Pre-Arrival Guide

What to Bring When Moving to Canada: A Practical Packing Checklist

Airline baggage limits mean every kilogram counts. Bring the documents and items that are hard to replace, and plan to buy bulky or cheap items once you arrive.

Start With Documents

Your most important luggage fits in one folder

Clothes can be replaced in Canada. Documents often cannot, at least not quickly. Keep originals in your hand luggage and digital copies in secure cloud storage.

Passports, COPR or permit letters, and visas
Birth, marriage, and divorce certificates, with translations
Education transcripts, degrees, and your ECA report
Employment reference letters and recent payslips
Driving licence and an official authentication letter

Documents

Full document checklist

Medical and vaccination records for every family member, including children's immunization history for school.
Prescriptions and a doctor's letter for any medication you carry, in its original packaging.
Proof of funds and bank letters, if your program required them.
School transcripts and leaving letters for children.
Previous landlord references and any credit report from your home country.
A goods list: items you are bringing now and items that will follow later.

Pack or Buy?

What to pack and what to buy in Canada

Pack

Professional clothes, a few home comforts, small electronics, important books, and familiar spices or foods that are allowed into Canada.

Buy in Canada

Heavy winter coats and boots are often better bought locally, sized for real Canadian winters. Furniture and large appliances rarely make sense to ship.

Electronics

Canada uses 120V power and North American plugs. Check your devices, and bring adapters for anything you keep.

Food & Plants

Many foods, plants, and animal products are restricted. Declare all food at the border to avoid fines.

Goods to Follow

Shipping and goods to follow

Make a detailed list of everything being shipped, with values, before you land.
Give the list to the border officer when you arrive. Listed personal goods can usually enter later without duty.
Compare shipping by sea and air; sea freight is cheaper but can take weeks or months.
Keep receipts for valuable items in case you need to show ownership.

Related Resources

Related guides for your move

Your First Day in Canada

What happens when you land.

Open Arrival Guide →

Your First Canadian Winter

Clothing and preparation.

Open Winter Guide →

Pre-Arrival Planning

Plan your move step by step.

Open Planning Guide →

First 30 Days in Canada

Your month-one checklist.

Open Checklist →

Questions People Ask

Packing for Canada: common questions

Your passport, COPR or permit letter, visas, civil documents, education and employment records, medical records, driving licence, and a list of goods you are bringing and goods to follow. Keep originals in your hand luggage.

Bring some warm layers for your arrival, but many newcomers buy proper winter coats and boots in Canada, where they are designed for local conditions.

Some food is allowed and many items are restricted. You must declare all food, plants, and animal products at the border.

A list of items that will arrive after you, given to the border officer when you land. It can let those personal goods enter later without duty.

Canada uses 120V power and North American plugs. Many chargers work on both voltages, but check each device and bring adapters.

Want a complete pre-arrival plan?

Book a consultation and we will help you plan documents, packing, budget, and your first weeks in Canada.

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