Moving from India to Canada: cost, transit time and customs
The short answer
- A 2BHK (≈18 CBM) usually ships in a 20ft container for about ₹5–7 lakh door to door; a 1BHK by LCL is about ₹3.7–5.2 lakh.
- Sea freight takes 55–85 days door to door by FCL and 70–100 days by LCL. Air takes 7–14 days.
- The key customs form is CBSA Form BSF186 (Personal Effects Accounting Document). It must list your “goods to follow” and be presented when you first land in Canada.
- Settlers' effects you owned, possessed and used before arriving are generally duty-free if they are declared correctly.
Prices are indicative door-to-door ranges in INR, excluding duties, destination inspection fees and insurance. Get an exact figure with the cost calculator or a free survey.
India to Canada at a glance
| Origin ports | Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mundra, Chennai |
|---|---|
| Main Canadian ports | Vancouver (West); Montreal and Halifax (East, with rail to Toronto) |
| Sea transit, port to port | 30–45 days |
| Door to door, FCL / LCL | 55–85 days / 70–100 days |
| Air, door to door | 7–14 days |
| Key customs form | CBSA BSF186 (two copies) |
| Duty on settlers' effects | Generally free if declared on BSF186 |
| Mains power | 120V / 60Hz, Type A/B plugs |
How much does it cost to move from India to Canada?
For most families, a door-to-door move from India to Canada costs between ₹3.7–5.2 lakh for a 1BHK and ₹7.5–10 lakh for a 4BHK. Volume, not weight, drives the price for sea freight.
| Home size | Typical volume | Usual method | Indicative cost (door to door) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BHK / studio | ≈10.3 CBM | LCL (shared container) | ₹3.7–5.2 lakh |
| 2BHK | ≈18.3 CBM | 20ft container (FCL) | ₹5–7 lakh |
| 3BHK | ≈27.7 CBM | 20ft container (FCL) — full load | ₹5–7 lakh |
| 4BHK / villa | ≈40.3 CBM | 40ft container (FCL) | ₹7.5–10 lakh |
| Air — essentials only | ≈250 kg | Air freight | ₹150k–₹225k |
Volumes are Pikkol's standard averages for Indian homes. Your actual volume depends on furniture, books and appliances — a written survey fixes it. LCL is priced per CBM; containers are priced per box. Excludes duties/taxes, destination exam or inspection fees, storage and insurance (typically 2.8% of declared value).
Want your own number? Use the International Moving — add rooms and items, and it picks LCL, 20ft or 40ft for you.
Get the Exact quoteShould you ship LCL or a full container to Canada?
LCL makes sense up to roughly 13 CBM — students, couples and lightly furnished 1BHKs. Shared containers for Canada sail less often than for the US, so allow extra waiting time at the Indian CFS.
A 20ft FCL wins from about 14 CBM and is the usual choice for families. It is sealed at your door, which matters on a route where many containers change ships and then travel by rail.
Toronto and Ontario shipments usually come via Montreal or Halifax, then by rail. Vancouver serves British Columbia and often Alberta. Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg add an inland leg of about a week.
Not sure? The Sea vs Air, LCL vs FCL guide recommends a method from your volume, deadline and fragile items.
How long does shipping from India to Canada take?
Plan for 55–85 days door to door by full container, 70–100 days by LCL, and 7–14 days by air. Here's where the time goes:
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Survey, quote and packing date fixed | 1–3 weeks before packing |
| BSF186 list of goods to follow prepared | Before you fly |
| Packing, export customs, loading | 3–7 days |
| Ocean voyage incl. transhipment | 30–45 days |
| Rail to inland terminal (Toronto, Calgary etc.) | 4–10 days |
| CBSA clearance and delivery | 5–12 days |
Transit times vary with sailing schedules, transhipment, peak season and customs selection. Your coordinator shares the vessel and ETA once booked.
Which customs documents do you need for Canada?
Keep these ready. Pikkol prepares the inventory and customs forms from your packing list, but some can only come from you.
| Document | Who provides it | When |
|---|---|---|
| Passport with work/study permit, COPR or PR card | You | Before packing |
| CBSA Form BSF186 — Personal Effects Accounting Document, two copies | You, with Pikkol's help | Present at first port of entry |
| Detailed inventory with values (goods accompanying and to follow) | Pikkol at packing | At packing |
| Original Bill of Lading / Air Waybill | Shipping line or airline | After loading |
| Stamped copy of BSF186 from CBSA | You, when you land | At arrival |
| Authorisation for the Canadian customs broker | You | Before clearance |
Do you pay customs duty on household goods in Canada?
As a settler (new PR, work permit holder staying over 12 months, or returning resident), goods you owned, possessed and used before arriving are generally duty- and tax-free.
The rule most people miss: goods arriving later must be listed on the BSF186 and shown to the CBSA officer when you first enter Canada. If they aren't listed, your shipment can lose its duty-free status and be charged duties and GST/HST.
Alcohol and tobacco above the allowances are dutiable. Items bought for someone else or for resale are not settlers' effects.
Keep the stamped BSF186 safe — the customs broker needs it to clear the shipment weeks later.
Customs rules change. This summary reflects official guidance as of 28 September 2026; the officer's decision at clearance is final. See sources below.
What can't you ship from India to Canada?
Leave these out of your household shipment, or check with us first:
- Meat, dairy and many food items (CFIA rules); declare all food
- Seeds, soil, plants and fresh produce
- Firearms and weapons, including some knives and pepper spray
- Cannabis in any form
- Prescription medicines beyond personal quantities
- Hazardous goods such as aerosols, fuel, gas cylinders and paint (these can't go in any shipment)
Appliances, cars and pets: what's different for Canada?
Electronics and appliances
Canada uses 120V/60Hz like the US. Indian 230V appliances need a transformer, and most large appliances aren't worth shipping. Check each item with our Ship, Sell or Store tool.
Cars
Vehicles must be admissible under Transport Canada's Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) rules. Indian-market cars generally are not, unless they are 15 years or older. Most families buy in Canada.
Pets
Dogs and cats from India need a rabies vaccination certificate; commercial dog imports from high-risk rabies countries face stricter CFIA rules. Plan 2–3 months ahead with our pet relocation team.
Winter delivery
From December to March, snow and short days slow deliveries in Ontario, the Prairies and Quebec. Build in a few buffer days and plan parking access at your new building.
Your BSF186 matters more than your packing.
The most expensive mistake on the Canada corridor happens at the airport, not at the port. Newcomers land, get their permit processed and forget to declare the goods following by sea. Weeks later, the container arrives and duty-free treatment is at risk.
We prepare your BSF186 with the packing inventory before you fly, so you walk up to the CBSA counter with two copies ready to be stamped. Then choose a 20ft container if you are over 14 CBM — Canadian LCL services are less frequent, and the time saved is worth it.
International Move Consultant, Pikkol · 28 moves to Canada planned
How does Pikkol run an India to Canada move?
- BSF186 goods-to-follow list prepared from your packing inventory
- Video or in-home survey, with a written CBM estimate
- Export packing and crating suited to rail transfer and winter conditions
- Customs brokerage and delivery by a named Canadian partner: Maple Relocation Services, Toronto
- Transit insurance options at 4.2% of declared value
- One move coordinator from survey to delivery
Before you choose any mover, run through our 12 checks to choose an international mover , and compare quotes line by line with the exact quote.
India to Canada moving FAQs
How much does it cost to move from India to Canada?
Indicatively, a 1BHK (about 10 CBM) by LCL costs ₹3.7–5.2 lakh, a 2BHK in a 20ft container ₹5–7 lakh, and a 4BHK in a 40ft container ₹7.5–10 lakh, door to door. Duties, destination fees and insurance are extra.
What is the BSF186 form for moving to Canada?
BSF186 is the CBSA's Personal Effects Accounting Document. You list the goods you bring with you and the goods to follow, present two copies when you first arrive, and the officer stamps it. It is the basis for duty-free clearance of your shipment.
What happens if I forget to declare goods to follow when I land in Canada?
Goods not listed on your BSF186 at your first entry may not qualify as duty-free settlers' effects and can be charged duties and taxes. Always prepare the list before you fly.
How long does shipping from India to Canada take?
Allow 55–85 days door to door for a full container and 70–100 days for LCL. Toronto shipments usually arrive by sea into Montreal or Halifax and then by rail. Air shipments take 7–14 days.
Is it duty-free to ship household goods to Canada?
Generally yes, for settlers who owned, possessed and used the goods before arriving and declared them correctly on the BSF186. Alcohol and tobacco above limits, and new goods for resale, are charged.
Should I ship by sea or air to Canada?
Sea is far cheaper for furniture and most household goods. Air suits a small shipment of 50–200 kg of essentials you need in the first weeks. Many families do both.
Can I bring my Indian car to Canada?
Usually not. Vehicles must meet Transport Canada's RIV rules, which Indian-market cars generally don't, unless they are 15 years or older.
When should I book my India to Canada move?
Book 6–8 weeks before packing. Packing usually happens 1–2 weeks before your flight, so the BSF186 list is ready when you land.
Plan your move to Canada
Free video survey, written CBM estimate and a door-to-door quote with every line item shown.