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When your container clears customs at the CN Brampton terminal or arrives via rail at the Port of Montreal intermodal yard, the first call you make is usually to a container transport carrier, and the first question is always about price. Shipping container transport costs vary more than most shippers expect, and the gap between the cheapest quote and the right quote is often explained by a handful of charges that are easy to miss. The cost to transport a shipping container in Canada depends on five main factors: the distance and route, the container size (20-foot vs 40-foot), whether the container is loaded or empty, chassis rental fees, and any terminal or accessorial charges. For a local drayage move from an Ontario intermodal terminal to a GTA warehouse, typical market rates run from $450 to $900 for a standard loaded 40-foot container. A longer haul from the Port of Montreal to a Toronto-area distribution centre generally falls in the $1,500 to $2,500 range before accessorials. Understanding what goes into the quote helps you compare carriers on equal footing and avoid surprises on the invoice.

Why Shipping Container Transport Costs Vary So Much

Container transport is not a flat-rate service. A move that looks straightforward, pick up a container at the terminal, deliver it to a warehouse, can carry a very different price tag depending on where the terminal is, what equipment is available, and how the move is timed. Carriers build their quotes from several components, and not every carrier itemizes these the same way. Some carriers quote all-in. Others quote a base rate and list accessorials separately. Either way, the total cost is driven by the same underlying factors.

The Main Factors in Your Container Transport Quote

Distance and route are the biggest variables. A local pull from the CN Brampton Intermodal Terminal to a Mississauga distribution centre is a short move with minimal complexity. A run from the Port of Montreal to an Ottawa facility crosses two provinces, adds hours to the driver’s day, and often requires overnight planning. Cross-border moves into the US add a broker, a bond, and customs clearance time on top of the transport cost itself. Container size matters, though perhaps less than you would think. A 40-foot standard or high-cube container typically costs 10 to 20 percent more to haul than a 20-foot container on the same route, because the equipment and chassis differ. On short local moves, the difference can be modest. On longer runs, it becomes more meaningful. Loaded versus empty is another factor. Empty container returns, moving an empty unit back to a depot or the port, generally cost less than a loaded haul, but the rate depends on the depot location and the carrier’s backhaul availability on that corridor.

The Charges Most Shippers Miss

The base rate is only part of what shows up on the invoice. These additional charges are standard across the container transport industry, but they catch importers off guard when they are not itemized upfront.

Charge	What It Is	Typical Range
Chassis rental	Daily fee to use the wheeled frame the container rides on	$25 to $75/day
Fuel surcharge	Percentage added to the base rate, tied to the diesel index	10 to 20% of base rate
Terminal handling charge (THC)	Fee charged by the terminal for container pickup or drop-off	$100 to $300 per move
After-hours or weekend pickup	Premium when the appointment falls outside standard operating hours	$100 to $250 per move
Overweight surcharge	Applied when a container exceeds Ontario provincial axle-weight limits	Varies by overage amount
Chassis split fee	Charged when the container and chassis are stored at different yards	$75 to $175 per event

Good to know: Chassis availability has become a real pressure point at Ontario intermodal terminals. A chassis split, where your carrier has to collect the chassis at a separate yard before picking up the container, adds both cost and time to the move. Asking your carrier how they handle chassis sourcing before you book saves a difficult conversation after the invoice arrives.

What Typical Container Transport Scenarios Cost in Ontario

These ranges reflect general market conditions in Ontario and Quebec. Your actual quote will depend on your specific pickup and delivery locations, the carrier’s current capacity, and whether any accessorials apply. Use them as a benchmark when evaluating quotes, not as a guaranteed price.

Scenario	Container	Typical Range (CAD)	Key Variables
GTA intermodal terminal to GTA warehouse	40-foot loaded	$450 to $900	Chassis availability, dock appointment timing
Port of Montreal to Toronto-area distribution centre	40-foot loaded	$1,500 to $2,500	Distance, potential customs if US-origin cargo
Ontario rail terminal to rural Ontario destination	40-foot loaded	$900 to $1,800	Distance, road access, appointment window
Empty container return to port depot	20 or 40-foot	$350 to $700	Depot location, carrier backhaul availability
Cross-border: US origin to Ontario delivery	40-foot loaded	$1,800 to $3,500+	Customs, brokerage, bond, total distance

A quote that sits well below these ranges is worth questioning. Carriers who leave out chassis rental, fuel surcharges, or terminal handling fees in their initial number often add them back on the final invoice.

What to Have Ready When You Call for a Quote

Getting a useful container transport quote is faster when you come prepared. Most carriers need: the pickup terminal or port name, the delivery address and dock setup, the container size and whether it is loaded or empty, the last free day if one applies, and whether the freight is standard weight or potentially overweight. If your container is sitting at a terminal with a last free day approaching, mention that upfront. Carriers can sometimes prioritize scheduling, but they need the timeline to plan the move. A container sitting in terminal storage while you shop for the lowest rate can cost more in fees than the rate difference between carriers. You can read more about planning around the last free day in our guide to container drayage services. S&R Trucking handles container transportation from Ontario terminals and the Port of Montreal for importers across the GTA and beyond. Our drivers know the check-in process at CN Brampton, CP Vaughan, and the Montreal intermodal yards, and we quote all-in so you know what the move costs before we pick up. Call 905-951-2951 or visit our container transportation services page to get a quote.

Key Takeaways

• Wide cost range. The cost to transport a shipping container in Canada typically ranges from $450 to $3,500+ depending on route, container size, and accessorial charges.
• Distance drives price. Distance and route are the biggest cost drivers; a GTA local drayage move and a Montreal-to-Toronto haul carry significantly different price tags.
• Watch the add-ons. Chassis rental, fuel surcharges, terminal handling charges, and after-hours fees are standard additions to the base rate, confirm they are included in any quote you compare.
• Container size matters some. A 40-foot container typically costs 10 to 20 percent more to haul than a 20-foot container on the same route.
• Empty moves cost less. Empty container returns generally cost less than loaded hauls, but depot location and carrier backhaul availability affect the rate.
• Watch for chassis splits. A chassis split, when the container and chassis are at different yards, adds cost and time to the move; ask your carrier how they handle chassis sourcing before booking.
• Cross-border adds cost. Cross-border moves to the US add customs, brokerage, and bond costs on top of the transport rate.
• Mention your LFD. If your last free day is approaching, share that timeline when you call for a quote; it can affect scheduling priority and your total cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to transport a shipping container in Canada?

Shipping container transport costs in Canada vary widely by route, container size, and the accessorials that apply. A local Ontario drayage move typically falls between $450 and $900 for a standard loaded 40-foot container. Longer hauls, such as the Port of Montreal to Toronto, usually run $1,500 to $2,500 before chassis rental and fuel surcharges are added. Cross-border moves into the US can run $1,800 to $3,500 or more depending on distance and customs requirements.

What is included in a container transport quote?

A complete quote should include the base transport rate, chassis rental, fuel surcharge, and any terminal handling charges. Some carriers also include insurance and after-hours pickup fees in the base number. Always ask whether the quote is all-in or base rate only, and request an itemized breakdown so you can compare carriers on equal terms.

Does container size affect the cost to transport a shipping container?

Yes, though the difference is smaller than many shippers expect. A 40-foot container typically costs 10 to 20 percent more to haul than a 20-foot on the same route because the chassis and equipment specifications differ. On short local moves the gap may be minimal, but on longer hauls it becomes more meaningful.

Is it cheaper to move an empty shipping container?

Generally, yes. Empty container returns to a port depot or rail terminal usually cost less than loaded hauls because the carrier does not need to account for cargo weight or special handling. However, the depot location and the carrier’s backhaul availability on that corridor both affect what you will pay.

What causes the biggest swings in shipping container transport quotes?

Route length and chassis availability tend to create the most variation. A chassis split, where the chassis is at a different yard than the container, adds a fee and extra time to any move. After-hours pickup appointments, overweight containers, and cross-border moves with customs requirements all push quotes higher than a standard same-day GTA terminal pull.

How do I get an accurate container transport quote?

Have the following ready before you call: the pickup terminal or port name, the delivery address and dock details, the container size and whether it is loaded or empty, the last free day if one applies, and the container’s estimated weight. The more specific your information, the closer the quote will be to the final invoice. Call S&R Trucking at 905-951-2951 to get an all-in quote for your Ontario container move.