Canada to US Moving Services | Three Movers
Published by Chris Townsend
Are you moving from Canada to the US? Congratulations! Whether you’re hauling for your job, returning home after living in Canada for quite some time, starting a new life, or just looking to achieve your version of the American dream, there is much to consider. For starters, ensuring that you, your family, and your possessions make it safely across the border and to your new home in the U.S. is likely at the top of your list of priorities.
Fortunately, that’s our number one priority, too. We specialize in long-distance, interstate, and cross-border relocations at Three Movers. Not only do we have the expertise, knowledge, resources, employees, and track record to ensure that your shifting goes as smoothly as possible, but we are also here to serve as your very own moving cost calculator. While hiring professional international relocators helps alleviate the stress of transferring from Canada to the US, it also often comes with financial worries.
Well, the professionals are here to help you with those. International shifting is an area of specialization for us. We understand the intricacies, and we’ll help shed some light on the estimated price of shipping your goods to the US, the factors that influence hauling costs, and what you can do to keep these expenses as low as possible. In short, we'll help sort out your needs regarding Canada moving to the USA.
Moving from Canada to the USA
Moving to the US from Canada is easy when you choose us as your cross-border movers. Whether you’re shifting from Toronto to Tennessee, Alberta to Arizona, or Ontario to Oregon, we’ll safely transport your belongings across the border to your new home in the United States.
A successful relocation starts with professional consultants. When you work with our team, you will be assigned a dedicated move coordinator who specializes in the Canada-to-US process and will guide you through every step. As your single point of contact, your coordinator will lock in dates and ensure all the necessary services and resources are in place on your behalf.
Customs Clearance
Additionally, the team at Three Movers is an expert in immigration logistics and customs clearance. They will help you navigate this often overwhelming customs process and handle your paperwork and documentation requirements. If your household goods have been in your possession and used by no one other than you for at least a year, they can pass through into the U.S. duty-free. However, if you neglect to declare new items or undervalue something at any point, the United States Customs Department can confiscate them, assess duties, and charge a penalty. These are issues you should avoid.
So, if you plan on making any expensive purchases before you relocate to the United States, it’s strongly advised that you compare the cost for the item in the U.S. first. Since antiques must be 100 years or older to be eligible for duty-free entry, waiting to buy the item(s) when you arrive in the United States may be better. Customs will also ask you for proof, so make sure you have an original receipt document or appraisal of the item's value.
While U.S. Customs doesn’t typically assess duty on used personal items, some exemptions exist. Things like vehicles, photographic equipment, and consumable goods may be dutiable. For more information, you can reach out to your nearest U.S. Consulate or consult with your personal move coordinator. While the customs clearance process may seem complicated and intimidating, that’s what we’re here for!
How Much Does It Cost to Move from Canada to the US?
Moving from Canada to the US is, on average, between $4,500 and $7,000. However, since each move is unique and there really is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, your relocation may cost more or less than this range. In fact, several factors influence international fees and will go into calculating the final price for moving to the US from Canada.
With that said, the following are some of the significant factors that impact the price of relocating from Canada to the United States:
- The international relocating agency you choose.
- The distance from your current home in Canada to your new home in the US.
- The weight and volume of your household goods.
While these are the primary considerations when calculating the expense of your motion, others can influence the price.
Additional Moving Cost Factors
While the distance of your move, the size of your home (weight of your goods), and the moving company you choose are the key factors that go into international hauling prices calculations; additional factors may impact final costs. These include, but are not limited to:
Packing & Unpacking Services
Generally speaking, the more services you opt for, the higher your cost of moving will be. If you choose a full-service move, you will receive packing services and boxes in addition to the loading, unloading, and transport. For packing, unpacking, and crating assistance, you can expect to pay a minimum of $500 more hourly. While this is a considerable expense, this add-on is great for those who don’t have the time to pack or want to have their entire relocation handled.
Of course, the fee of packing/ unpacking benefits will differ depending on the size of your home and the specific items you need to be packed.
Time of Year
Believe it or not, the date that you move can impact costs. Summer tends to be the peak season for the moving industry, meaning the demand for haulers is high, and rates are at their highest. Relocators have to raise their prices to compensate for the market, and, in some cases, rates can double. It's a matter of demand and supply. Expenses are also higher around holidays because of a similar increase in demand.
Pickup & Dropoff Locations
If you aren’t upfront and transparent with your movers, the conditions at your pickup and drop-off locations may result in additional charges. For example, you may be charged extra fees if there are access-related challenges. Some of these challenges may include your haulers going up or down stairs, transporting your goods a long distance to get to the truck, or potentially using a window for oversized items.
For this reason, it’s always ideal to have your moving company come to both the pickup and drop-off locations before the transferring day—if possible. If it’s not, ensure you are as straightforward as possible about the details and potential difficulties related to these two locations.
Insurance Coverage
Licensed, reputable movers must offer basic liability coverage or bonds. In most cases, this is about 60 cents per pound per item. If you want more coverage for your prized possessions, you will have to pay more.
Transportation Method
Your two main transportation options when moving to us from Canada are sea freight and air freight. Shipping via sea is cheaper but takes longer. However, shipping via air is fast, costing over seven times as much as sea freight. Regardless of your chosen method, trucks will likely still have to be employed to perform your relocation's first and last leg.
Relevant Statistics
- Around 80% of Canadians who move to the United States prefer hiring professional movers for a seamless relocation.
- The average cost of moving from Canada to the US, including transportation and packing services, is approximately $4,500.
- Over 30,000 Canadians relocate to the United States annually for various reasons, such as employment opportunities and lifestyle changes.
- Approximately 60% of Canadians who carry to the US choose destinations like New York, California, and Florida.
- International shifters provide customs clearance assistance for more than 90% of Canadian households locomoting across the US border.
General Facts
- Moving companies offer professional benefits to help individuals and businesses relocate their belongings from Canada to the United States.
- Movers handle all aspects of the action, including packing, loading, transportation, and unloading of goods.
- The hauling process from Canada to the US involves customs regulations and documentation that must be properly completed and complied with.
- Expenses vary depending on distance, volume of belongings, and additional services requested.
- Hiring licensed and insured movers ensures a smooth and secure relocation experience.
Canadian families and residents moving to the U.S.A.
How to Cut Carrying Costs
As you examine the moving cost calculations for your relocation from Canada to the US, you’ll likely want to shave off as much as possible. That said, here are some ways to keep costs at a minimum.
- Be flexible with your shifting date and carefully consider your move's timing. Avoid holidays; opt for a carrier date in the winter, on a weekday, and in the middle of the month. This is when you’ll generally find the best deals.
- Do the packing yourself. Do all the packing and disconnecting/ disassembling of more oversized items before your movers show up. The disconnecting/ disassembling will help speed up your shifting, thus lowering hourly prices.
- Only move the necessities. Go through your belongings and purge anything you do not need to take with you. You can donate, discard, or sell the excess. Not only does having less stuff to move to mean your shifting will be cheaper overall, but selling some of your belongings can put extra moving cash in your pocket.
- Ask about discounts. In addition to strategically planning your date, you may be eligible for discounts your removalists offer, especially when you contact them in advance. Many haulers offer discounts to military members, seniors, returning customers, or first-time customers. So, it doesn’t hurt to ask!
- Choose sea freight shipping. Again, sea freight is considerably more affordable than air freight in terms of international transportation.
Sea freight is the most cost-effective of the two transportation methods, so some consider booking directly with an international shipping company. However, this can present challenges as these companies are usually not equipped to handle residential relocations.
For this reason, you’ll want to hire a professional specializing in performing all residential and commercial moves for your relocating from Canada to the US. So, if you landed here searching for a “moving from Canada to the US,” you’ve come to the right place.
Call us today to receive your free, no-obligation estimate so you can budget accordingly for your upcoming move!
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