AliceBeeblebox

Hi everyone! I'm moving to Ontario in the next few months (v. nervous!!)

During my last visit to Canada I was quite shocked at the price of most goods (and food!).

My relocation costs are being paid by my new employer, so I'm in the position to stock up on stuff and ship it over to Canada without incurring any costs.

I'm trying to figure out what (if anything) I should buy in the UK and ship over to Canada because:
a. It will be cheaper than buying it in Canada
or
b. It's not available in Canada

I would be very grateful if anyone has any insights on what to ship over and in particular what anyone overlooked to bring and once in Canada thought "damn, I/we should have bought that in the UK".


I don't plan on shipping furniture as I hope to rent a furnish house in the first year of my move. I also don't have kids.

So far the only thing I've purchased in the UK are some boots (Hunter, North Face) that were considerably cheaper on sale over here than in Canada.

rich07

I strongly recommend shipping furniture, it is so much more expensive here. Even if you have to pay to store it for a year it will probably be cheaper. Unfurnished rentals are also cheaper

jericho

If you're not bringing furniture, I'm not sure what else there is to bring. Clothes maybe?
Electrical goods are generally cheaper here than the UK.
You cant bring food.

And for any "new" items, you run the risk of paying import duty.

So in all honesty, I wouldnt waste your time, and just wait 'til you get here.

Siouxie

You can bring food products provided they are sealed, in the original container and do not contain beef or beef by-products; there is a list of prohibited items here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/fpa-apa/regs-eng.html and here: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/i...1300127627409# and in either case you should declare any food items being carried.

I would definitely bring furniture, it is horrendously expensive here and if your employers are paying you may as well! I would bring extra sheets, duvet covers, towels etc., underwear, computer, Paxo stuffing (it isn't the same here); Birds Instant Custard, mixed herbs and bouquet garne, chocolate hobnobs, any UK chocolate or sweets or biscuits you particularly like, Crisps, Robinsons Squash (impossible to get here), make up.

Have a look on the forum and there are several threads asking what people miss or what they wished they had bought.

In my personal experience, there are very few furnished apartments available and you will pay a much higher rent if you do choose one.

Catsteve

I would bring everything, except for electrical things either with a motor or that heats up. Furniture is expensive here especially beds so either bring what you have or save hard for when you get here.

I wished we had stocked up in the UK on clothes. Definately clothes. Fashion here is not really high on most peoples agenda and clothes shops reflect this. Bring as much as you can. Underwear too, leather shoes/boots/Uggs, silly things like birthday cards, nice mugs and plates etc, socks There is a lack of shops selling nice homeware and what there is is quite pricey. Bring a lot of plug adapters if you are bringing electrical stuff. Its difficult to get some British books in the shops so stock up on novels (and Amazon shipping costs are high). Good luck!

Novocastrian

Eh? If the British books you're referring to, aren't available in Canada, there may be a perfectly good reason. i.e. they're crap. Moreover Amazon shipping costs are negligible.

Aviator

Good quality furniture here is better than anything I ever found in the UK and reasonable. Just bought a solid cherry dining set and walnut bedroom set, locally made.

RKS_in_Calgary

just bear in mind that we are on 110V here and the UK is on 220/240V meaning that for most appliance you need a step-down transformer to run them here. Most PC will switch to 110V automatically so you just need a plug adapter but for most other things you would have to but the transfomer rated to whatever the wattage of the applicance is - these are big heavy blocks and cost $30-100 each to buy (from memory). We couldnt find them anywhere apart from the internet. We brought almost all our electrical appliance as our company was paying so space wasnt an issue. If we did it again we wouldnt bother with anything other than expensive stereo system and the PC.

Worth a thought anyway and good luck.

Novocastrian

Ah, but there few who can afford good quality furniture anywhere.

But even for run-of-the-mill stuff I've no idea where the idea that Canada is pricier comes from. I'm not particularly proud of this but I bought a 3-seat and 2-seat sofa pair and a matching armchair + footstool from Leon's about 2 years ago for $1200 all in. It seemed like a giveaway to me.

AliceBeeblebox

Thanks very much for all the tips - they are very helpful!

I don't think I will ship furniture - mostly because I don't have much. I was thinking of bringing a good quality desk chair and desk (I'm an academic and spend most of my time sitting at a desk).

Other things I'll definitely consider is more clothes, underwear and shoes.

I found toiletries particularly expensive during my last visit, so I am considering loading up on products from Boots/Superdrug/Wilkinsons etc.

I was also thinking about shipping over some food (chocolate, biscuits, shortbread).

I wasn't too sure if my computer/monitors will work in Canada due to different voltage etc.

dbd33

Marmite. The price differential is huge and it keeps for years. I'd bring 5, maybe 10, gallons.

Novocastrian

I'm an academic too, I spend most of my time in seedy bars.


Aha, an academic incompetent then?

Aviator

Bring some Gorgonzola, it keeps for years I believe and you won't notice the growths. Cheese is pricey.

AliceBeeblebox

Ha! My last computer blew up, so I'm taking no chances.

Good idea! Although I lean towards Bovril (which I assume cannot be shipped because it's a beef product).

tee1

Do you plan on doing any outdoor sports? Quality Outdoorsy stuff is quite expensive, Running shoes, hiking boots, specialist outdoor clothes, tents, sleeping bags etc etc. Theres no equivalent of say sports direct where you can get a £3 thermal. Not that ive found anyway Winners (tk max) has some stuff but I dont find it as good value as back in the UK