Movers and consumers often need the services of an international mover to enable a move between Canada and a location outside of North America.
CAM’s Certified Overseas Movers (where logos appear) can help with your international move. You can browse our list of recommended international movers or search for one in CAM’s member directory.
CAM also offers a resource library on international moving – such as links to various international associations, customs requirements, etc.
If you are moving to an overseas country, we highly recommend that you refer to IAM's Country Guides. IAM’s Country Guides provide customs information for more than 170 countries and territories around the world. Detailing the documents needed for duty-free import and the specific policies of a country/territory, these comprehensive guides help ensure that customs processes go as smoothly as possible for both the mover and the moving customer.
International Shipping Delays
Attention consumers! International forwarders/moving companies can experience significant delays and container shortages. While your forwarder will try to obtain a confirmed container reservation, oftentimes containers are unavailable and reserved vessels are delayed or do not sail at all. Furthermore, ports are often subject to labour interruptions and lengthy strikes resulting in operational constraints. These situations can cause unexpected and unavoidable delays and expenses which are above and beyond your moving agreement. Unfortunately, charges resulting from such delays or additional fees inflicted by the ocean carriers, with little or no notice and through no fault of your forwarder, may be added to your invoice.
International Movers’ Resource Library
CAM members are invited to use and contribute to its new international movers resource library.
- CAM’s international code of ethics
- CAM’s international operating standards (pdf for CAM members)
- CAM’s international moving terms
Document
- Cross-border moving
Training
Overseas Training Manual for Administrative Staff (pdf, members only)
Global
- To prevent the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly, truck permits and training are required if you travel in PA or NJ. Effective May 1, 2020 the Pennsylvania State Police and Department of Agriculture will begin hard enforcement with roadside stops and penalties issued for non-compliance. (2020)
- The Atlas International Passport to Relocation (pdf) Atlas Van Lines International Corp. (2014)
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): controls movement of animal and plant species that are, or may be, threatened due to excessive commercial exploitation
- Expat Exchange
- IAM Country Guides UPDATED
- List of Holidays by Country
- OMNI Country Guides
- United Arab Emirates: What’s the best way to ship your belongings when leaving the UAE? (November 11, 2019)
- Voltage Valet
- World Exchange Rates
International Moving Associations
- American Trucking Association - Moving & Storage Conference (ATAMSC)
- Asian Relocation Association (ARA)
- Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA)
- British Association of Removers (BAR)
- Fédération Internationale des Associations de Transitaires et Assimilés (FIATA) – International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA)
- Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux (FIDI)
- International Association of Movers (IAM)
- Overseas Moving Network International (OMNI)
- Pan American International Movers Association (PAIMA)
International Customs
- Imports of HHGPE etc into Australia (BMSB measures) (Australian International Movers Association Ltd., September 5, 2019)
- Australian Customs Service
- Australian Customs - importing goods
- Australian Customs - prohibited goods
- Australian Pet Requirements
- Australian Quarantine Service
- Brazil: wooden items entering the country (2017) (pdf)
- Canadian Border Services Agency
- European Union Customs Information
- India Customs Information
- Lebanese Customs Information (provided by Domex) (2020)
- New Zealand Customs Information
- Importing Woodenware into New Zealand (2017)
- Singapore Customs Home Page
- United Kingdom HM Customs and Excise
- US Import & Customs Clearance Expert Panel - Webinar Recording (May 2024) - Proper preparation, documentation and practical expectation setting can pave the way to a smoother clearance and delivery for your customer. On May 21st, 2024, IAM Member customs brokers and forwarders discussed some of the pitfalls to watch for and how to avoid them. Run time about an hour.
- U.S. Customs & Border Patrol
- Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries (effective Aug. 1st, 2024)
- U.S. Customs - Power of Attorney Form
- U.S.D.A. Sample Gypsy Moth Self-inspection Form
- No mandatory 14-day quarantine for Pets arrival to Vietnam (provided by LogicalMoves-Vietnam) (2020)
Canadian National
- Find out if you need a visa to enter Canada as a visitor.
- Canada For Newbies: Goods to Follow list: How to ship your household goods to Canada (July 2021)
- Arrive: Moving your belongings to Canada as a newcomer: What you should know (August 2020)
- Better Business Bureaus of Canada
Canada Customs (CBSA) - Electronic House Bills (April 2021)
The electronic house bills (eHBL) system was intended to streamline the process by allowing pre-arrival information documents to be transmitted electronically. There are currently two options available:
- Filing online via the CBSA eManifest portal
- Using an approved (paid) third-party service provider (such as Crimsonlogic) to file
Crimsonlogic provided CAM with two videos that may be of assistance in understanding what to do. CAM is considering hosting a webinar on the eHBL if there is a need. If you are interested in someone from your office attending a session on it, please advise us at admin[at]mover.net.
More
- Canada Customs (CBSA) – Consolidation & Deconsolidation of Goods to SF & SH Type Sufferance Warehouses (Customs Notice 23-22)
- Canada Customs (CBSA) – Customs broker professional examination
- Canada Border Services Agency – information for Canadian citizens and permanent residents on the CBSA’s border services
- Canada Customs (CBSA) – frequently asked questions for moves to Canada
- Canada Customs (CBSA) – import information for automobiles
- Canada Customs (CBSA) – import information for returning citizens
- Canada Customs (CBSA) – import information for settlers
- Canada Customs (CBSA) – licensing of Customs brokers
- Canada Customs (CBSA) – list of brokers licensed by the CBSA
- Canada Customs (CBSA) – moving or returning to Canada
- Canada Customs (CBSA) – Personal Effects Accounting Document (BSF186)
- Canadian Border Services Agency
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Transport Canada
Contact Us
Send CAM an email at members[at]mover.net with your suggestions and contributions of content.
Disclaimer
The links and resources supplied herein are provided as a courtesy to readers. These links were verified at the time of publishing to this web site, and can change without notice or obligation. We are not liable for any costs, damages, delays, duties, taxes or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance, errors or omissions. Any copyright infringement or intellectual property rights violation is done so without intent or malice.
PO Box 26004, RPO Churchill Mississauga, ON, L5L 5W7