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Robin Transportation Systems Inc.

Personal Goods Shipping & White Glove Moves

Personal Goods

Domestic. International. White Glove.

Household effects, high-value items, and white glove moves. Domestic and international. Customs clearance coordinated through licensed broker partners for settlers' effects and duty-free import.

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30+ YearsCustoms SupportWhite Glove15-Min Response

Personal Goods & White Glove Services

From a single piece of furniture to a full household. Standard handling or white glove.

Household Effects

Household Effects

Furniture, appliances, and personal belongings shipped domestically or internationally. Full or partial household moves.

White Glove

White Glove

High-value items requiring special handling: artwork, antiques, musical instruments, electronics. Crating, padding, and inside delivery.

Relocation Support

Relocation Support

International relocation shipping. Customs documentation, temporary import provisions, and door-to-door coordination.

Single Items

Single Items

One piece that won't fit in a courier? Furniture, machinery, large electronics. We handle the logistics for individual items too.

Shipping Modes for Personal Goods

Ground, ocean, or air, matched to your timeline, volume, and budget.

1-5 days domestic

Ground

Best for: Within Canada and cross-border US

FTL, LTL, blanket-wrap, inside delivery

Ground →

2-8 weeks international

Ocean

Best for: Full or partial household moves overseas

20'/40' containers, LCL consolidation

Ocean →

3-10 days international

Air

Best for: Urgent or high-value items, small shipments

Crated or palletized air cargo

Air →
Dedicated truck lane for scheduled residential and personal goods deliveriesOcean terminal operations for consolidated household effects and overseas personal shipmentsAir cargo loading for urgent personal effects requiring fastest transit times

Customs for Personal Goods

International personal goods shipments require customs clearance. RTSI coordinates transport documents, valued inventory, and broker communication for settlers' effects provisions and returning Canadian goods.

Settlers' Effects (Duty-Free)

  • Duty-free import of personal and household effects for new immigrants and returning Canadians
  • Goods must have been owned, possessed, and used before arrival in Canada
  • BSF186 form must be completed. RTSI helps gather the required information
  • Goods not accompanying you can follow within 12 months of arrival
  • Includes vehicles, furniture, clothing, books, and personal items
  • Excludes goods for sale, commercial inventory, and prohibited items
Customs Support Coordination →
Canada and US border crossing used for customs-cleared personal effects shipments

Required Documents

  • 1

    Household goods list (itemized)

    Every item being shipped, with estimated values. Required by CBSA for settlers' effects.

  • 2

    BSF186 (B4) Declaration

    CBSA's 'Personal Effects Accounting Document.' Declares goods for duty-free settlers' effects treatment.

  • 3

    Proof of residency

    Passport, visa, PR card, or citizenship documentation to qualify for settlers' effects provisions.

  • 4

    Bill of Lading / Air Waybill

    Transport document linking your goods to the shipment.

  • 5

    Valued inventory

    Detailed list with replacement or fair market values for insurance and customs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about personal goods shipping.

Can RTSI ship personal goods and household effects internationally?
Yes. RTSI ships personal goods and household effects to and from any country via ocean freight, air freight, or ground transport within North America. We coordinate anything from a single piece of furniture to a full household move, including customs clearance support through licensed broker partners. One RTSI contact keeps transport and customs documentation aligned.
What is the settlers' effects provision for customs?
Settlers' effects is a CBSA provision allowing new immigrants and returning Canadians to import personal and household goods duty-free. To qualify, goods must have been owned, possessed, and used before arrival in Canada. You complete a BSF186 form declaring all items. RTSI helps gather supporting information and coordinates customs documentation with the licensed broker partner.
What is white glove shipping?
White glove service provides premium handling for high-value, fragile, or sensitive items. This includes custom crating, blanket wrapping, inside pickup and delivery (not just to the front door, but into the room of your choice), unpacking, and debris removal. Ideal for artwork, antiques, musical instruments, high-end electronics, and irreplaceable personal items.
How much does it cost to ship personal goods internationally?
Costs depend on volume (cubic metres or container size), weight, origin/destination, transport mode, and any customs duties. Ocean freight is most cost-effective for large volumes. A 20' container can move a partial household for $2,000-$5,000+ depending on destination. Air freight costs more but arrives in days. Contact RTSI for a detailed quote. We respond within 15 minutes.
How long does international personal goods shipping take?
Ocean freight: 3-8 weeks depending on destination (2-3 weeks port-to-port for Europe, 4-6 weeks for Asia/Australia, plus 1-2 weeks for pickup, customs, and delivery). Air freight: 5-10 days door-to-door. Ground within North America: 1-5 days. RTSI provides estimated delivery windows with every quote and tracks your shipment throughout.
Does RTSI coordinate customs clearance for personal goods?
Yes. RTSI coordinates your move, valued inventory, BSF186 support, and broker communication. CBSA declarations and regulated customs work are handled by the licensed customs broker partner, with RTSI keeping transport and paperwork on the same schedule.
Can RTSI ship a single item like a piece of furniture or a piano?
Yes. You don't need a full household to use RTSI. We handle single-item shipments: furniture, appliances, pianos, artwork, large electronics, and other items too big for courier services. White glove handling available for fragile or high-value pieces. Domestic and international.
Do I need insurance for personal goods shipments?
Strongly recommended. Carrier liability is limited by law and rarely covers the full value of personal goods. RTSI arranges all-risk cargo insurance covering physical loss or damage during transit, including handling, loading, and storage. Coverage is especially important for irreplaceable items, antiques, and international moves with multiple handling points.