Moving to Canada

Moving your belongings to Canada is a complex process involving packers, drivers, customs people, port authorities, shipping lines and destination agents. This may sound like a tall order but its justs a day’s work for Britannia Cestrian, as we have over 40 years experience in migrating families to Canada.

We can provide you with a complete door to door delivery service from your existing home to your new home in Canada

Groupage Shipment: We operate a regular part-load consolidation service to all areas of Canada. This service is ideal for small consignments or loads and usually takes between 8 to 12 weeks door to door, however this can vary depending upon the volume being shipped or customs delays.

Full container Shipment: If your consignment is larger, we would suggest either a sole-use 20ft/40ft container, this has great advantages when planning your overseas move. Sole-use containers usually take between 2 to 3 weeks port to port and there is a weekly service from all major ports.

Packing: Our trained removers can pack and wrap all your small items into export quality cartons to ensure that they are transported safely and all furniture will be export wrapped or crated accordingly. Once prepared all consignments will be inventoried and will be bar coded before loading, this will ensure that no items are left at origin.

Customs clearance: Usually takes between 10 to 14 days. You must be present in Canada and you must have your status to live in Canada in order for your consignment to customs clear, you will be required to attend the formal customs clearance.  (FIDI regulations)

Your household goods and personal effects are allowed duty fee on the basis you have owned and used for at least 12 months prior to importation. Custom fees are applicable on all imported consignments, this charge varies consignment to consignment and is determined by Canadian Border Services, the fees that are applied cover X-ray, inspection, fumigation and bonded customs storage. Charges raised will be paid for by our Britannia agent who will seek reimbursement from yourselves prior to delivery.

Destination Services: following customs clearance of your consignment our Britannia agent will arrange delivery to your home on a mutually convenient date (note this is based on door to door service). Your household goods and personal effects will be delivered into relevant rooms as per your instruction, all effects originally packed by Britannia Cestrian will be unwrapped, all cartons will be unpacked onto a flat surface and all excess packing material will be removed.

Britannia Cestrian also offer additional services such as Marine Transit Insurance Cover which is a range of international insurance policies to suit your personal needs. Advance Payment Guarantee (BRITBOND) This is designed to give you the protection and peace of mind of knowing your overseas removal contract, with us as a Britannia member, will be honored in the event that we are unable to fulfill it as a result of insolvency, bankruptcy or otherwise ceasing to trade.Currency Transfer and Pet Transport.

Living in Canada

While often overshadowed by its southern neighbour, the USA, Canada is a vast country with a strong economy, multi-cultural society, and spectacular scenery, attracting great numbers of immigrants from all over the world.

Located north of North America, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, Canada is the second largest country in the world by land mass. Originally inhabited by aboriginal groups, explorations in the late 15th century led to British and French settlements. Canada is nowadays a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with both English and French as official languages. Canada is one of the world’s leading economies, that relies on the country’s diverse natural resources and mineral reserves. The country can also boast a high life expectancy, and good levels of literacy and school enrolment, and is known to have the highest quality of life in the world, according to the United Nations Human Development Index.

While Canada might not be as diverse as the US, it offers a truly multi-cultural atmosphere, a better quality of life than many European destinations, stunning places to visit, and a variety of employment opportunities.

Tips About Moving to and Living in Canada:

• To be able to work in Canada, you will need a work permit, which is however only a temporary immigration document.
• To live in Canada permanently, you need to qualify for immigration under one of the categories of the Canadian Immigration Authorities.
• The cost of living and housing in Canada is considerably cheaper than in the UK. Cities, for example Toronto and Vancouver are generally more expensive, than rural areas.
• Some of Canada’s social policies differ markedly from those in the US. Health care is publicly funded, taxation is higher so as to distribute wealth more evenly, and there’s more focus on liberal social policies, while capital punishment is outlawed, and gun ownership is controlled very strictly.
• You should also consider employment opportunities before moving to Canada. Expats can choose from a variety of jobs, and there are skills shortages in many industries, so it can be relatively easy to find something that will fit your skills.