Moving to USA from Canada: 7 Common Cross Border Items Banned

Moving to USA from Canada:

7 Common Cross Border Items Banned

Many people moving to USA from Canada are surprised to learn some of the rules for transporting your personal household belongings cross-border. And Typically in Vancouver and other western provinces, people tend to move south rather than East so we see a lot of common problems develop here.

For instance, even if you’re a snowbird just planning to max out your allowable 6 months per year in the USA you have a lot of hoops to jump through.  Especially if your moving your personal effects unaccompanied, such as flying into the USA while your goods are trucked in with a moving company. If you are moving to America, you’ll want to consult with a professional moving company that knows cross-boarder moving regulations.

There are a lot of real and present dangers to shipping your household belongings when moving to USA from Canada. In worst case scenarios, if your paperwork is incorrect or incomplete, your shipment will be sent back to Canada. Even more, the trucks normally can have multiple shipments on board. If the rejection is due to your error, the moving company will have extra charges added to your invoice. Also, you may be subject to pay a penalty for delaying other shipments on the truck as well.

Some common prohibited items when moving cross border that can ruin moving to USA from Canada:

1. Kinder Eggs (toy inside is a chocking hazard!) 
2. Shipping alcohol without proper documentation
3. Vegemite
4. Shipping firearms
5. Shipping Liquor filled candy
6. Shipping Fireworks
7. Moving with tomatoes

To make sure your cross border shipment doesn’t get rejected by Uncle Sam, be sure to talk with your moving company to ensure you have everything in order.

Moving to USA from Canada can go smoothly if everything is done in accordance to Federal regulations and it’s important to work with a moving company that knows what those are.

If you are moving cross border from the Vancouver area and have any questions or need moving services, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Lorne MacInnes

President

Ferguson Moving & Storage