--- title: Moving from Reno to Canada: Settlers' Effects Guide url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/canada/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [International moving through partner carriers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/) - Moving from Reno to Canada # Moving from Reno to Canada Canada treats you as a settler when you arrive to live there for at least one year, and goods enter free of duty and tax only if you owned, possessed and used them abroad first. The list you hand the border officer, split into goods with you and goods to follow, drives your later shipment. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) A household move to Canada starts with paperwork at the border, not at the dock. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) sets the rules in its guide for people moving or returning to Canada and in Memorandum D2-2-1 on settlers' effects. O'Brien's Moving & Storage arranges international moves through Bekins and partner international carriers, so the shipment itself is planned from our Sparks office while the border side follows the CBSA text below. ## Are you a settler or a returning resident? CBSA defines a settler as a person entering Canada to establish, for the first time, a residence for a period of not less than 12 months. A former resident is someone coming back after living in another country for a year or more. The two groups follow similar steps, but the ownership test differs: settlers must have owned, possessed and used each item abroad before arriving, while former residents need six months of ownership and use, a requirement that CBSA waives after five years or more of residence abroad. Short assignments are treated differently. The memorandum excludes people entering for employment of up to 36 months and people entering for study, so read the definition against your own visa before you plan the shipment. ## The two-part list of goods CBSA asks you to prepare two copies of a list before you leave, and to give it to a border services officer at your first point of entry even if you have no goods with you. The officer completes Form BSF186, assigns a file number and returns a copy that serves as your receipt. You need that copy to claim duty-free entry of the goods that arrive later. The list must be split into goods accompanying you and goods to follow. Goods to follow qualify for duty-free entry only if they appear on the original list, and each line asks for the value, make, model and serial number where one exists. - Prepare two copies before departure. - Separate what travels with you from what ships later. - Include make, model and serial number for appliances and electronics. - Keep the officer's copy with your shipping papers. ## Why the inventory matters before packing Every line on the CBSA list needs a description, and the easiest way to produce one is to start from a written record of the home. O'Brien's prepares an itemized inventory and condition report before packing begins, so the household has one document that names each piece and notes its condition. It is also the natural starting point for the list you give CBSA. ## Timing, storage and resale The memorandum advises that the arrival of your goods coincide with or follow your own arrival. Goods that reach Canada ahead of the owner are held at a sufferance warehouse for 40 days and are then treated as unclaimed, although an extension can be requested before the deadline. CBSA also attaches a holding rule: if you sell, give away or divert duty-free goods to commercial use within one year of import, the duty and taxes originally exempted become payable. ## Vehicles and restricted items Personal vehicles, motor homes, private aircraft and pleasure boats can be eligible, but each must meet the requirements of Transport Canada and other departments. A vehicle you bought, leased, rented or borrowed while abroad generally cannot be brought in for personal use. Currency, food, plants, animals, health products, firearms, explosives and used mattresses are restricted or prohibited, so settle what stays behind before the packers arrive. ## How O'Brien's plans the move Your first step is a free, no-obligation in-home estimate with an O'Brien's estimator, and it comes with 10 free heavy-duty boxes. The estimate is itemized and in writing. Because a move abroad is built on paperwork, ask the estimator which items you want on the shipment and which stay in storage here in Sparks. See [international moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/) for the overall process, or call 775-359-6683. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [CBSA, Moving or returning to Canada](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html) - [CBSA, Memorandum D2-2-1, Settlers' Effects](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.html) - [CBSA, Form BSF186](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186-eng.html) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [International moving through partner carriers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/) - [Moving overseas: how international household moves work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-overseas/) - [FAQ: International moves](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/international/) - [Free in-home moving estimate (plus 10 free heavy-duty boxes)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/free-estimate/) International moves ## Read next - [Moving from Reno to Mexico](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/mexico/) - [Moving from Reno to United Kingdom](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/united-kingdom/) - [Moving from Reno to Germany](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/germany/) - [Moving from Reno to Japan](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/japan/) - [Moving from Reno to South Korea](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/south-korea/) - [Moving from Reno to Philippines](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/philippines/) - [Moving from Reno to Australia](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/australia/) - [Moving from Reno to Italy](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/italy/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Do I give CBSA the list when I land or when the goods arrive? CBSA says to give the list to a border services officer at your first point of entry, even if no goods travel with you. The officer's returned copy is what you present when the goods to follow arrive. ### Can a house or a company vehicle come in as settlers' effects? No. CBSA's guide says a house, a large trailer used as a residence and goods used commercially are not eligible, and the memorandum excludes company-owned or leased vehicles. ### What if my goods arrive before I do? The memorandum advises that goods arrive with or after the owner. Early arrivals are held at a sufferance warehouse for 40 days before they are treated as unclaimed, with an extension possible if requested in time. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) B Bruce E. December 25, 2024 My family moved exclusively with Bekins when I was young and O'Brien's made it a pleasure to return to this fine local company. I would be pleased to have any members of O'Brien's as friends and highly recommend O'Brien's to anyone needing the services they provide! ### Owner's reply Bruce thank you so much for taking the time to review our company. It was an extreme pleasure to work for you, please do not hesitate to call us for any help you need in the future. L Leticia H. November 1, 2024 O'Brien's Moving and Storage packing crew were great!! They were fast, friendly and most importantly, very professional. Thank you guys. M Michelle C. August 28, 2024 Extremely happy with the moving experience. The moving team showed up on time, friendly and polite. They did a wonderful job moving our boxes and furniture to the new location. We moved a three bedroom home and I could not be more pleased with the employees who assisted with the move. Highly recommend O'Brien moving for your move. ### Owner's reply Michelle, thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. We are so happy to hear about the move experience you had with our company and glad to know we met your expectations! It means a lot to us to know that. Thank you for choosing us as your moving partner. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070