What Should You Ship, Sell or Buy New When Moving from India to Canada?

●     Ship what is irreplaceable, hard to find in Canada, or that you already own and use: pooja items, ethnic wear, steel and brass kitchenware, books and keepsakes.

●     Sell bulky or low-value items: most furniture, large appliances, mattresses and anything that runs on India’s 230V power.

●     Buy new in Canada what has to meet Canadian conditions or standards: winter coats and boots, 120V electronics, bedding that fits Canadian bed sizes, and child car seats.

●     Carry, don’t ship, documents, jewellery, laptops and medicines.

●     Sea freight is priced by volume, at about ₹36,000–50,000 per CBM on LCL. If shipping an item costs more than replacing it, sell it.

Unsure about your list? Book a free video survey and we’ll mark each item ship, sell or buy.

How do you decide what to ship, sell or buy?

Run each item through four questions:

1. Is it irreplaceable? Sentimental and religious items ship, whatever they cost.
2. Does it work in Canada? Canada uses 120V/60Hz, and India uses 230V/50Hz. Most Indian appliances will not run safely without a transformer, and many are not worth shipping at all.
3. How much space does it take? Every CBM you remove saves ₹36,000–50,000 on an LCL shipment. Bulky furniture is where the cost builds up.
4. Is it cheaper to replace than to ship? For most furniture and appliances, it is.

If an item fails two or more of these, sell it. For the full cost picture, see the India to Canada cost guide.

Ship, sell or buy: a category guide

Should you ship furniture to Canada or buy new?

For most families, buy new. Furniture takes up the most volume, and a sofa or dining set can add several CBM, which at ₹36,000–50,000 per CBM adds up quickly. A 1BHK is about 10.3 CBM, and a 2BHK about 18.3 CBM. Ship only the pieces you would regret losing, such as solid heirloom furniture. If you need the pieces later but not now, storage in India is cheaper than shipping and can hold them while you settle.

What appliances can you bring from India to Canada?

Very few. Canada runs on 120V/60Hz, while Indian appliances are built for 230V/50Hz, so most need a transformer or won’t work properly. Large appliances aren’t worth the freight. Chargers and laptops are usually dual-voltage and are fine, but check the label. Many Canadian rentals include a fridge and stove, so check before you buy.

What should you carry instead of shipping?

Keep these with you, in hand baggage where possible:

●     Passport, permits, certificates and transcripts

●     Jewellery and cash

●     Laptops, phones and chargers

●     Prescription medicines (in personal quantities, with prescriptions)

What do customs rules mean for what you ship?

Canada’s duty-free treatment for settlers covers goods you owned, possessed and used before arriving. Three consequences follow:

●     New, unused items can attract duty. Buying a full set of new things just before you fly is not free of cost at the border.

●     List everything. Goods arriving after you must be on your goods-to-follow list at your first entry, or they may lose duty-free treatment.

●     Don’t ship and then sell. If you sell or give away duty-free goods within a year of importing them, duty and taxes become payable.

Pikkol prepares the inventory from your packing list so your forms are ready before you fly. See the customs, visa and documentation guide.

What can’t you ship to Canada?

Leave out meat, dairy and many food items (CFIA rules), seeds, soil and plants, firearms and weapons, cannabis, prescription medicines beyond personal quantities, and hazardous goods such as aerosols, fuel, gas cylinders and paint. Details are on the corridor page.

What about your car, pets and parcels?

●     Cars and bikes: most families sell and buy in Canada. See vehicle shifting for options.

●     Pets: plan 2–3 months ahead with the pet relocation team.

●     A few boxes only: the international parcel service suits smaller loads, such as kitchen utensils, idols and paintings.

●     Fragile or valuable items: read the high-value move guide and the risk guide on insurance.

When should you sell, and when should you book?

Pikkol’s take

The most expensive mistake is shipping a three-bedroom’s worth of furniture to a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto, and paying ₹36,000–50,000 for every CBM of a sofa you’ll resell within a year. Ship the things with a story, sell the things with a size, and buy the things with a plug. Need help deciding? Our international relocation team can walk through it on a video survey.

Frequently asked questions

What should I ship when moving from India to Canada?
Ship irreplaceable and hard-to-find items: pooja items, ethnic wear, steel and brass kitchenware, books and keepsakes. Carry documents, jewellery and laptops.

What should I sell before moving to Canada?
Sell bulky and low-value items: most furniture, large appliances, TVs and mattresses. They are costly to ship, and many appliances won’t suit Canada’s 120V power.

What should I buy new in Canada?
Buy winter coats and boots, 120V appliances and electronics, bedding that fits Canadian bed sizes, and child car seats that meet Canadian standards.

Is it cheaper to ship furniture or buy it in Canada?
For most families, buying is cheaper. LCL costs about ₹36,000–50,000 per CBM, and a few pieces of furniture can take several CBM.

Can I bring my Indian appliances to Canada?
Rarely worth it. Canada uses 120V/60Hz, and most 230V Indian appliances need a transformer or won’t run properly.

Do I pay duty on household goods I ship to Canada?
Generally no, if you owned and used them before arriving and list them as goods to follow when you first enter Canada. New, unused items can attract duty.

Can I sell goods after bringing them to Canada?
Selling or giving away duty-free goods within a year of importing them can make duty and taxes payable.

Plan your move to Canada

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