Container Shipping Rates from Canada to USA
The average cost of shipping a container from Canada to USA is between $1,435 and $3,666.
| Size of Apartment |
Air Freight Cost |
Sea Freight Cost |
| 1 Bedroom House |
$2,736 – $3,026 |
$1,435 – $1,587 |
| 3 Bedroom House |
N/A |
$2,208 – $2,446 |
| 5 Bedroom House |
N/A |
$3,311 – $3,666 |
*Disclaimer: These costs are mere estimates and can change based on various factors
One of the main factors influencing the container shipping rates to USA is the volume of your move. The higher the volume, the more expensive your move will be. Use our volume calculator to get the most accurate estimates for your container shipping rates.
Shipping Container Moving Companies: Canada to USA
The right container shipping company can make all the difference in the experience of your move. Have a look at some of the best moving companies below, or see all our movers from Canada to the USA.
9.5
592
Mississauga
3 ratings as Friendly
3 ratings as "Friendly"
Service area: All of Canada except British Colombia
Pros
Friendly (3)
Fast move (3)
Professional (3)
Cons
Careless with furniture (1)
8.4
105
Toronto
14 ratings as Good Communication
14 ratings as "Good Communication"
Service area: Ontario and Metropolitan Toronto area
Pros
Communication (14)
Professional (11)
Friendly (5)
8.7
43
Vaudreuil-Dorion
2 ratings as Good Price
2 ratings as "Good Price"
Service area: Eastern Quebec, Western and Northern Quebec, Western and Northern Quebec, Metropolitan Toronto, and all of Ontario except Northern Ontario
Pros
Price (2)
Helpful (1)
Flexible (1)
- Orbit international moving logistics
8.5
391
Toronto
3 ratings as Efficient
3 ratings as "Efficient"
Service area: Central Ontario, Metropolitan Toronto
Pros
Efficient (3)
Price (3)
Professional (2)
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40 Foot Container Size for Moving to US
A 40 foot container is the best choice if you are looking to ship furniture, moving boxes, household appliances and a vehicle. It has around 76 cubic meters of space, which means it can easily fit the contents of 4-5 bedroom house. Below are the full inner dimensions:
- Size: 12.2m x 2.4m x 2.6m
- Total volume: 76.0 m³ (2,714 ft3)
- Total shipping load: 30,200 kg (66,577 lbs)
20 Foot Container Size for Moving to US
20 foot shipping containers are optimal for smaller households, easily fitting the contents of a 1-3 bedroom apartment. The internal volume is 33 cubic meters which fits household appliances, furniture, moving boxes, biked and motorbikes. See the dimensions below:
- Size: 6.1m x 2.4m x 2.6m
- Total volume: 33.0 m³ (1,179 ft3)
- Total shipping load: 24,850 kg (54,783 lbs)
Shipping a Car From Canada to US
Shipping a vehicle form Canada to the US costs between $1,000 to $3,500, depending on the distance and size.
It’s possible to ship your vehicle from Canada to the US, but there are certain guidelines to follow. Some Canadian cars for example may require modifications to meet U.S. standards (e.g., odometer in miles, emission control), and the car must have a clear title and registration.
See all of the NHTSA Vehicle Import Guidelines for Canada.
Required Documents for Shipping a Car:
- Bill of Sale or Proof of Ownership
- Canada Vehicle Title & Registration
- EPA Form 3520-1 (Emissions compliance)
- DOT Form HS-7 (Safety compliance)
- CBP Form 7501 (Customs entry declaration)
Customs Duty Exemptions:
- If owned & used for over 1 year, duty may be waived under USMCA.
- Temporary imports (e.g., work visas, students) may also be exempt.
Freight Shipping from Canada to US
When shipping the contents of your house from Canada to the USA you have generally three options, air, sea and road freight. Each have their pros and cons, but generally for short distances road freight is the cheapest, sea freight is the best for heavy items and air freight is the fastest.
Air Freight to the USA
Cons
Expensive
weight and size limits
bad for environment
Sea Freight to the USA
Pros
Cost effective for large shipments
good for heavy and oversized items
eco-friendly
Cons
Slowest method
complex customs process
additional transport needed
weather dependent
Road Freight to the USA
Pros
Cost effective for short distances
door-to-door delivery
flexibility
faster than sea freight
Cons
Affected by traffic and weather
higher risk of damage
limited capacity
FCL vs LCL from Canada to the US
When moving using shipping containers from Canada to the US, you should consider the volume of your move. Knowing the volume can help you understand what size container you need, and if you should choose a full container load, or less than a container load.
FLC is...
Quicker
More secure
Good for large volumes
Suitable for shipping cars
Pay for the entire container
LCL is...
Slower (waiting for others)
Less secureIdeal for smaller volumes 15m³ or less
Suitable for shipping bikes
Pay for what you use
Shipping Furniture From Canada to US
Shipping furniture from Canada to the US can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the distance, shipping method, and weight.
There are certain things you need to consider when shipping furniture from Canada to the US, check our list below:
- Choose the right shipping method: Sea freight is usually the best option for shipping furniture. You will also need to choose between LCL and FCL, depending on how much furniture you will be shipping.
- Check customs and duties: Many Canadian furniture pieces qualify for duty-free shipping under USMCA, but make sure that the customs declarations are respected and to check if duties need to be paid.
- Get an insurance: Shipping furniture always comes with a risk of damage to it, no matter how well it’s packed. Having a proper insurance can protect you in case of damage.
- Decide on packing or hiring movers to pack: Consider if you prefer packing your furniture yourself or hiring professional movers to pack it for you.
- Check restrictions and regulations: See the import regulations on what is allowed to ship to the US. There can be restrictions on materials or some materials may require permits.
Cost Saving Tips for Container Shipping to the US
The cost of shipping a container depends on various factors. If you’re looking to save a penny on your move including the following:
- Off-peak season: Moving in the off-peak season is considerably cheaper than when the demand is high and resources are limited.
- Groupage shipping: If you are moving with less items, consider groupage shipping, also known and less than container load shipping, where you share a container and only pay for the space that you use.
- Compare moving quotes: Comparing moving quotes from different companies ensures that you find the best deal and service for your money.
- Save on add on costs: Add on costs can increase the price of your move quickly, so small things such as packing by yourself and loading and unloading items can help you save a pretty penny.
- Minimize the volume: Minimizing the volume of your move will help you reduce costs, since you will need to pay for less shipment space.
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