Moving into a new country is challenging yet exciting, but knowing the laws around shipping personal belongings from the US to Canada makes it easier. Some immigrants move with their items while others transport them later.
Before moving, fill out a BSF186- Personal Effects Accounting Document to get a duty-free importation of the goods you are carrying. You will also need to submit a self-declaration form before you land. Research the items you can ship into Canada, those restricted, and those you cannot bring into the country.
Canadian immigrants should also know everything about bringing money into the country. You can carry any amount, but you must declare it if it exceeds $10,000.
This article mentions the laws around the transportation of jewelry, health products, pets, and vehicles from the US to Canada.
Let us get started.
Don't Waste Money With Banks.
Get Exchange Rates Up to 2% Better With KnightsbridgeFX
If you carry your household items from the US to Canada, you will get them into the country duty-free. However, the items must be yours and used before coming into the country.
The two forms you will fill to have an easier time at the border are; BSF186- Personal Effects Accounting Document, also called Form B4, and BSF186A- Personal Effects Accounting Document.
You will list the items you bring to Canada in Form B4. However, if you want the items to arrive later, you should list them in the form B4A. You can also complete these forms at the airport on arrival, but ensure you have all the required documents.
When completing the forms, ensure you indicate the value of the items, the make, and the model. You should also display the serial numbers of the items. Only the goods listed on Form B4A will qualify for duty and tax-free import.
If you carry any new items from the US to Canada, you must pay duty on the items. You should also submit a self-declaration upon landing at the port of entry. Immigrants who enter Canada by commercial aircraft fill out the declaration card from Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Giving false information about your goods or failing to self-declare them can lead to a permanent loss of the goods. Alternatively, you could incur penalties ranging between 25 and 80 percent of the value of your items to get them back.
Once you get to Canada, give the officer at the airport your completed BSF186 and BSF186A forms. They will check the items and complete the remaining fields. The officer then stamps the document and assigns a file number.
If you have items arriving before or after you, you can transport them using sea or air. The means of transport you select depends on the urgency, the number of items, and your budget.
Most people prefer shipping by sea because you can transport bulky goods. However, there is a limited weight for items transported through air, and they are also picky with the type of goods to transport.
Sea freight is also cheaper, but it takes longer to arrive from the US to Canada. Besides, once your items arrive, you must pick them up from the designated port. On the other side, air transport is expensive, but the items take a shorter time to arrive. You can also get them from the nearest airport.
Although you can bring some things with you on your travel day or transport them before or after moving into Canada, there are regulations on what can come in and the items you cannot transport.
You can carry any amount of cash into Canada from the US. However, if your money exceeds CAD 10,000, you must declare it before traveling to Canada. You can use a Declaration card or declare it at the declaration kiosk at the airport.
You should not include the money in form BSF186 or ship it with other items. Failure to declare currency can lead to penalties and fines. You might also lose the whole amount if suspected of a crime.
The officers at the customs interview will ask you about your expensive jewelry and ornaments. Ensure you give accurate information and a fine description of each item. Also, include these items in your list of goods before you enter Canada.
For quick clearing with the customs once you get to Canada, use the exact description on your insurance policy or the details you used on the list of your items. You can also include clear photos of the jewelry and get all the relevant receipts for the items.
The US might have different regulations on their health products from Canada’s. Therefore, you should check Health Canada’s Guidance Document to know the laws on transporting medicine into the country.
Some difference in the regulations is the laws around medicine prescription. For example, some medicines without a prescription from the US might require a prescription in Canada. You should also know the quantities of health products you can bring into the country.
If you are carrying your cat or dog into Canada, ensure you submit all the documents to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency CFIA. You should also get the necessary treatment according to the agency and incur all the costs.
Check the import rules for traveling with pets to be safe. You should also research the guidelines specified by the government on specific animals like birds, reptiles, and exotic species.
If you bring your car from the US to Canada for personal use, you are exempted from duty tax. However, your vehicle must meet the Canadian safety and pollution control standards to pass through the border.
Check if the vehicle is on the list of cards admissible from the US. You should also mention at the border that your car is leaving the US permanently and get the documentation required.
Although you can easily ship personal belongings to the USA from Canada, some are restricted and cannot pass the border. Similar laws apply when coming to Canada.
You cannot bring firearms into Canada without declaring. Therefore, ensure you declare the weapons at the CBSA port of entry, failure of which could cause a seizure of your goods. You could also face prosecutions and fines for the same.
You should ensure that there are no items made from parts of the endangered species, animals, and plants in your goods. These include clothes and bags made from certain animal skins or traditional medicine from certain trees.
Some countries have unique antiques that are believed to have historical significance. However, you should find out if these items are allowed into Canada before transporting them.
You cannot bring hate propaganda into Canada. Also, products like baby walkers and infant self-feeding devices are prohibited. Confirm with the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act the items you can safely bring into the country.
Knowing all the laws around shipping personal belongings from the US to Canada protects you from the penalties and court cases. Besides, you are more peaceful because your items will get to Canada safely. The good news is that this guide has covered everything you need to know about shipping personal belongings from the US to Canada.
We are built to beat bank exchange rates and save you money
KnightsbridgeFx is registered with FINTRAC, under the MSB registration number M09819788. Like most financial institutions, we are required to validate the identity of all clients. We have strict measures in place to protect your privacy.
Our Offices
Main office (Appointment only)
First Canadian Place
100 King Street West
Suite 5700 Toronto, ON,
M5X 1C7
(416) 479-0834
Toll-Free: 1-877-355-5239
Fax: 1-877-355-5239
All rights reserved. Knightsbridge Foreign Exchange
Currency Exchange Canada.
