Shipping Furniture from Canada to US
Once you get a house in the US, the next step is planning how to ship furniture from Canada to the US. You should check the customs regulations in both countries and ensure you have all the required qualifications to make your moving process more manageable.
You will need to give information about the furniture items you are moving, including their origin and value. Once you have everything required on your paperwork, you’ll need to decide on a method of transportation.
There are rules and regulations on the items you can move out of Canada and into the USA. Also, you can transport some items free of duty, but they must have been used for at least one year in another country apart from the US. However, there are no special instructions about the sequence of usage.
Cost of Shipping Furniture from Canada to the US
There is no exact cost of moving furniture from Canada to the US because various factors determine the total cost. But, the average cost is $2000- $5000. Some factors affecting the prices are the number of furniture you are transporting and the movers.
Besides, the time of the year you are transporting your items also matters. For example, if you schedule the transportation around summer, you might pay more because most movers are busy around the season.
However, you can save on the moving costs in various ways. For example, organizing your finances before the moving date can help. Once you visit a mover and they offer you an estimate, start saving towards that.
The other way to save moving costs is by decluttering your home before moving. When you have fewer items to carry, you will pay less. Ensure you also pack some furniture by yourself to reduce the movers' work.
Take advantage of the discounts moving companies offer the clients. However, be wary of movers who give unreasonable discounts because they probably are incompetent and do so to get customers.
Before hiring a moving company, interview them to ask about their moving experiences and expertise. You should also search their website and scroll down to see customer reviews. The reviews are an excellent way to know how the company treats its customers.
Shipping Furniture from the US to Canada
Once you plan everything, it is time to start the moving process. Moving furniture from the US to Canada is a straightforward process if you follow all the rules laid down by the Canadian government.
When setting up your moving budget, also note that you will pay duties and taxes for the items at the border. The amount payable depends on the product type, its country of origin, and where it was manufactured.
You should also list all the items you are shipping in the bill of landing. In addition, you must provide information on all the items on the ship, the person sending them, and their destination. You should also include an invoice to show your item's quantity, value, and weight.
You will get a certificate of origin for the items you are transporting, which the shipper should sign. Other documents required are a packing list, an insurance certificate, and a license.
If you use a moving company to transport the items, they will help clear your shipment to Canada through customs. You will then pay all the duties and taxes at customs for the shipment to be released.
Prohibited Items in Canada
Once you decide to move your furniture from the US to Canada, you should first check the list of all the allowed, restricted, and prohibited items in the country.
For example, you cannot transport guns and firearms into the country. Ammunition, explosives, and flammable liquids are also prohibited. Other items you cannot bring into Canada are toxic substances, used tires, and biological agents.
If you are not sure about an item, you can confirm with the Canadian Border Services Agency before moving. You can also contact the border officers for clarity and avoid getting into trouble with the government.
Choosing the Best Transit Times
The transit method you choose to transport your items from the US to Canada matters a lot. When selecting, ensure you get a full-service moving company. The company picks the furniture from the old home and transports it into the new house.
The transit time for moving your items from the US to Canada depends on the shipping route of the chosen company. For example, the longest time your transit can take is three weeks. The shipping company can also offer an estimate of the arrival date.
Packing Your Items Ready to Move into Canada
You want all your items to get to your Canadian home safely, so you must pack them properly. Before the moving date, get all the packing materials to make your work easier. You need boxes that can fit various items of various sizes.
You can also get packing paper and bubble wrap for extra protection. Finally, do not forget to buy tape for sealing the boxes and markers to indicate the rooms each box belongs to.
If you have fragile items, use a lot of bubble wrap to secure them. These include plates and things that can easily break, like mirrors. You should also label all the boxes for easy identification once they get to the new home.
Make a list of all the items you are packing to know what is remaining and ready to go. The list will also make the unpacking work easier.
Ensure the items you will need immediately after getting into the new home are packed in a different box. These include toiletries, a few clothes, and medications. It might take some days to unpack, and having these items makes life easier in your new home.
Things to Consider When You Want To Ship Furniture from the US to Canada
Moving abroad can be stressful and time-consuming. To make furniture moving less tiring, use these tips to help.
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Get All the Necessary Paperwork
There are many custom regulations when transporting items from the US to Canada, and you should comply with them. Ensure you have all the detailed paperwork. These include a detailed inventory of the items you have.
Everything should be in order before releasing your items to Canada. Failure to get everything required could cause delays at the border or fines.
Confirm all the costs required to transport furniture from the US into Canada. Knowing all the expenses beforehand helps you collect enough money for the move. Compare quotes from several and choose the most affordable one. You should also compare their terms and policies when checking the costs.
Furniture is easily damaged during moving. For example, the tables can get scratched, and the sofa's legs could break. These damages are expensive to repair, so you should pay for insurance.
When choosing an insurance policy, go for one that secures the entire shipment to ensure compensation if an accident happens.
Final Words
Once you research how to ship furniture from Canada to US, you will realize that the process is straightforward. However, you must have all the documents and pay taxes per customs. Remember to calculate the costs before transporting the furniture.