Moving from Canada to USA Cost
Planning a move from Canada to the USA? Contact our team today for a personalized quote tailored to your timeline, destination, and moving needs. Our experienced cross-border movers are here to make your relocation simple, efficient, and stress-free.
Moving from Canada to the USA — What Does It Really Cost?
Relocating from Canada to the United States is one of the most common international moves Canadians make—but the total cost surprises many people. Beyond the moving truck or shipping container, you need to factor cross-border customs, US state delivery, vehicle transport, pet import fees, and professional packing. This guide breaks down every real cost of a Canada–USA move so you can budget accurately before you book.
500+
Moves Completed
50
US States Served
4.9★
Customer Rating
15+
Years Experience
Canada to USA Moving Cost Breakdown
All figures in CAD. Costs vary by origin city, US destination state, home size, and chosen shipping mode.
Any Canadian city to US port, door-to-doorCAD $2,800 – $5,500
Door-to-door including professional packingCAD $5,500 – $9,000
Full door-to-door service, all-inCAD $8,500 – $15,000
Express 1–3 days from any Canadian city to USACAD $6–$14 per kg
2–5 business days door-to-doorCAD $800 – $3,500
Depends on home size and fragilityCAD $600 – $2,500
Duty-free under CBP Form 3299 if eligibleUSD $0
Included in every Enveo door-to-door serviceCAD $150 – $400
Varies by origin city and destination US stateCAD $800 – $2,200
Per pet, required for US entryCAD $200 – $600
0.5%–2% of declared goods replacement valueCAD $200 – $800
5 Key Factors That Affect Your Canada–USA Moving Cost
Understanding these factors helps you budget accurately and choose the right service for your move.
1. Home Size and Volume
The single biggest cost driver. A studio or 1-bedroom ships as LCL (shared container). A 3-bedroom needs a 20ft FCL. A fully furnished 4+ bedroom needs a 40ft FCL. Each container step up represents the largest single cost increase in a Canada–USA move.
2. Origin City in Canada
Your Canadian city determines the port and inland transport costs. Vancouver clients ship direct from Vancouver port to US West Coast. Calgary and Edmonton route through Vancouver. Toronto and Montreal clients use Montreal port for US East Coast and Midwest destinations. Halifax is ideal for US East Coast moves.
3. US Destination State
Delivery costs inside the USA vary by state. Major coastal cities—Los Angeles, Seattle, New York—are straightforward and competitively priced. Inland US states like Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho add trucking distance from the nearest port, which can add CAD $400–$1,200 to the total delivered cost.
4. Shipping Mode
Ocean FCL is cheapest per CBM for large moves but takes 4–8 weeks. LCL ocean consolidation suits smaller moves under 15 CBM. Cross-border ground freight is fastest at 2–5 days for pallet-sized shipments. Air freight is the quickest but costs 5–10× more than ocean per kilogram of cargo.
5. Additional Services
Professional packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, vehicle shipping, pet import coordination, short-term destination storage, and unpacking all add to the base freight cost. Bundling these under one Enveo contract is almost always cheaper and simpler than sourcing them separately from multiple providers.
Seasonal Timing
Summer (June–August) is peak season for Canada–USA moves—demand is highest and prices reflect that. Moving in autumn or winter typically delivers lower ocean freight rates and better container availability, sometimes saving CAD $500–$2,000 on a full home move from Canada to the USA.
How Enveo Manages Your Canada to USA Move
From your first call to the day furniture is placed in your new US home—here is exactly how the process works.
01
Free Cost Survey
Virtual or in-person home assessment. Detailed all-in Canada–USA moving cost estimate provided within 24 hours of your enquiry.
02
Book & Document
Container or freight mode booked. CBSA export documentation, CBP Form 3299 duty-free entry, and CUSMA/USMCA declarations prepared.
03
Pack & Ship
Our packing crew arrives at your Canadian address, packs every room professionally, and dispatches your shipment to the USA with all customs documents filed.
04
Deliver & Place
US CBP clears your goods. Our delivery team transports to your new US address, carries everything inside, places furniture room by room, and reassembles as required.
What Is Included in Every Enveo Canada–USA Move
Every Enveo Canada–USA move is a fully managed door-to-door service. Here is exactly what is included in your all-in quoted price—no surprise invoices from US agents or customs brokers on arrival.
- Professional home packing at your Canadian address
- Inland transport from your door to the origin Canadian port or airport
- Ocean FCL, LCL, or cross-border ground freight to any US state
- CBSA export customs declaration — included in every move
- US CBP import customs clearance — included, no separate US broker invoice
- CBP Form 3299 duty-free household goods entry preparation
- CUSMA/USMCA Certificate of Origin for qualifying Canadian goods
- Last-mile delivery to your US address — all 50 states
- Furniture reassembly and room-by-room placement at destination
- Cargo insurance covering full declared replacement value of your goods
Will You Pay US Import Duty on Your Household Goods?
This is the question every Canadian moving to the USA asks. The short answer: most Canadians pay zero US import duty on household goods—but you must meet specific eligibility requirements and file the correct documentation before the shipment arrives at the US port.
CBP Form 3299 — Duty-Free Household Goods Entry
Under US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, Canadians establishing a primary US residence may import personal and household goods duty-free under CBP Form 3299 — Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles. To qualify:
✔ You must be establishing a new primary US residence (not a vacation property)
✔ Goods must have been owned and used by you for at least one year prior to import
✔ New, unused, or recently purchased items do not qualify for duty-free entry
✔ Items must be imported within a reasonable time of your move to the USA
Items that do not qualify—new electronics, new furniture, or items purchased specifically for the move—may be assessed duty at the applicable US tariff rate. Enveo’s licensed customs brokers review your goods list and flag any items requiring separate duty payment before your shipment departs Canada.
CUSMA/USMCA — Zero Duty on Canadian-Made Commercial Goods
If you are a Canadian business shipping commercial goods to the USA alongside your household move, goods that qualify as originating under CUSMA/USMCA may be imported into the USA at 0% duty. Our brokers assess eligibility and prepare the required Certificate of Origin at no extra charge.
Additional Costs to Budget For — Beyond the Freight
Several additional costs commonly catch Canadian movers off-guard when relocating to the USA. Enveo briefs every client on these before the move begins so there are no financial surprises once you cross the border.
- Vehicle import — US EPA and DOT compliance may require inspection or modification
- Driver's licence conversion — varies by US state, some require a local test
- Health insurance gap — Canadian provincial coverage ends at the border
- US Social Security Number (SSN) — required before starting employment in the USA
- State income tax — none in TX, FL, WA; significant in CA, NY, NJ
- Short-term US accommodation while your container is in transit (4–8 weeks ocean)
- Storage fees if your US home is not ready for delivery on arrival day
- Tipping for delivery and moving crews in the USA (not standard in Canada)
Note: Enveo flags these costs so you can plan before moving day. Vehicle import compliance, licence conversion, and health insurance are arranged directly by the client.
Popular Canada to USA Moving Routes and Transit Times
Transit times shown are for ocean freight. Cross-border ground freight and air freight options are faster—contact Enveo for current sailing schedules and rates on your specific route.
Calgary → Los Angeles / Phoenix
Vancouver → Seattle / San Francisco
Toronto → New York / Chicago / Boston
Edmonton → Dallas / Houston / Denver
Montreal → New York / Washington DC / Miami
Halifax → US East Coast Ports
Frequently Asked Questions — Moving from Canada to the USA
Do I need a US visa or green card to import my household goods?
No — you do not need to be a US citizen or permanent resident to import household goods. You must be establishing a US residence. The duty-free CBP Form 3299 exemption applies to persons importing goods in connection with a change of residence to the USA, regardless of immigration status.
How long will my container take to arrive in the USA from Canada?
Ocean freight transit times from Canadian ports to US ports range from 3 days (Vancouver to Seattle) to 14 days (Vancouver to Gulf Coast ports). Add 3–7 days for US inland delivery from the destination port to your new address. Cross-border ground freight is typically 2–5 business days door to door.
Can I ship my car from Canada to the USA?
Yes — vehicles can be shipped by RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off) or enclosed container. Most Canadian vehicles already meet US EPA and DOT safety standards and cross without modification. Enveo coordinates vehicle shipping and advises on compliance requirements before booking.
What items cannot be shipped from Canada to the USA?
Prohibited and restricted items include certain firearms and ammunition (ATF import permits required), tobacco products over the personal exemption, Cuban cigars, certain plant and animal products subject to USDA APHIS inspection, and items under US trade sanctions. Our customs team reviews your inventory list and flags any items before packing begins.
How much does it cost to move a 3-bedroom home from Calgary to Los Angeles?
A 3-bedroom move from Calgary to Los Angeles typically requires a 20ft or 40ft FCL container. All-in door-to-door costs including packing, ocean freight from Vancouver, US CBP customs, and LA delivery range from approximately CAD $8,500 to CAD $14,000 depending on exact volume and packing service level.
Does Enveo handle the US customs paperwork?
Yes — US CBP import clearance is included in every Enveo Canada–USA moving service. Our licensed US customs brokers prepare and file CBP Form 3299 duty-free entry, handle any required CBP examinations, and obtain cargo release. There are no separate US customs broker invoices—it is all included in your Enveo quote.
Trusted Canada to USA Moving Support from Enveo
Enveo National & Worldwide Movers Inc. manages Canada to USA moves from Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, Halifax, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Saskatoon, and all major Canadian cities. We handle the complete logistics chain—professional packing, ocean or ground freight, US CBP customs clearance, and delivery to any US state—so your cross-border move is completed efficiently, compliantly, and within your budget.
Why Canadian Families Trust Enveo for Their USA Move
Every Canada–USA move is fully managed, fully insured, and fully documented by our licensed team from pickup in Canada to delivery at your new US address.
- Licensed CBSA customs brokers — export compliance at Canadian origin
- Licensed US CBP customs brokers — import clearance included in every move
- All-risk cargo insurance covering full household goods replacement value
- Dedicated move coordinator — one contact from packing day to US delivery
- All-inclusive transparent pricing — no separate US agent or customs invoices
- Satisfaction guaranteed on every Canada to USA move Enveo manages
Get Your Canada to USA Moving Cost — Free Quote Today
Enveo National & Worldwide Movers Inc. provides trusted, fully managed moving services from Canada to the USA. Our team handles packing, cross-border freight, US customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery to any US state—at a transparent, all-in price with no hidden fees on either side of the border. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation Canada to USA moving cost estimate.
Call Enveo at +1 587-358-2992 for trusted Canada to USA moving services from Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, and all major Canadian cities to all 50 US states.