Moving between Canada and the United States is a highly specialized service. Purely Canadian Movers provides reliable, professional cross-border moving services with transparent pricing, customs guidance, and long-established partner networks to support your relocation from start to destination. Whether you’re moving for work, family, retirement or lifestyle, we coordinate your Canada-USA move with planning, paperwork support, and secure transport.
Cross-border moving refers to relocations between Canada and the United States that require:
U.S. and Canadian customs documentation
Accurate inventories & declarations
Compliance with duty rules
Logistics coordination across international routes
Secure transport and insurance options
Our experienced team understands the requirements and paperwork involved in moving between Canada and the U.S., reducing surprises at the border crossing.
We provide clear, upfront moving quotes with full disclosure on fees and customs considerations.
Our movers help guide you through:
NAFTA / USMCA documentation
Item inventories
Accurate value declarations
Duty-exempt household goods qualification
For cross border moves, our movers will create the necessary inventory list. Each item on the list will be numbered with a brief description of the item. Boxes will be listed as carton or box, sofa will be listed as sofa etc. Any items which are loose and unwrapped will also have a brief description. At the completion of the inventory process you’re signature is required, ensuring all items crossing the border are listed. At your destination, you will be asked to ensure all items have been accounted for. A copy of the inventory will remain with our office, a copy for you and another copy to the delivery driver to arrange customs clearance and delivery at destination. Remember to keep a copy of this important document!
All road vehicles including motorcycles, must meet U.S. safety and environmental standards in order to be allowed entry into the United States. Vehicles which do not meet these standards can be permitted on a “temporary” basis but must be exported within one year or they will be seized. If you are planning on moving a vehicle, we suggest you inquire with U.S. customs prior to your move.
To find out more information regarding the rules, regulations, list of eligible vehicles and requirements, visit The National Highway Traffic Safety Association – US Department of Transport’s website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import
We start with a detailed estimate based on household volume, distance, packing needs, and cross-border requirements.
We work with you to prepare essential documentation for customs and border authorities.
Professional packing ensures items are protected for the border crossing and long-haul transport.
Moves are coordinated across international routes with trusted carrier partners and GPS tracking.
Your belongings are placed in your new U.S. residence or office according to your instructions.
Before leaving Canada, you’ll need:
U.S. Customs requires:
Accurate inventory and valued declaration
Proof items are household goods
Documentation under USMCA / applicable regulations
Incomplete documentation can result in delays, inspections, or duties.
Household goods are often duty-free if:
Accuracy in inventories and documentation is essential.
Certain items may trigger duties or inspections:
We advise on best practices for documentation before you move.
Cross-border moving costs are influenced by:
We provide transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Yes — all travelers crossing into the United States require passport or equivalent government ID.
Yes — but vehicles have separate import requirements, taxes, and forms. We can guide you toward the right resources for that process.
Items like firearms, certain foodstuffs, and prohibited materials may require additional permits or may not be permitted. Check customs lists for specifics.
Booking 6–8 weeks ahead is recommended to secure dates and ensure documentation is prepared.
We support long-haul and cross-border moves across all major Canadian and U.S. regions, including:
To allow us to clear your household goods through U.S. Customs, we will require you to provide us the completed documentation whichever is applicable to you as below:
Completed Customs Form 3299 http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_3299.pdf
Work or Study Visa and Letter of Offer of Employment (if applicable). Valid Passport www.passportcanada.gc.ca
Completed 3299 Customs Form http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_3299.pdf
Valid Passport www.passportcanada.gc.ca
U.S. customs requires the customer to be present at the border to clear their own shipment for delivery to residence prior to the truck crossing. If the customer is not present and there is a problem, the shipment will be placed ‘IN BOND’ at the closest customs office to your new home. You will be required to personally appear to clear your goods.
Unless you are a returning US Resident, you need to enter the United States before your shipment arrives at the border. To ensure your status is properly established, people entering on a work/study visa should have completed the immigration process prior to their shipment. Ensuring all documents are correct, ensuring there are no problems with immigration status, and ensuring there are no other problems regarding your shipment or personal ID when we arrive at the border, will help assure that US Customs will not turn your shipment back. If your shipment is turned back, you will incur additional charges for border delays, the cost of returning your shipment to origin and storage until the matter is sorted out.
Completed Customs Form 3299 http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_3299.pdf
Work or Study Visa and Letter of Offer of Employment (if applicable).
Valid Passport www.passportcanada.gc.ca
Purely Canadian Movers is your mover of choice for vehicle transport. We use Searail for shipping vehicles. The service they provide is competitively priced, timely, and very convenient. Their service is a door to door and deliveries are scheduled and strictly adhered to. All personal motor vehicles which are imported, must comply with Canadian standards. For vehicles which are older than 15 years and being imported, there are temporary provisions. Because you will need to provide a RIV with the year, make, model and vehicle identification number to determine if your vehicle is eligible for importation into Canada, you should visit RIV’s web site at www.riv.ca or call 1-888-848-8240. You will also be required to prove certificate of ownership, sales invoice, registration and proof of insurance.
In addition to the certification from RIV, you must also notify US Customs about the export of your vehicle. A copy of your title of ownership must be forwarded to US Customs a minimum of 3 business days prior to the vehicle arriving at the border crossing.
If you would like to use Purely Canadian Movers to ship your vehicle, please discuss the details with our sales associates.
US Citizenship and Immigration Service Arlington, VAS
