Moving from USA with belongings and furniture

[Prax]

Hi Experts,
I seek your help.
I completed my landing in March 2017. I stayed there in Canada for a week and came back to USA where I have been working for the last 1 year. My plan was to complete my project work in USA and move permanently to Canada This way, I don't have to search for a job as my employer has agreed to transfer me to their Canada branch. I got my PR cards and they are with my relatives in Toronto.

Now, its time for me to move in Aug to Canada from TX. As part of this move, I planning to take my car, TV and other small kitchen appliances. I want to sell other furniture like cots, mattresses, sofa sets etc. However, my car is 6 months old and TV is just one month old. Do you see any problem with this? I have no issues with the moving charges, since my current employer who is transferring me to Canada from USA will reimburse those expense.
With all this, can someone with similar experience guide me on the process? Whether to ship them directly to Toronto, or ship them first to Buffalo (I have a friend there) and then drive from there. pros and cons of shipping the vehicle vs selling it here. (since it is only 6months old, I will loose lot of money in selling it here).
Also, I want to understand if its a problem to ship the TV which is only 1 month old.

Kindly help with all your inputs along with dos and don'ts.
I have done some research, but most of the older posts are conflicting or too old.

Thanks a lot.

Prax

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hi Experts,
I seek your help.
I completed my landing in March 2017. I stayed there in Canada for a week and came back to USA where I have been working for the last 1 year. My plan was to complete my project work in USA and move permanently to Canada This way, I don't have to search for a job as my employer has agreed to transfer me to their Canada branch. I got my PR cards and they are with my relatives in Toronto.

Now, its time for me to move in Aug to Canada from TX. As part of this move, I planning to take my car, TV and other small kitchen appliances. I want to sell other furniture like cots, mattresses, sofa sets etc. However, my car is 6 months old and TV is just one month old. Do you see any problem with this? I have no issues with the moving charges, since my current employer who is transferring me to Canada from USA will reimburse those expense.
With all this, can someone with similar experience guide me on the process? Whether to ship them directly to Toronto, or ship them first to Buffalo (I have a friend there) and then drive from there. pros and cons of shipping the vehicle vs selling it here. (since it is only 6months old, I will loose lot of money in selling it here).
Also, I want to understand if its a problem to ship the TV which is only 1 month old.

Kindly help with all your inputs along with dos and don'ts.
I have done some research, but most of the older posts are conflicting or too old.

Thanks a lot.

Prax

1. You realize that you have to export the car from the US and then import it to Canada?
2. If you owe money on the car, then it will almost impossible to export if from the US, as the lender won't be able to seize it in Canada.
See:https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/export-docs/motor-vehicle for export and for import https://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx
3. The TV is no problem

 

[Prax]

Hi




1. You realize that you have to export the car from the US and then import it to Canada?
2. If you owe money on the car, then it will almost impossible to export if from the US, as the lender won't be able to seize it in Canada.
See:https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/export-docs/motor-vehicle for export and for import https://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx
3. The TV is no problem

Thanks a lot. This is really useful.

 

[chikoo1985]

Please keep us updated here. I want to move my car there too. To get the title I need to pay off loan which I won't be able to do it and also I think not recommended. Let me know how did you make it happen once you are done.

Thanks,
Chikoo.

 

[Prax]

Please keep us updated here. I want to move my car there too. To get the title I need to pay off loan which I won't be able to do it and also I think not recommended. Let me know how did you make it happen once you are done.

Thanks,
Chikoo.

Well, here is my plan...
1. I will sell the car if I get a reasonable price.

2. If I don't get a reasonable price, I will take it with me to Canada. (taking little bit of calculated risk)
- Will ship the vehicle to Buffalo, where I have a friend living
- list this car under "items to follow" at the time of border crossing
- Once in Canada, talk to different local banks and see if they can grant me a loan.
- If I get a loan, I will pay off the US loan with that money and start the export/import process from Buffalo to Toronto.
- If I don't get a loan, I have some savings with me. I will clear the loan with those funds and get the vehicle into Canada. (but I will run out of all my savings).

I am not sure how this will work. But this is what I am thinking at this point of time. I will definitely update you all with what happened. But I am still 2 months away from moving.

 

[vpkasbek]

Hi Experts,
I seek your help.
I completed my landing in March 2017. I stayed there in Canada for a week and came back to USA where I have been working for the last 1 year. My plan was to complete my project work in USA and move permanently to Canada This way, I don't have to search for a job as my employer has agreed to transfer me to their Canada branch. I got my PR cards and they are with my relatives in Toronto.

Now, its time for me to move in Aug to Canada from TX. As part of this move, I planning to take my car, TV and other small kitchen appliances. I want to sell other furniture like cots, mattresses, sofa sets etc. However, my car is 6 months old and TV is just one month old. Do you see any problem with this? I have no issues with the moving charges, since my current employer who is transferring me to Canada from USA will reimburse those expense.
With all this, can someone with similar experience guide me on the process? Whether to ship them directly to Toronto, or ship them first to Buffalo (I have a friend there) and then drive from there. pros and cons of shipping the vehicle vs selling it here. (since it is only 6months old, I will loose lot of money in selling it here).
Also, I want to understand if its a problem to ship the TV which is only 1 month old.

Kindly help with all your inputs along with dos and don'ts.
I have done some research, but most of the older posts are conflicting or too old.

Thanks a lot.

Prax

Hi Prax,

I would be in similar circumstance sometime later this year as I will be moving from USA as well. What address did you provide for your PR cards? Did they show reservations with processing PR cards during landing procedure considering you planned on short stay?

 

[Prax]

Hi Prax,

I would be in similar circumstance sometime later this year as I will be moving from USA as well. What address did you provide for your PR cards? Did they show reservations with processing PR cards during landing procedure considering you planned on short stay?

I provided my friend's address. And I told the immigration officers the same.
However, (though I am not sure if it is correct or not) I suggest you to make sure you are okay with your friend to call CIC on your behalf incase there is any delay in issuing your cards, or postal misplaces etc. You need to share all your data with your friend and she/he should be willing to spare some time on this. All this because you cannot communicate with CIC from US.

In my case, they delayed my wife's PR card for a couple of weeks, but fortunately it came after 2 weeks without any follow up.

I think the immigration officers are pretty much aware of these temporary landings that people like us do. Mover over, I didn't try to hide anything, I explained my situation and my plan. so all went very well. So I don't think you really have to worry.

 

[vpkasbek]

I provided my friend's address. And I told the immigration officers the same.
However, (though I am not sure if it is correct or not) I suggest you to make sure you are okay with your friend to call CIC on your behalf incase there is any delay in issuing your cards, or postal misplaces etc. You need to share all your data with your friend and she/he should be willing to spare some time on this. All this because you cannot communicate with CIC from US.

In my case, they delayed my wife's PR card for a couple of weeks, but fortunately it came after 2 weeks without any follow up.

I think the immigration officers are pretty much aware of these temporary landings that people like us do. Mover over, I didn't try to hide anything, I explained my situation and my plan. so all went very well. So I don't think you really have to worry.

I am grateful that you took time to elaborately explain the situation and provide feedback on how to go aboout it. I have my brother in law living in Ottawa and they have been helping all along for any needs Canada related although I wasnt sure if that works. Honesty is the best policy as the phrase goes, I will be upfront like you said. Thanks once again and wish you a happy and healthy life in your new home.

 

[rnimk]

Hello Everyone, this thread is really useful,

I plan to do the temporary landing next week and then come back with car and some small appliances as well in December. Can anyone provide a link for the import export of the car?

Also during landing do we download the form online and fill it up beforehand?

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hello Everyone, this thread is really useful,

I plan to do the temporary landing next week and then come back with car and some small appliances as well in December. Can anyone provide a link for the import export of the car?

Also during landing do we download the form online and fill it up beforehand?

1. Export: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/export-docs/motor-vehicle
2. Import: Riv.ca
3. No, you include the car on your goods to follow, as to export the documents must be sent to US Customs 72 hours before export.

 

[shallowpurple]

We moved recently from California - thought importing is doable but we didn't want the hassle (not worth the time)

With CAD$ cheap, it is better to buy car in Canda itself - we bought a 2013 car for the very reasonable price. Think this way - in 2013/2014, CAD$ and US$ were at par --so a car would cost let's say 30K ($ or CAD$) then. With depreciation etc, the same car would now sell for $15K in US and CAD$15K in Canada. Now with weaker CAD$, it translates to US$11.25. So, so long as you can sell your car at 25% off, you are better off selling your car in US, bringing stronger currency to Canada and buy same car here.

If you are planning to buy a brand new car, then that's a different story.

 

[Prax]

We moved recently from California - thought importing is doable but we didn't want the hassle (not worth the time)

With CAD$ cheap, it is better to buy car in Canda itself - ...

True.

Now what is the best way to ship the belongings? In my case, I would be moving only some kitchenware and some kitchen appliances (toaster, juicer, grinder etc). They should all fit in 2 medium size carton boxes (of course +TV). Anybody has a recommendation on how to ship those? I considered pods and a few other options, but they seem to be better options only when moving lot of furniture and belongings.

Please suggest.

 

[asinght]

True.

Now what is the best way to ship the belongings? In my case, I would be moving only some kitchenware and some kitchen appliances (toaster, juicer, grinder etc). They should all fit in 2 medium size carton boxes (of course +TV). Anybody has a recommendation on how to ship those? I considered pods and a few other options, but they seem to be better options only when moving lot of furniture and belongings.

Please suggest.

Calculate the cost of items against the shipping. 9 times out of 10, unless you are driving the items in a uhaul yourself, it will be cheaper/comparable to sell the stuff and buy new here in Canada.

Otherwise, for shipping you can check with USPS for prices.