Can I Use UK Electrical Appliances in Canada: A Guide on Shipping Electronics

If you’re moving to Canada, you may be wondering whether or not your UK electrical appliances will work. That all depends on the voltage and frequency, but generally speaking, you can use many UK electrical goods in Canada with the right adapter, converter, or by rewiring the plugs. 

Small items like phone chargers and laptops can be used safely with an adapter, but you will need to weigh up your options for using larger UK appliances like fridges and ovens.

Whether you’re planning to ship a few gadgets or your entire kitchen to Canada, this guide will help you decide what’s worth bringing and what to replace once you arrive.

Do UK Electrical Appliances Work in Canada?

Yes, some UK electrical items will work in Canada with a plug adapter, but some will need a voltage converter and even rewiring for the items to work. However, how well the items work will depend on the voltage and frequency. This is because Canada’s electric system uses different voltages and frequencies from the UK’s, so they are not compatible. Canada uses 120V and 60Hz, whereas the UK uses 230V and 50Hz.

How are UK and Canadian Plugs and Systems Different?

UK and Canadian plugs, frequency, voltage, and amperage are different, but you’ll have a variety of options to ensure your electrical appliances work in Canada. For starters, the plugs are different types, so you will need to use an adapter, a voltage converter, or get your UK plugs changed to Canadian ones. Below we list the main differences in plug types, with a further explanation below.

Feature	UK	Canada
Voltage	230V	120V
Frequency	50Hz	60Hz
Amperage	Typically 13 amps	Typically 15 amps (some 20A circuits)
Plug Type	Type G	Type A and Type B
Built-in Fuse	Yes (usually 13A fuse in plug)	No
Plug Description	3 rectangular prongs in a triangular layout	2 flat vertical pins (Type A) or 2 flat + 1 round grounding pin (Type B)

UK Vs Canada Voltage and Frequency Explained 

UK plugs are designed to handle higher voltage (230V) and lower frequency (50Hz) electrical systems. In contrast, Canada uses a much lower voltage of 120V and a higher frequency of 60Hz. This mismatch means that most UK electrical appliances won’t work properly in Canada unless they are dual-voltage, which is typically labelled 100–240V, 50/60Hz. 

If you are using a UK item with only 230V, then it simply won’t work in Canada as the electrical system doesn’t have the capacity to power this. If you are not using dual-voltage items, your electronics can lead to underperformance, overheating, or permanent damage, both to the appliance and potentially to your home’s electrical system. 

Should I Use An Adapter or a Converter?

Whether you’ll need to use a UK to Canada plug adapter or a step-up voltage converter will depend on the item’s voltage and frequency.

An adapter will work if:

• The item is labelled dual-voltage, labelled 100–240V, 50/60Hz
• The item is low wattage, such as a phone charger or laptop charger 

You will need a voltage converter if:

• The item is only single voltage, typically labelled 220–240V, 50Hz
• The item is high-powered (high wattage and amperage), like a hairdryer or iron

What Items Work With An Adapter?

UK to North American adapters, which is plug Type G to Type A/B, will work on low-powered, dual-voltage items. This is because it will only change the plug shape and not the voltage. An adapter will work with:

• Phone chargers
• Laptop chargers
• Laptops and tablets 
• Cameras
• Electric toothbrushes
• Travel/small hairdryers 

Adapters aren’t recommended for long-term use, so you might be better off getting your UK plugs changed to Canadian ones or replacing smaller items like chargers when you’re settled in Canada.

When Won’t An Adapter Work?

For larger, non-dual-voltage items, you’ll need to use a high-wattage converter for your UK items. Some high-wattage items include:

• Kettles – Travel, compact kettles may be fine, but standard UK kettles draw 2000–3000W and are designed for 230V. Canada’s voltage limit is 120V, so even with a converter, they will only run at half power. Small items like kettles, toasters, and irons are often better bought in Canada to save the hassle.
• Toasters – Drawing around 1800–2200 watts, UK toasters in Canada may trip circuits, overheat, and even make the timers not work well due to the mismatch of voltage and frequency.
• Irons – UK irons are another high-wattage item between 2200–3000, so they risk not heating up properly. Having it re-wired should solve this, but you’re often better off buying small appliances in Canada. 
• Hairdryers – Again, extremely high-power heated items like hairdryers, straighteners, and curling wands will not work to their full capacity in Canada. Depending on the price or brand of the hairdryer, you can get the plugs rewired so they work better. 
• Microwaves – Microwaves use specific voltages and frequencies, so they will not be fully compatible with Canada’s 120V, even using a converter.

These items typically don’t perform well as they require more power than Canada’s electrical system can handle, often causing them to overheat. You can ship these to your new home and have the plugs rewired, or replace them when you arrive. You will have to research what is the most cost-effective, easiest option for you.

Can I Bring and Use My UK Large Electrical Appliances in Canada?

Yes, you can ship and use UK white goods in Canada if you get the plugs rewired and use a step-down converter. You will need a heavy-duty transformer to support the voltage, such as a 1500–3000W transformer. How well your items perform will depend on the voltage difference, and due to Canada’s higher frequency, your items may not work as efficiently. 

UK appliances also aren’t UL/CSA-certified, which means your home insurance might not always cover these items. Your items may also have to meet Canadian safety standards if you’re importing whitegoods for long-term use. It’s always recommended to get professional advice from an experienced electrician who has converted large UK whitegoods like fridges and ovens, etc. 

Fridges, freezers, washing machines: These large appliances won’t work directly, and an adapter is simply not enough to power them. Due to the voltage difference, a step-up transformer is required, along with rewiring the appliances. Still, the difference in frequency will affect your appliances, often damaging motors and timers.

Ovens, hobs, cookers: Canadian kitchens are wired differently and don’t support many large kitchen appliances like ovens and hobs. The mismatch of frequency and voltage means they will struggle to work with a converter. You can get your items professionally rewired to meet Canada’s criteria and then have your appliances custom-installed. 

Dishwashers and tumble dryers: With washers and dryers, you’ll need a heavy-duty transfer to use as they use a lot of power. These aren’t intended for long-term use, and with the difference in frequency, your appliances may not work to their full potential. You can get the wires and plugs changed to meet Canada’s standards, and you will have to get these items professionally plumbed in.

Shipping Electrical Appliances From the UK to Canada

When shipping electrical appliances from the UK to Canada, you might need to obtain CSA or UL certification to meet Canadian standards, especially if you are renting a home. 

You can ship personal or household effects, including your electrical appliances, duty-free if you have owned and used them for 12 months or more. You will have to declare these items and make sure any electrical items with detachable parts, like fridges and washing machines, are clean, dry and free from any liquids or food. 

Always use an accredited, trusted international removal company to help, like 1st Move International. With over 25 years in the industry, we take care of everything, from ensuring your items are safely packed with our shrink-wrap packing to getting everything ready for Fast Track customs clearance. For more information on Canada import rules, read our guide on customs protocols for Canada.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Electrical Appliances From the UK to Canada?

To move the contents of a 3-bedroom house from the UK to Canada, it will cost £4,020 to £5,630 on average. Prices go up to around £7,197 to £8,900 if you’re shipping items from a 4-bedroom property, and decrease to £1,980 to £2,950 for smaller properties like 1-bed flats. To get specific costs for different places in Canada, check out our detailed section on the costs of moving to Canada.

Removals to Canada

When you’re ready to move your electrical goods to Canada, get in touch with 1st Move International and we’ll do all the hard work for you. To get a free tailored quote for your removals to Canada today. Simply fill out our quick and easy form with details of your move or call our expert team for free on 0800 3890784.