Moving overseas from Canada goes most smoothly when you start planning three to four months ahead, decide early what is worth shipping, choose between a shared (LCL) or private (FCL) container, and learn your destination’s customs rules before anything is packed. This guide walks through each step in order, from the first phone call to collecting your belongings on the other side.

A planning timeline for moving overseas from Canada

Timing is the biggest factor when moving overseas from Canada. As soon as you know you are going, start talking to shipping companies. You need time to confirm documents, book space, arrange packing and, if you want your goods to land around the same time you do, work backwards from your own departure date.

• 3 to 4 months out: contact a shipper, get a rough volume estimate and a quote, and research your destination’s import rules for household goods.
• 2 to 3 months out: decide what to ship, sell, store or give away. Book your shipping method and confirm the documents you will need.
• 4 to 6 weeks out: start packing non-essentials, build your inventory list, photograph valuable items and arrange insurance.
• Final 2 weeks: pack the rest, drop off or have your goods picked up, and keep copies of every document with you when you travel.

The Government of Canada also publishes a helpful guide to living outside Canada that covers health coverage, passports and other non-shipping tasks worth adding to your list.

What to ship and what to sell

You can ship almost anything from your home: furniture, artwork, bedding, clothing, kitchenware and even the car in your garage. When moving overseas from Canada, the real question is whether each item is worth the cost of shipping it. A few rules of thumb:

• Ship things that are expensive or hard to replace, have sentimental value, or are good quality and will fit your new home.
• Sell or donate bulky, low-value furniture and anything that is cheap to buy again at your destination.
• Check electrical items. Many countries use a different voltage and plug type, so some Canadian appliances will not work without converters.
• Think about vehicles separately. Shipping a car involves proof of ownership, transfer documents if ownership is changing, and preparation such as a nearly empty fuel tank. You will also need a plan for storing it until you can collect it. See our vehicle shipping page for details.

Items you cannot ship

Leave out anything that could leak, spoil or damage the rest of your shipment. In general, do not pack:

• Hazardous materials such as paint, matches, aerosol cans, gas canisters and other flammables
• Corrosives and explosives
• Firearms and ammunition
• Perishable food and plants of any kind
• Soil, rocks, bricks, cement and untreated wood

Some items that are legal in Canada are restricted or banned elsewhere, so check your destination’s rules too. If you are unsure whether something counts as dangerous goods, ask your shipper before you pack it; dangerous goods follow a separate process with their own paperwork.

Air or ocean: choosing how your goods travel

If you need a few boxes to arrive by the time you do, air freight is the fastest choice, but it is priced by weight and quickly becomes expensive. For most households, ocean freight is the better value. It is slower, so plan around the longer transit time, but it is far cheaper for larger volumes. Many people send a small air shipment of essentials and put everything else on the ocean.

LCL vs FCL: shared or private container

Ocean shipments go one of two ways:

• LCL (less than container load): your goods share a container with other shipments and you pay for the space you use, usually by the cubic metre. It suits apartments, smaller moves and anyone shipping only part of their home. Goods are usually crated or palletized so they are protected from other cargo. Learn more about LCL shipping.
• FCL (full container load): you have a 20-foot or 40-foot container to yourself. It is usually more cost-effective once you have a full house of furniture, and your goods are not handled alongside anyone else’s. See FCL shipping.

Packing for an overseas move

Whatever the method, your goods will have a bumpy ride. Containers move with the waves at sea, trucks bounce over rough roads, and air cargo goes through turbulence and repeated handling. Pack with that in mind:

• Use sturdy boxes and fill them completely so contents cannot shift.
• Wrap fragile items individually and pack them with extra cushioning.
• Group items by type and size, and label every box with its contents and the room it belongs in.
• Number each box and match it to a written inventory; customs and insurers will both ask for one.
• Give accurate weights and dimensions to your shipper; they affect both your price and how the load is planned.

Our personal effects shipping page explains how household goods are received, crated and loaded.

Customs at your destination

Every country has its own rules for importing household goods. Many countries let new residents bring used personal belongings in with reduced or no duty, but usually only if conditions are met, such as having owned the items for a set period or having the goods arrive within a certain time of your own arrival. Expect to need some combination of:

• Your passport and visa, work permit or proof of residency
• A detailed, numbered inventory, often with values
• The bill of lading or air waybill for the shipment
• Ownership and registration documents for any vehicle

Also plan for charges at the arrival port, such as terminal handling and storage. Storage fees are often cheaper at the departure end than at the destination, so collecting your goods promptly, or holding them in Canada until you are ready, can save money.

Insurance for your belongings

After all the effort of moving overseas from Canada, make sure your goods are properly covered against loss or damage in transit. To set the right amount of coverage:

• Value items at what it would cost to replace them, not what you paid years ago. Replacement prices are easy to look up online.
• Describe each item thoroughly in your inventory.
• Take plenty of photos before packing, so any claim is easier to support.

Do not undervalue the things that will make your new house a home. Ask your shipper what coverage options are available for your route before your goods leave.

Frequently asked questions

How far ahead should I book when moving overseas from Canada?

Aim for three to four months before your departure date. That leaves time to sort documents, choose what to ship and line up arrival with your own travel.

Is it cheaper to ship my furniture or buy new?

It depends on the item. Good-quality, valuable or sentimental pieces are usually worth shipping; bulky, inexpensive furniture is often cheaper to replace at your destination.

Should I choose LCL or FCL?

LCL suits smaller moves because you pay only for the space you use. FCL usually makes more sense for a full home and keeps your goods in their own sealed container.

Will I pay duty on my household goods?

Many countries offer relief for used household goods belonging to new residents, but the rules vary. Check your destination’s customs requirements early, before you pack.

World Cargo has been helping people in Vancouver and across Canada move overseas since 2008, with a team that has more than 35 years of combined experience. Tell us where you are going and roughly what you plan to take, and we will put together a plan for your move. Learn about our international moving service or request a quote to get started.