How to Relocate Your Household & Pets to Canada

Jump right in:

• Import taxes & restricted items](#import-taxes-restricted-items)
• How to Ship Household Items & Belongings
• Vaccinations and Health Requirements for Canada
• Moving to Canada with Pets

Import taxes & restricted items

When moving household items and belongings, keep in mind that some things might be subject to duties. If you plan to import your car, it must meet Canada’s safety and emissions standards. Canada also maintains a list of restricted and prohibited items, including firearms, certain animals, and plants.

Read on to learn more about duties, shipping options, and what you can (and can’t) bring.

Duty-free items

Most used personal belongings and household goods are duty-free. These include (but are not limited to):

• linens
• books
• clothes
• jewelry (see below for more info)
• antiques
• furniture
• silverware
• musical instruments
• gifts worth 60 CAD (approx. 45 USD) or less (see below for more rules)
• hobby items
• private coin, stamp, or art collections
• kitchen appliances

Items subject to duty include:

• farm equipment
• contracting, construction, or manufacturing equipment
• vehicles for business use
• items purchased during travel to Canada
• leased or rented items

Duty on gifts: All gifts must be declared to Canadian customs. For anything over 60 CAD (approx. 45 USD), you may be required to pay taxes and duties. Wedding gifts are allowed without paying duty if you were married within three months before arriving or plan to marry within three months after entering Canada.

Duty on jewelry: Customs officers may ask about any jewelry or precious items. To speed up the process, make sure you have receipts with you showing how much you paid for your items, or consider traveling with minimal jewelry.

Duty on alcohol and tobacco: You may bring limited amounts of alcohol and tobacco duty- and tax-free, provided you meet the provincial legal drinking age (18 in Québec, Alberta, and Manitoba; 19 elsewhere) and are 18 years of age for tobacco.

To qualify for the duty-free exemption, the alcohol and tobacco must accompany you when you enter Canada and be for your personal use only. The duty-free limits are:

Alcohol (choose only one of the following):

• wine — up to 1.5 L (53 fl oz)
• spirits — up to 1.14 L (40 fl oz)
• beer or ale — up to 8.5 L (287 fl oz)

Tobacco:

• cigarettes — 200
• cigars — 50
• manufactured tobacco — 200 grams (7 oz)
• tobacco sticks — 200

You may bring more than these amounts, but any excess must be declared to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and will be subject to duty and taxes. Undeclared goods can be confiscated, and penalties may apply.

Duty on vehicles: Cars for personal use can enter duty-free if they meet Canadian safety and emissions standards. Visitors and temporary residents to Canada, including expats with a work permit or student visa, can temporarily import their vehicle without it meeting the standards of the Moto Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA).

Any change in immigration status may require declarations to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). If the automobile does not comply with the MVSA, it must then be exported or destroyed.

Firearms: All firearms must be declared upon entry into Canada. Certain types are classified as prohibited or restricted under Canadian law. Examples include:

• handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm or less, or those using .25 or .32 caliber ammunition (except specific competition firearms)
• rifles or shotguns that have been altered to a barrel length of less than 457 mm (18 inches) or an overall length of less than 660 mm (26 inches)
• fully automatic or converted automatic firearms
• any other firearms prohibited or restricted under the Criminal Code Regulations

For all other firearms, you must hold a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) and comply with Canadian storage, transport, and declaration requirements.

For a complete list, consult the Government of Canada’s official firearm classification page.

Explosives, fireworks, and ammunition: Authorization and permits are required for all explosives and fireworks. For more information take a look at:

Explosives Regulatory Division Natural Resources Canada

Health products: Certain prescription drugs may be restricted. For detailed information check Health Canada’s Guidance Document on the Import Requirements for Health under the Food and Drugs Act and its Regulations.

Food, plants, and animals: Certain foods, plants, and animals can pose a risk to Canada’s people, environment, and economy and must be declared at Canadian customs.

If you’re coming into Canada from the US, there are different allowances, but if you’re coming from anywhere else, here’s a look at some of the things you can have with you:

• baked goods, candies: up to 20 kg per person (no meat)
• dairy products: cheese up to 20 kg per person
• fish and seafood: most species allowed (limits on quantity without a permit)
• fruits and vegetables (dried, frozen, canned): up to 20 kg per person
• meat: max 20 kg of cooked, commercially prepared, shelf-stable products per person

For full details on these and other products, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

How to ship household items & belongings

When you’re planning your move to Canada, start by making a detailed list of everything you plan to ship. Not only is this needed for customs when you arrive, but it can also come in handy beforehand when you’re deciding on what to pack. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) requires a “Settler’s Effects List” showing the value, make, model, and serial number (if applicable) of each item — not only the stuff you bring with you, but also anything arriving later.

You can ship items by air, sea, or land:

• Sea freight is more cost-effective for large or bulky items like furniture or cars — but slower.
• Air freight is faster and better for fragile or urgent items, or extra luggage.
• Land (truck or train) is a great option if you’re moving from the U.S.

Remember: Any items not physically with you when you enter Canada — such as belongings being shipped later — must still be declared to customs upon your first arrival. Only goods that are declared at entry can qualify for duty-and tax-free import under your settler’s exemption.

Storage options

Depending on your situation, you may need to consider long- and short-term storage when moving to Canada. For example, you might ship belongings before you arrive, but your home here isn’t ready yet. Or maybe your new place simply doesn’t have enough space right away.

• Short-term storage is best if you only need to keep items for a few weeks or months.
• Long-term storage works better if you’ll need more time before you can move everything in.

To figure out what size storage space you’ll need, measure your boxes, furniture, and containers in advance. This will help you compare unit sizes and prices accurately.

When choosing a storage provider, shop around and compare both price and security. If possible, visit the facility in person before booking. Look for:

• secure gated access
• surveillance cameras
• on-site managers or staff presence
• climate control for sensitive items

This way, you can have peace of mind knowing your belongings are protected until you’re ready to use them.

Vaccinations & health requirements for Canada

Vaccinations

Canada doesn’t require proof of vaccination for entry, but health authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend certain vaccinations to help protect you during your stay.

Recommended vaccines include: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza. These recommendations apply to most travelers, but your doctor may suggest additional vaccines based on your personal health, travel history, and planned activities in Canada.

Health requirements for Canadian immigration

If you plan to stay in Canada for less than six months, you generally don’t need a medical examination, unless your occupation requires one (for example, in healthcare, childcare, or food handling).

For stays longer than six months, you may be required to undergo a medical exam if, during the past year, you’ve lived for at least six consecutive months in a country that Canada identifies as higher risk for certain health conditions.

While vaccinations are not mandatory for immigration, the official list of countries requiring a medical exam is published and regularly updated on the Government of Canada website

What to expect during a medical exam

If a medical exam is required, you’ll complete a medical questionnaire and see a panel physician approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — you can’t use your regular doctor unless they are on this list.

You’ll typically be asked to provide:

• valid ID (with photograph and signature)
• eyeglasses or contact lenses (if applicable)
• medical reports or tests for any previous or existing medical conditions
• medical report form (IMM 1017E), if provided
• list of current medications
• 4 recent photographs

The standard exam includes:

• measuring your weight and height
• testing hearing and vision
• checking blood pressure and pulse
• listening to your heart and lungs
• feeling your abdomen
• checking your limb movement
• examining your skin

Depending on your age and health, you may also need blood tests and chest X-rays to check for conditions such as tuberculosis.

Your results are sent directly to IRCC and are valid for 12 months.

Moving to Canada with pets

Can you bring pets to Canada? Absolutely — as long as they meet the import requirements.

Moving to Canada with pets can be a hassle with the required paperwork, vaccinations, and inspections, but don’t worry. This section walks you through everything you need to know — health certificates, immunizations, breed restrictions, and more.

Requirements for bring pets to Canada

Unlike some countries, Canada doesn’t require microchipping for pets at the border. However, all cats and dogs must have a valid Rabies Certificate (the EU Pet Passport accepted) written in English or French. This certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian, identify the animal’s breed, color, and weight, include the vaccine’s trade name and the serial number, and specify the validity period of the immunity.

When bringing your dog to Canada, it's recommended (though not mandatory) that they have their full vaccinations against canine distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, and leptospirosis. For cats, recommended vaccines include feline calicivirus, feline viral rhinotracheitis, chlamydia psittacosis, and feline panleukopenia (feline parvovirus).

All dogs and cats entering Canada, except those arriving directly from the US, must go through an inspection. The inspection fee is 30 CAD (approx. 23 USD) plus tax for the first animal and 5 CAD (approx. 4 USD) plus tax for each additional one.

Banned breeds

• In Ontario, the following breeds are banned from entering: American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and their crosses.
• In Winnipeg, the ban covers: American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or any mix containing these breeds.

Other animals

• Rabbits: From the US — no documentation needed, but they may be inspected. From any other country — require an import permit and may be subject to quarantine.
• Rodents: No health certificate or permit required to enter Canada.
• Ferrets: Over 3 months old from the US — must show proof of rabies vaccination. From any other country, they will require an import permit.
• Birds: From outside of the US will require an import permit and may face additional restrictions.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency(CFIA) website provides the most up-to-date and detailed information on importing any type of animal, including exotic pets. It’s strongly recommended to check their official guidelines before you travel, as requirements can change.