Shipping to Canada
Once you have made the decision to emigrate to Canada, you will need to create an extensive “to do list”. One of the first items on your list will be to arrange the export of your personal effects to your new home. Unless you have moved internationally before, it will be a new and exciting experience, however it also brings with it an element of anxiety and apprehension. It is especially stressful when moving the whole family.
Finding a reputable international removals company will prove invaluable. This is where White & Company can help you. Having been in the international removals business for 145 years and relocating people around the globe, we have the experience and skills necessary to make your move as stress free as possible.
As founder members of industry recognised regulators such as BAR, FIDI & OMNI, means that you can be assured of the best possible door to door service.
Survey
Our experienced surveyor will visit your home to conduct a pre-move survey to ascertain the volume of effects being shipped. This involves him/her walking through the property room by room noting what items are to be exported and recording it on his electronic tablet. A quotation will follow within 48 hours.
Storage
White & Company has storage facilities at 19 storage locations throughout the UK all providing secure containerised storage in personal dedicated storage containers. Our trusted partners in Canada are also able to offer storage should you require it.
Packing
When our quotation has been accepted and a move date has been secured, the vehicle and removal team will arrive at residence. The removal team will proceed to export pack and wrap all items being shipped and load onto vehicle for delivery to our closest depot.
Shipping
Upon arrival at your local depot. All effects are transferred to the export warehouse to await loading into a 20ft or 40ft container. The container is booked with the shipping line onto the first available vessel destined to the closest port of entry to your final destination in Canada.
Moving to Canada? Get a Quick Quote
Why Move to Canada?
There are many great reasons to emigrate to Canada, too many to list but here are a few. The country has one of the easiest immigration policies in the world. The government admits over 250,000 immigrants each year.
It is one of the most educated countries in the world and its educational system is hard to beat. English and French are the mother tongues, so communication will not be a problem.
Its spectacular scenery, laid-back lifestyle, political and social stability is enviable. Healthcare is free to Canadian citizens. It also ranks among the very best in the world for its standard of living. Average winter and summer high temperatures across Canada vary from region to region, but as a rule, the summers are hot, and the winters are very cold.
Snow is no problem for Canadians, life carries on as normal. Winter sports are enjoyed by the youngest children. Skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey to name a few. With stunning scenery which ranges from beautiful beaches to snow-capped mountains, it is no surprise that over 13,000 Brits make Canada their new home each year.
Working in Canada
If you are looking to move to Canada on an independent visa, you will need to see if you are eligible through the points-based system. In 2003, Canada changed their points system by lowering it from 75 points to 67. The points system is the most popular way of immigrating to Canada and considers the following:
- Education: The level of your education, you can gain a maximum of 25 available points here.
- English and French language ability: You can obtain up to a maximum of 24 points if you can speak both languages proficiently.
- Work Experience: The number of years you’ve spent working. You can obtain a maximum of 21 points.
- Age: Your age will influence your application when applying for a Canadian Visa. You can obtain a maximum of 10 points if you are aged between 21-49 years old.
- Arranged Employment: If you have a job you can obtain up to 10 points here.
- Adaptability: This is more complex and can depend on whether anyone in your family studied or lived in Canada. 10 points in total are available here.
It is important to state that Visa and work permit requirements can change at short notice. It is advisable to contact your respective embassy or consulate for the latest details.
You can find out more detailed information regarding visa applications from the following web sites:
- www.immigrationpoint.ca
- www.canada.ca/en
- www.expatnetwork.com
Property
Residential property is generally cheaper than in the UK, depending on which city you choose to reside in. This combined with historically healthy capital appreciation, makes property an attractive investment for British expats. There are no restrictions on expats buying a property in Canada and as it is usually a very straight forward process. The highest purchase prices are in large cities like Vancouver and Toronto. It may also be worth considering the impact of the weather when choosing a place to live. It is also advisable to enlist the assistance of a local real estate agent so that you do not encounter any legal difficulties.
As a guide, currently you can expect to pay C$6308 (£3483) per square metre for an apartment in the Toronto City suburbs. A similar property in Vancouver would cost C$8597 (£4746) per square metre.
For most expats, the best advice is to start off by renting a property, even if you plan to buy eventually. It gives you time to find the right area to suit your personal situation. There are plenty of properties on the rental market. As with purchase prices, renting costs vary from city to city.
Monthly rent for a three-bedroom family home ranges from C$2,560 (£1,413) in Vancouver to C$2,234 (£1,233) in Toronto.
Here is a list of real estate agents, which may prove helpful in your search for a rental or purchase property:
- Century 21 First Canadian Corporation
- Sotheby’s International Realty Canada
- Coldwell Banker Lakes Realty
- MaxWell Realty Canada
Schools
Education standards in Canada are extremely high and the country has a good selection of schooling options. Canada provides free public schooling to all Canadian residents from first school to age 18. There are over 90 universities and more than 160 colleges across the country as well as private and international schools.
Help to select a school can be found at:
- www.cic.gc.ca/english
- www.workingin-canada.com
- www.schoolsincanada.com
Local Information
Moving to a new country is a huge, life changing experience. There will be a host of things to adapt to when you arrive. Currency, laws, health, taxes, bank accounts, driving, and public travel are just a few of the new aspects of life you will need to adjust to.
For some helpful tips and information on settling into life in Canada, visit some of the many Expat forums on-line. Each town and city will have an expat community. As well as gleaning lots of information about your neighbourhood, it is a great opportunity for you to make new friends. Learning from those who have already made the transition into Canadian life will prove invaluable. Here are a few sites to explore:
- www.expatexchange.com/Canada/Expat-Guide-to-Living-in-Canada
- www.expat.com/en/guide/north-america/canada
As well as expat web sites, visiting the Canada government web site is also incredibly helpful. Most issues you will encounter are covered here:
Travel
Driving – Canadians drive on the right-hand side of the road. All passengers in the car are required to wear a seat belt. To legally drive a car in Canada, you’ll need a driver’s licence issued by the government of your province or territory. You must have it with you whenever you’re driving. With it, you can drive anywhere in Canada.
If you have a valid licence from your home country, you’ll probably be able to use this to drive in Canada for a short time after you arrive. Check with the government of your province or territory for further details.
Currency Conversion
Canada’s unit of currency is the Canadian dollar (C$). All major credit cards can be used in Canada, with Visa and MasterCard accepted most widely.
International Currency Transfer – When you are relocating to a new country, making sure you get the best currency exchange rate possible is crucial. Moving large amounts of money, such as when you purchase a new home, could potentially increase your return substantially.
If you want to beat your banks rates and services, simply contact our trusted FX partners Frontierpay. Opening an account with them couldn’t be simpler and it is totally free of charge. You can compare their rates with your own bank and see how much you can save.
White & Company has an exclusive arrangement with an FX Firm.
Simply follow this link to see what additional monies you will receive compared to using your high street bank and to set up a free account.
Shipping My Effects To Canada
The whole moving experience can be incredibly stressful, especially so when relocating abroad. White & Company, with its 145 years of experience in the removal industry, can help make the process a lot less traumatic.
White & Company move thousands of families around the globe each year and have branches all over the UK. We can arrange a free no obligation home survey and quotation. It will be carried out by one of our qualified surveyors, who is able to answer any of the questions and concerns you may have and offer advice where necessary.
The purpose of the survey is to determine the volume of effects you will be shipping. The cost of shipment is based on the space your effects will take up in the container. Following the visit, you will receive a written quotation.
Healthcare
Canada offers its citizens and permanent residents a universal public health insurance scheme known as Medicare. Expats living in Canada without permanent residency are not eligible for Medicare. To be treated by Medicare, a health insurance card is required, which foreign nationals can apply for once they have acquired permanent resident status.
As with the UK’s National Health Systemin the UK, Medicare can mean long waiting lists for treatments and shortages in medical staff. The vast majority of expats choose to opt for a private health insurance called (IPMI) policies – Individual Private Medical Insurance. The following web sites have some useful information regarding health care provision in Canada.
- www.expatnetwork.com/expat-healthcare-in-canada/
- www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health
Contacting White & Company
For further information on our removals to Canada, to start your new job, or any other international destination, contact our international office on 01489 858794. Alternatively complete the form below with your details and we will contact you.
Export Packing UK to Canada
You will want to know that during your door to door service, your possessions are treated with respect and care. Our experienced teams located across the UK will pack and prepare your valuable, fragile and bulky furniture ready for export.
We use a modern range of environmentally friendly, purpose-made packing materials and can pack everything for you prior to your move. All china and glassware will be wrapped in special paper and then packed in double-thickness cartons.
Furniture can be wrapped in bubble blanket for extra protection. Items requiring specialist care, such as antiques, can be packed in made-to-measure wooden crates.
Upon arrival at your residence in Canada, our trusted agents will place boxes and furniture in appropriate rooms as directed. They will unpack your belongings onto flat surfaces and dispose of all packing materials.
Storage Provision
You may find you need to store some or all of your possessions for a period of time prior to moving abroad. It is good to know that White & Company have storage facilities at all our branch depots across the UK.
Our depots offer secure containerised storage in personal dedicated storage containers. All our warehouses are clean, dry, secure and accredited to European standard BS EN 14873. Just speak to our surveyor for further information.
Our partners in Canada can also offer you storage. You may be renting for a while and may not need all of your effects to be delivered immediately. You can arrange for certain items to be delivered and once settled in your new home, the rest can follow. Please note that storage rates may apply.
Read Our Moving Guide
Want to learn everything there is to know about moving to Canada from the UK? Then read our recently published how to guide that details the top 30 essentials to check before you set off!
White & Company
International Removals since 1871
We recommend a visit from one of our Surveyors for all International moves, so that we can assess your requirements, and the volume of goods to be moved.
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