You can hear funny stories from different families: someone cannot live without a wooden chest of drawers donated by a great-grandmother, someone brings silverware, all children’s toys and a mattress. ⠀

There is no unique list of necessary things, but there are a couple of tips to pay attention to:

• Laptop or other electrical appliances that support 110V, for example, hair curlers. Carefully study the voltage designations on the appliance, and do not forget the adapters for the outlet.
• Winter clothes are especially useful during harsh winters. The cost of winter clothing is high in Canada.
• Shoes. Pack quality shoes and clothes that will last long. Despite many branded stores, it’s hard to find a good pair of bright fashion shoes. Prices are high, and the aesthetic appearance is poor.
• Medicines. Collect a first aid kit with the usual medicines for various diseases. Many medicines for fever, cough and runny nose are available without a prescription in pharmacies in every supermarket. Antibiotics and other medications are prescribed by a doctor and prepared at a pharmacy. You can import medicines, but it is advisable to have instructions and a clear description of medicine in English. However, an officer has the right not to allow the import of medications into Canada, especially in a large amount. We advise you not to pack all medicines in one place.
• If you have children, take children’s books in your native language. You can also order them in online stores, but delivery can be expensive.
• Tools. Of course, no need to take heavy and bulky tools, such as a perforator. But men sometimes regret not taking their unique screwdriver with exquisite carving that cannot be bought in Canada.

In Canada, you can find everything, but prices are different. It is better to look at the prices of goods on the stores’ websites and calculate what is worth taking from home and what is easier to buy upon arrival.

Canadians often move from place to place and arrange sales. The most popular websites to buy used goods (sometimes in a new condition):

• Marketplace on Facebook
• Craigslist.org
• kijiji.ca

What you can’t bring to Canada

If you go to Canada by plane, you may be given paper declarations to fill out. If the landing city is Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Quebec City, Winnipeg, Halifax, you can fill out a declaration online or at the desks upon arrival.

In addition to stabbing, cutting things and weapons, you cannot import into Canada:

• Food, including meat, fish, seafood, caviar, sausage, cheese, milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables, bread, bakery products. This applies to both canned, fresh or raw food. Even if you take a banana or a sandwich on the road, do not forget to declare it or better throw it away. An officer will definitely ask you a few clarifying questions, or a special dog will sniff your bag. You will likely be taken for an additional inspection. We do not recommend joking with it;
• Plants, flowers, seeds, sprouts, soil, bulbs (tulips);
• Your shoes mustn’t contain the remnants of soil. For example, if you went on a hike, clear your boots out of the soil before packing them;
• Wood products or souvenirs.

For the current entry rules, visit canada.ca in advance of your flight.

We hope this information will help you plan your baggage wisely before your flight.