Picking up air cargo at Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) means collecting freight from the cargo terminal of the airline or ground handler that received it, not from the passenger terminal, and only once the freight has been unloaded, released by the airline and, for international shipments, cleared by customs. A pickup succeeds or fails on four things: the air waybill number, the authority to collect, the release, and the timing.
Where Air Cargo Actually Is at YUL
Montréal-Trudeau's passenger terminals are in Dorval, and one of its runways lies in the Saint-Laurent borough of Montreal. Freight is handled elsewhere on the airport property: airline cargo terminals, ground handlers, and freight forwarders' warehouses. Each has its own address, receiving hours, and release procedure, so the first question on any pickup is not "which terminal?" but "who is holding the freight?" Montréal-Mirabel, to the northwest, handles mostly cargo and private flights, so confirm which airport the shipment is arriving at before dispatching anyone.
What a Pickup Needs
| Item | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Air waybill (AWB) number | An 11-digit number: a three-digit airline prefix followed by eight digits | It identifies the shipment at the terminal. Without it, staff cannot locate the freight |
| Consignee on the waybill | The person or company the freight is addressed to | Release is made to the consignee or its authorized agent |
| Release or delivery order | A written release from the handler or forwarder, or a "freight ready" notice | It shows that the freight is free to leave |
| Customs release | For international freight, clearance by the Canada Border Services Agency, usually filed by a customs broker | Held freight cannot be collected until it is cleared |
| Authorization for the courier | A letter or order naming the courier as the consignee's agent | The terminal needs to know who it is handing the freight to |
| Photo ID | Identification carried by the driver | Terminals check it at release |
| Charges | Handling, storage, or freight-collect fees, where applicable | Some terminals will not release freight until charges are settled |
The Timeline of an Inbound Shipment
- The flight lands and the freight is unloaded.
- It is moved to the cargo terminal and broken down, meaning sorted and checked against the manifest.
- The freight shows as ready, if no customs or paperwork hold applies.
- It is released to the consignee or an authorized agent, who collects it.
- A vehicle carries it to its final address.
Landing time is not pickup time. Depending on the handler and the volume on that flight, freight can take hours to become available, so ask the airline or handler for its "ready for pickup" status instead of guessing from a flight tracker.
Outbound: Dropping Freight for a Departing Flight
For outbound freight the clock runs the other way. Every airline sets an acceptance cut-off before each flight, and freight that arrives after it moves to the next one. Bring the air waybill, packages labelled and weighed as declared, any dangerous-goods documents if the freight is regulated, and any security declaration the airline requires. Our overview of dangerous goods by courier explains which items trigger extra paperwork.
When an Airport Pickup Is the Right Tool
- Heavy or bulky freight that travelled as cargo and is needed at your door the same day, such as pallets, crates, and large components.
- Parts for an aircraft or repair shop that is waiting to resume work. See AOG parts delivery for MRO teams.
- Medical and laboratory shipments that arrived by air and must reach their destination quickly.
- International freight already released by your customs broker and sitting at the terminal.
If the item is small and critical, an onboard courier removes the airport pickup altogether, because the shipment never enters the cargo system.
Why Being Based in Dorval Helps
Proximity does not change a terminal's hours, but it does shorten the gap between the terminal saying "ready" and the freight being on a vehicle, and it lets dispatch react when a flight is delayed. Rush Expedited Courier is based in Dorval, next to the airport, with dispatch available around the clock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I pick up air cargo at Montréal-Trudeau?
Not at the passenger terminal. Freight is collected from the cargo terminal of the airline or ground handler that received it, or from the freight forwarder's warehouse. The air waybill and the consignee named on it tell you who holds the shipment.
What is an air waybill number?
It is an 11-digit number on the shipping document for air freight: a three-digit airline prefix followed by eight digits. It identifies the shipment at every step, so it is the first thing a terminal asks for.
Can someone else collect my air freight?
Usually yes, if the consignee authorizes it in writing and the courier or agent carries photo ID and the paperwork the terminal requires. Ask the handler what it accepts before you send a driver.
How long after landing is freight ready for pickup?
It varies with the handler, the volume on the flight, and whether customs must release the shipment. Ask for the freight's ready status instead of relying on the landing time.
What happens if my shipment is held by customs?
It stays at the terminal until it is released. Your customs broker needs a complete commercial invoice and accurate classification to clear it, and the courier can collect only after release. See cross-border courier shipping.
Make the Pickup a Non-Event
Most failed airport pickups come down to one missing item: an air waybill number that was never passed on, an authorization the terminal did not have, or a shipment still waiting on customs. Gather those four things before dispatching a vehicle, and collecting freight becomes routine.
Rush Expedited Courier handles airport-to-door deliveries from Dorval. Send the air waybill number, the consignee, the delivery address, and your deadline through our quote form, and we will take it from there.
See also: courier runs to Mirabel and Saint-Hubert airports and Montréal's aerospace cluster and parts logistics.