Shipping and Removals in Canada
The best advice for expats considering shipping items to Canada is – leave it, unless you need it. Even though the East and West coasts of this massive North American nation are home to large, efficient ports, shipping is expensive, and in most cases, you can purchase new goods once you arrive for less than you would pay to bring your household goods overseas. 
Furthermore, there are plenty of furnished accommodation options available in most Canadian cities.
For those settling in Calgary, or in other inland Canadian destinations, shipping will be especially costly, as the process will require a combination of different delivery methods.
That said, if you can’t bear to part with your beloved bedside tables, couches, paintings, etc., there are a couple of points that you should pay attention to if planning to ship items to Canada.
First, make sure you solicit quotes from at least three shipping service providers. Intlmovers.com, a quote aggregator, allows you to approach multiple agencies for quotes on its web site, and is a great initial resource.
Common services to look for in a shipper
Furthermore, there are plenty of furnished accommodation options available in most Canadian cities.For those settling in Calgary, or in other inland Canadian destinations, shipping will be especially costly, as the process will require a combination of different delivery methods.
That said, if you can’t bear to part with your beloved bedside tables, couches, paintings, etc., there are a couple of points that you should pay attention to if planning to ship items to Canada.
First, make sure you solicit quotes from at least three shipping service providers. Intlmovers.com, a quote aggregator, allows you to approach multiple agencies for quotes on its web site, and is a great initial resource.
Common services to look for in a shipper
- Pick-up goods at your location
- Basic disassemble and reassemble of furniture
- Border clearance and customs formalities at the destination
- Professional wrapping of all wooden, metal and fabric furniture
- Fuel surcharge
- Export documents for household goods only
- Wooden crate liftvan or palletizing
- Preparing professional inventory list
- Unloading all items to destination residence, and setting all items per your request
- Agent fees and NVOCC deconsolidation charges
- Removing packing debris from destination resident
Most shippers will charge by weight (in pounds), and/or according to the number of cubic feet taken up by your items. Expats should be aware that shippers often tack on additional expenses for certain packing materials, handling and hoisting of excessively large items and certain processing requirements.
Common extra expenses a shipper might charge
Common extra expenses a shipper might charge
- Custom built wooden crates
- Documentation fee for vehicles and commercial cargo
- Piano handling
- Custom exam, inspection and/or x-ray
- Storage
- Local duties and taxes
- Packing service for small and breakables items
- Fumigation charges and quarantine
- Insurance (unless purchase separately ahead of time)
- Insurance processing fee
- External hoisting or crane equipment
- Additional collection or split delivery locations
- Long carry over 75 feet away from main entrance
- Stairs fees- over 1st floor walk-up
Furthermore, it’s a good idea to buy insurance from a company other than the shipping company used, to ensure reliable coverage on broken cargo.
Once expats have secured a shipper, it’s necessary to complete the appropriate paperwork. You’ll need to fill-out the Customs Form B4a, and present it upon landing – even if your goods will only follow you at a later date. Failure to present this form will result in taxation of your household and personal goods, which otherwise can be brought into Canada duty-free. Be sure to include the value of each item you list on this form, the sum total of the value of all goods, the serial number of the item (if it has one), and photos of items that are too unique for descriptions (like artwork).
There is no set amount of time by which you need to import your household goods into Canada, once you’ve filed the B4a form with the Canada Border Services Agency.
Shipping pets to Canada requires proof of a rabies vaccine that needs to be obtained prior to arrival.
Once expats have secured a shipper, it’s necessary to complete the appropriate paperwork. You’ll need to fill-out the Customs Form B4a, and present it upon landing – even if your goods will only follow you at a later date. Failure to present this form will result in taxation of your household and personal goods, which otherwise can be brought into Canada duty-free. Be sure to include the value of each item you list on this form, the sum total of the value of all goods, the serial number of the item (if it has one), and photos of items that are too unique for descriptions (like artwork).
There is no set amount of time by which you need to import your household goods into Canada, once you’ve filed the B4a form with the Canada Border Services Agency.
Shipping pets to Canada requires proof of a rabies vaccine that needs to be obtained prior to arrival.
