If in doubt, you can always contact CBSA (phone or email) for more clear picture in this matter.
12 months into inland spousal PR, from USA. Wife got her SOWP accepted and we recieved it in the mail. Are we in the clear to ship a upack pod full of clothing and kitchen items to Canada now? We had problems 2 years ago trying to bring things because we did the wrong steps and only had a visitor visa, so we're anxious about dealing with customs again. Please help, Thank you.
All goods that we carry, either ‘on person’ or ‘following’ needs to be ‘listed’ in form B4 / B4A, separately.
These forms are available in the CBSA website, link given below:\nhttp://
www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/b4-eng.pdf
It is the same form for ‘Goods Accompanying’ & ‘Goods to follow’. We should club similar items in groups [e.g. DVDs: Qty-98, Books: Qty-42 etc.].
The entire list should be priced against each group & totaled in the end. We should carry ‘original’ invoices for high-end items. Others can be broadly/generally priced, but appropriate.
Jewelry items MUST be listed [each item wise]; and should carry their photographs.
We'll need 2 copies of each form, as one would be kept by the CBSA & one would be returned to us, for ‘customs’ clearance. This 2nd copy will be signed & stamped by the CBSA at the POE.
The form B4A is an extension of the form B4 [which is the main one to file]. Writing the B4A is optional.
As the form B4 contains 'only' 8 rows to fill the goods/items, use only 8 groups of things. How? Explained later.
What should you carry?
You should make 2 copies of the form B4. One for the 'Goods Accompanying' & one for the 'Goods to Follow'. Along with the attachments.
STEP-1:
a) Group all similar items into one list and thus make 8 lists.
b) Type these groups in Excel Sheets* [separate for each group]. Title each Sheet. And a Page No.
c) Enlist the Columns as: Sl.No | Item Description | Qty | Value (CAD) |
d) Total the Value, of each Excel Sheet.
e) Take printouts of each Excel Sheet in A4 size paper [2 copies].
*E.g. 1.Electronics,
2.Jewelries, 3.Clothing & Personal Effects,
4.Books & DVDs,
5.Gadgets & Mobile Phones,
6.Cutlery & Utensils,
7.Home Decorations & Murals AND
8.Linens & Drapers. [the Title Heading can vary as per your choice & requirement]
STEP-2:
a) Place all jewelry in Groups* & click Pictures [Must, else they'll not be accepted].
b) Title each Sheet. And put a Page No.
c) Take printouts of each Jewelry Group in A4 size paper [2 copies].
d) Make an Excel Sheet, for the Summary of the Jewelry Sheets. And place a Value against each group.
e) Total the Excel Sheet Value, in the end. *E.g. 1.Rings,
2.Bangles & Bracelets,
3.Chains & Necklaces,
4.Cummerbunds,
5.Diamond Sets,
6.Ear-Rings & Pendants,
7.Headbands & Chokers etc. (each in one group/sheet). [the Title Heading can vary as per your choice & requirement]
STEP-3: [Major Step]
a) Fill-out the form B4, as per the 8 Title Headings AND write the Total Value of each Excel Sheet.
b) Make a box [by hand] at the End of the 8 rows' Value Column. Write the Total Value* of the Goods.
c) For the Name field, write the PA's name.
d) For the Importer's Address, write the Canadian Address.
e) For the Country of Export, write your Home Country's Name.
f) For the Goods to Follow BOX [below the list rows], Tick it.
g) At Page-2 of the form B4, Tick the Newcomer BOX.
h) Bottom of the Page-2, Sign, Date [the day of Landing] & Location [write your Landing POE's name]. You must write the Total Value of the entire goods, as that's needed by the CBSA to log on their system.
STEP-4:
a) Print-it out [on regular A4 sheets], both pages [1 & 2] separately.
b) Take 2 printouts [one for the CBSA & one for U, with their Stamp, Sign & Date].
c) Staple all the Excel Sheets & the Jewelry Sheets, into each form B4.
Tips
All goods bought for ‘landing’ are non-taxed. If we were to bring-in goods ‘later’, either by personal carriage or thru a transporter, this list MUST be stamped on the 1st Landing. Else, they will be ‘dutiable’. No compromise on that is possible. That’s the law.
1. Do not forget to take 2 printouts of each form B4 and its attachments. One will be kept by them.
2. Do not forget to take pics of the Jewelry. Else, they'll not accept it*.
3. Do not forget to get it stamped on landing. Sometimes the BSO doesn't ask. It's our prerogative.
*In that case they'll ask u to get it by email or visit the airport the next day for stamping your B4. Though it can be done, but u get into unnecessary hassles, time & effort.
Links
WHERE TO FIND THE FORM?
http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/b4-eng.pdf
