Moving from New York to Toronto
A household move from New York to Toronto crosses an international border, so the paperwork matters as much as the truck.
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Moves between the two cities typically travel overland, which means the belongings are cleared by Canadian customs at the border or at an inland office. This page covers the goods list Canada asks for, the accounting form used for new residents, Ontario's window for using an American driver's licence, and what changes if a vehicle is coming along.
Documents and customs basics
Prepare the goods list before leaving
Canada expects two copies of a list of the personal effects being brought in, with value, make, model and serial number where they apply. The list is split into goods travelling with you and goods to follow later. Goods that arrive afterwards only qualify for the new-resident entitlement if they appear on that original list. Source
Declare everything on the personal effects form
New residents account for their belongings on Form BSF186, which has a settler category and a line for goods to follow. The form lists vehicles separately and says every conveyance must be eligible for import under Transport Canada rules. Source
Plan for Ontario's 60-day licence window
Ontario lets a new resident drive on a valid licence from another province, state or country for 60 days. After that a switch to an Ontario licence is needed, and the province has an exchange process for American licence holders. Source
Check the vehicle rules on the Canadian side
A car coming to Canada must be cleared of recalls and pass an inspection by the Registrar of Imported Vehicles within 45 days of import. Transport Canada adds that you may have to report to U.S. customs to clear the vehicle for export. Source
Report the car to CBP before it leaves
For a used vehicle exported by road, CBP requires the documentation, with the original certificate of title at its core, to be submitted at least 72 hours before export, and the vehicle itself to be presented at the time of export. Source
What your estimate needs
Your estimate starts from your inventory: the rooms, the larger items and anything that needs special handling, such as a vehicle. Share your list and your move date, and your consultant confirms the details for your route.
FAQ
Moving from New York to Toronto
What does an estimate for a New York to Toronto move need?
A room-by-room inventory. Walk through each room and note the furniture, boxes, appliances and anything oversized or fragile. The same list can double as the starting point for the customs list that Canada asks for.
Do belongings need to be itemised for customs?
Canada asks for a detailed list. Ordinary household items can be grouped, for example kitchen utensils as one line, while other items carry their make, model and serial number where possible.
Can belongings arrive in Toronto after I do?
Yes, as goods to follow, provided they were declared on the original list at first arrival. Items left off that list are treated as regular imports.
How do goods usually travel on this route?
Typically by road, as a single overland trip. A customs broker can handle filings if you would rather not deal with the border paperwork yourself.
Sources
- Canada Border Services Agency: Moving or returning to Canada (opens in a new tab)
- Canada Border Services Agency: Form BSF186, Personal Effects Accounting Document (opens in a new tab)
- Canada Border Services Agency: Memorandum D2-2-1, Settlers' Effects (opens in a new tab)
- Ontario: Exchange an out-of-province driver's licence (opens in a new tab)
- Transport Canada: Importing a vehicle from the United States and Mexico (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Exporting a Motor Vehicle (opens in a new tab)
Last updated November 1, 2026
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