Taxes and Duties - Moving to Quebec as a settler from USA, British & Canadian citizen.

[camaybe]

Born in the UK and a British citizen. I am also Canadian citizen since birth and have my citizenship certificate and passport but never lived or resided in Canada. (Canadian citizen by double descent after applying for proof of citizenship)

I’ve been living in the US for 7 years under an E2 visa as a non-resident alien. I’m now moving to Quebec and plan on traveling to the border by truck with all my possessions and establishing residency for the first time. I’m 99% sure this means I am classified as a settler by the CBSA. https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.html
“Settlers mean all individuals who enter Canada with the intention of establishing for the first time a residence for a period of not less than 12 months.”
The last time I visited Canada was for a few days in November 2021 to visit family and before that for 3 months in June 2021.

This means, I am not due to pay any taxes or duties (GST) on my personal items except a few items like alcohol and tobacco. However, I cannot find out any information if a settler is due to pay any provincial fees or taxes on personal items I’m bringing into Quebec (PST)?

If someone could steer me in the right direction, thank you!

 

[armoured]

Born in the UK and a British citizen. I am also Canadian citizen since birth and have my citizenship certificate and passport but never lived or resided in Canada. (Canadian citizen by double descent after applying for proof of citizenship)

I’ve been living in the US for 7 years under an E2 visa as a non-resident alien. I’m now moving to Quebec and plan on traveling to the border by truck with all my possessions and establishing residency for the first time. I’m 99% sure this means I am classified as a settler by the CBSA. https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.html
“Settlers mean all individuals who enter Canada with the intention of establishing for the first time a residence for a period of not less than 12 months.”
The last time I visited Canada was for a few days in November 2021 to visit family and before that for 3 months in June 2021.

This means, I am not due to pay any taxes or duties (GST) on my personal items except a few items like alcohol and tobacco. However, I cannot find out any information if a settler is due to pay any provincial fees or taxes on personal items I’m bringing into Quebec (PST)?

If someone could steer me in the right direction, thank you!

As a citizen I moved back after years abroad so comparable situation: short form, no, no PST will be payable on most personal effects.

There are some exceptions -details I'm not clear on - for a few things (in addition to stuff like alcohol and tobacco).

The ones you'd need to check on:
-large purchases made not long before arrival (I think six or twelve months).
-vehicles are a different regimen entirely, I think they are subject to hst and possibly duties - since registration required, you must look into this in advance.

Side note, some friends who returned after time abroad did bring a large(ish) wine collection, I don't know details or what they paid, but they claimed it was 'worth it' to bring it in. If you're big into wine and whatnot could be worth it.

We shipped our stuff and that was easy, forms in advance, shipment later, don't knwo exactly how it works with a truckfull on arrival. But from experience, they do not care much about personal effects (eg all household stuff), 'value' was by box and customs didn't want much more detail. YMMV.

 

[camaybe]

This is also what I've drawn a conclusion to and after spending a few hours on hold with the CBSA, they also confirmed that PST wouldn't be due on personal belongings if entering as a settler. I'm bringing in a whisky collection for which the SAQ has to send me a permit to present at the border. I'll be filling out BSF186A for my belongings in advance with two copies as well. Thank you for your help!

 

[armoured]

This is also what I've drawn a conclusion to and after spending a few hours on hold with the CBSA, they also confirmed that PST wouldn't be due on personal belongings if entering as a settler. I'm bringing in a whisky collection for which the SAQ has to send me a permit to present at the border. I'll be filling out BSF186A for my belongings in advance with two copies as well. Thank you for your help!

Good luck, I'm sure it will depend how busy at border, but overall my experience with CBSA for this stuff was pretty good.

 

[Ponga]

It's also worth mentioning that the personal items that are being listed on the B4, BSF186 or BSF186A should only be items that have actually been used. Some people buy new items (i.e. giant TV, new computer, etc.) and then are surprised if/when those items are not recognized by CBSA; they are new-in-the-box items, that could be purchased in Canada.