Shipping Personal Effects from Canada to the UK — 2026 Moving Guide

What you'll pay

The two main options are full container (FCL) or shared groupage (LCL). LCL makes sense for under 8–10 cubic metres; above that, an FCL 20ft container is usually cheaper.

Excludes UK-side delivery from port to your front door, which varies depending on distance and access. For a firm quote with every line itemized, use our quote form.

The HMRC Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief — your duty-free shortcut

This is the single biggest cost-saver most people don't know about. If you're moving to the UK from Canada and you've been a Canadian resident for at least 12 consecutive months, your used personal effects can enter the UK with zero duty and zero VAT under HMRC's ToR relief.

The conditions:

• You've owned and used the items for at least 6 months before the move
• You're transferring your normal place of residence to the UK
• You keep the items for at least 12 months after import (no immediate selling)
• You apply for ToR1 approval before the shipment arrives at a UK port

Apply online at gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-transfer-of-residence-tor-relief-tor01 — HMRC normally responds in 5–10 working days with a unique reference number ("URN"). We add that URN to the shipping manifest and clearance is straightforward.

Transit timeline

• Week 1 — Pickup from your Canadian home, packing materials supplied, inventory created
• Week 1–2 — Goods consolidated at our Oakville warehouse, loaded into container
• Week 2 — Container drayed to Port of Montreal, B13A filed, loaded on vessel
• Week 2–4 — Transatlantic crossing — typically 14–18 days to Felixstowe, 15–20 days to Southampton
• Week 4–5 — UK customs clearance with your ToR URN, port handling
• Week 5–7 — UK-side delivery to your new home, unpacking optional

Total door-to-door: 5 to 7 weeks for FCL, 7 to 10 weeks for LCL (groupage waits for the container to fill before sailing).

What you can — and can't — ship

✓ Yes, ship these:

• Furniture, mattresses, kitchen items, books, clothing
• Electronics (laptops, TVs, kitchen appliances — note UK plugs are 240V Type G)
• Tools, bikes, sporting goods, musical instruments
• Sealed wine/spirits in limited personal-use quantities (declare honestly)
• Art, antiques (with proper crating and CITES check if applicable)

✗ Don't ship these:

• Aerosols, paints, propane tanks, anything pressurized or flammable
• Perishable food, plants, fresh produce (UK biosecurity is strict)
• Firearms or ammunition (requires a separate licensed shipper, not us)
• Asbestos-containing items (some older insulation, vintage tiles)
• Counterfeit goods or branded items you can't prove ownership of

Required paperwork (Canada side)

1. Detailed inventory — every box's contents listed and valued (we provide a template)
2. Passport copy — yours and any accompanying family members
3. Proof of UK residence — rental agreement, property purchase, or employer letter
4. CBSA B13A export declaration — we file this for any consignment over the CBSA B13A export-declaration threshold
5. House Bill of Lading — issued by us once the container is loaded

Required paperwork (UK side)

• ToR1 approval number (URN) — issued by HMRC before arrival
• Original Bill of Lading — we courier to your UK address or agent
• C3 form (if no ToR) — manual inventory declaration; only needed if ToR application is refused or skipped
• Passport stamp / visa showing your right to reside in the UK

5 mistakes that cost first-time movers thousands

1. Skipping the ToR1 application

The single most expensive mistake. Without ToR relief, HMRC levies 20% VAT on the declared value of your goods — a substantial hit that was completely avoidable.

2. Vague inventory descriptions

"Household goods x 1 box" gets flagged at UK customs. List actual contents: "kitchen — pots, pans, utensils". A 30-minute investment when packing saves hours of customs back-and-forth later.

3. Picking the wrong UK port

Felixstowe is fastest for most of England (Midlands, North, London via M25). Southampton makes more sense if you're moving to the South/Southwest. London Gateway works for greater London but has higher handling fees. We help you pick based on your UK delivery postcode — don't default.

4. Underinsuring

Default cargo insurance covers a small fraction of replacement value. For a 20ft container of household goods, marine insurance at 1.2–2.5% of declared value is one of the cheapest forms of protection you'll ever buy. We always quote with insurance included so you can compare apples to apples.

5. Forgetting the 240V issue

Canadian appliances run on 120V; UK power is 240V. A plug adapter alone is not enough — most kitchen appliances (kettles, toasters, microwaves) will fail or burn out. Either ship dual-voltage units or plan to replace small appliances on arrival.

Ready to move?

We've shipped household goods to London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and beyond. Fill out our 3-minute quote form — tell us roughly how many rooms, your pickup city, and your UK destination — and we'll come back with a firm all-in price (including ToR guidance) within 24 hours.

Questions we didn't cover? Reach out — we usually reply same business day.