Top 12 International Movers in Canada

Are you thinking of moving overseas? If so, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of Canadians make the decision to relocate to another country.

But before you pack your bags and start planning your new life abroad, there’s one important task you need to take care of: finding a reputable international moving company.

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a mover, such as accreditations, services offered, and shipping options. And with so many companies to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start.

That’s why we’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of the top international movers in Canada. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about international moving, so you can be as prepared as possible for your big move.

Keep reading to find out more!

What Should You Look For in an International Moving Company?

When looking for an international moving company, it’s important to consider their accreditations. One such accreditation is from the Federation of International Furniture Removers (FIDI).

FIDI is the biggest global alliance of professional international moving companies, with over 500 members in more than 150 countries. To be accredited by FIDI, a company must adhere to a strict set of quality standards, which include:

• being financially stable
• having a minimum of five years of experience in international moves
• having storage facilities that meet FIDI’s specifications
• carrying comprehensive marine transit insurance
• adhering to the paperwork and customs requirements for each country they operate in.

Moving companies that are accredited by FIDI are held to the highest standards in the industry, so you can be confident that your move will be in good hands.

What Is the International Moving Process?

1. Obtain quotes

The first step in the moving process is obtaining quotes from various international moving companies. Make sure to get an in-home estimate so the mover can see exactly what needs to be moved. This will give you the most accurate quote possible. Be sure to ask about any hidden fees or charges that may not be included in the initial quote.

2. Review quotes

Once you have received quotes from various international moving companies, it’s time to review them. Compare the services each company offers and their prices. We also advise you to read the fine print so you are aware of any additional charges that may apply.

3. Read company reviews

Before making a final decision, be sure to read reviews of the international moving companies you are considering. Look for reviews on reputable websites such as Yelp or the Better Business Bureau. This will give you an idea of what other customers have experienced with each company.

4. Ask questions

Finally, make sure to ask any questions you may have about the international moving process before making your final decision. If there is anything you are unsure about, try to clarify it with the company before signing any contracts.

Now that we’ve covered all the basics let’s look at the top 12 international movers in Canada!

1. Armstrong Moving

Armstrong Moving is the most prominent member of United Van Lines in Canada, capable of handling any move between Canada and the United States. In the past two decades, Armstrong Moving has become a market leader in corporate moving because of the corporation’s support and trust.

The clientele of Armstrong Moving includes large corporations, universities, independent executives, and relocation companies. The company offers high-profile moving services and has a very good rep for providing extra attention and care to even the most demanding clients.

They can move you domestically or internationally. As long-term FIDI members, they have access to over 600 global moving businesses.

Services offered by Armstrong Moving include:

• Packing
• Vehicle transportation
• Pet relocation
• Appliance servicing
• Customs regulations and documentation assistance
• Worldwide and local moves (including corporate relocation)
• Household goods storage
• Commercial warehousing
• Fine art services

Official website: https://www.armmove.com/en/

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2. Brytor International Moving

Many of the largest companies and organizations in Canada and the United States prefer Brytor International Moving to move their employees to any part of the world, both on long-term and temporary assignments.

With over 100 years of global experience, they are one of the most knowledgeable firms around. They can help you move your workers or your family to a new location as rapidly and comfortably as possible and make sure that the move is effortless and stays on schedule and budget.

Brytor International Moving also provides storage at competitive rates in a secure, contemporary facility. To ensure protection from dust, moisture, loss, and pests, they store all household goods in individual pallet storage bins.

They can also provide door-to-door packing and moving services for your belongings.

You can also expect a few other things from Brytor International Moving:

• Specialized relocation experts
• Trained crews
• Shared load services
• State-of-the-art warehousing

Official website: https://www.brytor.ca/

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3. AMJ Campbell

AMJ Campbell moving experts have assisted 1,000,000+ individuals in reaching their next significant location in 85 years. You can rely on them to do the same for you. From local to global transfers, AMJ Campbell can handle it all.

The company’s custom solutions can accommodate any move, no matter how complex and specific. They’ll do everything in their power to make your move as simple as possible. This includes listening first, so they can design custom moving, delivery, and storage solutions that address your concerns at all times.

AMJ Campbell offers an extensive range of services, including:

• Home moving
• Home delivery
• Office moving
• Storage solutions
• International moving
• Specialized logistics

Official website: https://amjcampbell.com

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4. Canada Moving

Canada Moving has a long history dating back to the 1890s. They began as a delivery business in London, Ontario, Canada that provided horse-and-wagon services. But, now, Canada Moving has grown into one of Canada’s most popular moving and storage businesses.

Canada Moving is a family-run firm that serves corporations and individuals across Canada, the United States, and around the world. They have 21 offices throughout the country offering local in addition to long-distance moving services through United Van Lines and Mayflower Canada, which have over 165 moving partners around the world.

Canada Moving offers quality customer service and 800 professionally trained movers to ensure a hassle-free relocation, whether it’s from (or to) an apartment, condo, house, business, or warehouse.

With Canada Moving, you can expect the following:

• Free consultation
• Guaranteed price quotes
• Exceptional customer service
• Protection insurance (Full Protection During Transportation)
• Trained movers
• Up-to-date moving equipment
• Fully loaded trucks
• Boxes and supplies for packing
• Worldwide access to moving partners

Official website: https://www.canadamoving.com/

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5. Paramount Transportation Systems (PTS)

Since 1996, Paramount Transportation Systems has provided global moving services through strategically located operations and customer service centers throughout the US, Canada, Asia, and Europe.

In addition to moving household goods, pets, and vehicles for multinational corporations and Fortune 500 companies, Paramount also specializes in vehicles moving.

With almost 45,000 shipments per year reaching more than 170 countries, PTS is a licensed global freight forwarder. Over the years, they have moved hundreds of thousands of families worldwide, and many corporations trust them with this vital function.

Globally, the company is a leader in household goods management and movement. With a passion for exceeding customers’ expectations, it strives to minimize challenges, improve value, build lasting relationships, and minimize the stress associated with one of life’s biggest transitions.

On top of its own facilities, PTS has long-standing partnerships with agents, airlines, trucking and shipping companies, and customs brokers in all major ports worldwide, which allows them to service clients and transferees across the globe.

The company offers:

• International moving services
• Domestic moving services
• Warehousing and storage services
• Relocation services
• Shipment tracking system

Official website: https://www.pts-moves.com/

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6. Taylor International

Taylor International has been providing world-class domestic relocation services for over 50 years. The company has 50,000 square feet of climate-controlled warehouse storage, near Canada Customs, and the company’s employees are highly skilled.

What makes Taylor International really stand out is the fact that it’s the only moving firm out there that employs quality control supervisors to teach and improve its personnel, like packers and van foremen. In addition, they require a complete criminal record check of all van foremen for their Southwestern Ontario location, providing an added layer of safety.

However, note that Taylor International located in Ontario handles solely domestic moves. They don’t handle large business relocations or unusual products. Advantageously, this allows them to devote all their time and energy to enhancing the moving process.

Taylor International provides:

• Move management
• Overseas moving
• Global network
• Storage

Official website: https://taylorinternational.ca/

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7. Tippet Richardson

Founded almost a century ago, Tippet-Richardson is one of Canada’s oldest and most reputable moving and storage companies. The company provides services across all major cities throughout Canada, the US, and worldwide.

Tippet-Richardson recognizes that the moving industry has an impact on the environment, so it enforces an idle-free policy on all of its trucks to do its part. They have also made an effort to recycle and reuse paper boxes in addition to reducing waste from non-recyclable materials.

With Tippet Richardson, your valuables will be packed and loaded safely and efficiently by the company’s movers who receive thorough training. They are instructed to double-check that all items are included in the shipment using Yembo software.

Here’s a summary of what you can expect with Tippet Richardson:

• Moving locally
• Office and industrial sectors
• Long-distance moving
• International moving
• Crate and freight services for cross-border shipments
• Management of records
• A storage facility
• Services for packing
• Supplies
• Third-party logistics

Official website: https://tippetrichardson.com/

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8. Highland Worldwide

Known as one of the largest movers in Western Canada, Highland Worldwide is committed to providing its customers with exceptional customer service. They provide moving services throughout all of Metro Vancouver.

Also, they have customs-bonded warehouses in Vancouver and Victoria, which makes them the only certified international moving company with these facilities. The benefits of this are that they are able to provide quicker, more efficient service and a greater level of convenience to their clients.

At every stage, the company keeps in touch with you, so you can rest assured your valuables are safe. They also offer a thorough pre-move survey and computerized moving calculation, so you get an accurate estimate right away.

The accreditations that Highland Moving has are among the best in the industry. In addition to having an A+ rating from the BBB, they have also been awarded the Atlas Platinum Quality Service and Atlas Van Lines Quality Service Awards.

Aside from that, the company is a member of various internationally renowned moving associations.

The range of services the company offers includes:

• Local moving
• Long distance moving
• International moving
• Corporate service
• Storage

Official website: https://www.highland-worldwide.com/

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9. Orbit International Moving Company

Whether you are moving your family, your business, or just your products, the Orbit International Moving Company provides free, no-obligation estimates, listens to your concerns, and finds solutions that are right for you.

With an extensive global network of agents, they have established themselves as one of North America’s top international movers.

Orbit is an active member of the International Association of Movers (IAM) and the International Movers Network (TIMN).

No matter if you’re moving locally, long-distance, or internationally, Orbit offers a wide range of services to make your move as simple as possible. You don’t have to worry about anything during your relocation – they do it all!

The team at Orbit is dedicated and highly trained. Before ever being sent out on a job, each team member must undergo a rigorous professional training program. Inexperienced movers can’t handle your belongings with this moving company.

To make your move efficient and eliminate the possibility of human error, Orbit uses Voxme, a move management software that manages all aspects of a move. In minutes, their on-site surveyors record the inventory of items for packing and moving, calculate the number of packing materials needed, and provide you with an accurate estimate.

Voxme can even print shipping labels and create transportation and customs documents in any language.

The services that the company offers include:

• Local moving
• Long distance moving
• International relocation
• Commercial shipping
• Heavy equipment shipping
• Storage solutions
• Professional packing services
• Specialized packing materials

Official website: https://www.orbitmoving.com/

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10. Premiere Van Lines

Providing moving services across Canada, Premiere Van Lines has more than 500 employees in key markets. Franchises have to adhere to Premiere’s highest quality standards, which ensures that you’ll get virtually the same service in every location.

Premiere Van Lines will help you move anywhere, whether it’s locally, across Canada, to the USA, or internationally. When you entrust them with your possessions and memories, the company ensures they arrive safely, and in the condition they were in when they left.

The company can handle office moves, furniture installation, freight shipping, or managing your company’s home delivery service efficiently, quickly, and professionally.

There are times when you have more belongings than space, or you have to move out before moving in. With Premiere Van Lines’s fully monitored and climatized storage facility, you won’t have to worry about your belongings.

Premiere Van Lines customers can benefit from:

• Planning
• Packing
• Moving in & unpacking Services
• Local & long distance
• Storage
• Fine art & antiques

Official website: https://premierevanlines.com/

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11. Starline Overseas Moving

Starline Overseas was founded in 1982 with a global alliance of quality international movers, and has been operating since then.  It specializes in international relocations.

The International Association of Movers (IAM) and FIDI, the world’s premier international moving organization, are both affiliated with Starline.

Both of the company’s warehouses in Calgary and Edmonton are approved for international shipments. The facilities have high security, climate control, pest control, an alarm system, palletization, and sprinklers.

The parent company, Highstar Group, operates a number of specialized divisions and subsidiary companies and one of them is Starline Overseas Moving. Highland Moving handles the company’s domestic business in Canada, and a separate division handles office relocations.

The range of services offered by the company includes:

• Corporate relocations
• Move management
• Quality process
• Moving from Canada
• Moving to Canada
• Protecting your goods
• Transportation services
• Packing services
• Transporting vehicles
• Shipment rracking

Official Website: https://www.starlineoverseas.com/

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12. Allied Van Lines

Allied Van Lines has been in the moving business for more than 90 years. They have a rep for accommodating every client request and for being there from the beginning to the end of the moving process.

If you leave it in their hands, they’ll make everything as hassle-free as possible, as they plan it down to the last detail.

Each relocation is approached with the same level of quality service and commitment to success, no matter where you are moving.

The full range of services Allied Van Lines includes:

• Local moves
• Interprovincial moves
• International moves
• Packing
• Assembly/disassembly
• Loading/unloading
• Household moves
• Corporate moves

Official website: https://www.alliedvanlines.ca/

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Additional services international moving companies provide

If you are considering a moving company, you might look at their additional services and how they can benefit you before making a final decision.

· Secure storage

If you are not able to receive your belongings at your destination right away, most international moving companies will offer secure storage options. This gives you peace of mind, as it reassures you that your belongings are in good hands and will be taken care of until you are ready to receive them.

·Comprehensive marine transit insurance

All reputable international moving companies will offer some form of transit insurance. This is to protect your belongings in the event that something happens to them during the move. Make sure to ask about the coverage options and what is included in the policy before you choose a company.

·Corporate relocation services

If you are moving for work, many international moving companies offer corporate relocation services. These services can help make the transition smoother for you and your family by handling all the logistics of the move.

·Customs requirements and advisory

When you are moving internationally, there are a lot of customs regulations that you need to be aware of. A good international moving company will be able to advise you on what items you can and cannot bring into your new country, as well as help with any paperwork that needs to be filled out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the average cost of an international move from Canada?

The average cost of an international move from Canada can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including the size and weight of your shipment, the distance it’s traveling, the mode of transportation (air, land, or sea), and whether you are using a full-service mover that includes packing, insurance, and other additional services.

Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 for an international move from Canada.

What international shipping options from Canada are available?

Shipping options from Canada will vary depending on the company that you choose, but there are generally four main types of shipping: sole-use containers, groupage (shared container service), LCL (less-than-container-load), and air freight.

Sole-use containers are exactly what they sound like – shipping containers used solely for your belongings. This is often the most expensive option, but it provides the most privacy and protection for your possessions.

Groupage, or shared container service, is when your belongings are shipped in a container with other people’s belongings. This is usually the cheapest option, but it means that your things are more exposed to damage, and there is less privacy.

LCL, or less-than-container load, means that your belongings will be shipped in a container with other people’s belongings, but you will only be charged for the space that you use.

This is a good middle ground between sole-use containers and groupage – it’s more affordable than a sole-use container, but your things will still have some protection.

Air freight is when your belongings are shipped by plane instead of by boat. This is usually the fastest option but also the most expensive.

How should you compare international moving quotes?

When comparing international moving quotes, it’s important to compare apples to apples by ensuring that each quote includes the same services and features. Some things to look for include:

• The type of estimate (binding vs. non-binding)
• The date of pickup and delivery
• Inclusions (packing, assembly/disassembly, storage)
• Exclusions (insurance)
• Minimum charges
• Cancellation policies
• Payment terms

It’s also important to remember that the lowest quote is not necessarily the best deal.

Be sure to read reviews and ask questions to get a sense of the quality of each company’s service before making your final decision.

Conclusion

If you’re considering moving overseas, it’s important to choose an experienced and reputable international mover. This article outlines some of the key things to look for in a company, as well as the different shipping options available from Canada.

Be sure to get quotes from several companies and read reviews before making your final decision.

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Warwick Woodley

With some 40+ years’ experience in the International moving and relocation industry Warwick has held senior management roles and Directorships both in New Zealand and Asia. He was a trainer for the FIDI Academy over a number of years teaching the EiM course to many students all over the world. He has had considerable exposure to all facets of international transport including shipping, airfreight, marine insurance, logistics and global mobility.