Canada is the closest international destination for many Reno households, and it still has its own immigration and customs rules. This guide lists the official sources and the order in which to use them.
Layer one: your status in Canada
Permission to live in Canada comes from the Canadian government, through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Work permits, study permits and permanent residence have different requirements. Do not ship household goods until your status is clear, since the border treatment of your belongings can depend on it.
Keep identity documents, status papers and proof of address in a bag that stays with you, never in the shipment.
Layer two: the border agency
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) publishes the rules for bringing personal and household effects into Canada, including lists of goods you may be asked to declare and items that are restricted. Vehicles, firearms, food, plants and some electronics have their own requirements.
Plan to prepare a detailed list of what you are shipping. The home inventory builder and the moving inventory guide show how to write one. The official CBSA site is the place to confirm current forms and rules.
Layer three: moving from Reno
O'Brien's arranges international moves through partner carriers. Call the office at 775-359-6683, and we will explain how your move is booked. Read about the service at international moving, and ask the estimator to look at your home, since an in-home estimate with an itemized list helps with the border paperwork. The visit is free, and the 10 free heavy-duty boxes are yours to keep.
- Get your status settled before shipping.
- Check the CBSA site for current forms.
- Prepare a detailed, itemized list of what is moving.
- Ask what is and is not allowed before you pack.
Before you leave Nevada
Close or transfer your Nevada accounts, and decide what to do with your Nevada driver's license and vehicle registration. Update your address with the IRS, banks and insurers. Check health coverage in Canada, since a gap can arise when you change provinces or countries. The change-of-address checklist covers the U.S. side.
Storing what stays behind
If part of the household stays in Nevada for a while, vault storage in the Sparks warehouse starts from $40 per month, with about 2 to 3 weeks notice to ship. See full-service storage. For a general overview of how international moves work, read moving overseas.