200kg
Rate Calculation	Volumetric weight formula: CBM ÷ 6000
Major Carriers	Korean Air, Air Canada, and other major international airlines
Transit Time	Average 5–9 days
Advantages	- Lower cost than express shipping- Much faster than ocean freight- Stable scheduling with minimal delays
Disadvantages	- Restricted items include sprays, lithium batteries, alcohol-based products- Requires careful coordination with FBA delivery appointments
Trufulfillment Special Services	- Utilization of YYZ (Toronto) and YVR (Vancouver) air routes- Seamless flow: CFS warehouse → Trufulfillment warehouse → Amazon FBA (SPD or LTL)- Full service including IOR, customs clearance, LTL booking, pallet/box labeling

3. Ocean Freight

Item	Details
Recommended For	Shipments over 2 CBM or 400kg
Freight Types	- LCL (Less than Container Load): ideal for shipments under 14 CBM- FCL (Full Container Load): cost-effective for large shipments
Main Routes	- Busan → Vancouver: approx. 18–22 days- Busan → Toronto: approx. 30–40 days (includes inland rail transport)
Transit Time	Average 25–40 days
Advantages	- Lowest cost per unit- Ideal for bulk shipments- Accepts items not allowed in air shipping
Disadvantages	- Long lead times require advanced inventory planning (at least 2 months before FBA check-in)- Inland transport and customs handling required upon arrival
Trufulfillment Special Services	- Free real-time ocean freight tracking- Post-arrival transport: CFS warehouse → Trufulfillment warehouse- Pre-arranged FBA delivery scheduling (LTL/SPD)- Smooth handling of full-container loads (FCL) with capacity to manage large volumes

Summary Comparison Table

Method	Recommended Volume/Weight	Transit Time	Average Cost (Relative)	Key Characteristics
Express Shipping	Under 1 CBM or 200kg	3–7 days	High (★★★)	Fastest but expensive
Air Freight	Over 1 CBM or 200kg	5–9 days	Medium (★★)	Balanced speed and cost
Ocean Freight	Over 2 CBM or 400kg	25–40 days	Low (★)	Cost-effective but slow

Trufulfillment Offers More Than Just Shipping

Amazon FBA delivery involves more than simply getting your goods across the border.From customs clearance and importer registration to label preparation and FBA appointment booking, experience and coordination are essential.

Trufulfillment provides full support on the ground in Canada, including:

• Canadian customs clearance and IOR services (including CARM registration and import bond issuance)

• Real-time ocean freight tracking

• Storage and inventory management at arrival points (YYZ and YVR)

• Amazon FBA delivery (SPD/LTL), relabeling, and removal order handling

• Regulatory compliance support for restricted items (e.g., medical devices, electronics, cosmetics – CNF, NHP, DIN), including Responsible Person (RP) representation

Final Thoughts

Your choice of shipping method should depend on your budget, timeline, and product characteristics.But more importantly, success in Amazon FBA depends on having a trusted logistics partner who can help you build a reliable, end-to-end fulfillment strategy.

Trufulfillment offers practical, on-the-ground logistics solutions tailored for Korean sellers expanding into the Canadian Amazon market.

From shipping to customs to warehouse to FBA — we handle every step from start to finish

👉 For safe, professional export and customs support to Canada, Contact Trufulfillment at (support@trufulfillment.ca)