Planning a Move to Canada?
Whether you’re relocating for work, family or a new opportunity, Overseas Packers & Shippers can coordinate your belongings from your home in Australia through to your new home in Canada.
With 50 years of international moving experience, we can help with moves of all sizes, from a few boxes and selected furniture through to complete household relocations.
Our experienced team manages the professional packing and shipping in Australia, while our trusted Canadian moving partner assists with customs clearance and delivery at your destination.
Request a Quick Quote
Shipping Your Belongings to Canada
The best way to ship your belongings to Canada will depend on how much you’re taking, where you’re moving, your timeframe and your budget.
We offer a range of options including Groupage (shared container) services at selected times, Less than Container Load (LCL), Full Container Load (FCL) and air freight.
Groupage – Shared Container
If you’re moving a smaller amount and have some flexibility around timing, Groupage can be a cost-effective option.
Your belongings are professionally packed and consolidated with other customers’ shipments travelling to Canada, so you pay for the space your shipment requires rather than an entire container.
Our Canada Groupage services operate at selected times based on demand, so our Moving Consultants can advise the expected timing of the next available service when preparing your quote.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SHARED CONTAINER SHIPPING
LCL – Less than Container Load
If you have a smaller shipment but would prefer an earlier departure, LCL may be a suitable alternative to waiting for the next Groupage service.
Your belongings travel through the shipping line’s LCL network, sharing container space with other cargo.
Our Moving Consultants can compare the expected timing and cost of Groupage and LCL so you can determine which option best suits your move.
Full Container Load – FCL
For larger household moves, a 20ft or 40ft sole-use container may be the most suitable option.
With FCL, the container is used exclusively for your belongings, so there’s no need to wait for other customers’ shipments to be consolidated before it can depart.
Canada has several major ports and a large domestic transport network. We’ll arrange an appropriate shipping route based on your final destination and work with our Canadian moving partner to coordinate the destination services and delivery to your new home.
Air Freight
For very small shipments or belongings you’d like sooner, air freight may also be an option.
Some customers send the majority of their belongings by sea and use air freight for a smaller selection of essential items.
Our Moving Consultants can help you compare the available options.
Moving a Smaller Shipment to Canada?
You don’t need to be moving an entire household to use Overseas Packers & Shippers.
If you’re sending a few boxes, personal belongings or selected furniture, Groupage, LCL or air freight may provide a practical alternative to paying for a full container.
For smaller moves, we can often prepare an initial quote from a detailed list of the belongings you’re planning to take, without requiring an in-home survey.
Tell us what you’re sending and where in Canada it’s going and we’ll look at the available options.
Request a Quick Quote
Canadian Customs – An Important Step When You Arrive
Canada has a particular customs process for people moving or returning with household belongings.
If your belongings are travelling separately from you, you’ll generally need to declare the belongings that will follow you when you first enter Canada. These are commonly referred to as your ‘goods to follow’.
The Canada Border Services Agency uses the BSF186 – Personal Effects Accounting Document as part of this process, together with a detailed list of the belongings you are importing.
It’s important to complete the applicable customs requirements when you enter Canada, even if your shipment hasn’t arrived yet, as you’ll need the relevant customs documentation when your belongings are later cleared.
We’ll provide you with customs information before your move and connect you with our Canadian destination partner before your shipment arrives, so you understand the documentation and clearance requirements that apply to your circumstances.
For current information, refer to the FIDI Canada Customs Guide and Canada Border Services Agency requirements.
View The Latest FIDI Canada Customs Guide
Timing Your Arrival and Your Shipment
Where possible, your household belongings should arrive in Canada after you’ve entered the country and completed the relevant customs declaration for your goods to follow.
This helps ensure the necessary documentation is available when your shipment is ready for customs clearance.
We’ll work with you and our Canadian destination partner to coordinate the shipping arrangements and provide an estimated timeframe based on the service selected.
International shipping schedules can change, so departure and arrival dates should always be treated as estimates.
Professional Packing for Your Canada Move
Our experienced international removalists can professionally pack and prepare your belongings for international transportation.
From furniture and everyday household belongings through to china, artwork and fragile pieces, we use packing materials and methods appropriate for the journey.
If you’re considering packing some belongings yourself, speak with us first. Owner-packed goods may be subject to different customs and insurance requirements, and you’ll need to provide a detailed inventory of the contents.
Learn More About Our International Packing Services
Can I Take a Used Mattress to Canada?
Canada has specific restrictions on importing used and second-hand mattresses.
However, exemptions can apply to certain people moving or returning to Canada with their household belongings, including qualifying settlers and former residents.
Because the rules depend on your individual circumstances, please check with us before including a used mattress in your shipment. We will provide the current customs information and direct you to the relevant FIDI and Canadian customs requirements.
Taking Your Car or Motorbike to Canada?
If you’re thinking about taking a vehicle from Australia to Canada, it’s very important to check whether the particular vehicle is eligible for permanent import before arranging shipment.
Canada has strict vehicle import requirements. In general, many vehicles manufactured and certified specifically for markets outside Canada, the United States and Mexico cannot simply be modified after arrival to meet Canadian standards.
Importantly, the make or model of the vehicle does not determine whether it can be imported. A vehicle sold for the Australian market may have different certification from an equivalent model sold in Canada.
Older Vehicles
Different rules apply to older vehicles.
Vehicles that are generally 15 years old or older, based on their date of manufacture, are exempt from certain Transport Canada import requirements, although Canadian customs, registration and other requirements still apply.
Other exemptions and special circumstances may also apply.
Before committing to ship your car or motorbike, we recommend checking the individual vehicle eligibility directly with Transport Canada.
Once you have established that the vehicle is suitable for import, our Moving Consultants can discuss the international shipping options available.
CHECK TRANSPORT CANADA VEHICLE IMPORT REQUIREMENTS
LEARN MORE ABOUT SHIPPING CARS, MOTORBIKES & LEISURE VEHICLES OVERSEAS
Our Moving Process
Request a Quote
Complete our Quick Quote form or call 1300 732 686 to speak directly with one of our Moving Consultants. For smaller moves, a detailed list of your belongings may be enough for us to prepare an initial quote.
In-Home or Virtual Survey
For larger moves, we can arrange an obligation-free in-home or virtual survey via FaceTime or WhatsApp to assess the volume of your belongings and discuss the available shipping options.
Professional Packing
Our experienced crew professionally packs and prepares your belongings for international transportation. At least one adult should remain available during packing in case our team has any questions.
Shipping:
We’ll arrange the agreed Groupage, LCL, FCL or air freight service and keep you informed as your shipment progresses. Once your shipment has departed, we’ll provide the relevant shipping details and contact information for the Canadian partner handling your shipment at destination.
Canadian Customs Clearance
Our Canadian moving partner will assist you with the destination customs process and the documentation required to clear your shipment. Because Canadian customs requirements can depend on whether you are a new settler, returning resident or entering under other circumstances, it is important to follow the information provided for your particular move.
Delivery to Your New Home:
Once customs and any other applicable clearance requirements have been completed, our destination partner will arrange delivery to your new home. If your new home isn’t ready, storage can also be discussed with the destination team.
Preparing for Your Move to Canada
We recommend contacting us as early as you can, but you don’t need to have every detail finalised before requesting a quote.
Even if you are still confirming your visa, moving date or Canadian address, we can begin discussing your shipment and the available shipping options.
Immigration and residency requirements will depend on your individual circumstances, so always refer to the relevant official Canadian Government authorities for current information.
For the household-moving side, we’ll help you understand what needs to happen with your belongings and connect you with our Canadian destination partner as your move progresses.
A Trusted International Network
As a FIDI FAIM accredited mover and one of only four OMNI members in Australia, Overseas Packers & Shippers works with trusted professional moving partners in Canada to coordinate your move through to your new home.
This gives you experienced international movers managing your belongings in Australia and a professional local team ready to assist at destination.
Ready to Start Your Move to Canada?
Whether you’re taking a few boxes, selected furniture or an entire household, tell us where you’re moving and what you’re planning to take.
Our Moving Consultants can explain the available shipping options and help you plan the next steps.
Moving to Canada – Frequently Asked Questions
What shipping options are available when moving to Canada?
We offer Groupage at selected times, LCL, Full Container Load (FCL) and air freight. For smaller shipments, Groupage can be economical if you have flexibility around timing, while LCL may provide an earlier departure. FCL is generally more suitable for larger household moves. Our Moving Consultants can compare the available options based on your shipment, destination, timeframe and budget.
What do I need to do with Canadian customs when I arrive?
If your household belongings are arriving separately from you, you’ll generally need to declare your goods to follow when you first enter Canada. The process commonly involves BSF186 – Personal Effects Accounting Document and a detailed list of the belongings that will arrive later. We’ll provide relevant customs information before your move and our Canadian destination partner will assist you with the requirements for your shipment.
How long does it take to ship belongings from Australia to Canada?
Shipping times vary depending on your shipping method, destination, vessel schedules, port conditions, customs clearance and final delivery location. Groupage may involve additional time while shipments are consolidated, while LCL and FCL can generally offer an earlier departure. We will provide an estimated timeframe based on the service available for your move and keep you informed as your shipment progresses.
Can I ship my car or motorbike from Australia to Canada?
Possibly, but vehicle eligibility should be checked before you arrange shipping. Canada has strict requirements for vehicles manufactured for foreign markets, and many Australian-market vehicles under 15 years old may not be eligible for permanent import unless they meet a specific exemption or requirement. Vehicles generally 15 years old or older are treated differently under Transport Canada rules. Check your particular vehicle with Transport Canada first, and once you have established that it can be imported, we can discuss the shipping options.
We take over the complicated process of moving…
Helping our clients pack, organise insurance, liaise with shipping officials on their behalf and unpack at the end of the move.
Learn more about our process
