Moving down to US

[jessiewu 0]

Just wondering how everyone is moving or had moved their stuff across to US? I have problem figuring out the logistic of it all , because right now I want to fly to Seattle on 11/27, and we are leaving for Hawaii 12/5 for our wedding (trying to leave work as late as possilbe).

I have tried to find posts here to see if anyone is moving as far as me, to Seattle 3300km away! From what I have read, the trucking company can't cross the border with your belongings until you have send them the proof that you are in US? Yet my trucking company tells me that I can have the stuff start travelling before me as long as I give them enough proof that I am crossing soon? Does that make sense? Thanks in advance!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

There is a thread about this in the Canada forum.

We used U-PACK and it was awesomeness. Some folks use U-Haul.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Just wondering how everyone is moving or had moved their stuff across to US? I have problem figuring out the logistic of it all , because right now I want to fly to Seattle on 11/27, and we are leaving for Hawaii 12/5 for our wedding (trying to leave work as late as possilbe).

I have tried to find posts here to see if anyone is moving as far as me, to Seattle 3300km away! From what I have read, the trucking company can't cross the border with your belongings until you have send them the proof that you are in US? Yet my trucking company tells me that I can have the stuff start travelling before me as long as I give them enough proof that I am crossing soon? Does that make sense? Thanks in advance!

Well, I'll be moving from Vancouver to Alexandria, Virginia (i.e.: Washington D.C.) which is about 5000km. I plan on renting a U-Haul trailer and simply getting rid of as much stuff as possible beforehand, then driving there myself. I'd rather not face the hassle and uncertainty of getting a trucking company to cross the border without me...

Unless you have a lot of valuable furniture and big stuff, I suggest trimming the stuff you're shipping down to the basics: clothes, books/music/movies, irreplaceable personal items, and anything that your fiance doesn't already have that you both need. When you think about it, most of the basic necessities of life can usually be fit into a fairly small U-Haul trailer. It's just a balance of what matters to you most versus convenience.

P.S.: Len, this IS the Canada forum!

Edited October 21, 2009 by Wyatt's Torch

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Someone will probably have mroe info, but I think the company needs proof of your VISA, so you'll provide photo copies of what the Consultae staples into your passport.

I personally accompanied my belongings in the Uhaul so I didn't have quite the same experience. The trucking company should know what is needed in the way of documentation from you. some people have used Pods.com as well. everyone's experiences and recommendations are different.

[movingsoon2 0]

I used upack, they provided a cube and I filled it up with boxes and furniture. It was smooth.

[TimandJoyce 1]

I just downsized everything and mailed four medium sized boxes, ( about 50 pounds each) with things I wanted to keep...pictures, books, extra clothes, etc. Then I had two big suitcases on the plane, and a box holding my wall pictures, ( kinda costly but worth it) when I crossed. I didn't have any problems receiving the boxes.

[jessiewu 0]

Just wondering how everyone is moving or had moved their stuff across to US? I have problem figuring out the logistic of it all , because right now I want to fly to Seattle on 11/27, and we are leaving for Hawaii 12/5 for our wedding (trying to leave work as late as possilbe).

I have tried to find posts here to see if anyone is moving as far as me, to Seattle 3300km away! From what I have read, the trucking company can't cross the border with your belongings until you have send them the proof that you are in US? Yet my trucking company tells me that I can have the stuff start travelling before me as long as I give them enough proof that I am crossing soon? Does that make sense? Thanks in advance!

Well, I'll be moving from Vancouver to Alexandria, Virginia (i.e.: Washington D.C.) which is about 5000km. I plan on renting a U-Haul trailer and simply getting rid of as much stuff as possible beforehand, then driving there myself. I'd rather not face the hassle and uncertainty of getting a trucking company to cross the border without me...

Unless you have a lot of valuable furniture and big stuff, I suggest trimming the stuff you're shipping down to the basics: clothes, books/music/movies, irreplaceable personal items, and anything that your fiance doesn't already have that you both need. When you think about it, most of the basic necessities of life can usually be fit into a fairly small U-Haul trailer. It's just a balance of what matters to you most versus convenience.

P.S.: Len, this IS the Canada forum!

I checked with Uhaul before and they told me it will be about $2,000, plus gas and hotel , it will be more than I combine my stuff with another shippment with the trucking company. I have about 60 boxes (because we sold our home here, I have to move my parent's clothers with me too), no furniture at all as it is! Do you think they somehow not giving me a right quote???

[jessiewu 0]

There is a thread about this in the Canada forum.

We used U-PACK and it was awesomeness. Some folks use U-Haul.

U-PACK also quoted me about $2,000 and I have to move the boxes myself

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Just wondering how everyone is moving or had moved their stuff across to US? I have problem figuring out the logistic of it all , because right now I want to fly to Seattle on 11/27, and we are leaving for Hawaii 12/5 for our wedding (trying to leave work as late as possilbe).

I have tried to find posts here to see if anyone is moving as far as me, to Seattle 3300km away! From what I have read, the trucking company can't cross the border with your belongings until you have send them the proof that you are in US? Yet my trucking company tells me that I can have the stuff start travelling before me as long as I give them enough proof that I am crossing soon? Does that make sense? Thanks in advance!

Well, I'll be moving from Vancouver to Alexandria, Virginia (i.e.: Washington D.C.) which is about 5000km. I plan on renting a U-Haul trailer and simply getting rid of as much stuff as possible beforehand, then driving there myself. I'd rather not face the hassle and uncertainty of getting a trucking company to cross the border without me...

Unless you have a lot of valuable furniture and big stuff, I suggest trimming the stuff you're shipping down to the basics: clothes, books/music/movies, irreplaceable personal items, and anything that your fiance doesn't already have that you both need. When you think about it, most of the basic necessities of life can usually be fit into a fairly small U-Haul trailer. It's just a balance of what matters to you most versus convenience.

P.S.: Len, this IS the Canada forum!

I checked with Uhaul before and they told me it will be about $2,000, plus gas and hotel , it will be more than I combine my stuff with another shippment with the trucking company. I have about 60 boxes (because we sold our home here, I have to move my parent's clothers with me too), no furniture at all as it is! Do you think they somehow not giving me a right quote???

That sounds like the quote for a van. I was talking about an actual trailer, which you hitch up to a trailer hitch (which depends on what kind of car you drive, of course). Provided you've got a mid-sized sedan or larger, you can probably tow a couple thousand pounds or so...but you'll have to look into it.

Sixty boxes sounds like more than you can safely tow with a car though...so a trailer like this might not be the best option for you.

[jessiewu 0]

Someone will probably have mroe info, but I think the company needs proof of your VISA, so you'll provide photo copies of what the Consultae staples into your passport.

I personally accompanied my belongings in the Uhaul so I didn't have quite the same experience. The trucking company should know what is needed in the way of documentation from you. some people have used Pods.com as well. everyone's experiences and recommendations are different.

After the quote from u-pack I didn't call pods.com since they are about the same concept....maybe I should give them a call anyways, thanks Udella & Wiz!

[jessiewu 0]

I just downsized everything and mailed four medium sized boxes, ( about 50 pounds each) with things I wanted to keep...pictures, books, extra clothes, etc. Then I had two big suitcases on the plane, and a box holding my wall pictures, ( kinda costly but worth it) when I crossed. I didn't have any problems receiving the boxes.

I wish I can downsize to 4 boxes...That would be sooo nice!! The packing alone is driving me crazy now, I made so many trips to Salvation Army and Value Village

[jessiewu 0]

That sounds like the quote for a van. I was talking about an actual trailer, which you hitch up to a trailer hitch (which depends on what kind of car you drive, of course). Provided you've got a mid-sized sedan or larger, you can probably tow a couple thousand pounds or so...but you'll have to look into it.

Sixty boxes sounds like more than you can safely tow with a car though...so a trailer like this might not be the best option for you.

Haha, you must have shopped around a bit too. Yes that quote is for a van becuase I have a small Civic and it won't be able to tow that much without wearing it out during the 4-5 day drive.....can't imagine how you will drive the 5,000km!! When are you moving? Good luck on your move

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Haha, you must have shopped around a bit too. Yes that quote is for a van becuase I have a small Civic and it won't be able to tow that much without wearing it out during the 4-5 day drive.....can't imagine how you will drive the 5,000km!! When are you moving? Good luck on your move

Yeah, I definitely looked into it. A trailer is the best bet for me, since I won't have any furniture etc. to speak of (my wife has her own furniture and that will suffice). I won't have a definitive moving date for awhile (my case is still at the NVC level), but early next year looks likely.

I'm not at all concerned about the drive, actually. I've driven the 2000 kms or so to and from Los Angeles before without incident, and I truly enjoy driving to begin with. I've got a 2007 car with a strong V6 engine, so I expect that it will be up to the task as well.

As for your situation though...I really don't know what to suggest, other than possibly keeping most of your stuff in storage until you get settled in Seattle and can afford to have it shipped after the fact.

[Krikit 1,164]

Moving Your Belongings

CBP FAQ's - Moving

[ashenflowers 5]

I'm moving 4000+kms. Haven't decided how though. We're tossing around some ideas. I'm mostly worried about the fact that I have a cat, and that if I move on Dec 30th, we want enough time to get over there and have some time to prep for the wedding if we want it on Jan 10th. I'm lucky enough that my parents might be driving over most of my stuff with me, and the rest could probably fit in carry ons. I dunno though. I often have more than I think I do. I am hoping to not exceed 10-15 medium to large boxes or bins. I'm not taking any furniture.

It all depends on the situation I guess.