Moving from Spain to Canada?
We handle your move door-to-door, stress-free!
Moving to Canada from Spain
Wisse Moving provides a door-to-door moving service from Spain to Canada. We are a family business and a member of the International Association of Movers (IAM). This means we work to a high standard of quality for your move. We collect your goods anywhere in Spain, including Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia. We organize the transport and deliver to your new home in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, or any other place in Canada.
You get a dedicated Move Manager. This gives you one direct point of contact to handle your entire move, from organizing the collection to the final delivery. We pack your boxes, disassemble your furniture, and wrap everything securely for export. We arrange the transport insurance and handle the export customs clearance in Spain. In Canada, we deliver the goods inside your home. We can also unpack your belongings and remove the packing materials if you request this.
How to get a proposal for your move
To give you a correct price for your move to Canada, we calculate the exact volume of your goods and check the access situation at your current residence.
The most efficient way to do this is with a short video call. You use your smartphone to walk through your house and show us what you want to move. During the call, we also discuss your practical needs, such as packing services, furniture disassembly, or temporary storage.
After we check the volume and your requirements, we send you a clear, personalized proposal with the right transport option for your situation.
Ready to start your move?
Book a quick video call to get an accurate, no-obligation proposal.
Temporary storage
You might need to store your goods temporarily. This often happens if you have to leave your house in Spain before your home in Canada is ready, or if you are still waiting for your visa. In these cases, we collect your belongings and keep them in our storage facilities before shipping. We agree on the collection dates with you, depending on our availability.
Transport options for moving to Canada from Spain
We use three main options for your move to Canada:
- Full sea container: A sea container used only for your goods. This is the right option if you move a complete household with furniture.
- Groupage sea container (LCL): If you have less volume and only small furniture, we pack your goods into liftvans (crates). We load these crates into a sea container to Canada together with other shipments.
- Airfreight: We use this for small shipments up to 1 or 2 cubic metres when the goods need to arrive as fast as possible.
We calculate your total volume, check the dimensions of your furniture, and look at your deadlines to determine the best option. We will prepare a personalized proposal based on the exact details of your move.
⚠️ Export Customs from Spain: To legally export your belongings from Spain, the Spanish customs authorities require a valid, unexpired DNI (for Spanish citizens) or NIE (for foreign residents). Please ensure your Spanish identification is up to date before booking your move, as expired documents will block the shipment from leaving the country.
Requirements for customs clearance in Canada
Customs regulations can seem complicated, but at Wisse Moving, we will guide you through the entire process. While we take care of all the export customs paperwork in Spain, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) requires some specific documentation from you upon arrival.
General Documents Required for Everyone:
- Copy of a valid Passport (the photo page).
- Detailed Inventory / Packing List in English or French (Our packing crew will prepare this for you on moving day).
- Form BSF186 (formerly known as B4): Personal Effects Accounting Document. You will need to present this upon your arrival at the airport.
Depending on your immigration status, Canadian customs will classify you as either a Former Resident or a Settler/Temporary Resident, which changes the documents you must provide:
For Returning Canadian Citizens (Former Residents)
If you are a Canadian citizen returning home after living in Spain or Europe, you can import your used personal effects tax and duty-free, provided you meet this requirement:
- Proof of residency abroad for at least 12 months: You must show evidence that you have lived outside of Canada for a year or more. Valid proofs include a Spanish rental agreement, utility bills, a work contract, or a letter from an employer abroad.
For New Immigrants, Expats & Work/Study Visa Holders (Settlers)
If you are a foreign national moving to Canada, you will need to present your legal authorization to reside in the country. You must provide one of the following:
- Valid Work Visa or Study Permit.
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR – IMM 5292 or IMM 5688).
- Permanent Resident (PR) Card.
⚠️ Important Note Regarding Canadian Customs: Unlike some other countries, Canada requires the importer (you) to clear customs in person. Once your shipment arrives at the designated bonded warehouse or port in Canada, you must physically visit the local CBSA customs office with your passport and the provided documentation to clear your goods. Once cleared, you will hand the customs release document to our local agent, and we will proceed with the final delivery to your new Canadian home.
Moving to Canada from Spain with alcohol
If you ship wine to Canada, we pack the bottles securely for transport. We do not ship wine during the winter under any circumstances. The cold temperatures cause the bottles to freeze and break during transit.
Frequently Asked Questions: Moving to Canada from Spain
We collect your belongings anywhere in Spain, including Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia. We organize the transport and deliver directly inside your new home in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, or any other location in Canada.
We pack your boxes, disassemble the furniture, and wrap everything securely for export. At your destination in Canada, we can also unpack your belongings and remove the packing materials upon request.
You receive a dedicated Move Manager. This provides you with one direct point of contact to handle the entire process, from organizing the collection to the final delivery.
We calculate the exact volume of your goods and check the access situation at your current home via a short video call. After this assessment, we send you a personalized proposal with the appropriate transport option and the exact costs.
We offer temporary storage facilities in Spain. If you leave your house in Spain before your Canadian residence is available or if you are waiting for a visa, we collect your belongings and hold them until you are ready for shipping.
We use three main methods: a full sea container (FCL) for complete households, groupage in an LCL sea container (using liftvans) for smaller volumes, and airfreight for urgent shipments up to 2 cubic metres.
Yes. To export your belongings from Spain, you must provide a valid Spanish DNI (for Spanish citizens) or a NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero, for foreign residents). The Spanish customs authorities require this identification to process the export clearance.
You need a copy of your passport, a detailed packing list, the Personal Effects Accounting Document (form BSF186), and your immigration papers or work permit. We provide the packing list and transport documents.
The owner of the goods must be present in Canada to clear customs. The Canadian customs authorities make the final decision on whether your goods can be imported and determine if any taxes or duties apply.
Returning Canadians must have lived outside of Canada for more than one year. You must also prove that you have owned the goods for at least 6 months prior to importing them.
We pack wine bottles securely for transport, but we do not ship wine during the winter under any circumstances. Cold temperatures cause the bottles to freeze and break during transit.
Got any questions about your move to Canada?
Our team of experts is looking forward to assisting you.