jazibkg said:
Gathering bank statements from all our separate bank accounts I mean when I say proof of funds. Surely one needs to gather these documents. Karachi is an enormous city and we had a few bank accounts spread across different areas of the city, so gathering the proof of funds became a very time consuming task in our end days. We also wasted time in getting pictures for the jeweler. No CBSA officer inquired about this. Time was also wasted making a 'list of goods' and 'list of goods to follow', again when presented to YVR airport officials, they said this document is only required when cargo to Canada is already booked. All in all, we wasted a lot of time trying to make everything perfect when the landing experience is fairly relaxed, friendly and easy.
Bank statements are not accepted as proof of funds when landing in Canada, they are only required at the time of application. You need to just tell CBSA how much you are carrying. Sorry to hear you wasted so much time with this. If you had posted this question earlier, someone on this forum would have helped you.
The CBSA officer was incorrect when he told you about the goods to follow list. The provision to have the goods to follow list stamped, for bringing items at a future time, only applies to first time landing immigrants or temporary residents allowed to stay in Canada for a period exceeding 3 years. For every subsequent trip, you only need the goods to follow list, if have booked to cargo that will come in a few days' time (this is what the CBSA officer was telling you). My best guesses for why you faced this would be:
1. The CBSA officer was new and was not aware there is a provision for new immigrants to get form B4e stamped for bringing in goods at a later date (duty free).
2. The CBSA officer did not for some reason realize you were landing for the first time as a new immigrant.
As jewelry pictures are required as part of this formality, it is clear why they did not ask your for these.
For everyone reading this post, please know that getting the goods to follow list (form b4e) stamped for goods we can bring in later at any time, is a privilege given to new immigrants and not a requirement of CBSA. I have even read posts from members here, where the CBSA officers have refused (not politely declined, but refused) to stamp form B4e. If we actually have goods that we want to bring later we should insist on CBSA stamping these or demanding to speak to their supervisors. If you don't have any
taxable items you want to bring later, don't bother with the goods to follow list. CBSA is not interested in stamping the goods accompanied list unless you are importing the car you driving in.
Regards,
