Customs and Immigration Declaration upon returning after 3 years

[mmahmud]

Hi, I am a PR returning to Canada after about three years (I know the implications of this). I found out that I will have to fill up a "Customs and Immigration Declaration" form where I need to state what goods I am bringing in and what I have purchased on my time abroad. Can you advice on this? Does someone need to declare ALL of their goods including clothes, devices and what not? Or in which cases I will have to declare something? It also says I will have to declare the values of goods I have with me which is also quite confusing.
Thanks in advance.

 

[steaky]

Hi, I am a PR returning to Canada after about three years (I know the implications of this). I found out that I will have to fill up a "Customs and Immigration Declaration" form where I need to state what goods I am bringing in and what I have purchased on my time abroad. Can you advice on this? Does someone need to declare ALL of their goods including clothes, devices and what not? Or in which cases I will have to declare something? It also says I will have to declare the values of goods I have with me which is also quite confusing.
Thanks in advance.

Pick one of the two option:

1) Are you settling in Canada for the first time or
2) you are a former resident and returning to Canada?

 

[mmahmud]

Pick one of the two option:

1) Are you settling in Canada for the first time or
2) you are a former resident and returning to Canada?

Thanks for the reply. I landed already and had to return but got stuck for the Covid-19 situation. Now I am returning with a valid PR but after 3 years.

 

[mmahmud]

Pick one of the two option:

1) Are you settling in Canada for the first time or
2) you are a former resident and returning to Canada?

So number 2. What do I put in for the total value of goods? Total of everything I have with me including clothes, personal electronics? This is quite confusing.

 

[steaky]

So number 2. What do I put in for the total value of goods? Total of everything I have with me including clothes, personal electronics? This is quite confusing.

You have not answered my question. Did you settled in Canada after you landed in 2018 for at least a year (until 2019)? If not, you should pick number 1.

 

[mmahmud]

You have not answered my question. Did you settled in Canada after you landed in 2018 for at least a year (until 2019)? If not, you should pick number 1.

Thanks for the reply. I stayed for about 3 months, left in the beginning of 2019. Since its been 3+ years since then, should I chose Visitor in the form?

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/e311-eng.pdf

 

[steaky]

Thanks for the reply. I stayed for about 3 months, left in the beginning of 2019. Since its been 3+ years since then, should I chose Visitor in the form?

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/e311-eng.pdf

No, you are settling in Canada for the first time. So number 1.

 

[mmahmud]

No, you are settling in Canada for the first time. So number 1.

Are you referring to the online declaration when you are saying Number 1? I did not make the online declaration, I am expecting the on-flight form that is given out before landing.

 

[steaky]

Are you referring to the online declaration when you are saying Number 1? I did not make the online declaration, I am expecting the on-flight form that is given out before landing.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.html

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html

They don't handout on flight form since at least 2020.

 

[mmahmud]

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.html

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html

Thanks for the reference. But can you tell me what to put in the form on the link: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/e311-eng.pdf
or am I missing something? Thanks.

 

[steaky]

Thanks for the reference. But can you tell me what to put in the form on the link: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/e311-eng.pdf
or am I missing something? Thanks.

These forms are no longer given on flight. Instead, you would need to scan your passport, declare the customs and take a picture on the machine. Afterwards, you show your prepared settlers effect BSF186 form to the custom officer with the receipt you received from that machine.

 

[mmahmud]

These forms are no longer given on flight. Instead, you would need to scan your passport, declare the customs and take a picture on the machine. Afterwards, you show your prepared settlers effect BSF186 form to the custom officer with the receipt you received from that machine.

Oh okay. Thanks so much for the information. I had no idea.
A follow up question: Do I need to prepare a list of everything I have with me?

 

[steaky]

Oh okay. Thanks so much for the information. I had no idea.
A follow up question: Do I need to prepare a list of everything I have with me?

Yes, you can be more organised just in case they ask.

 

[mmahmud]

Yes, you can be more organised just in case they ask.

Understood. Thanks. This was very helpful.