Philippine apparel sourcing guide

Import apparel from the Philippines to Canada

Buyers importing apparel from the Philippines to Canada can source premium blank t-shirts, heavyweight hoodies, corporate polo shirts, and custom OEM/ODM garments directly from PHShirt. We prepare commercial documentation for the agreed Incoterm and coordinate freight from the Philippines toward Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa. Take advantage of rapid transpacific maritime ocean routes into the Port of Vancouver and Port of Prince Rupert, high-speed intermodal rail shuttles via CN and CPKC, digital customs release through the CBSA CARM portal, full compliance with Competition Bureau bilingual English and French labelling requirements, and dedicated bilingual export account support.

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Why source apparel from the Philippines?

PHShirt combines export-ready garment production with direct access to established blank-shirt brands. Buyers can source Yalex, A2Z, Crown, Softex, and Blackhorse blanks or commission OEM/ODM runs with custom fabric, sizing, labels, printing, embroidery, and packaging.

Flexible productionBlank-stock fulfillment and custom manufacturing from one supplier.
Document coordinationCommercial invoice, packing list, and origin documents prepared to the agreed shipment.
Human export supportOne sales contact from specification review through dispatch.

Shipping route and gateways to Canada

Apparel consignments from the Philippines to Canada move via high-speed transpacific container routes directly into Canada's major Pacific deep-water terminals: Port of Vancouver (Centerm, Vanterm, and Deltaport) and Port of Prince Rupert (Fairview Container Terminal). From these Pacific gateways, scheduled intermodal container trains operated by Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) deliver containerized cargo directly into inland distribution terminals in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and Montreal within 3 to 5 days. For time-sensitive retail drops, showroom fit samples, and urgent seasonal merchandise, commercial air freight connects directly into Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Final routing depends on volume, Incoterm, carrier space, and the buyer's nominated forwarder.

Major International Seaports (Ocean Container Gateways)

Containerized FCL and LCL garment cargo departs from dedicated Philippine international container terminals and enters Canada through modern Pacific and Atlantic deep-water ports featuring direct on-dock transcontinental railway connections.

Davao International Container Port (DICT) PHDVO / PHDIC
Primary modern deep-water container terminal in Southern Mindanao (Panabo / Davao Gulf). Handles direct factory container stuffings from our Tagum City and Davao production facilities, loading directly onto linehaul container vessels without Manila domestic transfer delays.
Location: Davao Gulf / Mindanao • Terminal: DICT Panabo
Port of Manila (MICT & South Harbor) PHMNL
The nation's largest container shipping gateway. Connects regular weekly transpacific ocean services to the Canadian West Coast via Evergreen, Ocean Network Express (ONE), Maersk, CMA CGM, and COSCO.
Location: Metro Manila / Luzon • Terminals: MICT (ICTSI) & South Harbor (ATI)
Cebu International Port (CIP) PHCEB
Central Visayas primary maritime terminal handling regional container feeder connections into international transshipment centers in Taiwan (Kaohsiung) and Hong Kong.
Location: Cebu City / Visayas • Role: Central Philippines export gateway
Subic Bay International Container Port (NCT) PHSFS
Strategic deep-water Freeport container terminal serving Central and Northern Luzon industrial estates with dedicated expressway transit and fast customs processing.
Location: Subic Bay Freeport Zone • Terminal: SBITC / ICTSI

Port of Vancouver (Metro Vancouver) CAVAN
Canada's largest port and principal Pacific gateway handling over 3.5 million TEUs annually across Roberts Bank (GCT Deltaport) and Burrard Inlet (DP World Centerm and GCT Vanterm). Features extensive on-dock rail infrastructure connecting directly to CN and CPKC transcontinental mainlines serving Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Montreal. See our dedicated Port of Vancouver Logistics Guide for berth specs and CN/CPKC rail corridors.
Province: British Columbia / Pacific Coast • Terminals: GCT Deltaport, DP World Centerm & Vanterm
Port of Prince Rupert (Fairview Container Terminal) CAPRR
North America's closest deep-water port to Asian manufacturing centers, offering the fastest transpacific ocean sailing times (up to 2 to 3 days faster than southern ports). DP World Fairview Container Terminal features a 17-meter natural draft and direct, uncongested CN Rail intermodal mainline service into Chicago, Toronto, and Montreal.
Province: Northern British Columbia • Terminal: DP World Fairview Terminal
Port of Montreal (Port de Montréal) CAMTR
Eastern Canada's primary inland container gateway located on the St. Lawrence River, handling European and transshipment container services (Cast, Maisonneuve, and Viau terminals) serving Quebec and Eastern Ontario commercial hubs.
Province: Quebec / St. Lawrence Seaway • Role: Central and Eastern Canadian container hub
Port of Halifax (Halifax Port Authority) CAHAL
Deep-water Atlantic port capable of berthing ultra-large container vessels (PSA Halifax Southend & Fairview Cove), serving the Atlantic provinces with direct rail connectivity into Central Canada.
Province: Nova Scotia / Atlantic Coast • Terminal: PSA Halifax

Major International Airports (Air Cargo Gateways)

High-value fashion apparel, corporate showroom samples, urgent Canadian winter collection launches, and seasonal retail replenishment fly directly between Philippine airports and Canadian international air freight facilities.

Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) DVO / RPMD
Primary air cargo facility for Southern Mindanao. Features scheduled widebody domestic flights feeding Manila (MNL) for consolidated international air waybills connecting directly to Canadian destinations.
Location: Davao City / Mindanao • Connections: Domestic feeder flights to MNL
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA / MNL) MNL / RPLL
National air cargo terminal in Metro Manila. Connects direct transpacific passenger widebody flights and dedicated freighters to Canada via Philippine Airlines (direct to YVR and YYZ), Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, and Korean Air Cargo.
Location: Metro Manila • Airlines: PAL, Air Canada partners, Cathay Cargo, Korean Air
Clark International Airport (CRK) CRK / RPLC
Major express freight hub hosting dedicated international integrator facilities (FedEx, UPS, DHL). Features 24/7 dedicated freighter ramp handling and rapid customs clearance for Northern Luzon.
Location: Clark Freeport Zone / Pampanga • Integrators: FedEx, DHL, UPS transpacific flights
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) CEB / RPVM
Central Visayas air cargo gateway linking garment producers to transpacific routes via transshipment through Incheon (ICN) and Taipei (TPE).
Location: Lapu-Lapu City / Cebu • Coverage: Central Visayas export zones

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) YYZ / CYYZ
Canada's primary air cargo hub handling more than 50% of the nation's air freight at dedicated GTAA Cargo terminals (including Air Canada Cargo Hub, FedEx, and Swissport). Features 24/7 automated customs processing by CBSA, specialized apparel and hanging garment facilities, and direct highway links across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Southern Ontario.
Province: Ontario / Greater Toronto Area • Facility: Pearson Cargo Area (Air Canada Cargo Hub)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) YVR / CYVR
Canada's premier Pacific air cargo gateway, handling direct transpacific flights from Manila and Asian cargo hubs. Offers dedicated airside freight handling and immediate road distribution into British Columbia, Alberta, and the Pacific Northwest.
Province: British Columbia / Greater Vancouver • Facility: YVR Cargo Village
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) YUL / CYUL
Primary air cargo facility for Quebec, handling bellyhold air freight and regional cargo feeder distribution for the Montreal fashion and apparel retail district.
Province: Quebec / Greater Montreal • Role: Quebec regional air cargo center
Calgary International Airport (YYC) YYC / CYYC
Western Canada intermodal air cargo gateway serving Alberta, Saskatchewan, and regional distribution centers with dedicated cargo ramps and fast customs clearance.
Province: Alberta / Calgary • Role: Western interior air cargo hub

Philippines to Canada Freight Planning Summary

Transpacific Ocean Freight (FCL / LCL) Davao (DICT) or Manila (MICT) directly across the Pacific to Port of Vancouver (Centerm/Deltaport) or Prince Rupert (Fairview). Total transit: 16 to 26 days port to port. Add 3 to 5 days for CN/CPKC rail shuttles to Toronto or Montreal.

Direct / Connecting Air Cargo Manila (MNL) direct to Vancouver (YVR) or Toronto Pearson (YYZ) via Philippine Airlines or transpacific cargo freighters. Total transit: 1 to 3 days airport to airport.

Express Integrator Flights Clark (CRK) or Manila (MNL) connecting via FedEx Express, DHL Express, or UPS transpacific flight networks into Canadian metropolitan hubs. Total transit: 2 to 4 business days.

Door to Door Express Courier Expedited international courier service for showroom fit samples, pre-production size runs, and boutique orders. Total transit: 3 to 5 business days.

Landed-cost & Trade Framework for Canada

A reliable landed-cost estimate needs the final garment specification, quantity, packing dimensions, HS classification, Incoterm, destination, and delivery mode. Canada assesses duties on the FOB value (value of goods at export port, excluding international freight and insurance).

Trade Framework: Canada Customs Tariff (Most-Favoured-Nation / General Preferential Tariff - GPT)
Duty & Customs Guide: Apparel imported into Canada from the Philippines is assessed under the Canadian Customs Tariff administered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Under the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariff schedule, finished knitted apparel (HS Chapter 61) and woven apparel (HS Chapter 62) generally face customs duties of 16% to 18% on the customs valuation (FOB value). Canadian federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies at 5% on the duty-paid value, or the provincial Harmonized Sales Tax (HST : 13% in Ontario, 15% in Atlantic Canada) where applicable. All commercial import declarations, accounting, and duty payments are managed through the mandatory CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) Client Portal. Commercial importers must possess a valid Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Business Number (BN15) with an active import-export account (RM program identifier).
Recommended Fabrics: 180 to 220 GSM ring-spun combed cotton t-shirts, heavyweight 350 to 420 GSM brushed fleece and French terry hoodies for Canadian winter retail, premium cotton-poly pique polo fabrics, and OEKO-TEX certified reactive dyes.
Destination currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD) / Commercial invoicing in CAD or USD
Freight variables: Chargeable weight or cubic volume ratio, ocean bunker fuel adjustments, terminal handling charges (THC at Vancouver or Prince Rupert), intermodal CN/CPKC rail freight, CBSA customs brokerage, and domestic distribution.

Compliance checkpoints for Canada

These checkpoints are planning prompts, not a substitute for a binding tariff ruling or legal advice. Confirm the exact product scope before production labels and packaging are approved.

Competition Bureau Canada Textile Labelling Act and Regulations compliance requiring mandatory bilingual English and French fiber composition labelling (Composition : e.g., 100% Cotton / Coton, Polyester / Polyester, Spandex / Spandex / Elasthanne)
Inclusion of dealer identity on garment labels via a Canadian Business Name and postal address or a registered Canadian Identification Number (CA Number)
Permanent country of origin labelling: Made in Philippines / Fabrique aux Philippines
Health Canada compliance under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) for textile flammability standards (CAN/CGSB-4.2 No. 27.5)
Children's sleepwear flammability standards and children's drawstrings safety on hoodies and jackets
Mandatory registration of the Canadian importing entity on the CBSA CARM Client Portal prior to cargo arrival

HS classification starting points

Most apparel begins in Chapter 61 or 62. Fiber composition, knit versus woven construction, gender, garment type, and intended use determine the final tariff line.

HS Chapter 61: knitted or crocheted apparel (T-shirts 6109, polo shirts 6105/6106, hoodies and sweatshirts 6110, activewear)
HS Chapter 62: woven apparel (trousers, corporate button-down shirts, winter jackets, workwear, uniforms)
Confirm the exact 10-digit Canadian Customs Tariff classification code with a licensed Canadian customs broker via the CBSA CARM system

Documents commonly prepared

Document requirements vary by buyer, carrier, bank, customs authority, and trade arrangement.

01Canada Customs Invoice (CCI / Commercial Invoice)Seller, buyer CRA Business Number (BN9/RM0001), detailed bilingual English/French garment descriptions, FOB values, currency (CAD/USD), Incoterm, and country of origin.
02Packing listCarton breakdown, individual polybag breakdowns, size ratios, net and gross weight, and cubic meter measurements.
03Transport documentOriginal Ocean Bill of Lading, Sea Waybill, or Master Air Waybill (AWB) issued for the shipment.
04Certificate of OriginOfficial Certificate of Origin issued by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry or relevant authority certifying Philippine manufacture.
05CARM Electronic Accounting Document (CAD)Commercial accounting declaration lodged through the CBSA CARM platform for automated duties and GST settlement.

MOQ, timing, and payment

Production starts after specification, sample or artwork, price, payment, and delivery terms are approved in writing.

Minimum order: 50 pieces per design for custom OEM/ODM production; blank-stock MOQs depend on brand, color, and size mix
Production lead time: 3 to 6 weeks after sample, artwork, and tech pack approval; shipping time is additional
Typical payment structure: International bank transfer (SWIFT T/T in CAD or USD); documentary collection or irrevocable letter of credit (L/C at sight) through Canadian commercial banks for qualifying wholesale consignments. View complete terms in our Modes of Payment Guide and T/T Payment Guide.

Importing from the Philippines to Canada: FAQ

Answers for early-stage sourcing. Your quotation will state the commercial terms that apply to the actual order.

Which seaports in the Philippines and Canada handle apparel shipments?

In the Philippines, cargo departs from Davao International Container Port (DICT) in Mindanao for southern manufacturing, as well as the Port of Manila (MICT and South Harbor), Cebu International Port (CIP), and Subic Bay. In Canada, containerized transpacific ocean shipments arrive primarily at the Port of Vancouver (Deltaport, Centerm, and Vanterm terminals) and the Port of Prince Rupert (Fairview Container Terminal), with on-dock CN and CPKC rail connections to Toronto and Montreal.

Which airports handle air freight shipments between the Philippines and Canada?

Air cargo departs from Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO), Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA / MNL), Clark International Airport (CRK), and Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB). Cargo arrives in Canada primarily at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ, handling over 50% of national air freight with 24/7 CBSA customs clearance) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

How does Canada calculate import duties and GST on clothing?

Canada calculates customs duties on the FOB (Free on Board) value at the port of export. Finished apparel (HS Chapters 61 and 62) generally attracts an MFN customs duty rate of 16% to 18%. Canadian federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% applies to the duty-paid value, or the provincial Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) where applicable. All import declarations and payments are managed through the CBSA CARM portal.

What is CBSA CARM and do Canadian importers need to register?

CARM (CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management) is the mandatory digital portal operated by the Canada Border Services Agency for managing customs declarations, duties, and taxes. All commercial Canadian importers must register on the CARM Client Portal and delegate authority to their licensed customs broker before importing goods.

What is the minimum order quantity for shipping apparel to Canada?

Our minimum order is 50 pieces per design for custom OEM/ODM apparel production; blank-stock order minimums depend on brand, color, and size mix.

How long does shipping from the Philippines to Canada take?

The planning estimate for ocean container shipping is 16 to 26 days port to port from Davao or Manila across the direct Pacific route to Vancouver or Prince Rupert (plus 3 to 5 days rail transit to Toronto or Montreal). Air cargo takes 1 to 3 days airport to airport. Express couriers deliver in 3 to 5 business days door to door. Garment production takes 3 to 6 weeks after sample approval.

Can PHShirt provide bilingual English and French care labels for Canada?

Yes. OEM/ODM orders include bilingual English and French care and fiber composition labels conforming to the Competition Bureau Textile Labelling Act (e.g., 100% Cotton / Coton), permanent Made in Philippines / Fabrique aux Philippines origin markings, CA Number or Canadian dealer identity, buyer brand neck tags, custom hangtags, and individual barcode polybags.

Which Incoterms and currencies can be quoted for Canada?

PHShirt can quote common Incoterms 2020 rules such as EXW, FCA, FOB (Manila, Davao DICT, or Cebu), CFR, or CIF (Port of Vancouver or Port of Prince Rupert). Invoices can be denominated and settled in Canadian Dollars (CAD) or US Dollars (USD) via SWIFT bank transfer (T/T), Letter of Credit (L/C), or commercial payment methods as outlined in our Modes of Payment Guide and our Canadian Banks for Importers Guide.

Discuss a shipment to Canada

Send your garment type, quantity, sizes, decoration method, target delivery date, and destination Canadian port or city.

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Reference sources

Last reviewed: 2026-09-01. Requirements change: verify current rules before contracting freight or producing labels.