Better ways to Move – Trusted Moving Services
- 7030 Woodbine Ave, Suite 500, Markham On L3R6G2 Canada
- + 1 647 361 3100
- Info@h-hrelo.com
Better ways to Move – Trusted Moving Services
Disclaimer: The customs-related information on this page is provided for general guidance only. It is based on publicly available sources and may change without notice. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, no guarantee is given. Please verify details with the latest CBSA publications or contact us before making any decisions.
Unlike many countries where moving companies can handle customs directly, Canada requires individuals — not freight forwarders — to clear their own goods.
This is why CBSA refers to your shipment as “Personal Effects” and expects you, the importer, to provide:
Accurate declarations
Valid documents
Completed forms
Personal attendance (if required)
Home To Home Relocations cannot legally submit customs declarations on your behalf, but we guide you through each step so nothing is missed.
This page explains:
What you need
When you need it
What CBSA expects
How to avoid delays
What to pack — and what never to pack
We manage every stage of your relocation into Canada:
You may qualify for a duty- and tax-free exemption if you are:
You’re moving to Canada for the first time to live permanently.
You have lived outside Canada for at least 12 months.
Including:
Work permit holders
Study permit holders
Eligible visitors
Each category has its own rules, timelines, and allowances.
Canada previously used B4 and B4A forms — these are now replaced by:
You must complete these before your shipment arrives in Canada.
They declare what you are importing
They confirm the value of your goods
They establish whether you qualify for exemptions
They prevent delays or storage charges
They ensure your mover can deliver your goods upon arrival
You must present the following directly to CBSA upon arrival:
Required Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Passport | Primary ID to verify your identity |
| Visa/Permit (PR, Work Permit, Study Permit) | Confirms your residency status |
| BSF186 / BSF186A | Goods you are bringing now + goods arriving later |
| Detailed Inventory List | Essential for verification |
| Proof of Ownership (if applicable) | For high-value items—jewellery, art, instruments |
| Receipts for New Items | Establish taxable value |
Home To Home Relocations helps you prepare inventories that meet CBSA expectations: descriptive, detailed, and free of errors.
A border officer will ask you:
“Do you have goods to follow?”
You must answer yes.
The officer reviews your documents.
This stamp is crucial — it authorizes the future release of your shipment.
Keep them safe. They are required later for clearance.
CBSA validates your stamped BSF186 against your mover’s cargo manifest.
Then your mover (Home To Home Relocations) can complete the final-mile delivery.
Canada has strict laws around:
Food
Soil
Firearms
Explosives
Alcohol & tobacco
Vehicles
Commercial goods
Excessive quantities of any item
We help you identify what is safe to ship and what must be declared or avoided.
CBSA delays often stem from:
Missing or inaccurate BSF186 lists
Not declaring items
Undervaluing goods
Bringing restricted items
Not having your stamped forms available
Packing lists that are too vague
Not meeting CBSA upon arrival
We guide you through all of these — removing uncertainty.
Greater Toronto Area ports and facilities include:
Port of Montreal (main ocean gateway)
Port of Halifax (secondary ocean route)
Pearson International Airport (YYZ) (for air shipments)
Bonded warehouses in Mississauga, Brampton, and Etobicoke
High seasonal volume
Container congestion
Warehouse cutoff times
Random inspections
Winter weather delays
Our Toronto-based teams handle these daily — ensuring predictable delivery.
The BSF186, or Personal Effects Accounting Document, is the mandatory Canadian customs form used by new residents or returnees to declare household goods for duty-free importation.
A Bill of Lading (BL) or Air Waybill (AWB) is a contract, receipt, and title document detailing the cargo, carrier, and destination for sea or air freight.
Packing List is your legal declaration to the destination country’s Customs authorities about the contents of your new home. Its accuracy is paramount to avoiding delays, fees, or even confiscation.
📞 1-647-361-3100
📧 info@h-hrelo.com
📞 Call: 1-647-361-3100
📧 Email: info@h-hrelo.com
📍 Toronto • GTA • Ontario
Door-to-Door International Moving Services You Can Trust