How to Arrange a Sealift With TSC

Shipping freight to Nunavut? TSC Moving & Storage can assist with booking, receiving, pickup arrangements, crating, preparation and transportation to the ocean carrier.

Whether you're shipping groceries, household goods, building materials, equipment or a vehicle, the process begins with an online TSC Sealift Booking Request.

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1. Submit Your Sealift Booking Request

All sealift shipments must begin with a TSC Sealift Booking Request.

Visit our Sealift Booking & Delivery page and select Start a Booking Request.

Complete the online form with the information currently available, including:

• Customer and contact information

• Sealift shipping season

• Destination community

• Description and estimated quantity of freight

• Preferred sailing, if known

• Pickup or delivery requirements

• Insurance requirements and declared cargo value

• Dangerous goods or special handling requirements

A new booking request is required for each shipment, including for customers who have shipped with TSC in previous seasons.

You do not need to have every detail finalized before submitting your request. Estimated quantities, cargo values and other information may be updated as your order progresses.

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Choosing Your Shipping Season

Select the sealift season in which your freight is intended to travel, regardless of when you submit the booking.

For example, a booking submitted in October 2026 for shipment during the 2027 season should be entered under 2027.

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Selecting a Preferred Sailing

If you have a preferred sailing, please indicate it on the booking form. 

Preferred sailing selections are requests only. Actual sailing assignments are subject to ocean-carrier schedules, destination service, available capacity and operational requirements.

TSC will coordinate the appropriate sailing arrangements and confirm details as they become available.

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Your TSC Request ID

Once your booking request has been successfully submitted, the system will generate a unique TSC Request ID.

For example: SL-2027-0001

This number identifies your shipment throughout the TSC receiving and booking process.

Keep your Request ID handy. You'll need it when:

• Scheduling freight deliveries to TSC

• Communicating with our booking or warehouse staff

• Identifying freight being delivered by suppliers or carriers

• Making changes or inquiries about your shipment

Please include your Request ID on all relevant correspondence and freight identification labels.

Changes to an existing booking should be submitted in writing to bookings@tsctransport.com. Do not submit a second booking request simply to correct an existing one.

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2. Understanding The Schedule

TSC generally coordinates shipments across approximately three sealift shipping cycles each season. Actual sailing schedules are established by the ocean carriers and may change.

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June / July — Early Season

The first voyages generally begin when sea and ice conditions permit safe navigation.

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August — Mid-Season

Vessels typically complete their scheduled community deliveries before returning south for subsequent voyages.

Some destinations may only be served during particular sailing cycles due to geography, weather, ice conditions and carrier operations.

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September / October — Late Season

Later-season sailings are particularly vulnerable to delays caused by weather, sea ice, port conditions and vessel availability.

All published sailing, departure and arrival dates should be considered estimates until confirmed by the ocean carrier.

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Important Notice About Late-Season Shipments

Customers shipping temperature-sensitive products should carefully consider the risks associated with late-season sailings.

Freezing temperatures may occur before freight is collected at destination, and cargo may be exposed to outdoor conditions during unloading, staging or pickup.

TSC strongly recommends avoiding temperature-sensitive products on the final sailing whenever possible.

Customers are responsible for arranging prompt collection of their freight when it becomes available at destination. Frozen or temperature-damaged products may not be covered by cargo insurance.

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3. Scheduling a Delivery to TSC

Once you have received your TSC Request ID, you can begin arranging deliveries to our Ottawa-area warehouse.

Visit our Sealift Booking & Delivery page and select Schedule a Delivery Appointment.

Enter your TSC Request ID. The system will verify your booking and identify the associated customer and destination.

You can then select an available delivery date and time and provide details about the incoming freight.

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What Information Should You Provide?

When scheduling an appointment, please identify:

• The carrier, supplier or individual delivering the freight

• A brief description of the items being delivered

• The anticipated delivery date and time

• Any special unloading or handling requirements

A delivery appointment is required for freight arriving at TSC, whether delivered by you, a supplier, a courier or a trucking company.

This includes orders from retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Canadian Tire, grocery stores and other suppliers.

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Delivery Appointment Times

Appointment times help TSC coordinate warehouse receiving, staffing and unloading activity.

They are not strict dock appointment times. Actual receiving times may vary due to traffic, unloading requirements, warehouse activity and other operational conditions.

Please arrange for deliveries as close to the scheduled time as reasonably possible.

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Multiple Deliveries

You may schedule multiple delivery appointments under the same TSC Request ID.

This is particularly useful when your shipment includes orders from several suppliers or freight arriving on different dates.

If a large shipment is expected to arrive over an extended period, please contact TSC in advance to coordinate receiving and storage arrangements.

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Freight Identification

All freight delivered to TSC must be clearly identified with:

• Customer name

• TSC Request ID

• Destination community

Please ensure that suppliers, retailers and delivery companies have this information before shipping your order.

If you require freight identification labels, TSC staff will be happy to assist.

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Packaging Requirements

Freight should be packaged to withstand normal handling, warehouse storage and sealift transportation.

Standard case goods from retail stores generally do not require additional packaging before delivery to TSC.

TSC will assess freight requiring crating, palletizing, consolidation or other preparation.

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Packing Recommendations

Some food products can absorb odours from detergents, dryer sheets and other scented products during transportation.

We recommend sealing susceptible food products in plastic bags, totes or other suitable containment.

Liquid detergents and other liquids should be packed in sealed totes or secondary containment to help prevent damage caused by leaks or spills.

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4. Arranging a Pickup

TSC can arrange pickups from many stores and suppliers throughout the Ottawa area.

Pickup charges depend on the location, size and nature of the order and any special equipment or handling required.

Whenever possible, indicate your pickup requirements when submitting your online booking request.

If your pickup arrangements change after submission, contact bookings@tsctransport.com and include your TSC Request ID.

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IKEA Orders

TSC does not perform pickups from IKEA.

We can accept IKEA deliveries under the following conditions:

• The purchaser or consignee is present to verify and sign for the shipment; or

• TSC acknowledges only the number of packages received and cannot accept responsibility for shortages or missing items within an IKEA order.

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Lumber and Building Materials

Lumber and building-material orders should normally be delivered directly to TSC by the supplier or retailer using suitable delivery and unloading equipment.

All deliveries should be addressed to:

TSC Moving & Storage Ltd.
6431 Bank Street
Metcalfe, ON K0A 2P0

Please schedule a delivery appointment in advance using your TSC Request ID.

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5. Shipping a Vehicle

TSC strongly recommends shipping vehicles empty.

TSC assumes no responsibility for personal belongings left inside vehicles.

Ocean-carrier requirements may restrict the quantity and placement of personal belongings carried inside a vehicle. Please confirm current requirements with TSC before loading personal effects.

As a general rule:

• Do not place parcels or loose items on the front seats.

• Do not obstruct the driver's visibility.

• Keep the vehicle accessible and capable of being safely moved.

• Secure any permitted personal belongings.

• Ensure the vehicle complies with current carrier fuel-level requirements.

Non-operational vehicles and vehicles requiring special handling may be subject to additional charges.

Please identify vehicle details and any special requirements when submitting your booking request.

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6. Shipping Beer, Wine and Spirits

Alcohol shipments to Nunavut are subject to territorial liquor laws and permit requirements.

Customers are responsible for obtaining any required authorization from the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

TSC requires an accurate inventory of all beer, wine and spirits being shipped. Quantities must correspond with the applicable permit.

Alcohol requiring a permit will not be shipped without valid documentation.

Please declare alcohol shipments when making your booking arrangements.

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7. Shipping Dangerous Goods

Dangerous goods transported by sea are strictly regulated.

All dangerous goods must be declared to TSC before shipment.

Dangerous goods may include certain fuels, batteries, chemicals, aerosols, paints and other regulated products.

These shipments may require special classification, packaging, marking, labelling and documentation.

Failure to declare dangerous goods may result in shipment delays, additional charges, carrier refusal, regulatory penalties or removal of the goods from the shipment.

TSC personnel can assist with the preparation of dangerous goods for transportation in accordance with applicable requirements.

If you're uncertain whether an item is classified as dangerous goods, contact TSC before purchasing or delivering it.

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8. Receiving Your Shipment in Nunavut

You or your designated representative must be available to receive your shipment at destination.

Delivery and collection procedures vary by community and ocean carrier.

The carrier or its local representative will normally coordinate cargo release or delivery following arrival.

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Inspecting Your Freight

Inspect your shipment carefully when received.

Any visible loss or damage should be noted immediately on the delivery documentation.

Where practical, take photographs before the freight is unpacked or moved.

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Prompt Collection Is Important

Freight should be collected as soon as it becomes available.

This is especially important for late-season shipments, when freezing temperatures and prolonged outdoor exposure may create additional risks.

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9. Payment for Your Sealift

Payment arrangements will be confirmed as part of your TSC booking.

Once your freight has been received, prepared and rated, TSC will issue the applicable charges.

Unless approved credit arrangements have been established in advance, payment in full is required before TSC releases the shipment to the ocean carrier.

Please reference your TSC Request ID when making payment inquiries.

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10. Personal Shopping Services

If you need assistance purchasing groceries, household goods or assembling an order, you may contact:

Your Grocery Getter
info@yourgrocerygetter.net

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11. Ottawa Stores Familiar with Sealift

Many Ottawa-area retailers regularly prepare orders for customers shipping to northern communities.

These include:

• Costco Wholesale

• Loblaws South Keys

• Canadian Tire

• The Beer Store

• LCBO

• PetSmart

• The Wine Station

• Di Rienzo Foods

• The Home Depot

• RONA

• Leon's Furniture

• The Brick

This list is provided for convenience and is not exclusive.

 

Ready to Book Your Sealift?

Step 1: Visit www.tsctransport.com/bookings.

Step 2: Select Start a Booking Request, choose your sealift season and submit the shipment information currently available.

Step 3: Keep the TSC Request ID issued when your booking is submitted.

Step 4: Return to the same page and select Schedule a Delivery Appointment whenever freight is ready to be delivered to TSC.

Step 5: Include your TSC Request ID on all freight and correspondence.

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NEED ASSISTANCE?

If you're unsure about any part of the process, contact TSC before purchasing, packaging or delivering your freight.

We would much rather answer your questions beforehand than resolve a problem after the freight arrives.

TSC Moving & Storage Ltd.
6431 Bank Street
Metcalfe, Ontario K0A 2P0

Telephone: 613-739-4782
Toll-free: 1-800-56 NORTH
Email: bookings@tsctransport.com

Online Bookings & Delivery Appointments:
www.tsctransport.com/bookings