Moving to the states...what's the best way of moving your furniture and belongings?

[spielerin 24]

Hey guys,

Both my fiance and I live on the border (Canadian side for me and U.S. for him). Now since we are going to be moving in together pretty soon (so excited!). I am just wondering what's the best way to move my furniture and belongings to his place.

It's like 30 mins away from my place to his by driving...now is it possible just to rent a U-haul and declare at the border when I enter with K1 visa at the POE or do I have to hire specific moving company for that?

Thanks in advance and good luck to you all!

[baron555 934]

Your choice.

[Ontarkie 14,467]

~~Moved to the Canada forum, from K1 P&P - As it's not linger K1 specific and other Canadians can give specific information for POE~~

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Since you're so close I'd go for U-Haul, that's what I did from ON to Virginia. You are accompanying your own belongings and activating the Visa as you cross. Ensure you have an itemized list of what you've packed (search about 1 million thread in the Cdn forum alone on this topic!)

We dropped our UHaul off in the US once we were done unpacking....I think I did all the set-up online....I believe they specified one way travel with start and end points. If you also have a vehicle, you may have to tow it or have someone else assist in driving it. Either way you're also importing your vehicle as well so be prepared with the paperwork you need for that (also search in Cdn forum for many threads on car importing)

Good luck

[JnJ13 13]

I would rent a Penske or U-Haul. We used Penske. My husband (fiance at the time) and Dad went over to Michigan to get the Penske, drove it back to Canada then we packed it. We found it was much cheaper to get the rental in the US and return it in the US.

I created an itemized list of all my belongings which were with us when we activated my visa.

[spielerin 24]

I would rent a Penske or U-Haul. We used Penske. My husband (fiance at the time) and Dad went over to Michigan to get the Penske, drove it back to Canada then we packed it. We found it was much cheaper to get the rental in the US and return it in the US.

I created an itemized list of all my belongings which were with us when we activated my visa.

Thanks for the tip! I just checked and it surely makes a huge difference! It would save us up to 200 bucks!!!

One quick question regarding the itemized list of personal belongings, do you have to list every single item?

For example, in my case, for furniture, I've got coffee table, side table, bed frame and mattress, dining table (one-bedroom apartment stuff); probably 2 boxes of kitchen stuff (mugs, glasses and small kitchen appliances; coffee machine etc.) and 2 luggage cases of clothes. Now do you have to list every single thing? Or maybe just the big items? Do you have the list the estimated values as well?

Thanks again! Really appreciate your input!

[JnJ13 13]

Yeah it is worth the money to have someone drive over if possible! As for the list, I think I labeled every box with what was in the boxes (not really specific). My list was also fairly generic, like dishes, winter clothes, summer clothes, golf clubs etc. I think I put values on things that I knew the value. I wouldn't worry too much about that though.

Some good reading in regards to moving to the US:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/107/related/1/~/moving-back-to-the-u.s.---sending-household-effects

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/216756-when-did-u-give-up-your-cdn-residency/?p=3288403#entry3288403

[spielerin 24]

Yeah it is worth the money to have someone drive over if possible! As for the list, I think I labeled every box with what was in the boxes (not really specific). My list was also fairly generic, like dishes, winter clothes, summer clothes, golf clubs etc. I think I put values on things that I knew the value. I wouldn't worry too much about that though.

Some good reading in regards to moving to the US:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/107/related/1/~/moving-back-to-the-u.s.---sending-household-effects

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/216756-when-did-u-give-up-your-cdn-residency/?p=3288403#entry3288403

Thanks again, this is really helpful!

[floridaboundcanuk 7]

For what it's worth, had a pro move mine. Atlas Van Lines - cost about $1200 to go from Ontario to Florida but it was first class service all the way.