JDM Dreams vs. Canadian Port Strikes: Why Your Japanese Import May Be Stuck in Limbo

There’s good news and bad news. The good news is, your dream JDM car is likely sitting on a ship, ready to make its way to Canada. The bad news? It might be waiting in line behind a traffic jam of cargo ships off the coast of Vancouver or Montreal, thanks to the recent port strikes. And if you’re importing through Vancouver, this particular port drama might be the real test of your patience—and your Pepto-Bismol supply.

 British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) on strike: Source

If you’ve got a car on the way, here’s the bad news: labor disputes at Vancouver’s ports are like that sequel nobody asked for. 

What’s Up with Vancouver’s Port Predicament?

Like the Star Wars franchise, the saga of labor disputes at Vancouver’s ports is far from new. The latest November 2024 strike? Just the newest installment in a string of standoffs between the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada. Flashback to summer 2023, when ILWU workers kicked off a 13-day strike, leaving thousands of containers stranded and causing billions in economic losses. Now, the plot has thickened with ILWU Local 514 firing a 72-hour strike notice over job security, automation concerns, and wages. In response, BCMEA escalated things, slapping down a full lockout across British Columbia starting November 4 (cbc.ca).

What’s the beef? The union argues automation is eating into job security, and rising costs in B.C. make their wages look smaller by the day. According to CTV News, this stalemate has pulled the federal government into the fray, and with Canada’s supply chain on the line, they’re not taking it lightly. .

Meanwhile in Montreal

On the opposite coast, Montreal’s dockworkers, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), have had their own grievances—wages, work hours, and, you guessed it, automation. These East Coast strikes may be shorter, but they still bottleneck cargo for Ontario and Atlantic provinces. Importers trying to dodge Vancouver’s backlog don’t get much relief here either. (Globe and Mail)

Back to work - So the drama is over/not over?

In a bid to calm the waters, the Canadian government stepped in on November 12, 2024, issuing a “back-to-work” order to end the port lockouts. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon instructed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to enforce the order, citing massive economic repercussions and snarled supply chains. The order mandates both sides return to work while hashing out disputes in binding arbitration. MacKinnon emphasized the stakes: with billions in trade on the line, this standoff couldn’t afford to drag on. Still, the issues—wage increases, job security, and automation—haven’t exactly gone away, so the drama may be winding down, but it’s not over yet (Associated Press).

How This Impacts Your JDM Import

First off, your imports are likely coming into BC from Japan; no other port does RoRo shipping. If you're transporting by container, then that opens you to all ports. Imagine watching its real-time location creep closer on MarineTraffic, only for it to sit at anchor for days on end. I know I have! Remember how I said I was importing a Prius for my wife? It's on the Andromeda Spirit (below) here who's been doing loop-de-loops in water south of Victoria for the past few days.

"You spin me right round baby right round"

Delays, Delays, and More Delays

Because of all of this, with the backlog piling up, your JDM car might not even get off the ship for days—or weeks. Canadian Auto Dealer reports that storage fees are starting to stack up, meaning that even once it docks, you could be looking at hefty added costs as you wait for port authorities to clear the way. If your vehicle was unloaded in BC, probably through Wallenius Wilhelmsen's Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) services in British Columbia, it's important to be aware of potential storage fees that may accrue if your vehicle remains at the port beyond the allotted free storage period. While specific daily storage rates can vary based on factors such as the port's policies, the duration of storage, and the size of the vehicle, it's common for ports to offer a grace period—typically ranging from 3 to 5 days—during which storage is free. After this period, daily storage fees are applied. Speaking with my custom's broker, she already has a few clients in this situation where their vehicles have been unload, but have not been able to be released as that process would require a member of the striking unions.

Customs Clearance Chaos

Here’s where it gets worse: even after unloading, your car has to navigate customs, and right now, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is dealing with a backlog of biblical proportions. That means the wait doesn’t end when the ship docks. Good luck trying to speed things up; CBSA won’t be rushing, and calling their central line is unlikely to provide any specifics. Just sit back, sip your Pepto, and prepare for a lengthy waiting game (CBC).

Alternative Routes? Think Again

With Montreal also facing disruptions and Vancouver still a bottleneck, rerouting your JDM car through Halifax or even the United States is hardly a sure bet. Alternative ports can mean extra shipping fees and transport costs that could add $1,000 to $2,000 to your total import bill. And with all this port drama, even those “alternative” options are seeing traffic jams.

Demurrage Fees from the Carrier

If your car is still on a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) carrier and has not yet docked at the Port of Vancouver, additional fees could indeed start accumulating, though the specific charges. Some shipping lines impose "demurrage" fees if there are prolonged delays in unloading at a port. Demurrage is generally charged to cover the extra time a vessel spends waiting to unload, and carriers may pass these fees on to importers, especially if the delay stretches beyond a certain period.

So what is the takeaway?

Vancouver Port: Image Source

So, after all the research, the Pepto-Bismol, and the nail-biting wait, what’s the takeaway here? Importing a JDM car to Canada has never been for the faint of heart, but if you’re dealing with port strikes, storage fees, and a line-up of ships off Vancouver’s coast, it’s like the ultimate endurance test. Keep tracking your ship, stay on top of your agent, and maybe budget a bit extra for those “just in case” charges. Because when you finally get the keys to that Toyota Prius and take it on its first Canadian cruise, you’ll know (or hope) it was worth every headache, every dollar, and every minute spent staring at MarineTraffic. Hang in there, and keep the dream alive! ~DREAM