How to Ship Furniture to Canada

Shipping furniture to Canada is easiest when you follow one order: choose the right shipping option, estimate furniture shipping costs with accurate measurements, pack for impact protection, and prepare the customs paperwork for smooth clearance. Skip a step and you’ll usually see higher fees, rework, and avoidable delays.

This guide explains how to ship furniture to Canada for small shipments and heavy furniture alike, including how dimensional (DIM) weight is calculated, when LTL shipping makes sense, and how to complete the Personal Effects Accounting Document when shipping personal effects.

Shipping options / Mode

Furniture shipping cost (DIM & LTL)

Packing & customs clearance

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Start With the 150 lbs Rule: Parcel vs LTL Shipping

Start with weight because it quickly narrows your shipping options. Furniture under 150 lbs is usually accepted by parcel carriers, while heavier pieces are typically better handled as LTL freight.

If your item is close to 150 lbs, weigh it after packing. Packaging materials like boxes, foam padding, and tape can push the final weight over the limit and change both the service and the price.

Compare Shipping Options for Shipping Furniture to Canada

Pick the best shipping option by weight/size first, then confirm how much handling you can accept. Use this quick table to decide in 10 seconds.

Simple Table: Best Shipping Option by Item Size

Shipment scenario	Best option	Why it works	What you must prepare
Under 150 lbs, boxed	Parcel shipping	More carrier options, easy pickup	Tight box size to reduce dim weight; strong packing
Over 150 lbs or bulky	LTL freight	Most cost-effective for heavy furniture	Pallet or crate; straps/stretch wrap; clear labels
Multiple pieces, whole room	Moving company	One team handles packing + delivery	Inventory list; delivery access details
Several items, flexible timeline	Consolidation / container	Efficient for larger shipments	Accurate packing list and customs paperwork

Use the table to pick your shipping option first, then move to the next section to estimate furniture shipping costs based on your final packed dimensions and weight.

Furniture Shipping Costs: What Actually Drives the Price

Furniture shipping costs vary because furniture shapes and materials vary, and carriers price space and handling. The biggest driver is usually the combination of bulky items plus protective packaging, which increases both volume and labor.

Shipping costs typically increase when you have:

oversized boxes that trigger dim weight
heavy furniture requiring freight equipment
residential pickup and delivery add-ons
fast shipping speed requirements
customs clearance delays that cause storage charges

When your goal is cost control, the most effective move is to reduce wasted space without reducing protection.

Dim Weight Explained: Why Big Boxes Raise Shipping Costs

Dimensional weight, or dim weight, is used to calculate shipping costs based on the space a package occupies relative to its actual weight. This matters for furniture because you often ship air inside boxes if you choose the wrong size.

To reduce dim weight, make one decision before you pack: use the smallest box possible that still allows proper packaging. If you need thick cushioning, shrink the furniture first by removing detachable parts.

How to Estimate Shipping Costs Before You Book

Shipping costs can be estimated using online tools once you have dimensions and weight. CBSA also provides a Duty and Taxes Estimator for personal-use goods, which helps you plan import charges more accurately.

For a stable estimate, collect these inputs first:

packaged dimensions for each box or crate
actual weight after packing
pickup and destination postal codes
delivery type: residential, liftgate, inside placement
declared value for customs paperwork

Accurate inputs matter because “rough guesses” are the main reason quotes change after pickup.

Packing Materials for Furniture Under 150 lbs

For shipping furniture under 150 lbs, your goal is to create a rigid, impact-resistant package without inflating dim weight. A furniture box or small crate works well when the item has corners and flat surfaces that can be protected efficiently.

Use this packing materials set:

a sturdy furniture box or compact crate
foam padding or bubble wrap for fragile parts
packing paper for surface scratch protection
heavy-duty packing tape to lock all seams
gap filler to prevent movement inside the box

If the item has glass or thin panels, prioritize edge protection with foam padding rather than adding more bubble wrap everywhere.

Packing Materials for Heavy Furniture Over 150 lbs

For shipping furniture over 150 lbs, freight handling is the default approach, so the goal changes: stabilize the piece so forklifts and terminal handling do not shift or crush it. LTL shipping works best when the load is secured to a pallet or built into a crate.

Recommended shipping materials for heavy furniture:

stretch wrap to bind layers
moving blankets or furniture pads for broad protection
straps to anchor the load
a crate for items with delicate edges or high value

Crating costs more upfront, but it often saves money by preventing damage and re-delivery problems.

How to Pack Furniture Properly Without Damage

Proper packaging is essential because furniture breaks at corners, legs, and connection points. It is usually a good idea to break down furniture as much as possible before shipping, especially legs, shelves, and detachable parts.

Use this packing furniture workflow:

Disassemble what you can and bag hardware in labeled plastic bags.
Wrap surfaces with packing paper, then protect fragile edges with foam padding or bubble wrap.
Stabilize the furniture inside the box so it cannot move during transit.
Use heavy-duty packing tape on every seam and stress point.

If your box has empty space, fill gaps with cushioning materials so the item cannot shift during impact.

Shipping Labels, Packing List, and Detailed Inventory

Labeling is not optional; it is your control system for delivery and customs paperwork. Label each box carefully with contents, destination address, and any handling instructions, then match those labels to your packing list.

Create a detailed inventory as you pack, because it supports both customs clearance and tracking. CBSA specifically advises preparing lists of goods and values when moving or returning to Canada.

Your detailed inventory should include:

item description and quantity
box number that matches shipping labels
declared value
materials and country of origin when relevant
personal items vs commercial goods

Customs Clearance in Canada: CBSA Declarations and Restricted Items

Customs clearance in Canada is easiest when one rule is met: your paperwork matches what you actually ship. The Canada Border Services Agency uses your declaration to assess taxes, decide inspections, and release cargo, so accuracy matters more than speed.

What you must declare to CBSA

Declare all goods you acquired outside Canada, including items shipped separately. For furniture shipments, use clear item names, realistic values, and a box count that matches your shipping labels and packing list.

Restricted items that commonly cause delays

Furniture is usually straightforward, but delays happen when restricted items are mixed into the load. CBSA highlights regulated categories such as food, plants, animals and related products, as well as controlled items like explosives and cannabis. Keep non-furniture items out unless you have confirmed the requirements.

If your shipment arrives after you

If your shipment arrives later than you do, declare that you have goods to follow when you enter Canada. CBSA’s process links your later shipment to your original declaration so it can be released properly.

Simple checklist to avoid holds

Use consistent descriptions and values across your invoice and inventory list.
Match the packing list to the exact number of boxes and labels.
Remove restricted items unless requirements are confirmed.
Prepare your goods-to-follow list before travel if anything will arrive later.

Duties, Taxes, and the Personal Effects Accounting Document

When you ship furniture to Canada, you should plan for duties and taxes unless your shipment qualifies as a relocation of personal household goods. In most cases, CBSA assesses charges based on the item’s declared value, what it is, and where it was made, and GST can apply.

If the furniture was bought abroad for personal use

You must declare the furniture to CBSA and pay the applicable GST and any provincial taxes if assessed. You can estimate the cost using CBSA’s Duty and Taxes Estimator, but the final amount is confirmed by a border services officer.

If you are moving to Canada with used household goods

If you are settling in Canada, you may be able to import your personal and household effects under tariff item 9807.00.00 without paying duties, as long as you meet CBSA’s conditions. This is the official framework for “settlers’ effects.”

The form you need: BSF186 and goods to follow

For relocation shipments, CBSA uses the Personal Effects Accounting Document, form BSF186, to record what you are importing as personal effects. If some items will arrive later, list them as goods to follow, typically using an additional list such as BSF186A.

What to prepare so customs clearance stays smooth

Keep this short, practical checklist:

A clear inventory list with realistic values and item descriptions
A packing list that matches your box count and shipping labels
Copies of BSF186 and your goods-to-follow list for later-arriving shipments

If your shipment arrives after you, tell the officer you have goods to follow when you enter Canada, because that’s how CBSA links your later shipment to your original declaration.

Special Risk: Unprocessed Wood and Phytosanitary Requirements

Furniture that includes unprocessed wood can face extra checks when entering Canada. Canada controls certain wood products to reduce pest risk, so these shipments may need more than standard customs clearance.

When this applies: raw or unfinished wood parts, visible bark, live-edge slabs, or natural wood components that are not fully manufactured.

What to do:

Check CFIA AIRS to confirm whether your specific item requires special documents.
If AIRS requires it, arrange a phytosanitary certificate before the cargo moves.
If you ship on wood pallets or in wood crates, make sure the wood packaging material is ISPM 15 compliant and clearly marked.

Verifying early is the easiest way to avoid border holds and storage fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to ship furniture to Canada?

The cheapest way to ship furniture is typically parcel services for smaller items and LTL freight for larger items. Parcel can be cost effective when the package stays compact, while LTL shipping becomes cheaper for heavy furniture and bulky items because it prices freight space differently.

How do I estimate furniture shipping costs accurately, including dim weight?

Start by measuring the final packed dimensions and the actual weight after packing. Carriers often price furniture by dim weight when boxes are large, so oversized packaging can raise the cost even if the item is not very heavy.

For a reliable estimate, use these inputs:

packed length, width, height for each box or crate
actual weight after packing
pickup and destination postal codes
delivery type such as residential, liftgate, or inside placement
declared value for customs paperwork

To lower costs, reduce empty space and use the smallest box that still allows proper packaging.

Do I need to declare everything to CBSA?

Yes, you need to declare your goods upon import, and when in doubt you should declare. CBSA advises declaring items if you are unsure, and officers will help determine duties and taxes.

What form do I use for personal effects and goods to follow?

Use BSF186 for your personal effects accounting, and BSF186A for goods to follow that arrive later. These forms are published by CBSA and are designed for listing household goods and later-arriving items.

Do new or returning residents need to meet an ownership-and-use period?

CBSA guidance on moving or returning to Canada describes ownership-and-use conditions and explains the six-month rule for former residents in many cases. For settlers’ effects, CBSA also provides detailed rules under tariff item 9807.00.00.

What packing materials should I use for shipping furniture under 150 lbs?

Use a sturdy furniture box or compact crate, foam padding or bubble wrap for fragile parts, packing paper for surfaces, and heavy-duty packing tape for seams. Keep the box as small as possible while still allowing proper packaging.

What changes when shipping furniture over 150 lbs?

Over 150 lbs typically pushes the shipment into freight handling, so stabilization becomes the priority. Use stretch wrap, moving blankets, straps, and consider crating for delicate or expensive pieces. LTL freight is commonly used for these shipments.

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