Industries · E-Commerce Distribution
Inventory by rail.
Warehouse to warehouse,
one rate.
Full containers of packaged inventory between fulfilment centres and 3PLs on CN and CPKC. Vancouver fulfilment centres to Ontario, Ontario stock to the West. Typically 30–50% below full truckload, fuel included. We move inventory, not parcels.
Get your rate
Origin, destination and container size to start. Your all-in rate, fuel included, in minutes.
A rail expert replies. That’s it.
30–50%
Below FTL on long hauls
All-In Pricing
Fuel Included
7–9 days
Vancouver to Toronto, Dock to Dock
The e-commerce distribution shipping problem
Does rail work for e-commerce inventory?
Yes, for full containers of stock moving between warehouses. Parcels and single orders are courier freight; a container of inventory across the country is rail freight.
How much does it cost to ship a container of inventory by rail?
Rail is quoted per container, not per pallet. On long hauls a full 40′ or 53′ box is typically 30–50% below full truckload. The lane, the box size and the distance to the ramp set the number. Weight barely moves it if you’re within legal payload.
Full containers only. Packaged inventory, warehouse to warehouse. No parcels. No LTL.
40′ & 53′
CN / CPKC-owned containers
Dock to Dock
Drayage included, both ends
E-Commerce Distribution shippers
what they move with us
Full-container freight between plants, DCs and customers, sealed at your dock.
West to East
Vancouver fulfilment centres to Toronto and Montréal, drayage at both ends in the quote.
Regional stock transfers
Ontario inventory to Calgary and Vancouver fulfilment, weekly or one-off.
Seasonal builds
Book the window early. Rail capacity doesn’t reprice for peak.
Not a fit: parcels, single orders, LTL. We’ll say so at the quote.
Sample lanes we run
E-commerce lanes, Dock to Dock.
| Sample Lanes | Typical transit | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver to Toronto | 7–9 days | Get your rate |
| Toronto to Vancouver | 6–8 days | Get your rate |
| Montréal to Calgary | 6–7 days | Get your rate |
| Toronto to Calgary | 6–7 days | Get your rate |
Sample lanes only. We run Coast to Coast across Canada and south along the Mississippi corridor. Transit times are typical dock-to-dock ranges. Nearest ramps: Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal, Calgary. Drayage from your dock to the ramp is in the quote.
Why RailGateway
Why book E-Commerce Freight
with RailGateway
30–50% below truckload
Per container, not per pallet. Fuel included. The fuller the box, the less per unit.
Set schedules
Trains run on set schedules. No driver capacity swings, no seasonal repricing. A delivery window your inventory planner can commit to.
About 75% lower emissions
Same container, a quarter of the emissions of road. Helps you report emissions to marketplaces and retail partners.
Trusted partner of CN Railway & CPKC Railway
Contract rates on CN Rail and CPKC (formerly CP Rail). No volume commitment. We book the railway that fits your lane, your timing and your rate.
Questions we’re asked
E-Commerce Distribution shippers ask us…
Can an online retailer ship inventory by rail across Canada?
Yes. Full containers of packaged inventory move warehouse to warehouse on CN and CPKC, with drayage at both ends in the quote.
Do you ship parcels?
No. Full containers of inventory only. Parcels and single orders are courier freight.
What’s the cheapest way to move a container Vancouver to Toronto?
Intermodal rail, typically 30–50% below full truckload, dock to dock, in 7–9 days. Send origin, destination and container size for your number.
How much can I load in one container?
Most domestic Canadian lanes allow up to 57,300 lbs in a 53′ high-cube and up to 60,000 lbs in a 40′ dry box. Packaged inventory usually fills the box before it reaches the weight limit. Your quote states the payload for your lane.
How does inventory need to be packed?
Palletized, shrink-wrapped and secured in the box. Loaded at your dock, sealed, opened at the receiving warehouse. We tell you anything else at the quote.
Can a 3PL book on our behalf?
Yes. We work with 3PLs and shippers direct. One booking, one rate, one contact. Live tracking dock to dock.
Can I ship just one container?
Yes. No volume commitment. One box is a booking.
Do I need a rail contract?
No. We already hold network pricing. You book the lane without a volume commitment.
Is fuel included?
Yes. Every rate we quote is all-in, fuel included.
How fast do I get a rate?
Origin, destination and container size. A rail expert replies in minutes.
From the blog: E-Commerce Distribution
Why shipping is so expensive in Canada, and what you can do about it
The ultimate guide to CN intermodal: stop bleeding B2B freight margins
Rail vs truck shipping cost in Canada: a data-driven B2B comparison
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Price your Lane
for E-Commerce Distribution Rail Shipping
Origin, destination and container size. Your all-in rate, fuel included, in minutes.