Whole homes can be loaded direct at your current property in a sole-use container and shipped on the next departure to your new Canadian home. We offer the Self-Load optionas well as the EwePack Premium service. At the time of booking please ensure we have a copy of your passport for security clearance purposes.

Our EwePack Baggage shipping is available for smaller carton and bag-only shipments. These are loaded in the same shipping containers as the share A Load consignments, although we do also offer an Airfreight Express option.

Regular Ports of Arrival

• Vancouver – for West Coast destinations

• Toronto - for East Coast & Central destinations

NB. Victoria, Vernon, Calgary, Edmonton, Niagara, Kingston, London, Montreal, Ottawa, Windsor, Quebec are available destinations by part load via the above ports. Also Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnepeg are available direct ports for full loads. Please contact us for other destinations not mentioned.

Arrival Services - we can arrange customs and quarantine clearance, storage and delivery to your new home. In fact if you choose the part-load services, it’s usually cheaper to prepay in the UK as our agents give a cost benefit to you for the part-loads. Likewise for the sole-use containers, we can fix the clearance and delivery charges by pre-paying everything for your peace of mind.

Transit Times to Canada vary depending on the final destination, time of year and any delays en route. As a guideline you can allow the following approximate timescales for your overseas move, but if you call, we can usually give you a next scheduled departure date for all of the services available:

West Coast via Vancouver

• Sole-Use container – 4-5 weeks sailing, plus around 1-3 weeks from arrival total 5-8 weeks

• Lift-Van – 1-3 weeks loading, 4-5 weeks sailing, plus around 2-4 weeks from arrival total 7-12 weeks* can be quicker via some other ports

• Part-Load – 1-3 weeks loading, 4-5 weeks sailing, plus around 2-4 weeks from arrival total 7-12 weeks

• Baggage – 1-4 weeks loading, 4-5 weeks sailing, plus around 2-4 weeks from arrival total 7-13 weeks

East Coast via Toronto

• Sole-Use container – 3-4 weeks sailing, plus around 1-3 weeks from arrival total 4-7 weeks

• Lift-Van – 1-3 weeks loading, 3-4 weeks sailing, plus around 2-4 weeks from arrival total 6-11 weeks* can be quicker via some other ports

• Part-Load – 1-3 weeks loading, 3-4 weeks sailing, plus around 2-4 weeks from arrival total 6-11 weeks

• Baggage – 1-4 weeks loading, 3-4 weeks sailing, plus around 2-4 weeks from arrival total 6-12 weeks

Documentation – If you are a typical migrant with ‘normal household goods and effects’, all we need are the following documentation completed and returned to us at the time of collection or loading:

• Inventory / Packing List – detailed list of items packed in the container. Please see our guidance notes and use EwePack Packing Inventory for your declarations. Must be in English.

• Self-Load Declaration Form (Self Pack sole use loads only) - this should be sent to you along with our letter of confirmation. This is a EwePack Self-Declaration Form.

• Canadian Customs Declaration Form – to be completed in person at destination

• Full Copy of your passport, including all pages

Notes & Special Documents – these guidelines are not exhaustive and are intended for a quick reference only. You are solely responsible, as importer, to ensure everything you ship conforms to local laws and the necessary preparations and documentation is obtained.

Diplomats – you need to obtain completed Customs Form from Embassy/Consulate.

Inheritance - Copy of will/extract of relevant part of Will.

New Goods – (these will be subject to duties), supply purchase invoices/receipts.

Antiques – Lapada Certificate of Authenticity (for +100 year old items)

Solid Wood Packaging – such as braces for loading, platforms, pallets, wooden cases, etc. These are all required to conform to the ISPM15 and must be individually marked and documented. To find a UK supplier near you, go to: http://www.timcon.org/ - there is a postcode search and a lot of information about the ISPM15 scheme. Note that any unmarked wood entering the country will incurr you a lot of extra costs!

Motor Vehicles – DO NOT SHIP WITHOUT obtaining a Vehicle Import Approval in advance

Other Motorized Vehicles - Please consult with EwePack if you have any vehicle which you believe is outside the regulations for Vehicle Import Approval as Customs will want to be sure it is exempt before allowing entry. For boats we need a registration document.

Firearms, Foodstuff, Plants, Alcoholic Beverages, Drugs, Pets and certain items of feathers, furs, skins, tusks, etc. –these are either restricted or forbidden – DO NOT SHIP without consultation.

Before leaving for Canada

Before you arrive, you should prepare two copies of a list (preferably typewritten) of all the goods you intend to bring into Canada as settler’s effects, showing the value, make, model, and serial number (when applicable). Divide the list into two sections: the goods you are bringing with you (on the plane), and the goods to follow (freight).

You have to present this list to the border services officer on your first point of arrival in Canada, even if you are not bringing in any goods at that time.

At the border, the officer will prepare Form B4, Personal Effects Accounting Document, on your behalf, based on the list of goods you provided. The officer will assign your B4 form a file number and give you a receipt. You will need to present your receipt to claim duty- and tax-free entry of your “goods to follow” when they arrive later.

You can make the process easier by completing a B4 form in advance and presenting it to the officer when you arrive (go to download section in Customer Zone). You can visit The Border Service Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca/formspubs