Newcomers to Canada have the flexibility to bring personal goods “to follow” into the country without paying duty. Deciding what items to bring with you on the plane, and what to ship as cargo “to follow” can be tricky. Likewise, you may have to create a list of personal belongings that will accompany you upon your arrival, and also another list of personal items to follow. It is always good to check Citizenship and Immigration Canada (www.cic.gc.ca) for the most current information.
The must-have items to bring are the following: essential documents (health, travel, certificates, etc.), a good selection of clothes that are appropriate for the climate, and funds that will cover your first few months stay. A laptop computer to get you connected to the internet will also be useful. If you don’t have a laptop, there are community centers and government services where you can access the internet (in Toronto, the public library is a good option).
Where to get a winter jacket?
The question about winter clothes does come up from time to time. Winter temperatures in Canada vary from province to province. You can easily check websites like The Weather Network (www.theweathernetwork.com) to get an idea how cold the area you are moving to can get. If you have access to shops in the Philippines that sell heavy winter jackets at affordable prices, then it may be worthwhile to get one. However, in Canada, there are many selections that will fit your style and budget once the winter season approaches. Likewise, there are shops that sell overstock winter jackets all year round. If you are on a tight budget, there are shops like The Salvation Army that sell used clothing at modest prices. Unless you are coming to Canada during winter, it is usually best to save the space in your luggage for other things.
Should I bring my sleeveless shirts and shorts?
Summer temperatures can vary widely across Canada. In Toronto it does get hot during summer! We made the mistake of disposing our summer clothes prior to moving to Canada. I had thought the summer temperature in Canada would be like Baguio at worst. Boy, was I wrong! During our first summer in Toronto, the temperature was over 36 degrees celsius (not counting the humidity). Likewise, after you experience the long winters in Canada, you will begin to realize why the locals start wearing their shorts and sleeveless shirts once the temperatures go above 20 degrees celsius.
Bulky items
If you have big and bulky items that you want to bring to Canada, then you have to consider a few things. The decision will depend a lot on where you plan to stay during the first few months upon your arrival. If you plan to stay with family or friends, do ask them if they have ample storage space, and do ask them for permission to store your items. In most cases, you will likely want to have flexibility in choosing the location of your new home during your first few months of stay in Canada. Having a lot of personal belongings to transport from one home to another greatly increases the effort of moving. If your friends or relatives have access to a van or a pickup truck to help you with your move, then that will be helpful. If not, you will need to get movers or rent a truck from U-Haul, and do the lifting yourself.
