The actual moving process

[daisylynn 0]

I hope this is the right place to post this.

We have only JUST started the process, but I figured I would go ahead and get as much info as I can now.

For those of you who packed your own stuff and moved it yourself, what kind of moving vehicle did you get?

Was it difficult at the border?

And for anyone (moved yourself or had movers do it) how do you mark your boxes? Do you have to label/write what's inside? Is there a link to that information. I haven't been able to find anything on it and assume I am just overlooking it somewhere.

Thanks!

Tammy

[T.O_2_FL 0]

I have heard that you should have a detailed packing list of each of the boxes contents so that when you go through the border they can see what you have.

Apparently, items that you have used for at least 1 year are not dutiable. I don't know how they would figure out if you've had something for less than 1 year.

[rae_and_scott 1]

I'm in this process to bring my Canadian fiance to the States; however, I lived in Toronto for a year and a half from 2004-2005, so I have some experience moving across the border.

I had read somewhere that it's good to have a list of things that you've packed, but that it doesn't have to be super detailed. You don't need to write "2 pairs of jeans, 1 green sweater", "4 red wine glasses, 8 plates". You can label a box "clothing" or "kitchen - glasses, utensils, etc.". To be honest, though, I ended up packed my things somewhat last minute and forgot to make a list, but it didn't matter at all. I'm sure it helped that I had an approved visa (a TN work visa) and was otherwise completely prepared. I also brought my 2 kitties up and back down, and had proof that they'd had their rabies shots, but the border people didn't even ask to see them on either trip. I'm not sure how the border people are with spousal visas, but mine was an absolute breeze going through. Because all of my paperwork was approved, it took like 5 minutes at the border.

On the trip up I got a Budget truck. The pro was that it was much cheaper than UHaul. The con was that because I rented it in the States, I had to return it in the States, because that was their policy and didn't allow a cross-border rental. It was a one-way rental, from NYC to Niagara. So we moved me up to Toronto, then the next day drove the truck down to Niagara, and got a rental car that we could return in Canada. I think it saved me a couple hundred bucks but was a huge headache. Moving back to the States, I used a Uhaul straight from Toronto to NYC. More expensive, but then, I think all one-way rentals are. If I remember correctly it was around $800 plus at least $200 in gas. There's really not much you can do to get around that unless you have a friend with a big truck! However, I do have to say, if you can find another company besides Uhaul that will let you do the one-way rental across the border, even if it costs more than Uhaul, go with it. Uhaul is an absolutely horrible company. We had our reservation, but they wouldn't tell us the exact Uhaul location until the day before my move. Turned out to be in Scarborough, a very long trek for those without a car living in downtown Toronto. When we got there, a long line of people were waiting in line. The counter people told us there were no trucks. We all said, what about all those trucks sitting in your parking lot?! They said, those aren't one-way rental trucks. We all waited in that place for a few hours past closing, not knowing if we would have a truck to leave with. It was a horrible, stressful experience that I would not repeat. Spending more money is worth it to not have the stress of not knowing if your rental truck will be available the day before you're supposed to move back to the States. But if you absolutely HAVE to go with Uhaul, don't make a reservation online. Call them and speak to a person. I've also seen a woman not get her truck b/c of some fine print on their website and so she technically had no reservation even though she thought (within complete reason) she did.

Hope that helps!

[rae_and_scott 1]

I have heard that you should have a detailed packing list of each of the boxes contents so that when you go through the border they can see what you have.

Apparently, items that you have used for at least 1 year are not dutiable. I don't know how they would figure out if you've had something for less than 1 year.

Oh yeah and as far as this goes... just pack everything like nothing is new! If you buy new stuff (though it would be easier to do that after you move), take it out of its new box and pack it with all your other stuff. I didn't pay a dime in duty both times I moved. I don't even think they asked me about it.

[Tinker 0]

Hmm I'm bringing boxes of tea and cans of coffee , wondering how to not say they're new

[Flames9_RN 358]

There is a thread somewhere on the Canadian section as well with regards to moving. I moved myself with Uhaul Dec 2006. I made a list, put it ina table format with MS Word! i didn't list every single object, but grouped things together. I put the big objects by themselves!! I had colunms such as item, seriel # approx price! Customs guy looked at my list and said it was better job than he would have done!! Never looked inside my truck at all! Was a very easy process, but always best to be prepared. If one didn't have a list, it may not go as smoothly

[lynamon 0]

I just moved down to Cleveland Ohio from Hamilton Ontario with a 14' Uhaul (that was practically brand new) towing behind it a full car hauler carrying my 2004 Honda Civic. Everyone was shocked that I wasn't nervous driving the 4 1/2 hour drive (all 5'1" of me with my son).

I crossed at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie .. the duty guard casually looked at my list of items and after that the list was not looked at nor were the contents of the truck (they didn't even open up the back of the truck).

In total with insurances rented from Monday afternoon till Friday morning one way the total cost was $480 (and for 430 kms it cost me $130 CAD in gas).

Financially .. it definitely was the best way to go

[trailmix 77]

Here is a link to the discussion in the Canada forum - for shipping without renting a U-haul/taking it yourself:

Shipping from Canada to the U.S.

[daisylynn 0]

Thanks everyone!

Trailmix-Yeah, I had seen that post. But it was all about getting someone to move it for you. That's why I started this one...to find out from those who moved themselves. Thanks for the link though :-)

About boxes...can they be any kind of boxes or plastic tubs? We have some Tim Horton's ones and some diaper ones. Are those ok or do they need to be plain boxes, with nothing on them? And do I label the actual box with the stuff that is in them? Or do I # them and then correspond that to what's on paper? Or do I not need to write anything on the boxes?

If anyone has a link with all this info, I'd be happy to see it. I just haven't seen anything and didn't know where else to look for the information.

Thanks!

Tammy

[Flames9_RN 358]

Dont matter what type of boxes!! A box is a box!! I didnt corresposnd my box to my paperwork, but that could be done easy enough!! I just wrote on each box where it was going. ie. kitchen, bedroom, etc!! They didnt even look in my uhaul truck!!

[daisylynn 0]

Don't know how I missed this reply. I was waiting to hear about it.

Thanks flames!!!

[raymaga 25]

We used a one-way rental through U-Haul. We picked it up in Canada and dropped in off in Washington.

I labeled my boxes with numbers and then made a list of what was in each box such as "dishes", "books", "bedding", "clothes", etc. You need to list the serial numbers of all electronic items on the list.

The border inspector asked if we had any live plants (plants aren't allowed to be brought from Canada to the U.S.), he took a quick look inside the truck, and we were on our way.