Moving from the US to Canada: customs, papers and what you can't pack

Bringing your things in duty-free

Moving to Canada for a year or more makes you a settler: things you owned, had and used before you arrive come in free. Leased goods don't count. Shipments that follow later are fine as long as they're on your original list. Sell or give them away within 12 months and the duty and taxes become due.

The papers customs wants

• A list in two copies, made before you leave: value, make, model and serial number of each thing
• Split into goods with you and goods to follow
• Jewelry: an appraisal and dated, signed photos
• Hand the list to the officer at your first entry — even if you're carrying nothing. They complete form BSF186 and give you a copy; keep it, you need it to clear the shipment

Inspection and clearance

Not described. Goods that arrive before you wait in a customs warehouse for 40 days — ask for more time if you need it.

Don't pack these

• Alcohol: 1.14 L of liquor or 1.5 L of wine, and it must come with you
• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars
• Medicines: up to 3 months' supply, in original containers
• Firearms must be declared; replica guns and pepper spray are banned
• Food, plants, soil on anything, firewood and used mattresses are restricted
• Cash of C$10,000 or more must be reported

Bringing a car

Yes, if it's yours, licensed and insured in your name, and meets Canadian vehicle rules — check with Transport Canada first.

Bringing a dog or cat

Dogs and cats over 3 months need proof of a rabies vaccine given within the last 3 years. Adult pets don't need a health certificate.

A dog under 8 months traveling without you needs a vet's health certificate issued within 72 hours of arrival.

A pet that doesn't meet the rules can be sent back, and the owner fined.

Duty and tax on everything else

Things that don't qualify pay duty, then GST of 5% on the value plus duty — or HST of 13 to 15% in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces, and provincial sales tax in some others.

Personal goods marked as made in Canada, the US or Mexico pay no duty — but Canada's counter-tariffs on some US-made goods can still apply. Check the CBSA duty estimator.