"Settling"

[qwerbilzak]

We just got off the phone with a very nice CBSA agent who said that if we were landing without the intent to "settle", that is, according to him, get a place to live for more than 12 months, etc, we did NOT need a GTF list at landing.

We've never heard or read anything like this in the past, so we're a bit suspicious this might not be entirely accurate.

Does anyone know?

I still don't understand if there's any difference in the landing process for people who DO want to settle and people who don't yet.  That is, do those two people have to do anything differently?

[steaky]

I had replied you the same thing last month, this was the post:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/landing-in-canada-all-you-need-to-know-t36735.0.html;msg941772#msg941772

I find that different agents answers differently.  But there is only one publication for settler's effects - tariff item no. 9807.00.00 in the website, which clearly define who is a settler and who is not and explanation about bringing goods from abroad to Canada:

For the purpose of tariff item No. 9807.00.00, “settler” means any person who enters Canada with the intention of establishing, for the first time, a residence for a period of not less than 12 months, but does not include a person who enters Canada for the purpose of

(a) employment for a period not exceeding 36 months;
(b) studying at an educational institution; or
(c) performing preclearance activities on behalf of the Government of the United States under the terms of the Agreement on Air Transport Preclearance between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America, signed January 18, 2001.

I think the next time you speak with another CBSA agent, it's worth while to mention the discrepancies between the "very nice" agent and the publication, that way you would be certain what to do about it.

[qwerbilzak]

I had replied you the same thing last month, this was the post:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/landing-in-canada-all-you-need-to-know-t36735.0.html;msg941772#msg941772

I find that different agents answers differently.  But there is only one publication for settler's effects - tariff item no. 9807.00.00 in the website, which clearly define who is a settler and who is not and explanation about bringing goods from abroad to Canada:

For the purpose of tariff item No. 9807.00.00, “settler” means any person who enters Canada with the intention of establishing, for the first time, a residence for a period of not less than 12 months, but does not include a person who enters Canada for the purpose of

(a) employment for a period not exceeding 36 months;
(b) studying at an educational institution; or
(c) performing preclearance activities on behalf of the Government of the United States under the terms of the Agreement on Air Transport Preclearance between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America, signed January 18, 2001.

I think the next time you speak with another CBSA agent, it's worth while to mention the discrepancies between the "very nice" agent and the publication, that way you would be certain what to do about it.

Thanks, Steaky for your responses then, and also now.

Unfortunately no one has provided the answer to the question I've asked many, many times:

Is the landing process any different for settlers vs. non-settlers?

[steaky]

I think the landing process is the same for settlers and non-settlers except non-settlers will not get the B4 (05) form stamped because they are just visitors to Canada and don't have any personal belongings staying in Canada for good.  But they (first time landing, especially) should get the B4 (07) or B4 (08) "Goods to follow form" stamped because sooner or later they will make Canada as their home and they want to be benefit from paying zero customs on their used goods being shipped to Canada.  This is only my opinion.

[qwerbilzak]

I think the landing process is the same for settlers and non-settlers except non-settlers will not get the B4 (05) form stamped because they are just visitors to Canada and don't have any personal belongings staying in Canada for good.  But they (first time landing, especially) should get the B4 (07) or B4 (08) "Goods to follow form" stamped because sooner or later they will make Canada as their home and they want to be benefit from paying zero customs on their used goods being shipped to Canada.  This is only my opinion.

Great.  Thanks for your thoughts on this, Steaky.

[toby]

I was told at the border (when my wife was officially "landing") to wait until I planned to actually move permanently to Canada before submitting my "goods to follow" list.  I had left Canada years before, and plan to return within a few years, but not right now. Presumably this advice applies too to a PR who is landing in Canada, but does not plan to move permanently until later.

[qwerbilzak]

I was told at the border (when my wife was officially "landing") to wait until I planned to actually move permanently to Canada before submitting my "goods to follow" list.  I had left Canada years before, and plan to return within a few years, but not right now. Presumably this advice applies too to a PR who is landing in Canada, but does not plan to move permanently until later.

Thanks Toby for that.  Very interesting.  And that jibes with what the CBSA officer told me.

But I can't seem to find any official paperwork anywhere that describes this procedure.  Everything I've ever seen says bring your GTF to the landing.

It's all very frustrating. 

[steaky]

Thanks Toby for that.  Very interesting.  And that jibes with what the CBSA officer told me.

But I can't seem to find any official paperwork anywhere that describes this procedure.  Everything I've ever seen says bring your GTF to the landing.

It's all very frustrating. 

That's because Toby is already Canadian citizen and former resident.  For landed immigrant (especially those first time landing), I think it is best to submit the goods to follow at first landing to avoid CBSA refusal to stamp in subsequent landing.

[toby]

That's because Toby is already Canadian citizen and former resident.  For landed immigrant (especially those first time landing), I think it is best to submit the goods to follow at first landing to avoid CBSA refusal to stamp in subsequent landing.

Good point, Steaky. But what if (for some unfathomable reason) the customs officer does not want to stamp the GTF list?  It might be wise to have prepared a declaration, which the customs officer would sign, stating that the PR did bring a GTF list, but that the customs officer advised having it stamped later, when the PR will be truly settling permanently in Canada.

It wouldn't be the first time that one bureaucrat says one thing, and a second bureaucrat says another.



 

[qwerbilzak]

Good point, Steaky. But what if (for some unfathomable reason) the customs officer does not want to stamp the GTF list?  It might be wise to have prepared a declaration, which the customs officer would sign, stating that the PR did bring a GTF list, but that the customs officer advised having it stamped later, when the PR will be truly settling permanently in Canada.

It wouldn't be the first time that one bureaucrat says one thing, and a second bureaucrat says another.



 

Having such a declaration prepared sounds like a very good idea.