Moving to Canada from the USA

Updated March 2026
Are you seeking a fresh start surrounded by beautiful scenery? Canada is the perfect destination. Known for friendly people, world-class nature, and strong social services, Canada offers countless opportunities to start a new life. Whether you’re moving under a work permit or immigrating through a federal or provincial program, you’ll want a reliable team to move your household goods. SDC International Shipping is your door-to-door partner for a smooth relocation from anywhere in the USA to anywhere in Canada.

With years of experience, we handle household goods, vehicles (when containerized with household goods), pianos, artwork and valuables, and more, plus export-grade packing, climate-controlled storage, and moving insurance.

Transferring Household Goods to Canada

Leaving your household items behind can be costly and inconvenient. Instead, ship what matters with a trusted door-to-door international moving company. Your SDC coordinator will arrange professional packing, create a detailed inventory for customs and insurance, and schedule pickup, transport, and delivery to your new Canadian home.

We tailor your plan to your volume, timeline, and budget: shared solutions for smaller moves, exclusive options for full households, and short-term storage on either side if housing dates don’t align.

Canadian Customs: The BSF186 and What You Need to Know

When importing household goods and personal effects into Canada, the key customs document is the BSF186, also known as the Personal Effects Accounting Document, issued by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). This form is your declaration of all goods being imported as part of your move and establishes which items qualify for duty-free entry as settler’s effects.

To qualify for duty-free importation of household goods under the settler’s effects provision, you must be establishing permanent residence in Canada for the first time and the goods must have been owned and used by you for at least six months before your move. New or recently purchased items do not qualify and may be assessed duty at the border.

There are two lists on the BSF186. Goods arriving with you or within the same week as your arrival go on List A. Goods arriving separately, such as in a sea freight container that departs before or after you, go on List B and must arrive within 12 months of your entry date to qualify for duty-free treatment. This distinction is important for clients shipping a container by sea while flying to Canada separately, which is the most common scenario for SDC clients.

A complete, itemized inventory of your shipment is required alongside the BSF186. Your SDC coordinator will help you prepare this documentation before your container departs the USA, since incomplete paperwork is the most common cause of delays at the Canadian border.

Shipping Your Auto Together with Your Belongings

Canada’s vehicle import rules require that your car is admissible and compliant with Canadian safety and emissions standards. Documentation and procedures can be detailed, but we’ll guide you step-by-step and coordinate with trusted partners. We ship vehicles only when containerized with household goods. Our team secures the vehicle inside the container with bracing and chocks and integrates it with your household goods plan to optimize schedule and cost.

Note that vehicles imported into Canada as part of a settler’s effects move must have been owned and registered in your name for at least six months before the date of import to qualify for duty-free treatment. Your coordinator will confirm eligibility, required documents, and timing before booking.

Artwork, Antiques and Pianos: Specialized Shipping

From fine art to heirloom instruments, our specialists protect fragile, high-value pieces with custom crating, moisture and vibration control, and white-glove handling. We assess dimensions, weight, and fragility, then design a packing plan and crate where needed. Artwork shipping and international piano moving services are available upon request.

Prefer a hybrid approach? We can professionally pack only your fragile items and consolidate the rest, keeping you protected while managing costs.

Do You Need Moving Insurance?

Export-grade packing significantly reduces risk, but international moves still involve long distances and multiple handoffs. We strongly recommend international moving insurance, especially for high-value items. Some insurers require professional packing to qualify for coverage. Your coordinator will advise on the right policy and ensure documentation is complete.

The Cost of Moving Belongings to Canada

Pricing is customized to your move. Factors include volume and weight, service level and speed, origin and destination access conditions, documentation and customs handling requirements, and any special handling such as custom crating or vehicle inclusion. We’ll provide a clear side-by-side estimate so you can compare options.

Request an international moving quote to get started.

How Long Does Transit Take?

Most USA to Canada moves travel by road with door-to-door coordination, but ocean or air can be used when appropriate, for example for Alaska, large coastal shipments, or urgent essentials. Planning ranges are as follows. Road freight door-to-door typically runs one to three weeks depending on distance, season, and access. Ocean freight with inland drayage runs three to six weeks depending on origin coast, port schedules, and customs. Air freight for essentials runs three to ten business days including export and import handling. Shared container (LCL) shipments add consolidation and deconsolidation time but lower cost for smaller volumes.

We’ll confirm a lane-specific estimate once bookings are set and keep you updated with milestones from pickup through customs and delivery.

Canadian Provinces We Move To

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Moving to Canada from the USA: Top Destinations

Canada is full of great options for families, students, and professionals. A few favorites:

Best City for Families: Ottawa

Green parks, scenic canals, strong schools, and low crime rates make Ottawa a great pick for families. Public transport is excellent, and housing options suit a range of budgets.

Ideal for Students: Montreal

A rich university ecosystem, thriving arts scene, and walkable neighborhoods, plus an efficient metro system, make Montreal a student favorite.

Top for Career Growth: Toronto

Canada’s largest job market with diverse neighborhoods, world-class dining, and endless cultural events. Expect a fast pace and excellent transit connections.

Outdoor Lover’s Dream: Vancouver

Ocean, mountains, and forest, often within the same afternoon. A tech and film hub with lively neighborhoods and a strong quality of life.

What We Handle

• Professional packing and custom crating for fragile and high-value items.
• Furniture disassembly and protection, loading, transport, delivery, reassembly, and debris removal.
• Export documents, BSF186 preparation guidance, import coordination, and customs requirements support.
• Household goods moves of any size, from studio to full home.
• Vehicles (when containerized with household goods), pianos, and artwork and antiques.
• Origin and destination storage and marine insurance coverage.

FAQs: Moving to Canada from the USA

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend four to eight weeks before your pack date, and earlier during peak summer moving season, to secure preferred schedules and ensure paperwork including the BSF186 is ready before your shipment departs.

Can I share a container to save money?

Yes. Shared LCL solutions are well suited to smaller volumes and flexible timelines. They add consolidation time but reduce cost compared to an exclusive container.

Do I need professional packing?

It is optional but strongly recommended. Export packing methods reduce transit risk and are often required by insurers to qualify for full coverage on high-value items.

Can SDC ship my car to Canada?

Yes, when it is containerized with your household goods. We are not a car-only shipper. Your coordinator will confirm eligibility, required documents, and the six-month ownership requirement before booking.

What is the BSF186 and do I need one?

The BSF186 is the Canada Border Services Agency’s Personal Effects Accounting Document. It is the declaration form that establishes your right to import household goods duty-free as settler’s effects. Any US resident establishing permanent residence in Canada and shipping household goods will need one. Your SDC coordinator will walk you through the preparation requirements well before your ship date.

How are costs calculated?

By volume and weight, service level and speed, access conditions at both origin and destination, documentation handling, and any special requirements such as custom crating or a vehicle included with household goods. Request a customized quote to compare your options.