Long-Distance & Cross-Canada Moving FAQs

We offer two professional long-distance moving solutions for cross-Canada moves: traditional van line moving and our World Class Container (WCC) service. Both include professional packing, loading, transportation, and delivery. Depending on the size of your shipment, destination, schedule, and budget, we'll recommend the option that's the best fit for your move.

Traditional Van Line Moving

Often the best choice for larger household moves.

• Ideal for larger homes and higher-volume shipments.
• Your shipment travels in a dedicated moving van, providing secure, direct transportation.
• Professional packing, loading, transportation, and delivery by experienced Highland and Atlas crews.
• A practical and cost-effective solution for many cross-Canada moves.

World Class Container (WCC) Service

An excellent solution for many smaller to medium-sized households and customers seeking added flexibility.

• Ideal for condos, apartments, and smaller household moves.
• Your belongings are professionally loaded into exclusive-use wooden containers that are securely sealed at origin and remain dedicated to your shipment throughout transit.
• Reduced handling helps provide added protection for your belongings.
• Containers are transported using an efficient combination of rail and truck, often resulting in faster and more predictable transit times.
• An excellent option when secure storage is needed before final delivery.

Whether your belongings are transported by traditional van line moving or our World Class Container service, they are professionally packed, transported, and delivered with the same commitment to quality and care. We'll recommend the solution that best meets your specific moving needs.

Yes, but a trusted adult must normally be present on your behalf at both the loading and delivery addresses.

At origin, this person must be authorized to provide access, answer questions, sign the required paperwork, and complete a final walkthrough after loading. The walkthrough helps confirm that all items intended for the move have been loaded.

At the destination, someone must be available to direct the placement of furniture and boxes, confirm that the shipment has been delivered, and sign the delivery documents.

Let your Highland moving consultant know in advance who will represent you so the necessary arrangements and authorizations can be completed before moving day.

Plants are highly susceptible to damage during long-distance transportation because of temperature changes, limited ventilation, and extended transit times.

While we can transport plants on local moves at your own risk, we generally do not recommend shipping them on long-distance moves. They often do not survive prolonged exposure to heat or cold.

If you're moving a relatively shorter distance, such as from Vancouver to Kelowna, transporting your plants with your household shipment may be possible depending on the circumstances.

Yes. We can arrange vehicle transportation through an experienced third-party automobile carrier to transport your vehicle anywhere in Canada.

Using a specialized automobile carrier is generally more practical and cost-effective than transporting a vehicle inside a household-goods moving van. Depending on your destination and budget, we can arrange convenient door-to-door service or a more economical terminal-to-terminal option.

Yes. Some items are prohibited, restricted, unsafe to transport, or require special handling when moving long-distance. Examples include hazardous materials, perishable food, plants, alcohol, firearms, ammunition, explosives, fuel, chemicals, and other regulated or unsafe items.

If you're unsure whether an item can be shipped, just ask us before packing. We'll let you know whether it can travel with your household shipment or whether alternative arrangements are required. You can also review our Dangerous Goods, Non-Admissible Items for Moving, and Do Not Ship lists for additional guidance.

In many cases, lightweight clothing can remain in dresser drawers during a long-distance move. However, drawers should not contain heavy items such as books, electronics, liquids, or other dense objects, as these can damage the furniture during handling and transportation.

Depending on the size, weight, and construction of the furniture, your moving crew may ask that some or all drawers be emptied before loading.

Yes. We can coordinate a long-distance, cross-Canada move from a second home even when the owner cannot attend in person.

A trusted representative will generally need to be present at the residence to provide access, oversee the loading, complete the final walkthrough, and sign the moving documents on your behalf. Someone must also be available at the destination residence to receive the shipment, direct placement of the items, and sign the delivery documents.

Depending on your circumstances, additional authorization documents may be required.