Choosing Your Moving Company (Information supplied on this topic is from experience only, and in no way reflects policies, regulations, or laws from either Canada, USA, Manitoba, or Minnesota).

General:
We do not recommend using a U-Haul, or other such "self-move" method. We looked into this, and U-Haul wanted to charge incredible rates for doing a one way move to the USA. I would also not recommend doing the "multiple trips back and forth method". First off, they will start to hassle you at the border.

TIP: Get multiple quotations from at least 3, better even 5 different Winnipeg based (but international) moving companies.

Moving Companies:
We ended up choosing Atlas Van Lines (the agent "AMJ Van Lines"). We had quotes from Allied, Atlas, and North American, if memory serves me right. Getting these quotes normally requires about a one week wait. I can not emphasize enough about getting the multiple quotes. We ending up paying (not really us that paid - I'll get to that later!) about $3,000 US$ to move. I can't remember the weight. Now, here's the tricky part. Not all quotes are equal. For the most part, the quotation for a USA destination will be in US dollars (bummer, being that the looney is doing so great these days - NOT!). Many times, throughout the fine print, the quotation is only valid if the contents weight of your move is within 10% of their estimate. Well, just imagine if they guess 5,000 lbs, and your move comes in at 8,000 lbs. Basically, they are going to really hit you with the excess lbs. Let the mover know that you would like a guaranteed FIRM estimate. Atlas Van Lines did this for us, and the quote they gave was reasonable, so we went with them. We were very happy with their service.

The moving company will have you fill out some funny looking USA customs declaration on the day of the move. Ask for a copy ahead of time, because if you were like us, the language of these forms looks like Chinese. Call up the moving company ahead of your move date if you have questions. You will also need to provide to the moving company on the day of your move a photocopy of your TN-1 visas, passports (or other primary identification). Get this organized ahead of time.

Paying for the Move:

Try not to. Just kidding. As part of your negotiations with your potential employer, try to get them to pay for the move, even if it means loosing or exchanging it with the signing bonus.

TAX TIP:  If you can get your guaranteed quotation, right down to the penny, and your employer agrees to pay the "$3,234.55" to move you instead of that signing bonus (or even better, get both!), ask the employer if they will pay the invoice (ie cheque directly to mover) directly. Really, really beg them to pay the invoice directly. Why? Your signing bonus would be taxable income, at say 22 to 25%. If they pay the mover directly, it should not show up on your paid earnings, and thus you will not pay the income tax on this benefit.

TIP:  If you know someone else who might just happen to be moving to either Grand Forks, Fargo/Moorhead, or the Twin Cities, consider "buddying up" with them - after each of you get your firm quotation independently. Now, approach the same mover and play "what if we both go". You will save LOTS on such a move.

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