Canada to USA Customs & Documents
Cross-border moves involve important customs regulations and documentation requirements. Proper paperwork ensures your belongings can enter the United States smoothly and without delays. We help guide customers through inventory lists, customs forms, and border procedures for a hassle-free relocation experience.
Canada to USA Customs and Documentation — What You Need to Know
Crossing the Canada–USA border with household goods, commercial freight, or personal effects requires two separate customs clearances — one with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on the way out, and one with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the way in. Missing or incorrect documentation at either end can result in shipment holds, seizures, unexpected duty assessments, or being flagged for enhanced examination on future crossings. This guide covers every document required, who files what, and how Enveo manages the customs process on your behalf.
Canada to USA Customs — The Two Clearances Explained
Every shipment crossing from Canada to the USA must clear customs at both ends. Understanding which agency handles what — and which documents each requires — is the foundation of a smooth cross-border move.
Canadian CBSA Export Customs
- Administered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
- Export declaration (B13A) required for shipments valued over CAD $2,000
- Filed electronically through the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS)
- Must be filed before goods are loaded and released by the carrier
- Controlled goods require an Export Permit from Global Affairs Canada
- Currency over CAD $10,000 must be declared separately on E677
- CBSA may inspect or hold shipments at the Canadian border crossing
- Enveo files all CBSA export documentation on your behalf — included in every move
US CBP Import Customs
- Administered by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- Informal entry for shipments under USD $800 — de minimis clearance
- Formal entry required for commercial shipments over USD $800
- Household goods imported duty-free under CBP Form 3299 if eligible
- ISF 10+2 Importer Security Filing required for all ocean freight 24 hours before loading
- CBP may select shipments for examination at the US port of entry
- Duty and Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) payable on non-exempt commercial goods
- Enveo's licensed US customs brokers file all CBP import documentation — included
Complete Canada to USA Customs Document Checklist
The documents required depend on what you are shipping — household goods, a vehicle, pets, or commercial goods each have their own documentation requirements. Below is the complete document set by category.
Household Goods — Required Documents
- CBP Form 3299 — Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles (duty-free entry)
- Detailed household goods packing list — itemised by room with declared values
- CBSA B13A export declaration — filed by Enveo through CERS before loading
- Proof of Canadian residence — utility bills, lease, or bank statements
- Proof of new US residence — lease, purchase agreement, or employer letter
- Passport or government-issued ID for all persons named on the shipment
- Bill of lading or air waybill — provided by Enveo upon booking confirmation
- Cargo insurance certificate — covering full declared replacement value
Commercial Freight — Required Documents
- Commercial invoice — must state commodity description, HS tariff code, and declared value in USD
- Packing list — item count, weights, and dimensions for every carton or pallet
- Bill of lading (ocean) or air waybill (air freight) — issued by the ocean carrier or airline
- Certificate of origin — required for CUSMA/USMCA preferential 0% duty eligibility
- CBSA B13A export declaration — for commercial shipments over CAD $2,000
- ISF 10+2 Importer Security Filing — for all commercial ocean freight to the USA
- Export permit — for controlled goods, technology, agricultural products if applicable
- US CBP formal entry (CBP Form 3461 / 7501) — filed by Enveo's licensed US broker
Vehicle Import — Required Documents
- Original vehicle title (not a copy) — must be in the owner's name
- Vehicle registration certificate from the Canadian province of registration
- EPA Form 3520-1 — Declaration for Importation of Motor Vehicles and Engines
- DOT Form HS-7 — Declaration for Imported Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance
- Bill of lading from the RoRo carrier or container shipping line
- Proof of ownership for at least 1 year if claiming duty-free entry
- NHTSA compliance letter if vehicle requires modification for US DOT standards
- Valid government-issued ID of the importer at the US port of entry
Pets — Required Documents
- USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian health certificate — issued within 10 days of travel
- Rabies vaccination certificate — required for dogs entering the USA
- USDA APHIS endorsement — required for some destination states
- Microchip documentation — ISO 11784/11785 standard microchip record
- Import permit — required for birds, rodents, and some exotic pets
- Airline-specific pet travel documentation if flying with your pet in cargo
- State-specific health requirements — some US states have additional entry rules
- Enveo can coordinate pet shipping documentation review before your move date
How the Canada to USA Customs Process Works
From the moment Enveo begins preparing your shipment documentation to the moment your goods are released at the US destination — here is the exact customs process step by step.
01
Pre-Shipment Classification
Enveo’s customs team classifies every item under the correct HS tariff code, identifies any controlled or restricted goods, assesses CUSMA/USMCA duty-free eligibility, and prepares the complete export documentation package before your packing day.
02
CBSA Export Filing
The B13A export declaration is filed electronically through CERS before goods are loaded. For ocean freight, the ISF 10+2 is submitted to US CBP at least 24 hours before vessel loading at the Canadian port. Export permits are obtained where required.
03
Border / Port Clearance
At the Canadian border crossing or port of loading, the carrier presents the export documentation to CBSA. Your goods are released for loading. If selected for CBSA examination, Enveo coordinates the inspection and any required holds without impacting your timeline where possible.
04
US CBP Import Clearance
Enveo’s US customs broker files the import entry — CBP Form 3299 for household goods, or a formal commercial entry for freight — before the shipment arrives at the US port. Duties and MPF are paid, any CBP examination is coordinated, and cargo release is obtained for final delivery.
CUSMA/USMCA — Duty-Free Trade Between Canada and the USA
The Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA, also known as USMCA in the USA) provides preferential — often zero percent — import duty rates for goods that originate in Canada and meet the applicable rules of origin. For Canadian businesses exporting commercial goods to the USA, CUSMA can eliminate import duties entirely and significantly reduce the landed cost of shipments.
What CUSMA/USMCA Requires
- Goods must be manufactured or substantially transformed in Canada
- Must meet the applicable tariff-shift or regional value content (RVC) rule for the HS code
- Importer must claim CUSMA preference at the time of US CBP entry
- A valid CUSMA Certificate of Origin must be on file — prepared by Enveo's brokers
- Importer may be subject to CBP post-entry audit of CUSMA claims
- CUSMA does not apply to personal household goods — only commercial trade goods
CBP Form 3299 — Duty-Free Household Goods Entry from Canada
CBP Form 3299 is the primary document that allows Canadians relocating to the USA to import their household goods and personal effects free of US import duty. Understanding the eligibility requirements, what qualifies, and what does not is essential before your shipment departs Canada.
CBP Form 3299 Eligibility Requirements
- You must be establishing a new primary residence in the USA — not a vacation or secondary home
- All goods must have been owned and in use by you for at least one year prior to importation
- New, unused, or recently purchased items do not qualify and may be assessed duty
- Items purchased as gifts or for resale in the USA are not eligible for duty-free entry
- The importation must occur in connection with your change of residence — timing matters
- Commercial goods, inventory, and goods for business use are not covered by Form 3299
What Happens if Items Do Not Qualify
Items in your shipment that do not meet the Form 3299 one-year ownership and use requirement are assessed US import duty at the applicable HTS tariff rate. Common non-qualifying items include new electronics purchased before the move, new furniture or appliances, and gifts. Enveo’s customs team reviews your packing list before shipment and flags any items that may attract duty — giving you the option to adjust the shipment contents, pay the estimated duty, or send non-qualifying items separately.
Restricted and Prohibited Goods — Canada to USA Customs Rules
Both CBSA and US CBP maintain lists of goods that cannot be exported from Canada or imported into the USA without permits, licences, or outright prohibition. Attempting to ship restricted goods without the correct documentation results in seizure, penalties, and potential criminal liability. Enveo’s customs team reviews every shipment inventory and flags restricted items before packing day — not at the border.
Restricted — Require Permits or Licences
- Firearms and ammunition — require ATF Form 6 import permit and Canadian export permit
- Controlled medications and prescription drugs — DEA import permit may be required for quantities exceeding personal use
- Agricultural products and food — subject to USDA APHIS inspection at the US port of entry
- Endangered species products — CITES permit required for ivory, certain leathers, and exotic skins
- Alcohol and tobacco — subject to US TTB import requirements and quantity limits
- Currency and monetary instruments over USD $10,000 — must be declared on FinCEN 105
- Dual-use technology and encryption products — may require Canadian Export Permit
- Certain plant and wood products — subject to USDA APHIS phytosanitary inspection
Prohibited — Cannot Be Imported to the USA
- Counterfeit goods — any product infringing US trademark or copyright
- Cuban cigars above the personal-use exemption — subject to US trade restrictions
- Products from US-sanctioned countries — OFAC embargo regulations apply
- Obscene or pornographic material — prohibited by US customs law
- Drug paraphernalia — prohibited regardless of cannabis laws in Canada
- Soil and certain plant materials — prohibited for biosecurity reasons
- Unpasteurised dairy products — subject to FDA import restrictions
- Items that violate US intellectual property law — including unlicensed software and media
Canada to USA Customs Support from Enveo
Enveo National & Worldwide Movers Inc. provides end-to-end Canada to USA customs and documentation support for every move we manage. Our licensed Canadian customs brokers handle the CBSA export side and our US customs broker network manages US CBP import clearance — both included in every Enveo Canada–USA moving service. We serve clients in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, Halifax, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Saskatoon, and all major Canadian cities shipping to all 50 US states.
Frequently Asked Questions — Canada to USA Customs & Documents
Who files the customs documents when moving from Canada to the USA with Enveo?
Enveo handles all customs documentation on both sides of the border. Our licensed Canadian customs brokers file the CBSA B13A export declaration and obtain any required export permits before your goods leave Canada. Our US customs broker network files the CBP import entry — including CBP Form 3299 for duty-free household goods entry — before your shipment arrives at the US port of entry. You receive a complete customs file with all filed documents after clearance.
What is the ISF 10+2 and do I need it for my Canada–USA move?
The Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) is a US CBP requirement for all ocean freight shipments arriving at US ports. It must be filed at least 24 hours before goods are loaded onto the vessel at the origin port in Canada. The ISF includes 10 data elements from the importer and 2 from the ocean carrier. For household goods moves by ocean from Canada, Enveo’s US customs broker files the ISF as part of the standard documentation package — you do not need to arrange this separately. ISF does not apply to cross-border ground freight or air freight.
Can I move cannabis products from Canada to the USA?
No — cannabis and cannabis-derived products, including CBD oil, edibles, and medical marijuana, are classified as controlled substances under US federal law regardless of their legal status in Canada. Attempting to import cannabis across the Canada–USA border — even in small quantities and even with a valid Canadian medical prescription — is a federal offence under US law and may result in arrest, goods seizure, and a lifetime ban from entering the USA. Do not include any cannabis products in your moving shipment.
How long does Canada to USA customs clearance take?
For cross-border ground freight, US CBP clearance at the port of entry typically takes 1–4 hours for pre-filed entries with complete documentation. Ocean freight import entries filed in advance are usually released within 24–48 hours of vessel arrival at the US port. Air freight pre-filed entries are typically released same-day or next-day after aircraft arrival. Shipments selected for CBP examination take longer — typically 2–5 additional business days depending on the type of exam. Complete, accurate documentation is the single biggest factor in avoiding examination and delays.
Do I need to be present at the US border when my household goods arrive?
No — you do not need to be physically present at the US port of entry when your household goods shipment is cleared through US CBP. Enveo’s licensed US customs broker files the import entry and manages the clearance process on your behalf under a Power of Attorney. You will receive notification when your goods are released and scheduled for delivery. You do need to be present when the delivery crew arrives at your new US address.
What happens if CBP selects my shipment for examination?
US CBP selects a percentage of all incoming shipments for physical examination based on risk targeting criteria. If your shipment is selected, CBP will unload and inspect the container contents at the port examination facility. Examination fees — including terminal handling, overtime, and reloading charges — are payable by the importer and can range from USD $300 to over USD $2,000 depending on the type and extent of examination. Enveo’s US customs broker coordinates the examination process and keeps you informed throughout. Complete and accurate documentation significantly reduces the likelihood of examination selection.
Can Enveo handle customs for commercial goods I am shipping to the USA alongside my household move?
Yes — Enveo can manage both your household goods customs entry under CBP Form 3299 and a separate commercial goods entry for any business inventory, samples, or equipment you are shipping alongside your personal effects. Commercial goods must be declared and entered separately from household goods — combining them on a single household goods entry is not permitted by US CBP and can result in both entries being rejected. Our customs team will advise on the correct entry strategy for your specific shipment composition before packing day.
Why Clients Trust Enveo for Canada to USA Customs Support
Our customs brokers manage every document, every filing deadline, and every customs authority interaction so your shipment crosses the border without delays, penalties, or surprises.
- CBSA-licensed customs brokers — export compliance at the Canadian origin
- Licensed US customs brokers — CBP import clearance at all US ports of entry
- ISF 10+2 filing included for all ocean freight to the USA
- CBP Form 3299 duty-free household goods entry — prepared and filed for you
- CUSMA/USMCA Certificate of Origin — eligibility assessed for every commercial shipment
- Pre-shipment restricted goods review — flagged before packing day, not at the border
- Complete customs file provided after clearance — all filed documents included
- Satisfaction guaranteed on all Canada to USA customs and documentation services
Get Expert Canada to USA Customs & Documentation Support Today
Enveo National & Worldwide Movers Inc. provides complete Canada to USA customs brokerage and documentation services — CBSA export filing, US CBP import clearance, CBP Form 3299, CUSMA/USMCA declarations, and ISF 10+2 — all included in every Canada–USA moving service we manage. Contact us today for a free consultation on your customs requirements.
Call Enveo at +1 587-358-2992 for trusted Canada to USA customs and documentation support from Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, and all major Canadian cities.