Tips on Moving from the U.S. to Canada

Moving to Canada from the U.S.? Make sure you’re prepared

Despite sharing a border in North America and having a similar way of life, Canada and the United States have some organizational differences. That means the permission and paperwork to live there can differ from what’s required to move to the U.S. from Canada. Let’s review some tips for moving to Canada to prepare you to cross the border and set up a new home.

Request and gather documents needed for international moves early

You must apply for a U.S. passport if you don’t already have one. Because the process can take several weeks, it’s best to request it as soon as possible.

Here are some other documents you’ll need to get started in Canada:

• Bank account information (to prepare for opening an account in Canada)
• Birth and marriage certificates
• Divorce decrees and custody agreements, if applicable
• Medical records (including vaccinations)
• School/university records for students enrolling in a Canadian institution
• Veterinary records, if moving pets to Canada (additional restrictions apply with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency)

Apply for Canadian residency based on your reason for moving

To live in Canada legally, you must have permission, and depending on why you’re moving, there are different processes.

Work permit

If you have a job offer, you can apply for a Canadian work permit to stay in the country for up to three years. Some work permits are eligible for an extension.

Study permit

Typically, Canadian study permits are used for college and university degree programs, but they can also be issued for minors accepted to secondary schools in the country.

Permanent residency

If you wish to live in Canada permanently, these are the most common programs:

• Express Entry for skilled workers
• Family sponsorship for spouses or family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for people meeting specific skills requirements to contribute to the economy of a particular Canadian province or territory

Learn more about the requirements to become a citizen on the Canadian Government’s immigration and citizenship website.

Hire a cross-border moving company

Some people choose to drive a rental truck to Canada. But crossing the border with household belongings can be a hassle, and the truck must be returned to a rental location. Full-service moving companies can have high prices and long delivery times, especially for moves to Canada.

When you need a mover experienced in crossing the Canadian border that offers DIY savings (without a rental truck), it’s best to choose a service like U-Pack®. U-Pack offers affordable DIY moves to (and from) Canada.

Here’s how U-Pack services work for shipping belongings to Canada:

• We deliver the moving equipment to your door
• You load your belongings
• We transport your things into Canada
• U-Pack holds your shipment until you clear the items with Canadian customs
• We deliver your belongings to your new home, or you can unload at a local service center

U-Pack offers moving services to or from Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec. You can check serviceability to your location by calling 844-362-5303844-594-3077 or requesting an online moving quote. U-Pack does not service intra-Canada moves.

Follow Canadian Customs regulations

Generally, most personal belongings can be imported into Canada duty-free when you’re moving. However, business equipment, such as company cars or farm equipment, will have duty fees. Learn more about duty requirements on the Government of Canada’s website.

Restricted items

Some items are restricted for safety regulations or prohibited from crossing the border into Canada. If you’re unsure if something meets Canadian safety standards or is allowed in the country, it's best to check with the Canadian Customs Office.

Here are examples of things that can be subject to duty fees, restrictions or prohibition:

• Baby or child safety equipment (Must meet Canadian safety standards)
• Business or industrial equipment
• Firearms and other explosives
• Food, plants or animal products
• Gifts valued at more than CDN $60 
• Health products (including prescription and over-the-counter medications)
• Used mattresses

U-Pack customers should also follow the “Do Not Ship List.”

Importing a vehicle to Canada

Most standard household moving services (including U-Pack) don’t move automobiles. If you’re not driving a car into Canada, you’ll need to ship it. We recommend contacting Mr. Car Shipper® at 877-528-9627 for a quote.

Note: While U-Pack can generally ship motorcycles and ATVs in our moving equipment, Canada does not allow any motorized vehicles with VINs to be shipped with household belongings.

Prepare customs paperwork early

Before you arrive in Canada, you must complete two customs forms (BSF186 and BSF186A). These forms contain itemized lists of your things and their approximate Canadian dollar value. The forms are much easier to fill out while packing. You can make form corrections or explain any discrepancies to a customs officer while clearing things in person.

Shipments must be cleared through the Canadian Customs Office within 40 days of crossing into the country.

Bring the following forms with you to the Customs Office:

• The original BSF186 and BSF186A forms
• Passport
• Visa
• Shipment manifest

What paperwork does U-Pack require for moves to Canada?

Along with the completed customs forms, U-Pack will need a clear, black-and-white copy of the photo page in your passport and a copy of your visa/work permit/permanent residency document (unless you are a Canadian citizen).

You can email these documents to moving@upack.com. Please include your reference number and “Customs Paperwork/Documents” in the subject line. If you won’t get your visa before the move, notify our Customer Care team at customercare@upack.com.

Note: U-Pack cannot transport your items to Canada without a complete set of documents. The name on your U-Pack documents (the Move Plan and Bill of Lading) must match the name on your other documentation.

How to get your U-Pack shipment released for delivery

A U-Pack representative will call you when your things arrive in the country. Ask for the shipment manifest (which you’ll need to clear the items) and verify the location of the Canadian Customs Office.

You’ll report to the customs office with all your paperwork and passport. Customs will stamp the manifest and the BSF186/A forms, removing the hold on your shipment. Then, you can return the form to the Canadian U-Pack service center (in person, by fax or by email to moving@upack.com). Once the service center has the stamped manifest, you can schedule delivery.

Have questions about moving to Canada with U-Pack?

If you have questions about U-Pack services, let us know in the comments. We’re happy to help!

For a free quote or questions about moving to Canada, call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant. You can also request a quote online.