How are freeloghomes Imported and Exported?

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 Eastern Canada has some of the finest standing timber in North America and is known for its wealth of natural resources. Every year hundreds of log homes exported from Canada to beautiful places all around the world.

It can seem like an overwhelming task buying and shipping a home across the globe, but with the support of a company that understands the necessary steps it can be easy and affordable, depending on the location and designs.

Let’s break down some of the considerations for log home exporting processes and requirements for different locations:

• Exporting your log home overview
• How are log homes transported?
• What you will need to provide on site
• Transporting log homes throughout Canada
• Exporting log homes to the U.S.
• Exporting log homes to Europe
• Exporting log homes to Asia

It’s exciting to start planning and building your dream log home, but one of the first things to consider is how to get your log home from our yard to your property. It’s important to discuss this first before any planning and development begins so there are no unforeseen costs later.

Some countries have restrictions, additional taxes and costs associated with importing a log home. We at FLH feel it is important for you to understand and incorporate any of these additional factors before we start building.

We have exported homes to many parts of the world, will walk you through each step of the process to make sure your log home arrives on time and on budget.

We are frequently asked how we transport log homes. The method of transportation depends largely on where you live.  Your log home is put into shipping containers or onto flatbed trucks. These containers and trailers may travel by truck, train, boat or barge to arrive at the final destination—your property.

• Telehandler – Once the log home arrives at your location we will need to have a telehandler on site to help us unload your new log home. We will provide you with detailed requirements so you can source a telehandler.
• Tools – FLH will provide you with a detailed tool list for you and your general contractor. 

Shipping your log home from Ontario to the rest of Canada is easy and inexpensive. We can handle all of the required paper work and documentation.  There are no additional provincial sales taxes for building and shipping a home within Canada.

How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Log Home Within Canada?
The cost of shipping is directly related to the location of your property. All of our homes in Canada are transported by flatbed truck. Our shipping costs include the layover time for the flatbed truck during which we are unloading your house—this way there are no surprise expenses tacked on at the end.

How Long Does It Take To Transport a Log Home Within Canada?
The easiest way to calculate this is by using a great distance calculator. Each 100 kilometres or 62 miles will take a loaded truck about 1.5 hours to cover.

Shipping from Ontario to the U.S. is easy. There is some paperwork and documentation that is required, which we will handle for you. Because of NAFTA, there are no taxes to be paid when your log home crosses the border, this means no sales tax on your log home package. The cost for all of the paperwork including brokerage fees will total around $750 CAD.

Shipping into the U.S. depends on the location but will typically be by truck. We will arrange all of the details for you. US shipping yard is a 1/2 hour north of the border at Buffalo, New York, makes it easy for us to handle all requirements. 

Having your new log home shipped from our Ontario, CA. yard to your site overseas is not a problem! For customers belonging to the European Union, we are required to work closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in regards to the species of wood we can use to build log homes.

To export a log home to Europe there is some paperwork due upon arrival of the kit. All customs paperwork & phytosanitary inspection will cost about $1600 CAD.

A Value Added Tax (VAT tax) will be due upon arrival of the sea containers. The VAT tax is based on invoiced amount of your log house and any additional wood materials. Consult your local import agency to determine your country’s VAT.

In all EU. countries,  Cedar is the only non-kiln dried species of wood we are allowed to export. To use our standard White Pine, the wood must be sent out for kiln drying. All cedar logs are also required to go through phytosanitary inspection before shipping; this ensures that only non-contaminated logs will be entering the EU. 

How Long Does It Take To Export a Log Home Into Europe?
Containers leaving the port of Montreal, QC. to a popular destination such as Antwerp, Belgium will take approximately 19 days. Then you must add on the time it will take to transport from the local port to your property.

To export a log home to Asia there is some paperwork due upon arrival of the home. All necessary customs paperwork, phytosanitary inspection and fumigation will cost around $1700 CAD. Countries like Korea need very minimal paperwork and no inspection during loading in Canada, so the costs will be less, around $500.

Please consult your local export and import specialists to ensure you have the most current regulations.

How Long Does It Take To Export a Log Home Into Asia?
From Toronto, O.N. to a popular destination such as Tokyo, Japan will take approximately 24 days. Then you must add on the time it will take to transport from the local port to your property.

The above information is an estimate and a guide to help you plan with as little surprise costs as possible. We highly recommend that you contact us directly and work with your local regulation office to ensure you have the most current and up-to-date information.