International: Canada

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

Carrier Operating Status

Federal operating status required where the mover operates its own vehicles across the border. A carrier whose vehicles cross into the US (or another jurisdiction) needs the “Federal” tier of its home province’s Safety Fitness Certificate, rather than a Provincial-only certificate that’s restricted to intraprovincial operation. See the Interprovincial Canada page for how safety-fitness certificates apply across jurisdictions.

US Registration (for carriers physically operating in the US)

USDOT number required where the mover operates its own vehicles into the United States. A Canadian carrier operating its own vehicles into the United States needs a USDOT number and must comply with FMCSA‘s registration requirements for foreign motor carriers, in addition to its Canadian operating authority.

Subcontracted Transport

Where a mover subcontracts the cross-border carriage, these registrations attach to the carrier operating the vehicles, and the carrier’s own licences cover the transport it performs.

Insurance

Liability insurance is required where the mover operates its own vehicles. No Canada-wide cargo insurance filing comparable to US household goods cargo filings applies; customers should ask what protection, if any, the mover offers for their goods.

Consumer Complaints

Provincial. No federal consumer-complaint body equivalent to the FMC exists for movers; complaints follow the consumer protection framework of the relevant province, plus the IAMTrusted Consumer Issue Resolution System for ITMs.

OverviewOverview & Scope

Canada does not require movers to hold a single federal license to arrange international household goods shipments. Instead, the requirements that govern a mover’s own operating authority are split across a few registrations: a carrier whose vehicles physically cross into another country needs the Federal tier of its home province’s Safety Fitness Certificate and, if operating into the US, a USDOT number under FMCSA. These attach to whichever company operates the vehicles. Where a mover subcontracts the cross-border carriage, the carrier’s own registrations cover the transport it performs, and the mover should use carriers that hold them. Liability insurance applies to the vehicles operated regardless of licensing status.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Essentials

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own vehicles across the border)

1. Hold the Federal tier of a Safety Fitness Certificate if operating vehicles across the Canada border, rather than a Provincial-only certificate. Confirm the correct tier with the home province’s carrier registration office.
2. Obtain a USDOT number and comply with FMCSA‘s foreign motor carrier registration requirements if physically operating vehicles into the United States.
3. Maintain liability insurance appropriate to the vehicles operated.

Subcontracted transport

4. Where transport is subcontracted, use carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they perform.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Subcontracted transport

• Where transport is subcontracted, the mover uses carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they performWhere applicableVerified by AffirmationRequired

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own vehicles)

• Federal-tier Safety Fitness Certificate heldWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles across the border)Verified by DocumentRequired
• USDOT number obtained and FMCSA foreign motor carrier registration in placeWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles into the United States)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Liability insurance in force for the vehicles operatedWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired