Shipping times and costs from Chicago, United States of America to Vancouver, Canada
1 Bedroom flat
Shipping costs by air £6,547 - £7,236
Shipping costs by sea £3,437 - £3,799
3 Bedroom house
Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £5,288 - £5,844
5 Bedroom house
Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £7,932 - £8,766
Please note: the prices listed here are meant as an estimate only. The best way to get a comprehensive, tailored quote is to fill out our form and be matched with a supplier.
Shipping Container Costs to Canada
Vancouver is one of Canada’s most picturesque cities, nestled between the North Shore mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It’s also blessed with famously mild weather, so you get the classic Canadian scenery without the typical Canadian cold. Located on the west coast of the country just 50 km north of the US border, Vancouver is very culturally diverse. There are about 634,000 people living there and just over 50% of them don’t speak English as a first language. The city’s quality of life is also one of the best in the world; in the Economist’s 2017 Global Liveability Survey, Vancouver ranked an impressive 3rd. There’s more than enough for Vancouverites to do, with a superb bar and restaurant scene, loads of green space (including the forested Stanley Park), and the mighty Grouse Mountain overlooking it all.Different shipping options
If you’re planning on moving to Vancouver then you’ll probably want to take a few belongings with you. Shipping things over there is easy - you just need to choose between air freight and sea freight.Air freight is the faster option; sending your stuff by plane to Vancouver will most likely take about two to three days. However, air freight is also rather expensive, so it’s not advisable unless you’re having to move in a rush.
Sea freight is significantly cheaper, generally costing about five times less than air freight, which makes it ideal for people who are moving on a budget. Container ships are slow and will usually take several weeks to reach their destination, so it’s important that you plan any international move well in advance.
In the case of sea freight, your belongings will be shipped in either a 20ft or a 40ft container. If the total volume of your cargo is no more than around 15 cubic metres, you will share the use of a container with other people (in a process known as Less Than Container Load, or LCL). Most of our shipping suppliers offer a full door-to-door service, which means they’ll take care of everything all the way from your old home to your new one.
Major shipping routes
The Port of Vancouver, also known as Port Metro Vancouver, is the largest port in Canada. It’s situated only 1 km from Vancouver’s city centre and is well connected to the rest of the country. Once your container has arrived in the port, it will pass through customs and then be taken by train or truck to your new home.Canadian customs
Customs can seem a bit daunting but our experienced shipping suppliers will help you through it. Fortunately, Canada’s customs process is fairly straightforward. You need to create an inventory (i.e. a detailed list) of all the items you’re bringing into the country. Customs officials may open your container and physically inspect it, so make sure everything matches up with what’s written in your inventory. See below for an idea of all the things that are restricted or prohibited by Canadian customs.It is possible to bring your household goods into Canada duty-free, as long as you have owned them before your arrival into Canada and you intend to use them again in your new residence. Check out the Canadian customs official website for more information.
Shipping Container Options
20Ft Shipping Container
Dimensions:
33 Cubic Meters
5.9m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)
Price: £5,288 - £5,844
Get a quote for a 20ft container Get Shipping Container Quotes40Ft Shipping Container
Dimensions:
67 Cubic Meters
12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)
Price: £10,047 - £11,104
Get a quote for a 40ft container Get Shipping Container QuotesCar shipped by sea freight
Max Dimensions: 5.75m x 2.2m x 2.2m (l x w x h)
Base Price: £1,637 - £1,809
Quarantine & Taxes: £1,000 - £2,500
Price: £7,388 - £11,094
Get a quote for a car Get Shipping Container Quotes
