Moving to Canada
Canada welcomes new residents in an orderly way, and the same applies to their belongings. The most important document of the move does not go into the container – it stays in your hand at the airport. We organise moves to Canada so that you know this before you board the plane. In Wrocław we pack and load your goods, and the voyage, clearance with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and delivery to your address are handled together with a partner from the FEDEMAC network.
Form BSF186 – what to do at the airport
People settling in Canada complete form BSF186, the personal effects accounting document. It has two parts: goods you bring with you, and goods to follow – that is, the contents of the container. The key point is that the list of goods to follow must be declared to the officer on your first entry to Canada as a settler. If you do not do this, later duty-free clearance may be impossible. We prepare this list in advance, in two copies, with an approximate value for each item.
Remember
Keep the printed list of goods arriving by container in your hand luggage. The copy stamped by CBSA will be needed by our partner for clearance.
Ports and voyage times
| Port in Canada | For which provinces | Voyage from Europe |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal | Quebec, Ontario | approx. 10–14 days |
| Halifax | the Atlantic provinces, then by rail inland | approx. 9–12 days |
| Vancouver | British Columbia, Alberta | approx. 5–6 weeks via the Panama Canal |
A container from Wrocław most often sails from Hamburg, Bremerhaven or Antwerp. To Calgary, Edmonton or Winnipeg it continues by rail from the port. The port of Montreal operates in winter, but conditions on land may extend delivery.
What you can bring in duty-free, and what you cannot
Duty-free
Furniture, clothes, household appliances and other items you used before arriving in Canada, listed on form BSF186.
Restricted
Alcohol and tobacco products – only in limited quantities, subject to duty and provincial taxes. Firearms require separate permits.
To be checked
A car from Europe must meet Canadian standards. Plants, soil and food of animal origin are subject to agricultural inspection.
How we prepare the shipment in Wrocław
- A pre-move survey or a quote from a video, and the choice between space in a shared container and an exclusive container.
- An inventory in English or French – depending on the province – consistent with what you enter on form BSF186.
- Export packing, washing and drying garden equipment, sealing the container.
- Handing the documents over to our partner, who will collect the container and arrange delivery with you.
If you fly out alone first and your family joins you a few months later, your belongings can wait in our storage in Wrocław. You will find more about documents for shipments outside the EU under customs clearance.
Moving to Canada – questions
What if I forget to declare my goods at the airport?
Contact CBSA as soon as possible. Without a declaration on first entry, duty-free clearance of goods to follow may be refused, and duties will have to be paid on your belongings.
How long after I arrive can my belongings follow?
Goods declared as to follow can arrive later, but it is usually wise to plan the shipment so that it arrives within a few months of your arrival.
Do I need permanent residence to ship my belongings?
The exemption applies to settlers, but also to some holders of longer-term work permits. We check your status when preparing the quote.
What language should the inventory be in?
English or French. In Quebec our partner usually asks for a French or bilingual version.
Canada awaits, your belongings will follow
We will prepare the list for BSF186 and a free quote for your move.
Free quote