Moving to Canada Guide
Bishop's Move have years of experience in moving people and their property to and from Canada. Our Canada removals experts have come up with this mini guide for relocation to Canada and to the UK from the Canada.
When you choose Bishop's Move to manage your international removals our experts will visit you to advise you on your home move. Fill in an online quote form now to tell us about your Canada removals requirements.
You can also download and print this guide as a PDF document
Household Effects
Advice on moving the contents of your home to Canada
Duty free entry is granted providing: you are taking up residency and have owned and used the effects immediately prior to the removal from the UK; you are a returning Canadian and have been away from the country for over 12 months. All new items or single items with a value over $10,000 will be subject to duty calculated on their value. Proof of purchase will be required.
When all goods have been packed the client will be given a copy of the packing list, this must be presented upon his arrival at the airport. To effect customs clearance the importer must attend a meeting with local customs where he will be required to present his passport and complete customs forms. in order to claim duty free entry, there can be no exception to this rule.
All household and personal effects entering Canada are subject to physical examination by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA.) All items which may have come into contact with soil and vegetation such as gardening equipment; bicycles; patio furniture; footwear; golf clubs; vacuum cleaner bags etc. will be inspected. All such items should be thoroughly cleaned prior to move day although extra cleaning costs may still be incurred upon inspection.
Required documentation for household goods only:
- Original Passport
- Inventory or packing list (completed by packing crew)
- B4E declaration form (supplied at airport upon arrival)
Motor Vehicles
Need to move your car or motor vehicle with you to Canada
Used or second-hand vehicles other than current-year manufacture are generally prohibited from importation. There are some exceptions so for further information we suggest you contact Transport Canada Vehicle Importation. Duties will be payable.
Transport Canada Vehicle Importation
13th Floor Canada Building, 344 Slater St, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A ONS,
Tel: (+1) 613 998 2508
Restrictions
What can and can't you take with you when you move to Canada
We advise against taking any kind of food or beverage into Canada. Alcohol may be imported with a licence from the Provincial Liquor Control Board and duties will be payable. The licence must be obtained prior to entry. Importation of firearms is also not advisable. A licence must be applied for and obtained from the Canadian Authorities prior to shipping, otherwise importation is strictly prohibited.
Additional Information
Electricity
The electrical supply in Canada is 100 volts. Domestic appliances from the UK will not work/operate in Canada without a transformer.
The Broadcasting system in Canada is not compatible with the system in the UK, and therefore televisions, DVD players and video recorders will not function in Canada.
Mobile telephone
Digital PCS (1900MHz) services area available in and around major centres, while older analogue and digital cellular networks are available in less populated areas.
A ‘dual mode’ handset is required outside the digital service areas. Network operators include Bell Mobility (www.bellmobilty.ca), Telus Mobility (www.telusmobility.com) and Rogers AT&T (www.rogers.com).
GSM network operator:
Microcell (www.canadagsm.com)
Internet
ISPS include Inter.net (www.ca.inter.net) and Sympatico (www.sympatico.ca). There are internet cafes all over the country. Internet terminals are usually available at airports and in photocopy shops.
GMT
- 4 hours in Halifax
- 5 hours in Toronto
- 6 hours in Winnepeg
- 7 hours in Edmonton
- 8 hours in Vancouver
Country Dialling code
International Dialling Codes: +1 (followed by local code - 604 for Vancouver, 416 for Toronto, 613 for Ottawa, 902 for Halifax)
