Visitor shipping of goods?

[Nemmy]

Ok here's one you might be able to help me with. I think I know the answer but would like to see what the knowledgeable people know

I am flying to Canada in May for 6 months (British citizen, hope they give me the 6 months!), then I will apply for a 6 month extension (yes I know I might not get this but we can only live in hope otherwise what's the point?). Assuming that goes ok, my partner will apply to sponsor me as common-law.

My question is - what do I do with all my possessions while I am in Canada?

I am planning at the moment to put everything into storage as I am renting here in Germany (I am currently working in Germany) and my place in England is being rented out too so at the moment I would have nowhere to put them.

Now, I understand that as a visitor I can bring certain things into the country for a 6 month stay, but does anyone know what the limit is?
I mean I know I would not be able to ship over a whole house-worth of stuff for 6 months, but would I be able to ship over a certain amount of possessions (say 4-6 sq m worth) based on an initial 6 month stay?

I think I would not, but just want to test the water before I have to pay for storage.

Thanks!

[Baloo]

Your "baggage" should look like it is sufficient for the duration of visit you are making
Too little and the red flag goes up, too much, they do the same.

Why not get married when you get here, then you and your wife can apply for PR right away?

[joe_f3]

Since when has a visit to a country constituted in a automatic search of a suitcase?  I see a lot of the suitcase stuff on here and have flown to several countries and have not had my suitcase searched once...

[Baloo]

Since when has a visit to a country constituted in a automatic search of a suitcase?  I see a lot of the suitcase stuff on here and have flown to several countries and have not had my suitcase searched once...

Joe, I didn't think that I said that there would be an automatic search of a suitcase, (the conversation was about shipping)
The OP asked "ship over a certain amount of possessions (say 4-6 sq m worth)", would you think that is the normal amount stuff a visitor would need for a six month stay?

I have visited Canada for six month stays, all I had with me was a large bag, a carry on bag and my laptop - not a part load in a shipping container.

i suppose the question is more about shipping issues than immigration. When someone "lands" as a PR they have to submit a "goods to follow list", no doubt there is a good reason for that.

If we talk about people carrying that amount of stuff (would that be possible), believe me, POE officers do look at that stuff.
What would a Canadian POE officer think if someone arrived with a lot more than just travel (visit) clothing, say household articles, stacks of stuff from home.
I bet the "visitor" would get pulled for a conversation about their intent.

[job_seeker]

Ok here's one you might be able to help me with. I think I know the answer but would like to see what the knowledgeable people know

I am flying to Canada in May for 6 months (British citizen, hope they give me the 6 months!), then I will apply for a 6 month extension (yes I know I might not get this but we can only live in hope otherwise what's the point?). Assuming that goes ok, my partner will apply to sponsor me as common-law.

My question is - what do I do with all my possessions while I am in Canada?

I am planning at the moment to put everything into storage as I am renting here in Germany (I am currently working in Germany) and my place in England is being rented out too so at the moment I would have nowhere to put them.

Now, I understand that as a visitor I can bring certain things into the country for a 6 month stay, but does anyone know what the limit is?
I mean I know I would not be able to ship over a whole house-worth of stuff for 6 months, but would I be able to ship over a certain amount of possessions (say 4-6 sq m worth) based on an initial 6 month stay?

I think I would not, but just want to test the water before I have to pay for storage.

Thanks!

They may send you on the next plane out if you did that. Travel lightly. Remember that you are coming for a visit, not land yet. Don't give the POE officer reason to make it difficult for you. Pay for a storage locker where you are now. There was another member who tried to cross the American/Canadian border a while back with a lot of her stuff, and was not allowed entry.

[joe_f3]

Sorry baloo, didn't want to come off as being hostile.  You're right though. 

Someone could be quite happy wearing the the same 2 pairs of jeans 4 shirts and 2 sweaters for the next 6 months, how can you judge entry on that?  What if someone plans to shop in Canada and buy clothes?  When I came back from the UK I could only bring 20kg in my luggage.

Have the stuff shipped to your girlfriends house addressed to her if you want your things so bad, otherwise ditch it.  I'm assuming to be with your girlfriend is more important.  Pack your suitcase with what you need for vacation and the rest is history.  I don't imagine British citizens get hasseled much at the port of entry on a first time visit. 

[Nemmy]

Thanks all, pretty much what I expected... I was also interested to know what other people who have come over for 6 months and stayed longer done with their possessions?

joe_f3 - I don't think I would be able to ship the goods using my gf's name, I think there's something about needing to be out of the country for a year to ship that amount of goods for a Canadian resident?

[Baloo]

Sorry baloo, didn't want to come off as being hostile. 

No problem.

Someone could be quite happy wearing the the same 2 pairs of jeans 4 shirts and 2 sweaters for the next 6 months, how can you judge entry on that?  What if someone plans to shop in Canada and buy clothes?  When I came back from the UK I could only bring 20kg in my luggage.

I guess that there are plenty of things we "do" that give POE officers cause to ask questions
If I want to shop, and they stop me, I show that I can afford to buy stuff, but usually I leave it with my Fiancee.
International travel is no longer a good experience, I better not get started on baggage limits !

Have the stuff shipped to your girlfriends house addressed to her if you want your things so bad, otherwise ditch it.  I'm assuming to be with your girlfriend is more important.  Pack your suitcase with what you need for vacation and the rest is history.   

Good advice.

I don't imagine British citizens get hasseled much at the port of entry on a first time visit. 

Not usually, but if I was the 1 in 1000 that gets sent back on a return flight, the statistics don't mean a thing

(I have no idea what the real number is).

[joe_f3]

Baloo,

somehow the rates for international flights went up and baggage allowance went down. 

I think most of the cases where people are turned away is cause they look suspicious an give conflicting information.  Police officers in Canada will try to convince you that they are right (in their assumptions of you) in hopes of you giving up something and I tink they POE officers do the same.  Some of the questions they asked my fiance were asked over and over ( I was with her when she first entered) aimed at getting her to reveal something...

Maybe we were lucky.  But as I said, if you're entering as a visitor then..you're in vacation mode meaning it doesn't look like u have your house with u.

Nemmy: don't ship it in her name ship it to her.   People can except packages still right?

[Baloo]

somehow the rates for international flights went up and baggage allowance went down. 

Yeah, I noticed that

I could be rich and a lot calmer if I knew how the mind of a POE worked