Cross-border moving made easier
PODS is your moving and storage expert for cross-border moves
Whether you’re moving back home or starting your next big adventure, PODS can help every step of the way. We’ll help you navigate the process and provide you with all the resources you’ll need for a smoother cross-border move.
Get your customized moving quote.
Move to the U.S. with PODS in 9 easy steps
- Call or chat with us to get a free quote and book your move.
- We’ll deliver your empty container to your house. We’ve got containers for any size move.
- Load the container at your own pace, taking as much time as you need.
- Complete your rental agreement and send us all required paperwork listed below, including a Power of Attorney form to allow us to clear customs on your behalf. (We cannot pick up your container until all documentation has been submitted.)
- Schedule a time for us to come pick up your container.
- Make sure to travel to the U.S. before your container is shipped and stay in the U.S. until it arrives.
- PODS picks up your container and does all the driving.
- We contact you when the container arrives in the U.S.
- That’s it! You’ve moved to the U.S.!
Check out our cross-border FAQs here
Find all the required documents. Right here.
Check out our guide, Required forms and key information for moves to the United States
What to know before you pack
- Bringing goods into the U.S.
- You may be required to pay duties on different goods from your household. Learn more from CBP.
- Importing a vehicle into the U.S.
- Before importing your car into the U.S., you need to ensure it’s admissible. Find out more from CBP.
- Moving pets to the U.S.
- If you’re planning on bringing your animal companions with you, make sure to get the right paperwork in place. Get details from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Bringing alcohol into the U.S.
- Alcohol cannot be shipped to the U.S. in a PODS container. It must travel with an individual following these regulations from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
- Bringing tobacco into the U.S.
- Tobacco cannot be shipped to the U.S. in a PODS container. It must travel with an individual following these regulations from CBP.
- Prohibited and restricted items
- Some items are considered too dangerous to be brought into the U.S. Here’s a comprehensive list from CBP on what to leave behind.
Support without borders
- Flexible scheduling: We fit your plans with no penalties for rescheduling.
- Help with the heavy lifting: We do all the driving, and can connect you with local packing and loading pros.
- Cross-border experts: We have many years’ experience moving people to the U.S.
We’ve got containers to fit your moving and storage needs
Large Container16-Foot
- Ideal for a 2-bedroom home, or up to 1,200 sq. ft.
- About the length of a standard parking spot
- Comparable to a 10'x15' storage unit or a 20' truck
- Available for moving and storage needs
Medium Container12-Foot
- Perfect for a 1-bedroom home, or a 500-800 sq. ft. space
- Great for packing away things from 2 or 3 rooms
- Compare to a 10'x10' storage unit or 15' truck
- Available for storage only
Small Container8-Foot
- Great for a studio or room of 500 sq. ft. or less
- A popular choice for college students
- Comparable to a 5'x10' storage unit or 10' truck
- Available for moving and storage needs
See what real cross-border customers have to say
Feel at home in the U.S.
Immigrating to the U.S.
Learn from the U.S. Government how you and your family can immigrate into the country.
Settling in the U.S.
Get ready for life in the U.S. with tips from the U.S. Government on topics like securing a job, getting an education and finding child care.
Understanding the U.S. healthcare system
Let the U.S. Government show you how to find health insurance for your family and navigate the healthcare system.
Have questions? We have answers.
When it comes to paperwork submission and follow-up, all communication is via email through PODS. At time of booking, an automated email will be sent with information on next steps.
Please submit each document separately in PDF format to SpecialServicesPPW@pods.com.
Yes. You and any persons moving internationally together must each have the appropriate documentation to prove status in the United States.
You do not have to meet the driver at the border, but you must have arrived in the United States prior to the shipping of the container and remain there until the container arrives. Failure to arrive in the United States prior to the container’s arrival at the border could result in your shipment being returned to Canada.
Yes. It is possible to move a container internationally for a vacation home. In most situations, a customer must show proof of property ownership in Canada and the U.S., all required customs forms, and a six-month visa. (Rental properties will not be approved by customs.)
For additional assistance regarding this particular need, please give us a toll-free call at (877) 770-7637.
No. PODS international transport is for residential use only.
Yes. You must complete a detailed list of the container contents. If you have more than one container, you must create separate lists.
The assessment of any taxes and duties is strictly between the customer and customs. PODS is not involved.
A link to all required forms will be e-mailed to the customer after the container is booked.
Customs will cut the lock and secure it with a special metal seal after the inspection. Customs does not require a key. Only customs personnel are permitted to be present when the search is conducted.
For Canada-to-U.S. moves, the driver will cross the border into the U.S. There is no bonded warehouse on the U.S. side of the border; any inspection will be performed at the border or at a government warehouse near the border. If there is no inspection, the container will continue directly to the specified delivery location or PODS Storage Center.
Yes. As long as everyone is moving together, has legal status in the United States, and is able to submit proof, the belongings may be transported together. Please keep in mind that one person must take responsibility for the items, and that is the person whose name must be on the PODS account.
In addition, the method of payment should be in the name of the PODS account holder.
Yes. We can ship multiple containers which are transported together. We are unable to ship containers separately at later dates.
Yes. Your visa must be valid for at least one year from the ship date. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the ship date.
Yes, upon verification of the will listing you as the inheritor, and other required documentation.
No, your belongings must have originated in Canada, not from a country outside of Canada.
No.
No. Shipment of alcohol or tobacco is not allowed.
Yes. All persons involved in the move need to be able to provide proof of either: U.S. citizenship, a visa that is valid for at least one year from the move date, or a work permit.
We cannot transport the container internationally until a visa (valid for one year or more) is submitted to our logistics team for confirmation. For the time being, you can still book an order for an empty initial delivery and pickup to the PODS Storage Centre in Canada.
Yes. At time of crossing, the monthly rental currency type will change to U.S. dollars. The unused number of days in your current month will be adjusted accordingly, and any future months will be charged in full in the new currency.
Please keep in mind that your long-distance transportation invoice or any other charges moving forward will be in U.S. dollars.
While we try to make your move as seamless as possible, delays can occur, since customs has increased its border inspections and requirements. Transit duration is not guaranteed, but we will contact you in the event of a delay.
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