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Shipping vs Air Freight
Unless
you have a home waiting for you when you leave for Canada, it is
advisable to send your cargo by ship. Not only is it usually cheaper,
it also gives you time to hunt for accommodation in Canada.
Of course
you can leave your goods in the airport warehouse until you find a
place to stay, but why pay demurrage if you don’t have to? You’d be
better off consulting your shipping agent on when to send your goods so
that they arrive three to four weeks after you land in Canada. That
should give you enough time to complete your paperwork and find a house
or apartment.
A final point while on this topic – pick your
packing/shipping agent carefully. If you know people who have recently
moved to Canada, ask them for their recommendations. Find out if your
shipper has an agent in the city you are moving to; it is easier to
co-ordinate with them should anything go wrong with your cargo. Check
specifically if you will have to pay additional charges in Canada –
many agents neglect to tell you about these.
Make a list, check it twice
When
your packers come in, make a complete list of what items have gone into
each package. Have the packers sign the list (reputed agents will
compile the list themselves and sign it without being asked).
Next,
make a single, detailed list of all the items that have gone into your
cargo (have it done up on a computer if possible). Title it ‘GOODS TO
FOLLOW’, putting current estimated values alongside each item.
Electronic items must carry a serial number. Make three copies of this
list.
Now compile a second list, of all the goods you are carrying
with you to Canada, again quoting current estimated values. Title it
‘ACCOMPANYING GOODS’, make two copies, and keep these with the first
list.
A special note about jewellery – put these on a separate,
third list. Number each item of jewellery, providing a brief
description and quote an estimated value. Attach close-up pictures of
each individual item, and write the number of the item on the reverse.
Again, make two copies of this list, though you will need only one set
of pictures.
Keep all these lists in a safe place, on your person or in your hand baggage; you will need them when you arrive in Canada.
Get an international driving licence
If
you plan to drive a vehicle immediately on arrival in Canada, you must
get yourself an international driving licence from your local licencing
authority. Canada doesn’t recognise international licences from all
countries, so check with your local authorities before shelling out the
cash.
If rates for duration of the licence vary, pick one which
extends to about three months after your move – which is the maximum
period you are allowed to use an international licence in Canada.
When to travel
Often,
the choice of when to make the Big Move is made for you. If you have
children, you will probably want to move when they have completed their
school year or ahead of the Canadian school term. Some immigrants
prefer to wait until nearer the deadline set for them to make their
entry (typically 12 months after the medical exam).
If however the
choice is left to you, we’d advise you to clock in during spring or
summer. Remember, you will need to be doing a fair bit of running
around in your first month or two – obtaining your SIN and health card,
opening a bank account, finding a home, visiting employment agencies…
This
can all be doubly taxing in the winter months (November to March),
especially if, like most new immigrants, you have to rely on the public
transit system.
The only exception to this ‘not-in-the-winter’ rule
is if you plan to ‘clock in’, then leave for up to two years before
making a final entry into Canada.
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