Just had this in my quote from GB Liners....

"Excludes agricultural examination fees if ordered. If
strikes at Canadian ports proceed, from 01/01/2013 there
will be additional costs of approx US$1000-1200."

WTH?!!

I think this probably refers to the potential US east coast strikes (http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...trike/1794717/) which if they go ahead will cause congestion at Canadian ports because of the rerouting of all the cargo..... the ports will be applying this surcharge to all imports to try and ease congestion so it's a charge you need to be aware of....latest information is that they have extended the contract until the beginning of February but your removal company should keep you updated on the latest news as it happens if it affects you.

Agricultural examinations fees are basically if Canadian border protection decide to inspect your shipment.... any items found non compliant (i.e. they find traces of soil) then you'll be charged for either cleaning, destroying or returning to the UK those items.

Hope that helps?

That's all we need.

Hopefully this is short term - we're not going until May/June (if we ever get visas) so fingers crossed this will be over by then.

Sorry, I know about the ag. charges - should have taken that out of the quote, it was the strike bit I'd not heard of.

Thanks for the heads up.

Well we have decided on the Moving Partnership. They sent packers instead of a salesperson to do our inventory and we managed to get them down to 3700 for a 20 foot plus insurance. We will have a wish list of things that can stay if we don't fit but the packers have assured me we will. We shall see!

What was the original quote?

closer to 3900

Thanks - ours was quite a bit more than that with TMP but no surprise as we live in the middle of nowhere.

Not that we are even ready to go, still in limbo.....

Good luck with your move!

And good luck to you! We know how hard limbo is

Such examinations are randoms and yes personal effects have a higher level of scrutiny by customs. It is not entirely "AGRICULTURAL" related, that component is controlled by the CFIA and mainly focuses on wood packaging regulations and ofcourse food product, which most people with common sense should & do not include in the shipment. And the inspections costs are not issued by Canada Customs themselves, it is an invoice from the bonded warehouse and trucker for the transfer and detuffing costs, it is then been passed on to the bonded steamship line who in turn passes it to the moving company and then onto the consignee. Some inspections can actually be as high as CA$1800.00.

In regards to strikes, there hasn't been a significant strike at a Canadian ports for a little while now, and our current government has proven it will put into place back to work legislation in such cases, ie. Air Canada, Railways, etc.

I'm even more stressed at the thought of this.