International Removals to Canada from the UK

It depends mainly on your shipping method: a shared container typically runs approx. £1,400–£2,800, a sole-use 20ft container (standard for a 2-3 bedroom household) approx. £4,000–£5,700, and a sole-use 40ft container for larger households approx. £5,500–£9,000 or more. Your move manager will give you an exact figure once your inventory is confirmed.

Sea freight typically takes 4-5 weeks port to port, plus time for packing at origin and customs clearance and final delivery at the Canadian end. Shared containers can take longer to depart since they wait to fill.

Personal effects you’ve owned and used are generally exempt from Canadian import duty when declared correctly on a CBSA personal effects accounting document, though this can vary by item and how long you’ve owned it. Your move manager can talk you through the current documentation requirements.

Yes. Furniture is one of the most common things UK movers bring to Canada. Used household furniture ships as personal effects under Transfer of Residence and is duty-free when properly declared on the CBSA B4 form. New furniture still in original packaging may attract duty and GST – flag anything recently purchased to your move manager.

There are no blanket restrictions on furniture types, but outdoor furniture, wooden items, and natural-material pieces (wicker, rattan, untreated wood) can attract CBSA and CFIA scrutiny if they show soil or plant matter. Clean everything thoroughly before packing. Your move manager will flag any items that need special attention during the pre-move survey.

Furniture adds volume and weight, which affects which container option makes sense. A shared container (for smaller moves) currently runs approx. £1,400–£2,800; a sole-use 20ft container approx. £4,000–£5,700; a 40ft approx. £5,500–£9,000+. A pre-move survey gives you an accurate figure based on your actual inventory.

Before your move, you’ll typically need valid passports, visas or residency permits, and a detailed inventory of your household goods. Depending on your situation, additional documents such as proof of residency, employment letters, or customs forms may be required. We’ll advise you in advance on the specific paperwork needed for your shipment to help avoid delays at customs.

You can find out more in our moving to Canada guide about all customs and immigration documents you’ll need. If you have any questions, please ask.

Yes, as this is a crucial part of your international move, you won’t have to do this alone, with our expert team on hand to help. We’ll make the customs process simple to understand and help ensure everything you need is filled out properly and on time before moving to Canada.

Most shipments clear CBSA within the estimated window, but delays do happen – a missing document, a random inspection, a backlog at the port. If that happens, your move manager is your point of contact, not a call centre queue: they already know your shipment and your move, and they’ll tell you what’s happening and what happens next. Our in-country partner handles the practical resolution directly with CBSA.

You’ll have a dedicated move manager as your primary contact throughout, from your first survey to final delivery. Specialists join at specific stages – the packing crew on collection day, an in-country partner for customs and delivery in Canada – but your move manager stays the consistent thread who knows your move.

Your household goods are packed to export standards and listed on a detailed inventory, which is your first line of protection. For added peace of mind, we recommend MoveProtect, our move liability cover, on every move – if something is damaged in transit, you have a clear, named process for making a claim rather than an argument about whose fault it was. Ask your move manager about MoveProtect at your survey.