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Car Shipping Across Canada
From coast to coast, the length of Canada is 9,306 km, which means car shipping across Canada requires traveling a distance of several thousand kilometers. Comparing different car shipping companies could take several hours. By posting your vehicle delivery on Shiply, the companies will come to you. This brief guide should help you assess your options to make sure your move suits you.
Shipping methods
The main consideration is the method of transport. There are 4 choices; flat deck, auto carrier, enclosed transport and rail transport.
- Flat deck: This method is typically used by towing or auto rescue companies for shorter distance moves. These can only hold one vehicle, so the cost for shipping across Canada would be much higher than other methods.
- Auto Carrier: These can carry anywhere from 6 – 10 cars and are the most common method for long haul transportation. Your vehicle will be strapped to the car carrier with several other vehicles.
- Enclosed Transport: This method can carry one or two cars in a fully covered trailer. This will protect your vehicle from the elements, as well as rock and grit from the road. This is a great option for classic, vintage or sports car shipping.
- Rail: Your vehicle is loaded into a specially designed rail car or auto rack, which has 2-3 decks and can carry up to 20 vehicles. As a result, this method is cheaper but transport can take longer than other methods.
If you wish to transport any personal belongings, it is important to note that these cannot be placed in the car for rail transport, but for other methods it is allowed at the carrier’s discretion.
Cost
This is a big concern for most drivers when relocating their vehicle, especially for a long haul move where costs can get very high. The cheapest method of transport is generally through a multi-car carrier or rail transport. While some companies offer door to door services, getting transport to and from a company terminal, and collecting it yourself, can provide you with considerable savings.
Before the move
Before you arrange transport of your vehicle, please ensure it is clean and driveable. If the vehicle does not run – or has any mechanical failures at all, the carrier may charge you extra as additional equipment will be needed to load and unload the vehicle. The carrier will need a full set of keys and the vehicle should have half a tank of fuel. It is also advisable to remove any valuables from the vehicle.
You should tie down the battery and remove any external antenna and covers. It is also advisable to leave the jack in the car.
Delivery time
For long haul journeys, such as Edmonton to Toronto, transport can take up to 6 days, while Vancouver to Toronto could take up to 10. Transport companies generally prefer to book a few weeks in advance, so please bear this in mind when arranging your transportation dates.
Insurance
It is imperative that you ensure your chosen company has a suitable insurance policy for your move. It is essential you request and thoroughly read this documentation before handing over your car for transport. It can also help to discuss this with the company to gauge their experience and knowledge in the business.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shiply Cover My Area?
Yes! There are couriers using Shiply all over the country and abroad, so whether you need to move a sofa across town or send a car across Europe, we have got you covered.
Does Shiply Have Different Sized Vehicles?
There are thousands of couriers on Shiply, with a wide range of vehicle sizes capable of handling any delivery. Providing the rough dimensions (and pictures if possible) on your listing will allow the delivery company to get the right vehicle sent out to you.
How Can I Contact Shiply?
You can also send an email to our support team: .
Who Will Carry Out My Delivery?
Whoever you choose! There are thousands of rated transport providers on our platform ready to make a bid to carry out your delivery. It is up to you to decide which quote to accept.
When Will I Receive A Quote?
You will typically start to receive quotes within 30 minutes. If you are worried about the lack of quotes, try adding some more detail to your listing as transport providers may be unsure of dimensions or weight and feel unable to provide an accurate quote. If your delivery is urgent, you can try our 'featured delivery' feature which moves your listing to the top of the search page for couriers.
How Many Quotes Will I Receive?
Whilst there is no guarantee of quotes, 98% of our listings receive at least 3 quotes, so you are likely to find someone who can undertake the delivery of your items.
Does Shiply Provide Packing Materials?
If your item requires packing materials or extra care then you should make sure this is highlighted in your listing and discussed with any transport provider whose quote you are considering. Couriers on Shiply are able to provide all levels of service and can help pack your items, just ensure you inform them of your needs.
Will My Goods Be Tied Up Securely?
Transport providers will almost always tie up an item in the transport vehicle, as the risk of damage from moving around during transit is high. You should always confirm safety precautions and packing needs with transport providers before accepting a quote.
Can Items Be Taken Upstairs?
Yes, items can be taken upstairs if needed, and can also be assembled. Transport providers on Shiply are happy to provide these services, but you should ensure that you are mentioning these requirements in your listings as it may mean a second person is required for the move.
Can I Travel With My Goods?
The majority of transport providers on Shiply are only insured for the transportation of goods, however, some are also able to take people. If you need to travel with your goods, make sure to mention this in your listing and to highlight this to any courier who quotes on your listing.
What If I Need To Cancel My Booking?
If you have accepted a quote and paid the deposit but wish to cancel the delivery, then you should first inform your chosen transport provider that you no longer require the delivery. You should then contact us at to have your deposit refunded.
Can I Change The Address Of The Delivery?
If you have not yet accepted a quote then you are able to change the address of your listing. Note that editing details of your listing after publishing will result in active quotes being voided, so you will have to wait for new quotes to come in. If you have already accepted a quote and need to change the address, please let your transport provider know and contact us at .
Does Someone Have To Be Present For Pickup And Delivery?
In most cases, the car delivery company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup and delivery of the vehicle. This is because there are likely to be release forms that you need to sign, as well as handing over the keys for the car.
Can I Keep Items In My Vehicle?
Most car delivery companies will be fine with you keeping some personal items in the vehicle when it is transported. However, there are two important things to remember: 1. The weight of the items may affect the price of the vehicle delivery, and 2. Any items in the vehicle will not be covered by insurance for the transport of the car itself.
Can I Transport My Vehicle If It Isn't Running?
You can transport your vehicle if it isn’t in running condition, however, this will be more expensive as specialist equipment is required to load and unload the vehicle.
How Shiply Works
How Shiply Works
- 1
Request quotes from our 459,722 rated transport providers.
- 2
Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right delivery quote for you.
- 3
Sit back and relax while your item is safely delivered by your chosen transport provider.
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How Shiply Helps The Environment
By utilising spare capacity of vehicles running on the road, Shiply helps reduce the number of otherwise wasteful journeys needed to transport the item.
Recent Testimonials
Debra W.
"Communication was great from the time I accepted the quote until the car was dropped off. In terms of the timeline, I was given a potential range for both how soon the car would be picked up and how many days it would be in transport."
Patrick G.
"Everything was perfect! Fast, easy and hassle-free process! I definitely recommend and would use them again in the future. Thank you so much!"
Sophie G.
"Great experience using these guys. This was my first time having to transport a car using a service like this and I could not be happier. Picked up earlier than expected and delivery was early as well. Quick easy and problem free."
Gary M.
"I’ve used Shiply twice now and have been really pleased with the result. It’s quick and easy to use. For both occasions the quotes were very competitive and the quality of the job was excellent. I highly recommend it."