Need for B4 declaration

[medellinguy]

Hi,

Does my wife really have to fill in before arriving her B4 form with her computer, camera, clothes, jewelry and books? She has at the most $2500 in her luggage with everything included. Some people tell me they didn't do that and it went fast and others say it's necessary....so I don't know where to stand there..

thank you

[Baloo]

A B4 / B4a can be completed by hand, you don't need a computer - I suggest that you do it before landing, it save time and the IO is usually happier.

If you have goods, then the forms should be completed.

A reason why it would be a good idea:

If an immigrant enters Canada with a camera when they land and does not declare it....everything seems fine.
Then at some point in the future the immigrant travels out of Canada with their camera on holiday.....

When re-entering Canada they can be asked to pay tax/duty on the camera - because there is no proof that the camera was previously imported as tax exempt.

There are a lot of rules about what, when and how you can import items to Canada.

Filling out the forms correctly is not that difficult and can save a lot of hassle.

[medellinguy]

A B4 / B4a can be completed by hand, you don't need a computer - I suggest that you do it before landing, it save time and the IO is usually happier.

If you have goods, then the forms should be completed.

A reason why it would be a good idea:

If an immigrant enters Canada with a camera when they land and does not declare it....everything seems fine.
Then at some point in the future the immigrant travels out of Canada with their camera on holiday.....

When re-entering Canada they can be asked to pay tax/duty on the camera - because there is no proof that the camera was previously imported as tax exempt.

There are a lot of rules about what, when and how you can import items to Canada.

Filling out the forms correctly is not that difficult and can save a lot of hassle.

Thinking about it, you are absolutely right. Now, for the goods to follow, she has dozens of books etc..does she have to write the title of every book or can it be "books" with the complete value of all of them?

[Baloo]

Thinking about it, you are absolutely right. Now, for the goods to follow, she has dozens of books etc..does she have to write the title of every book or can it be "books" with the complete value of all of them?

For most stuff, generalize:
2 boxes of books $220.
1 box of pots pans $210.
Laptop Apple macbook pro  - serial # 1234567 $2000
etc

If an item is high value, photograph it ( helps with insurance as well.
If it is jewellery, photograph it and get an appraisal.
If it is a laptop or camera then note and list the serial number.

[mmshock]

We did exactly what Baloo suggested when my husband repatriated a couple weeks ago after 12 years away. It really didn't take us that long to fill out the form and the border agents were truly impressed. They applauded him for being the most organized Canadian to have crossed their bridge (no exaggeration) and sent him on through without even opening up our huge uHaul.

[Baloo]

We did exactly what Baloo suggested when my husband repatriated a couple weeks ago after 12 years away. It really didn't take us that long to fill out the form and the border agents were truly impressed. They applauded him for being the most organized Canadian to have crossed their bridge (no exaggeration) and sent him on through without even opening up our huge uHaul.

Clearly making the IO happy has its benefits.

FWIW You can download the actual forms and complete them before you land.

[medellinguy]

On the B4 form, do I sign it before landing or I leave it there as well as the place where you can check IMMIGRANT. Is this only for the landing or it has to be signed before arriving in Canada?

If my wife is bringing a bottle of liquor, do I have to include it in there too?

thank you

[AllisonVSC]

I don't remember about the signature, but if your wife is only bringing one bottle it does not need to be listed. Visitors and residents are allowed to bring a small quantity of alcohol with them duty free as long as they've been out of Canada for more than 48 hours. Now if she was bringing a whole wine cellar...that's another story 

[medellinguy]

I don't remember about the signature, but if your wife is only bringing one bottle it does not need to be listed. Visitors and residents are allowed to bring a small quantity of alcohol with them duty free as long as they've been out of Canada for more than 48 hours. Now if she was bringing a whole wine cellar...that's another story 

that would be amazing if she could bring that LOL

[dakonej]

...  Now if she was bringing a whole wine cellar...that's another story 

if she's bringing the whole wine cellar, I'd like to join your welcome party! 

[AllisonVSC]

count me in too

[lnl]

What about items bought here in canada whilst visiting, surely these don't need adding with being purchased here and already paid tax ?

[Baloo]

What about items bought here in canada whilst visiting, surely these don't need adding with being purchased here and already paid tax ?

Do you have the receipts?

What value are the items bought in Canada, are they still in Canada?

[lnl]

Do you have the receipts?

What value are the items bought in Canada, are they still in Canada?

Yes have receipts, yes still in Canada :-)

[Baloo]

Yes have receipts, yes still in Canada :-)

Then no problem, you are not importing these items.