Moving to Canada, handled from door to door

Where we move clients to Canada from

Other origins we cover

• France → Canada
• Belgium → Canada
• Netherlands → Canada
• Luxembourg → Canada
• Germany → Canada
• Austria → Canada
• Switzerland → Canada
• Ireland → Canada
• United Kingdom → Canada
• Spain → Canada
• Portugal → Canada
• Italy → Canada

Customs & paperwork into Canada

Settlers' effects

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) applies the same rules whatever country you move from.

As a new settler, your personal and household goods enter free of duty and taxes if you have owned, possessed and used them before your arrival in Canada.

As a former resident returning to Canada, your goods must have been owned, possessed and used abroad for at least 6 months before your return.

Goods that you own but have never used are taxed — new items still in their boxes do not qualify.

Declaring your goods: the key rule

Before you leave, prepare two copies of a detailed list of everything you are bringing, with values and, where relevant, make, model and serial number. Divide it into two parts:

• goods accompanying you, declared on form BSF186 (Personal Effects Accounting Document);
• goods to follow — your removal shipment — listed on form BSF186A.

Present both lists to the border officer at your first point of entry, even if you arrive with only a suitcase. The officer stamps them and opens your file.

Anything not listed on your first arrival loses its duty-free status and will be taxed when it arrives.

You must arrive in Canada before or at the same time as your shipment: goods cannot be cleared before their owner has landed.

Documents usually required for customs clearance

• Valid passport, and immigration documents (confirmation of permanent residence or work permit) for new settlers
• Your stamped BSF186 and BSF186A
• Two copies of your detailed inventory with values
• Bill of lading or air waybill (we provide it)
• Your delivery address in Canada

Keep your stamped copy safe: your shipment cannot be cleared without it. We remind you before you fly.

Vehicles and restricted items

• Vehicles Vehicles must meet Canadian safety standards. Most cars built for markets other than the United States can only be imported if they are at least 15 years old. Check with us before shipping a vehicle.
• Alcohol and tobacco Limited quantities are allowed; anything above is taxed under provincial rules.
• Firearms Require declaration and specific licences. Some types are prohibited.
• Food, plants and soil Restricted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Garden equipment must be clean and free of soil.
• Pets Pets travel separately from household goods. Dogs and cats from most countries need a valid rabies vaccination certificate.

How a move to Canada works

1. Free quote. Tell us your origin, destination in Canada and approximate volume. You receive an online estimate and a detailed quote within 24 hours.
2. Survey and planning. Your coordinator rechecks the volume, locks the transport mode and lists the customs rules you fall under on your way to Canada.
3. Packing and collection. We bring the packing materials to your home, inventory each piece and load everything on moving day.
4. Transport. Your belongings travel by the mode that fits your route to Canada: dedicated truck or shared load within Europe, sea container or air freight otherwise.
5. Customs clearance (where required). Customs paperwork for Canada is prepared and filed on your behalf (BSF186 / BSF186A preparation and Canadian customs).
6. Delivery and set-up. We deliver at your new address and, if you asked for it on the quote, unpack boxes and reassemble furniture.

A single point of contact handles your move to Canada from estimate to delivery.

Modes and typical door-to-door times

Expect the figures below as indicative door-to-door windows; season, addresses and customs clearance can all shift them.

Door-to-door times are indicative and include packing, ocean transit, Canadian customs clearance and delivery. Inland destinations such as Calgary or Toronto are reached by rail or road from the port.

How the price of your move to Canada is calculated

We price every move to Canada with the same ingredients — nothing hidden, nothing improvised:

• Volume — the single biggest lever on the price, in m³. The online calculator walks you through it one room at a time.
• Distance and route — measured on the actual road, from your door to your delivery address in Canada.
• Transport mode — shared load, dedicated truck, sea container (shared or exclusive) or air freight.
• Services — everything beyond pure transport: packing, dismantling, crating, short-term storage, extra legs by ferry.
• Access — walk-up floors, pedestrian streets, long carries from the truck, and hoists where access is tight.
• Customs — brokerage, declaration and port handling charges on routes to Canada that cross a customs border.
• Insurance — a small percentage of the declared value — scalable to what you want covered.

Typical volumes, as a guide:

For road moves inside Europe, the estimator returns a starting price in two minutes. Sea freight, air freight and any move that crosses a customs border go through a written quote, delivered within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay duty on my household goods when moving to Canada?

Not if they qualify as settlers' effects: owned, possessed and used before your arrival, and declared on your first entry. Returning Canadians must have used their goods abroad for at least 6 months.

What are forms BSF186 and BSF186A?

BSF186 is the Personal Effects Accounting Document for goods you bring with you. BSF186A lists your goods to follow, such as your removal shipment. Both are stamped at your first point of entry.

What happens if I forget to declare my goods to follow?

Items not listed on your first arrival lose their duty-free status and are taxed when they arrive. Declare everything, even if you arrive with only a suitcase.

Can my shipment arrive in Canada before me?

No. You must arrive before or at the same time as your goods. We time the shipment so it reaches Canada after your landing.

Can I bring my European car to Canada?

Usually only if it is at least 15 years old or meets Canadian standards. Most recent European models cannot be imported, so check before shipping.

How long does a move from Europe to Canada take?

By sea container, allow six to ten weeks door to door to the East, and eight to twelve weeks to Vancouver. Air freight takes one to two weeks for small volumes.