Moving Abroad

Making moving overseas run like Clockwork

Together with our impressive network of international removal partners and agents, Clockwork Removals can operate in any location, offering a door-to-door moving service worldwide.

Moving Abroad

Moving to Canada

With it’s close ties to the UK and high standard of living, Canada is one of the most popular locations that Brits choose when they are relocating abroad. The thriving city of Toronto is a major financial centre and the cities of Victoria and Vancouver in British Columbia, rich with history and their commonwealth connections, are popular with those choosing a new life abroad.

As with all foreign countries, Canada is no exception to the rigorous rules and regulations of immigration so why not let Clockwork’s International Removals team help you with every step of your move – from planning and packing to shipping, delivery and storage at the other end.

Understanding Canadian Customs
Our International move managers are experts on Canadian customs formalities, importation restrictions, required documentation and duty tax. So, when it comes to what household items you can and can’t take with you to your new home in Canada, our guide covers all the essential details.

Importing Personal Effects and Household Items
When you move to Canada, you may bring your personal and household goods with you if you have owned and used them for at least 12 months without paying any duty and tax. All new items or single items with a value over $10,000 will be subject to duty calculated on their value. Proof of purchases will be required. Certain items are excluded from this category and are subject to other requirements. These include:

• Business and commercial goods such as office equipment, vehicles for commercial purposes etc
• Goods for the accommodation of others, for sale or for hire
• Livestock
• Houses, dwellings, trailers that require a permit to be moved
• Company owned and leased vehicles
• Goods purchased and shipped directly to Canada without ownership

Packing Your Items
If you choose to pack yourself, you must make a packing list clearly labelling the contents of each box. Otherwise Clockwork can take care of this for you. This packing list must be presented on arrival at the airport. When you are ready to claim your possessions, you must personally attend a meeting with local customs where you will have to present your passport and complete customs forms in order to claim duty free entry.

All personal effects entering Canada may be subject to an examination by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CIFA). Any items that may have come into contact with vegetation or soil such as golf clubs, patio furniture and vacuum cleaner bags will be inspected. All items should be cleaned before packing otherwise there may be costs incurred should they need cleaning upon inspection.

Required documentation for household goods only:

• Original Passport
• Inventory or packing list
• B4E declaration form (supplied at airport upon arrival)

Motor Vehicles
Prior to importing a vehicle into Canada, you need to check if the vehicle can be imported. Canada only permits the importation of vehicles manufactured for sale in Canada and the United States, and does not permit the alteration of vehicles to comply with this. The only exceptions are vehicles 15 years old or older and buses manufactured before January 1st 1971. Used or second-hand vehicles other than current-year manufacture are generally prohibited from importation. There are some exceptions, information for which can be found on the Tranport Canada website.

Required Documentation:

• Australian customs form (B357) for motor cars

Prohibited Goods
There are strict regulations on the importation of food, alcohol and firearms into Canada. If you wish to import alcohol then you must obtain a license from the Provincial Liquor Control Board prior to entry. The importation of firearms is strictly prohibited unless a license is obtained from the Canadian Authorities prior to shipping.

For further information on moving to Canada see:

www.canada.gc.ca
www.tc.gc.ca
www.inspection.gc.ca
www.cic.gc.ca

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    An excellent and highly professional operation. I was particularly impressed by speed of response to queries and the willingness to modify the schedule and services to changed circumstances.Michael Conlon

    Very friendly, efficient and adaptable team and good admin support as well. Overall very impressed and thanks for your help.Sarah Gromova / London

    " I've used Clockwork 4-5 times for shipments to Cyprus. All is basically taken care of as soon as the first phone call is made. All staff from office to packers are extremely helpful polite and efficient..''Tom Smith / Lincoln

    The Service was of an Excellent Standard from start to finish. Thank you.Madeleine Price / Cannock