Declaring goods

[DBHC]

I'm moving to Canada as a Permanent Resident with my Canadian wife who has lived outside Canada for almost 5 years. Our plan was that she would declare our household stuff at the border, while I'd declare the car. Consequently, we'd have two BSF 186 forms when we cross the border together. Is this a good idea? Does it matter? Or should there only be one form per couple? Would we get taxed on the car if she declared it? Are returning Canadian citizens and new Permanent Residents subject to different stipulations regarding duty, etc.?

 

[CDNPR2014]

if you are declaring items separately, then you need two declaration forms. if you aren't starting the export/import process for the car at landing (there is more to it than just adding it to your declaration form), then it needs to be listed as a conveyance on a "goods to follow form". if it's listed on a B184 form before importing, then duties will not need to be paid on the value. you would need to pay the RIV and inspection fees, and you may need to pay to have the daytime running lights installed/turned on. both returning canadians and PRs receive exemption from paying duty on items. that is the point of the B184 form. i'm not sure there is a limit to the amount declaring, though there may be a limit for returning canadians. the B184 form should have this information on it somewhere, i'd imagine?

 

[DBHC]

if you are declaring items separately, then you need two declaration forms. if you aren't starting the export/import process for the car at landing (there is more to it than just adding it to your declaration form), then it needs to be listed as a conveyance on a "goods to follow form". if it's listed on a B184 form before importing, then duties will not need to be paid on the value. you would need to pay the RIV and inspection fees, and you may need to pay to have the daytime running lights installed/turned on. both returning canadians and PRs receive exemption from paying duty on items. that is the point of the B184 form. i'm not sure there is a limit to the amount declaring, though there may be a limit for returning canadians. the B184 form should have this information on it somewhere, i'd imagine?

Thanks for the reply, CDNPR2014. We've got all of the import/export paperwork for the car sorted, we're just trying to figure out what the best approach is to declaring it. From what you say, it doesn't sound like there's a problem having one form each.

By the way, what's a B184? We're looking at a BSF186 to declare our stuff. I can't find a B184 when Googling, but then my Google Fu isn't great. Could you post a link? The somewhat confusing legalese on the BSF186 makes it sound like returning Canadians are not exempt from paying duty on individual items over $10,000, which is what made me think that I should declare the car rather than my wife. As I say, I find the wording confusing, so was wondering if anyone had actually done this before and can offer any advice?

 

[CDNPR2014]

Thanks for the reply, CDNPR2014. We've got all of the import/export paperwork for the car sorted, we're just trying to figure out what the best approach is to declaring it. From what you say, it doesn't sound like there's a problem having one form each.

By the way, what's a B184? We're looking at a BSF186 to declare our stuff. I can't find a B184 when Googling, but then my Google Fu isn't great. Could you post a link? The somewhat confusing legalese on the BSF186 makes it sound like returning Canadians are not exempt from paying duty on individual items over $10,000, which is what made me think that I should declare the car rather than my wife. As I say, I find the wording confusing, so was wondering if anyone had actually done this before and can offer any advice?

oops, my bad. i wrote the wrong document number down. BSF186 is the form you need. the form was recently renumbered, and i apparently memorized the wrong number! yes, i would have the PR declare the car. there is no limit to value for PRs settling.

 

[DBHC]

oops, my bad. i wrote the wrong document number down. BSF186 is the form you need. the form was recently renumbered, and i apparently memorized the wrong number! yes, i would have the PR declare the car. there is no limit to value for PRs settling.

No worries. I'm glad we're using the right form!

Thanks for the advice. As the settling PR, I'll declare the car.