International & Domestic Moving, Moving to Canada

International & Domestic Moving, Moving to Canada

Moving to Canada

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Ready to move?

If you’re moving to Canada, we can help make the process as easy and hassle free as possible.

We here at Restore Harrow Green understand that moving abroad can be as daunting as it is exciting and our aim is to help you move into your new life with none of the stress and only the excitement to look forward to.  With over 30 years of International relocation experience we know the key to a successful international move is organisation, efficiency and understanding exactly what our customers need.

We realise that choosing the right relocation partner is important to you, because you expect the best possible service when entrusting us with your personal effects, which is what we strive to deliver. From the very first moment you contact us, your needs are our utmost concern.

Canada is a popular relocation destination for British nationals due to its welcoming people, shared history and beautiful scenery. However, before you move, there’s several things to take into consideration and we’re here to help with those.

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Things to remember:

There are several types of visa for Canada and you need to find out which one best applies to your situation by looking at your reasons for emigrating and how long you’ll be staying. For example one visa option is the International Experience  which looks at temporary working and student accommodations based on whether your employment plans are fixed or whether you’ll be working in order to further your academic goals.

Before deciding to emigrate to the second largest country in the world, it’s worth knowing that Canada is bilingual with some areas being primarily English speaking and others French speaking. Depending on where you’re going you’ll need to be able to converse well in either or both languages.

It’s also worth remembering that your standard of life in Canada might be different to the UK. For example, citizens and permanent residents of Canada are provided with free health care, however, new and temporary residents will need to apply for private health insurance until they are able to receive public health benefits, so make provisions for this in your budget. 

Canadians are friendly, polite, and welcoming and it should be noted that some instances might require certain etiquette to navigate, such as the fact that tipping is expected in most situations, so, must once again be included in your budget.

We’re here to help:

For a quote, we offer the option of visiting your home for a face to face meeting, or if you wish, you can arrange a video survey at a time that suits you, in order to receive your cost estimate.

Once you've selected us, you'll be assigned with your dedicated move manager who will discuss your options and together you can build a customised plan to best suit your relocation needs. This will include insurance requirements, storage needs as well as anything else you might require.

As the move approaches, your move manager will go through every detail of the job with you, from packing advice, delivery estimates and customs regulations that you will need to take into consideration. They will guide and support you every step of the way.

On the day of your move we will arrive at your property where we will export wrap and pack your effects, load them into your selected size of container before transferring them to the port where they will be kept until the scheduled transportation date.

When transporting your items by sea we use secure steel containers which come in two universal sizes of 20ft or 40ft, however, you have the option of choosing your preferred method from the following, depending on your budget:

  • Full container load - uses the whole of a container and gives you the security that your items have been packed and sealed within the UK.
  • Loose groupage - allocates you a space within a container which is shared with other Restore Harrow Green customers moving to the same location. All your items are individually catalogued and labelled for tracking at any point during the move. This is a cost effective shipping solution for small to medium sized requirements.
  • Cased groupage - your items are placed within a timber case which is then shipped with other grouped consignments. This is another cost effective option with an added layer of security.
  • Consolidated airfreight - the equivalent of part load consignments, this is ideal for smaller shipments, and provides a cost effective solution. This method is preferred when you don’t have a lot of belongings to transport or are taking your most essential effects to your new home. This method can accommodate up to 500 lbs worth of items and has a quicker transit time of 10 -14 days.

The average time for your consignment to arrive in Canada will range from 4-8 weeks depending on the method you choose.

Once your items arrive our local agent will help you navigate Customs clearance and our network of trusted and vetted Canadian partners will help you complete your relocation by delivering and unpacking your effects on your agreed date.

Canadian Customs require invoices and inventory of new goods and some items such as hunting trophies might be subject to inspection before clearing. Plants are potential carriers of pests or diseases and are not permitted to enter with the exception of a few recognised house plants from the USA. If allowed, an Import Permit from C.F.I.A. must be obtained in advance. Your move manager will be able to answer your questions on customs restrictions. For more details see our FIDI regulations page.

If you require assistance finding a new home, school or other issues relating to your move, we can help make your transition even easier with our destination or Relocation management services.