Moving from USA to Canada - Please Help Me

[canadapr98]

Dear Friends,

I am planning to finish my landing in Nov 2012 and completely move to Calgary in Feb / Mar 2013 from USA and I have the below questions. Your experience and advice help me to plan better. I appreciate your help.

1) Moving Cars: I will be importing my cars to Canada from USA. Please, based on your experience, how much you have paid for moving 2 cars; and what is the best service to use? I understood from the forum that I need to pay tax and need to do some modifications (day lights, change tires, etc.). How much did you pay for these? I have 2011 Honda CRV and 2007 Honda Accord.

2) Furniture & household stuff: Did you move furniture (sofa,baby's crib, etc.) from the USA, or sell it in the USA and buy new stuff in Canada? Also, What service you used to ship the electronics (TV) and other household stuff? How much did you pay approximately?

3) Bank Accounts & Credit Cards: Did you keep these accounts open or closed them before entering to Canada?

4) IRA Accounts: I am thinking of keeping them open. Any issues I will face as I will not be in the USA? Can I trade in IRA accounts while I am out of USA?

5) How is the job market for Mechanical Engineers (equipment engineers)? I am Professional Engineer (PE) in USA with MS degree, and over 9 years of experience in a Multi-National Company. What is the approx. salary I can expect in a Multi-National Company in Calgary?

6) Did anybody get a job while you are in the USA and your company paid for relocation to Canada? Will companies provide relocation assistance from USA?

7) Is there any restriction on the amount of money I will transfer from my bank account in the USA to Canadian bank account, which I will open after my landing? Do I need to declare this amount somewhere in the Customs forms (B4)? If I bring little less or more than the declared amount, will there be any issues?

8) Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

 

[canadapr98]

Anybody, please advise on the questions I have. Thanks.

 

[YorkFactory]

3) Bank Accounts & Credit Cards: Did you keep these accounts open or closed them before entering to Canada?

I have not closed any of my U.S. accounts, but I also still have an address in the U.S. that I can use for them. You may have some difficulty putting a non-U.S. address on your accounts.

 

[manianz47]

Hi

If you intend to leave US permanently then you can close the accounts (Bank/Credit). But if you will receive some funds (Tax refund,..) better to keep it open.
The addresses can be updated to Canada Address (for Banks/Credit Cards). No problem

 

[canadapr98]

Hi

If you intend to leave US permanently then you can close the accounts (Bank/Credit). But if you will receive some funds (Tax refund,..) better to keep it open.
The addresses can be updated to Canada Address (for Banks/Credit Cards). No problem

Hi Manianz47,

Thank you for your response. Can you please advise on my question regarding importing cars? How much you paid for importing (mainly transportation) and what service you used? What did you do with the furniture?
Thanks.

 

[canadapr98]

I have not closed any of my U.S. accounts, but I also still have an address in the U.S. that I can use for them. You may have some difficulty putting a non-U.S. address on your accounts.

HI, York Factory. Thank you for the response. Can you please advise on my question regarding importing cars? How much you paid for importing (mainly transportation) and what service you used? What did you do with the furniture? Thanks.

 

[Huron]

Hello, you can get information on importing cars here

https://www.riv.ca/

 

[firhill]

2) Furniture & household stuff: Did you move furniture (sofa,baby's crib, etc.) from the USA, or sell it in the USA and buy new stuff in Canada? Also, What service you used to ship the electronics (TV) and other household stuff? How much did you pay approximately?

I just got some quotes from a few different movers. They seem to average around the $2500 mark to ship 200 cu.ft. of cargo from California to London, Ontario.

I'll likely rent a Penske 16' truck and drive across country, for three main reasons:

1)More space...Truck holds about 800cu.ft.
2)Cheaper..about $1100 for a 9-day rental with unlimited miles. Only issue for some would be that the truck has to be dropped off stateside after it's unloaded in Canada.
3)With no middleman/movers, makes setting up the cross border date/time with CBSA easier to plan.

 

[YorkFactory]

HI, York Factory. Thank you for the response. Can you please advise on my question regarding importing cars? How much you paid for importing (mainly transportation) and what service you used? What did you do with the furniture? Thanks.

We don't own a car. Our furniture was included on our B4 form.

 

[kumbu.bumbu]

I drove my car and used UPack for moving some stuff.

Used mattress are not allowed to import.

1) Moving Cars:
Get your driving and insurance experience letters, will help in transferring the drivers license and better insurance rates.
If your car has KM meter and Day Time Running lights you will have to just pay inspection. I paid about 100. (Toyota camry with DTRL)

2) Furniture & household stuff: Did you move furniture (sofa,baby's crib, etc.) from the USA, or sell it in the USA and buy new stuff in Canada? Also, What service you used to ship the electronics (TV) and other household stuff? How much did you pay approximately?
I made a mistake of disposing my stuff. Furnitures are 1.5 times expensive than US. Even if you dispose yours buy from US and bring it. As you are landing you can bring them tax free.

3) Bank Accounts & Credit Cards: Did you keep these accounts open or closed them before entering to Canada?
You can give them Canadian Address. Not a problem. keep one account for any IRS returns etc. But better cancel the credit cards.

4) IRA Accounts: I am thinking of keeping them open. Any issues I will face as I will not be in the USA? Can I trade in IRA accounts while I am out of USA?
Call IRA states you have filed and Federal and update the (canadian)address.

5) How is the job market for Mechanical Engineers (equipment engineers)? I am Professional Engineer (PE) in USA with MS degree, and over 9 years of experience in a Multi-National Company. What is the approx. salary I can expect in a Multi-National Company in Calgary?
??? My friend in Toronto says it is little tough here. Another one Edmonton says you will land on a job in matter of days.

6) Did anybody get a job while you are in the USA and your company paid for relocation to Canada? Will companies provide relocation assistance from USA?
Depends on the company.

7) Is there any restriction on the amount of money I will transfer from my bank account in the USA to Canadian bank account, which I will open after my landing? Do I need to declare this amount somewhere in the Customs forms (B4)? If I bring little less or more than the declared amount, will there be any issues?
You have to declare what you have with you like CASH or TC when you cross border. Once you are Inside there in no need to declare anything. Either case I don't think there is any limit.

 

[canadapr98]

I just got some quotes from a few different movers. They seem to average around the $2500 mark to ship 200 cu.ft. of cargo from California to London, Ontario.

I'll likely rent a Penske 16' truck and drive across country, for three main reasons:

1)More space...Truck holds about 800cu.ft.
2)Cheaper..about $1100 for a 9-day rental with unlimited miles. Only issue for some would be that the truck has to be dropped off stateside after it's unloaded in Canada.
3)With no middleman/movers, makes setting up the cross border date/time with CBSA easier to plan.

Hi firhill, thank you for the response. Renting a truck seems to be a good option, especially considering the high amounts to pay for movers. Hope things will go well for you.

 

[canadapr98]

We don't own a car. Our furniture was included on our B4 form.

YorkFactory, please advise on how did you move your furniture? Did you rent a uhaul kind of truck and drove across the border? Thanks.

 

[canadapr98]

I drove my car and used UPack for moving some stuff.

Used mattress are not allowed to import.

Thank you kumbu.bumbu for the valuable information. Please advise on some additional questions.

1) Moving Cars:
Get your driving and insurance experience letters, will help in transferring the drivers license and better insurance rates.
If your car has KM meter and Day Time Running lights you will have to just pay inspection. I paid about 100. (Toyota camry with DTRL

Thanks for the info. I need to find out whether my 2011 honda crv has DTRL. Also, in the forum; I have been reading about changing tires before entering into Canada. Is that mandatory for all the cars? My car will be only 1.5 year old when I am planning to entering into Canada.

2) Furniture & household stuff: Did you move furniture (sofa,baby's crib, etc.) from the USA, or sell it in the USA and buy new stuff in Canada? Also, What service you used to ship the electronics (TV) and other household stuff? How much did you pay approximately?
I made a mistake of disposing my stuff. Furnitures are 1.5 times expensive than US. Even if you dispose yours buy from US and bring it. As you are landing you can bring them tax free.

I am planning to move the furniture, as I have recently bought brand new furniture. However, I may have to pay a lot of fee in moving. I may not be able to drive a uhaul truck, as I am from south of USA (close to Atlanta). I will see how it goes.

3) Bank Accounts & Credit Cards: Did you keep these accounts open or closed them before entering to Canada?
You can give them Canadian Address. Not a problem. keep one account for any IRS returns etc. But better cancel the credit cards.

Just wondering: will there be any issue keeping a credit card open? I heard it will be tough to get an approval on Canadian credit card immediately after landing.

4) IRA Accounts: I am thinking of keeping them open. Any issues I will face as I will not be in the USA? Can I trade in IRA accounts while I am out of USA?
Call IRA states you have filed and Federal and update the (canadian)address.

5) How is the job market for Mechanical Engineers (equipment engineers)? I am Professional Engineer (PE) in USA with MS degree, and over 9 years of experience in a Multi-National Company. What is the approx. salary I can expect in a Multi-National Company in Calgary?
??? My friend in Toronto says it is little tough here. Another one Edmonton says you will land on a job in matter of days.

I am planning to move to Calgary as I am an AINP candidate. Hope the job market is good there.

6) Did anybody get a job while you are in the USA and your company paid for relocation to Canada? Will companies provide relocation assistance from USA?
Depends on the company.

7) Is there any restriction on the amount of money I will transfer from my bank account in the USA to Canadian bank account, which I will open after my landing? Do I need to declare this amount somewhere in the Customs forms (B4)? If I bring little less or more than the declared amount, will there be any issues?
You have to declare what you have with you like CASH or TC when you cross border. Once you are Inside there in no need to declare anything. Either case I don't think there is any limit.

Thanks for the info

 

[YorkFactory]

YorkFactory, please advise on how did you move your furniture? Did you rent a uhaul kind of truck and drove across the border? Thanks.

Yes, we rented a U-Haul and I drove it into Canada. Tip: even though it is a truck, do not use the lane for commercial vehicles.

 

[santoki]

I drove my car and used UPack for moving some stuff.

Used mattress are not allowed to import.

1) Moving Cars:
Get your driving and insurance experience letters, will help in transferring the drivers license and better insurance rates.
If your car has KM meter and Day Time Running lights you will have to just pay inspection. I paid about 100. (Toyota camry with DTRL)

2) Furniture & household stuff: Did you move furniture (sofa,baby's crib, etc.) from the USA, or sell it in the USA and buy new stuff in Canada? Also, What service you used to ship the electronics (TV) and other household stuff? How much did you pay approximately?
I made a mistake of disposing my stuff. Furnitures are 1.5 times expensive than US. Even if you dispose yours buy from US and bring it. As you are landing you can bring them tax free.

3) Bank Accounts & Credit Cards: Did you keep these accounts open or closed them before entering to Canada?
You can give them Canadian Address. Not a problem. keep one account for any IRS returns etc. But better cancel the credit cards.

4) IRA Accounts: I am thinking of keeping them open. Any issues I will face as I will not be in the USA? Can I trade in IRA accounts while I am out of USA?
Call IRA states you have filed and Federal and update the (canadian)address.

5) How is the job market for Mechanical Engineers (equipment engineers)? I am Professional Engineer (PE) in USA with MS degree, and over 9 years of experience in a Multi-National Company. What is the approx. salary I can expect in a Multi-National Company in Calgary?
??? My friend in Toronto says it is little tough here. Another one Edmonton says you will land on a job in matter of days.

6) Did anybody get a job while you are in the USA and your company paid for relocation to Canada? Will companies provide relocation assistance from USA?
Depends on the company.

7) Is there any restriction on the amount of money I will transfer from my bank account in the USA to Canadian bank account, which I will open after my landing? Do I need to declare this amount somewhere in the Customs forms (B4)? If I bring little less or more than the declared amount, will there be any issues?
You have to declare what you have with you like CASH or TC when you cross border. Once you are Inside there in no need to declare anything. Either case I don't think there is any limit.

Is there a list of things that are not allowed to be carried over the border? I'm surprised you can't bring a used mattress. Unless they think you'd use it to smuggle something in, I can't imagine why they would ban that.