How to Move From Canada to the US: A Step-by-Step Guide

How long does it take to move from Canada to the US?

The full timeline from packing in Canada to delivery in the US usually takes one to three weeks. The actual road transit rarely takes more than a few days, but the schedule hinges on two fixed points: the date your mover loads the truck and the date customs clears your shipment.

Visa or work-permit processing is separate and can take months. The moving clock starts only after your immigration status is approved. Once you have a visa in hand, book the mover at least four weeks ahead. Summer months and month-end dates fill quickly, and waiting until the last minute can delay your load date by two weeks or more.

Packing and loading: one to three days depending on household size.
Road transit: typically two to five days for most routes, longer for shipments to the southern US or from remote parts of Canada.
Customs clearance: a shipment with complete paperwork often clears the same day it reaches the border.
Final delivery: usually within one to three days after customs release, coordinated with the local agent.

For a cross-country move from Toronto to Los Angeles, the truck might be loaded on a Monday, cleared at the border by Wednesday and the shipment delivered by Friday of the following week. A shorter route such as Vancouver to Seattle can be done door to door in under a week when all the paperwork is ready ahead of time.

What visa or immigration status do I need?

Your immigration status determines whether you can move permanently and what household goods you can bring into the US duty free. A work visa such as the TN (for Canadian professionals under USMCA), the H-1B, or an L-1 intra-company transfer lets you relocate for a specific job. Family sponsorship through a US citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent offers a path to a green card, while an F-1 student visa covers a temporary move for an accredited program.

The customs rules for your shipment depend on that status. Returning US citizens and permanent residents can import used household goods and personal effects duty free under the standard exemption. Temporary visa holders and new immigrants must file different forms, and the list of what qualifies as duty free household goods can be narrower. If you hold only a visitor visa, you cannot establish a residence and your shipment may be treated as a commercial import, which attracts duties and additional scrutiny.

The main paths and their customs implications are:

TN work visa under USMCA: allows temporary entry for listed professional occupations; you may import used household goods duty free for the duration of your stay but must export or pay duty if you later sell them in the US.
H-1B or L-1 work visa: permits a temporary move tied to a sponsoring employer; household goods can clear customs duty free on form CBP 3299, provided you intend to take them back when your status ends.
Family-sponsored green card: grants permanent residence; you can import all used household goods and personal effects duty free with no re-export obligation, the same as a returning US citizen.
F-1 student visa: covers a temporary move for full-time study; you can bring used personal effects and basic household items duty free, but large shipments may require proof that you plan to leave the US after your program.
Visitor (B-1/B-2) visa: does not authorize a residential move; bringing a full household shipment will likely be treated as a commercial import and subject to customs duties.

What paperwork is required for the moving truck at the border?

The driver must present a detailed inventory of every item inside the truck, your passport, and proof of your US immigration status. If you are not travelling with the shipment, the moving company also needs a completed CBP Form 3299 to clear unaccompanied household goods through customs.

US Customs and Border Protection officers review the paperwork to confirm that the shipment contains only used personal effects and nothing for resale. Having the documents ready in a single folder for the driver prevents delays at the port of entry. The inventory is the most scrutinised document: each box or piece of furniture needs a brief description, and new items still in their original packaging can trigger a closer inspection.

Keep these documents with the truck on moving day:

A packing inventory in English, listing the contents of every numbered box and each large item separately.
Your valid passport (and the passport of any family member whose belongings are in the shipment).
A US visa, green card, or US passport that proves your right to reside in the United States.
CBP Form 3299, signed and dated, for shipments that arrive separately from you.
Vehicle import documents if the truck is carrying a car, motorcycle, or trailer.
A copy of your lease, job offer letter, or university acceptance letter as supporting proof of the move.

How do I choose a cross-border moving company?

A mover handling a Canada-to-US relocation must carry US federal operating authority, not just a local business licence. Ask for their USDOT number and motor carrier (MC) number before you share an inventory. You can look up both on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website to confirm the company is active, insured and authorised for interstate moves.

Experience with cross-border paperwork matters as much as the truck. A mover who regularly runs Canada-US routes knows how to prepare the packing list for Customs and Border Protection, how to handle a bonded carrier situation and what to do if an officer selects your shipment for inspection. Ask how many cross-border moves they complete in a typical month and whether their crew handles the clearance or subcontracts it.

Insist on a binding estimate after an in-home survey or a detailed video walkthrough. A binding estimate locks in the price based on the inventory you both agree on, so the final bill will not surprise you. Avoid any mover who quotes a low price by cubic foot without seeing your home or who asks for a large cash deposit before loading day.

Verify the mover's USDOT and MC numbers on the FMCSA website and check their insurance certificate for full replacement coverage.
Read the complaint history in the FMCSA database and look for patterns such as repeated hostage-load claims or final bills far above the estimate.
Request a binding estimate after a visual survey of your home and compare at least three written quotes.
Ask how many Canada-US moves the crew completes each month and who prepares the customs paperwork.
Confirm the mover uses its own employees and trucks for the entire trip, not a brokerage that sells the job to an unknown carrier.

What should I pack myself and what should the movers handle?

Keep personal documents, valuables and essentials with you during the move. A professional moving crew should handle furniture, large appliances and fragile items because they have the right materials and training to secure them for a cross-border move.

Pack a personal bag for each family member with enough clothes, toiletries and medications for the first few days in your new home. Carry passports, visas, work permits, financial records, jewellery and any items with sentimental value in your own vehicle or carry-on luggage. Movers cannot transport cash, legal documents or prescription drugs on your behalf.

Passports, birth certificates, marriage licences and immigration paperwork stay with you, never in the moving truck.
Cash, credit cards, jewellery and small heirlooms belong in your personal bag, not in a box the crew loads.
Laptops, external hard drives and phones travel with you to prevent damage and protect sensitive data.
Prescription medications and a basic first-aid kit should be accessible during the trip and on arrival.
Furniture, mattresses, large kitchen appliances and framed artwork are best wrapped and loaded by professional movers.
Dishware, glassware and electronics benefit from the crew’s double-boxing and foam padding techniques.

What items are restricted or subject to duty when moving to the US?

Used household goods and personal effects you have owned for at least one year are generally admitted duty-free when you move from Canada to the US. You must list these items on US Customs Form 3299, and the form needs to be presented at the port of entry. New items, gifts, or anything purchased shortly before the move may be subject to customs duty.

Several categories of goods face strict limits or outright bans regardless of how long you have owned them. Bringing in prohibited items can cause delays, fines, or seizure of the shipment at the border.

Alcohol: you may bring one litre duty-free per adult over 21. Quantities above that are taxed and subject to state law; some states forbid shipping alcohol altogether.
Tobacco: up to 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars are allowed duty-free. Larger amounts attract federal and state taxes.
Food and plants: most fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and live plants are prohibited due to agricultural regulations. Packaged, shelf-stable foods are usually permitted but must be declared.
Firearms and ammunition: importation is heavily regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. You typically need an approved import permit before the move, and certain types of firearms are not allowed at all.
Vehicles: your car or motorcycle must meet US safety and emissions standards. If it does not, you may need to work with a registered importer for modifications before it clears customs.
Ivory, endangered species products, and certain cultural artifacts are banned entirely and cannot be moved under any circumstances.

What happens on moving day and at the border?

The crew arrives at your Canadian residence at the agreed time with an inventory list. They load the truck room by room, tagging every numbered item against that list. You walk through the empty home with the foreman, sign the final inventory, and keep a copy. The truck then departs for the border crossing your mover selected during planning.

At the US Customs and Border Protection checkpoint the driver presents the shipment manifest and your completed CBP Form 3299, which declares unaccompanied household goods and personal effects. CBP officers may inspect the load or clear it based on the paperwork alone. You do not need to be at the border. The mover handles the inspection while you travel separately, usually by air, carrying your personal documents and valuables.

Once cleared, the truck continues to your new US address. The crew unloads, places boxes and furniture in the rooms you indicate, and reassembles any large items they disassembled at origin. You check the inventory again and sign off before the crew leaves.

FAQ

Can I drive a rental truck from Canada to the US myself?

Yes, but you still need to clear your household goods through US Customs. You will present the same paperwork a moving company would, including a detailed inventory and CBP Form 3299. Check with the rental company that their vehicles are allowed to cross the border and that your driver's licence and insurance are valid in the US.

Are my household goods taxed when I move to the US?

Used household effects and personal belongings you have owned for at least one year are generally admitted duty-free. New items or items owned for less than a year may be subject to duty. Keep receipts for high-value purchases made close to your move date.

How far in advance should I book a cross-border mover?

Most reputable movers are booked four to eight weeks ahead, especially during summer. Starting earlier gives you time to compare binding estimates, check credentials and sort out your visa paperwork before the truck is scheduled.

Do moving companies store my things if my US home is not ready?

Many cross-border movers offer short-term or long-term storage at origin or destination. Confirm whether storage is included in your estimate, how it is priced, and whether your goods stay on the same inventory while in storage.