Moving to Canada From America
Moving can be stressful to anyone, no matter the distance traveled or how much you actually have to move. To alleviate some of the stress involved in moving you should prepare well in advance before moving day arrives. If you are moving from an apartment to a new home within reasonable travel distance, hooking up with friends who own pickup trucks can cut costs down considerably. It also makes it a more enjoyable experience provided everyone you have asked to help is available on that day. Advance notice and realizing that not every one may be available the exact moment you are is key to a smooth move. However moving a long distance, like to Canada from America, requires a bit more items on your things-to-do-list in preparation for moving day.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- List of trucking companies
- Itemized list/value of goods
- List of agencies to close or cancel
- Identification for each family member
- Bank transfer documents
Instructions
-
The Trucking Company
-
1
Select the trucking company best suited to your needs 6 to 8 weeks before your actual moving day. Be sure to get quotes from several companies. There are several types of moves such as household moves, military household moves or if your company is relocating you. The trucking company will need to know this.
-
2
Decide whether you wish the company to do all your packing or if there are certain items you wish to pack yourself. Be sure to have a checklist when you and your agent go over exactly what is to be moved. Anything not mentioned will be an added expense for you. Any changes to your list must be given to the agent prior to packing. Be sure packers know what is considered fragile goods.
-
-
3
Review and understand all estimates and forms before you sign them and keep all documents in a folder, including the agent’s phone number, and keep it with you until you have arrived at your destination.
-
4
Once the truck leaves with your household goods, you must be sure you are at the border when the truck arrives there. The trucking company will also give you instructions on how to move a vehicle you will not be driving over the border yourself. Mayflower Trucking has a very helpful website.
Utilities, Government and Other Services
-
5
Approximately 4 to 6 weeks prior to moving, notify your post office that you are moving to Canada from America.
-
6
Notify all utility companies the day that you are moving to determine shut-off dates such as water, electric and gas. Remember to keep your telephone operating until the end of your moving day.
-
7
Subscriptions to magazines, health clubs and newspapers will all need to be canceled during this time.
-
8
Contact all your major credit card accounts, such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. Insurance companies need to be contacted as well in addition to the motor vehicle agency, your local tax assessor and the Social Security office.
Banking Procedures
-
9
As soon as you know you are moving to Canada from America notify your bank immediately. There are several steps and requested documents necessary for setting up accounts and transferring monies.
-
10
The BMO Bank of Montreal will assist you in setting up your new Canadian account. You will also need two forms of identification when completing forms. Choose the bank and the branch you wish to use in Canada.
-
11
After you fill out all the documents necessary and receive your new bank account number you will then be able to send one wire international transfer to your new account. Once your money is transferred over you must activate your new account within 6 months otherwise your funds will be sent back to your bank in the United States.
Pets
-
12
Prepare your pet accordingly. You may consider putting your pet in a kennel a week before moving and keeping him there for another week or so after you move to get yourself settled in your new home. Get your pet used to a cage if he needs to be transported via airplane.
-
13
Be sure you find out ahead of time if the apartment you move into allows pets; do not assume all of them do.
-
14
All shots must be up to date and have the records available for proof when moving pets to Canada from America.
Arrival in Canada
-
15
Keep all documents in your carry-on bags, not in suitcases. The Immigration process occurs before you reclaim your baggage if flying.
-
16
No matter how you travel across the border from the United States to Canada you will need a valid passport for each family member, your Canadian Immigrant visa and confirmation of Permanent Residence for each family member as well.
-
17
Be sure to have two copies of a detailed list of all belongings with you and their worth in Canadian currency. Another two-copy list of items-to-follow must also be itemized and valued in Canadian Dollars.
Firearms
-
18
You must be at least 18 years old to bring restricted or non-restricted firearms when moving to Canada from America. Prohibited firearms or other prohibited items such as replica firearms are not allowed into Canada. In Canadian terms a replica firearm is a device that resembles a real firearm, other than an antique, with near precision but cannot discharge projectiles or ones that can only discharge harmless ones.
-
19
Restricted firearms are allowed only for use in target shooting and as part of a gun collection. Firearms are not usually allowed from the United States into Canada for self-protection purposes.
-
20
If shipping your firearms, they must be unloaded and sent by a licensed carrier.
-
21
Once in Canada you must apply for a Possession and Acquisition License, otherwise knows as a PAL, which could take up to sixty days. You then can register your firearm. There are also safety training requirements necessary to take prior to applying for the PAL.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Keep in mind that moving away from friends and school can be very dramatic for young children. Inform them as soon as possible. Incorporate them in the entire moving process. Explain to them how you plan on getting your pet to the new location. Let them have one last party or sleep-over with close friends and family. Help your children make their own personal address books to take to keep in touch with friends they leave behind. Moving is a stressful time for everyone involved but early preparation can help the experience go a little smoother.
Before you sign with a trucking company, be sure to find out every detail about their moving techniques. Do not assume anything. Read over all contracts carefully so that you know what you are expecting from them is what you get with no surprise costs at the end.
