Clearing Canadian Customs
Household goods and personal effects shipped to Canada must be declared to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Declare your shipment as “Goods to Follow” when you arrive. When you first arrive in Canada, you must tell the CBSA officer at the airport that you have household goods and personal effects arriving separately, and include them on your customs documentation.
Keep your completed copy - it will be needed when your removal shipment arrives.
We’ll guide you through the paperwork needed for your move. In most cases, once your shipment reaches Canada, our appointed customs broker will coordinate the clearance process, check your documentation and advise if CBSA requires anything further from you.
What paperwork do I need?
For most household goods and personal effects shipments to Canada, you will typically need:
- BSF186 Personal Effects Accounting Document (the main customs form for personal and household effects)
- BSF186A or a detailed Goods to Follow list, where applicable
- Passport photo page
- Visa, work permit, study permit or residency documentation, where applicable
- Detailed packing inventory of the belongings being shipped
- Shipping documentation provided for your removal shipment
The BSF186 is the main customs document used to record your personal and household effects. Goods arriving with you and goods arriving later should be listed separately.
Once your shipment arrives, our appointed customs broker will guide you through the clearance process and advise whether any additional documentation or attendance is required.
For more detailed information, see our customs guide for personal effects shipping to Canada.
How should I prepare items for Canadian customs?
Most normal household furniture, clothing and personal belongings can be shipped to Canada, but anything that has been used outdoors should be clean and free from soil, plant material and other organic debris.
Pay particular attention to:
- Bicycles and outdoor sports equipment
- Camping and hiking equipment
- Gardening tools and equipment
- Boots and outdoor footwear
- Outdoor furniture and equipment
- Wooden and plant-based items
Food, plants, seeds, soil, animal products and other natural materials can be subject to Canadian import restrictions or inspection, so these items should always be checked before packing.
We’ll help you check your inventory before shipment and advise if any items may require additional attention before being shipped to Canada.
Which items are restricted or need special attention?
Check before shipping:
- Food, meat and dairy products
- Plants, seeds, bulbs and soil
- Firewood and some untreated wooden or plant products
- Animal products and products from protected species
- Medicines and controlled drugs
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Firearms, ammunition and weapons
- Fireworks and explosives
- Cannabis and cannabis products
Some of these items are prohibited, while others may be permitted subject to declaration, permits, quantity limits or additional checks.
For more information, see our Canada prohibited and restricted items guide for shipping personal belongings and household goods.
