Moving stuff from USA to Canada

We are going to be shipping about 10 boxes back to Canada and doing the rest by car - with bikes and camping. Our problem is the mattress - it seems that there is some rule that it must be fumigated (sterilized) before entering Canada. I guess American and Canadian bedbugs do not get along. Is this true? And how come all the moving and shipping companies here in Phoenix laugh at me when I ask them about it?

I've never heard such a thing. And if there were such a rule, I'm quite certain that moving companies who move across border enough would know it.

If it were true, why would it just be mattresses and not include couches and chairs and and and.?

Good question? The document from Customs Canada is no. BSF5056(F) - this is the French version but on page 18 it clearly states that any used mattress must come with a certificate of fumigation. Crazy!

Best bet is to call Canada customs directly and ask them.

I wouldn't suggest UPS or FedEX, the gas surcharges are about to put me out of business!

We moved about 4 years ago and did not have any issues with our mattresses? I had packed all our stuff into a U-Haul truck, drove it to the border. I had prepared a very detailed manifest listing everything in the truck, they ran it (the U-Haul truck) through a x-ray machine, cleared me and off I was. The fumigation may be a requirement for importers of used mattresses in bulk, not for personal household moves. But if you do do it, let us what do fumigated mattresses smell like