Already in canada (spousal sponsorship) goods to follow

[reid88]

I'm wondering what to do, or if anyone was in this position before. I last entered Canada as a visitor as my spousal sponsorship PR application is being processed. I did not declare anything at the border because I was entering as a visitor.

I recently received my spousal work permit while inside Canada, effectively making me an official resident. I still have some things back in the states I will eventually want to bring over, so I was wondering what the declaration/goods to follow process would look like for someone who is already inside Canada and obtained residency inside... It isn't clear at all.

I don't have a lot, mainly sentimental items and decor, no uhual or anything. it would just be a few suitcases over the course of a couple visits. The most obvious would be my wedding dress. I will not be doing a "big move" with furniture, etc. so I don't know what to do

 

[armoured]

I'm wondering what to do, or if anyone was in this position before. I last entered Canada as a visitor as my spousal sponsorship PR application is being processed. I did not declare anything at the border because I was entering as a visitor.

I recently received my spousal work permit while inside Canada, effectively making me an official resident. I still have some things back in the states I will eventually want to bring over, so I was wondering what the declaration/goods to follow process would look like for someone who is already inside Canada and obtained residency inside... It isn't clear at all.

I don't have a lot, mainly sentimental items and decor, no uhual or anything. it would just be a few suitcases over the course of a couple visits. The most obvious would be my wedding dress. I will not be doing a "big move" with furniture, etc. so I don't know what to do

This is a situation where overthinking may be the biggest barrier. It sounds like in your case it's just odds and ends and personal stuff with no significant monetary value. And the easy route is frankly probably just to bring them with you when you travel sometime. If asked, just say it's some stuff you had at your parents.

"Goods to follow" is mostly used for items being shipped from your country of origin, i.e. it's mostly a procedure for customs clearance by third parties (moving companies).

The other thing is that the entire 'you can import your stuff duty free' when landing/arriving to reside is mostly about ensuring you won't get charged customs on large or valuable objects and the like.

Since (apart from the current trade imbroglio) duties are pretty minor or non-existent between US and Canada, and they're not new or valuable or large items, CBSA basically won't care (even if they did find out). And while they can occasionally be jerks, I doubt any of them are enough so to ding you for bringing your (presumably used) wedding dress.

You can reduce the risk by not bringing a whole bunch of suitcases at once, and/or large or valuable items. Usual caveats about things they put on those customs lists (guns, agricultural items, plants, food, etc).

 

[steaky]

This is a situation where overthinking may be the biggest barrier. It sounds like in your case it's just odds and ends and personal stuff with no significant monetary value. And the easy route is frankly probably just to bring them with you when you travel sometime. If asked, just say it's some stuff you had at your parents.

"Goods to follow" is mostly used for items being shipped from your country of origin, i.e. it's mostly a procedure for customs clearance by third parties (moving companies).

The other thing is that the entire 'you can import your stuff duty free' when landing/arriving to reside is mostly about ensuring you won't get charged customs on large or valuable objects and the like.

Since (apart from the current trade imbroglio) duties are pretty minor or non-existent between US and Canada, and they're not new or valuable or large items, CBSA basically won't care (even if they did find out). And while they can occasionally be jerks, I doubt any of them are enough so to ding you for bringing your (presumably used) wedding dress.

You can reduce the risk by not bringing a whole bunch of suitcases at once, and/or large or valuable items. Usual caveats about things they put on those customs lists (guns, agricultural items, plants, food, etc).

I don't agree that goods to follow mostly a procedure for customs clearance by third parties (moving companies). There are other paperworks (such as bill of lading) for the moving companies. Also, many travelers carries their "goods to follow" document when they travel to Canada for the first few times and customs clearance by themselves (without the third parties).

 

[armoured]

I don't agree that goods to follow mostly a procedure for customs clearance by third parties (moving companies). There are other paperworks (such as bill of lading) for the moving companies. Also, many travelers carries their "goods to follow" document when they travel to Canada for the first few times and customs clearance by themselves (without the third parties).

Reasonable points. I've never seen anyone do it themselves this way, but good point.

As for the bills of lading - I wasn't suggesting it's the /only/ paperwork, just part of what's applicable for new settlers/returning.