Moving to Canada from the USA

*Updated August 2025
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, low‑stress 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 HHG), pianos, artwork & 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 international household mover. 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.

Shipping Your Auto Together with Your Belongings

Canada’s vehicle import rules require that your car is admissible and compliant. Documentation and procedures can be detailed, but we’ll guide you step‑by‑step and coordinate with trusted partners. Please note: we ship vehicles only when containerized with household goods (we are not a car‑only shipper). Our team secures the vehicle inside the container with bracing/chocks and integrates it with your HHG plan to optimize schedule and cost.

Questions about eligibility, documents, or timing? Your coordinator will outline what’s needed and build your HHG + vehicle plan accordingly.

Artwork, Antiques & Pianos: Specialized Shipping

From fine art to heirloom instruments, our specialists protect fragile, high‑value pieces with custom crating, moisture/vibration control, and white‑glove handling. Start by assessing dimensions, weight, and fragility—then we’ll design a packing plan and crate where needed. Explore: shipping artwork and international piano moves.

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; we’ll 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 & weight: The cubic volume of your shipment (and chargeable weight if air is used).
• Service & speed: Shared vs. exclusive container; road vs. ocean; air for essentials.
• Origin & destination access: Stairs, long carries, elevator reservations, parking permits, shuttles, and remote locations.
• Documentation & customs handling: We prepare inventories and guide you through paperwork to avoid delays.
• Special handling: Custom crating, vehicles containerized with HHG, and time‑sensitive delivery windows.

We’ll provide a clear, side‑by‑side estimate so you can compare options. Start here: request an international moving quote.

How Long Does Transit Take?

Most USA→Canada moves travel by road with door‑to‑door coordination, but ocean or air can be used when appropriate (e.g., Alaska, large coastal shipments, urgent essentials). Planning ranges:

• Road freight (door‑to‑door): ~1–3 weeks depending on distance, season, and access.
• Ocean with inland drayage: ~3–6 weeks depending on origin coast, port schedules, and customs.
• Air freight (essentials): ~3–10 business days including export/import handling.
• Shared container (LCL): Adds consolidation/deconsolidation time but lowers cost for smaller shipments.

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: Montréal

A rich university ecosystem, thriving arts scene, and walkable neighborhoods—plus an efficient metro system—make Montréal 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 great transit.

Outdoor‑Lover’s Dream: Vancouver

Ocean, mountains, and forest—often within the same afternoon. A tech and film hub, too, with lively neighborhoods and coffee culture.

What We Handle (So You Don’t Have To)

• Professional packing and custom crating for fragile/high‑value items.
• Furniture disassembly/protection, loading, transport, delivery, reassembly, and debris removal.
• Export documents, import coordination, and guidance on customs requirements.
• Household goods moves of any size—studio to full home.
• Vehicles (when containerized with HHG), pianos, and artwork & antiques.
• Origin/destination storage and insurance.

FAQs: Moving to Canada from the USA

How far in advance should I book?
We recommend 4–8 weeks before your pack date (earlier in peak seasons) to secure preferred schedules and ensure paperwork is ready.

Can I share a container to save money?
Yes—shared solutions are great for smaller volumes and flexible timelines. They add consolidation time but reduce cost versus exclusive containers.

Do I need professional packing?
It’s optional but strongly recommended. Export methods reduce risk and streamline customs and insurance support.

Can SDC ship my car?
Yes—when it’s containerized with your household goods (we aren’t a car‑only shipper). We’ll confirm eligibility, documents, and timelines.

How are costs calculated?
By volume/weight, service/speed, access at both ends, documentation, and any special handling (e.g., crating or a vehicle with HHG). Request a customized quote to compare options.