Shipping Canadian belongings here via freight

[boosbear 37]

Hi everyone!! Does anybody have any advice or experience in freight shipping personal belongings from Canada to the U.S.? (Specifically Calgary to New England). We are exploring this option vs driving it here. It's not a bunch of stuff just about 2 pallets of boxes, no furniture etc. Thanks in advance for any advice!

[ricnally 258]

i used shipsmart. They are good for small moves without furniture. I moved one pallet of boxes from Vancouver to Los Angeles for about $750. Major moving companies had a minimum amount that was way too much for what little I had and would have been much more expensive. The Uhaul route might seem cheaper but by the time you figure in gas, hotels, food, time off work and the hassle of winter driving, it might not be worth it. Upack is another option which I used for my other move (another small amount, but with furniture) from Ottawa to Los Angeles.

Edited January 14, 2015 by ricnally

[chiggins82 88]

I got quotes from U-Pack and United Moving. U-Pack for me was $1600 for a one bedroom apartment move from Edmonton, AB to Saint Paul, MN. It is cheaper because I will bring my stuff to their facility rather than have a pod delivered to my house.

I selected U-Pack because they seemed very knowledgeable about moves from Canada to the US... United didn't seem to understand that I could not enter the US before the move date and essentially told me that I would need to move with them and then hopefully beat my stuff to the border? I am sure we would have sorted it out, but I just didn't have the energy to argue with them!

There is a whole thread on moving in the canada area of the forum.. make sure to read that too!

[boosbear 37]

Oh thank you! Would you happen to have the link for that thread?

I got quotes from U-Pack and United Moving. U-Pack for me was $1600 for a one bedroom apartment move from Edmonton, AB to Saint Paul, MN. It is cheaper because I will bring my stuff to their facility rather than have a pod delivered to my house.

I selected U-Pack because they seemed very knowledgeable about moves from Canada to the US... United didn't seem to understand that I could not enter the US before the move date and essentially told me that I would need to move with them and then hopefully beat my stuff to the border? I am sure we would have sorted it out, but I just didn't have the energy to argue with them!

There is a whole thread on moving in the canada area of the forum.. make sure to read that too!

Thanks! They don't have a branch in Calgary unfortunately, but thanks so much for replying!! So helpful.

i used shipsmart. They are good for small moves without furniture. I moved one pallet of boxes from Vancouver to Los Angeles for about $750. Major moving companies had a minimum amount that was way too much for what little I had and would have been much more expensive. The Uhaul route might seem cheaper but by the time you figure in gas, hotels, food, time off work and the hassle of winter driving, it might not be worth it. Upack is another option which I used for my other move (another small amount, but with furniture) from Ottawa to Los Angeles.

[Sylea 30]

Hi everyone!! Does anybody have any advice or experience in freight shipping personal belongings from Canada to the U.S.? (Specifically Calgary to New England). We are exploring this option vs driving it here. It's not a bunch of stuff just about 2 pallets of boxes, no furniture etc. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hi - I've just used WIlliams Moving and Storage (moving from Kelowna to Michigan, so similar distance to you!)

The cost for hubby and I to rent a Uhaul and move my 50 boxes and a couple bookcases ourselves, when we factored in air fares, gas, motels, meals and the cost of the truck rental was $5000.

Williams Moving and storage has just cost us $5164 USD.

Other than a slight fright about border guys not accepting Cr-1 visas, my stuff JUST crossed the border yesterday and I should have delivery this Friday.

Moving company went out of their way to assist with getting my stuff here quickly and efficiently.

Good luck!!

[Sylea 30]

Hi - I've just used WIlliams Moving and Storage (moving from Kelowna to Michigan, so similar distance to you!)

The cost for hubby and I to rent a Uhaul and move my 50 boxes and a couple bookcases ourselves, when we factored in air fares, gas, motels, meals and the cost of the truck rental was $5000.

Williams Moving and storage has just cost us $5164 USD.

Other than a slight fright about border guys not accepting Cr-1 visas, my stuff JUST crossed the border yesterday and I should have delivery this Friday.

Moving company went out of their way to assist with getting my stuff here quickly and efficiently.

Good luck!!

Can I also just add that I would have like to have used Upack or ShipSmart, but neither company serviced my area in the Interior of BC. I think they DO service Calgary though?

Interestingly, Williams Moving is an affiliate of United Van Lines, and were extremely knowledgeable about moving goods from Canada to US and also internationally. Although I freaked out when I was told that United wanted front and back of my actual green card, turns out they were being extra cautious on my behalf due to some recent CR-1 visas being turned back at the border because of CBP agents who didn't know what they were doing. It all worked out and there was no trouble with my stuff getting across. Good luck with your journey!

Peace.

[boosbear 37]

Thanks again! You've been really helpful.

☺️

Can I also just add that I would have like to have used Upack or ShipSmart, but neither company serviced my area in the Interior of BC. I think they DO service Calgary though?

Interestingly, Williams Moving is an affiliate of United Van Lines, and were extremely knowledgeable about moving goods from Canada to US and also internationally. Although I freaked out when I was told that United wanted front and back of my actual green card, turns out they were being extra cautious on my behalf due to some recent CR-1 visas being turned back at the border because of CBP agents who didn't know what they were doing. It all worked out and there was no trouble with my stuff getting across. Good luck with your journey!

Peace.