Moving personal Household into Ontario Canada

[WOLFHAWK]

I am married to a Canadian, she immigrated to the States several years ago,, Then due to a Family emergency in Canada she had to came back to Ontario Last May 2016. to take care of her sister. Now I am immigrating to Canada, "Inland application"..

Question is,,, What is the process to get our belongings to Canada.. I know waiting till I have my PR status is the best time to do that,, BUT WE NEED TO KNOW what exactly we need to do to get our USED OLD Household belongs thru customs with a rental U-Haul. even if we decide to move it all now and not later ?? If we do it now I already know I CANT LEAVE Canada to go get it, So my Borther-in-law and my wife can go and bring it back !!

Most likely we will just wait till I am PR here... which is why I just want the steps to take to get them thru Canadian customs..

Thanks

 

[CDNPR2014]

it is fairly simple.

all you need to do is fill out the BSF186 form for items you are bringing with you at time of landing and items you plan to bring later on - known as "goods to follow". if you have items that fall into each category, then you need to fill out 2 forms and you will present them at time of landing.

it is not necessary to give specific detail of each item you are declaring. you can lot items together and declare them as "1 box of kitchen items", 2 boxes of books, 2 suitcases of clothes, etc. then give a value for each lot. you will want to list electronics separate and identify them by serial number, and if you have a car to import, it gets listed as a "conveyance".

You can find the form by googling "BSF form Canada".

 

[WOLFHAWK]

Thanks, for replying ..

When we packed up everything I made a nice Inventory using MS Word.. and we had Hand numbered each box with what is in each box on the inventory sheets and on the actual boxes. Then I wrote an approx. Value beside each item on the inventory sheets . I also inventoried mostly everything that didn't go in a box and what little bit of furniture that we have,, we also have washer and dryer and a small freezer that I included and wrote approx. value for each one.. I have read you can use your own inventory,, so I hope this is good to go !! Don't really have any electronics except a small flat TV with is wrapped inside blankets and covered with cardboard.

Do I have to unpack that TV and get the serial number off it? and do we need serial numbers for the washer, dryer and small freezer?? We are bring everything when we move. There will not be any goods to follow !!!!

Will they unload the U-haul ?? we wont have anyone who can reload it as we are going to Hire Labor to Load the U-Haul in Ohio, my wife cant do it and I am not able to walk very well or stand for long

Both our Vehicles are up here already, We had to drive them here from Ohio when we came up for the emergency last year and we came at different times. We didn't Import them then because we had no idea we where going to immigrate me to Canada.. so we will have to find away to import them to where we are living .. Can you do that ??

it is fairly simple.

all you need to do is fill out the BSF186 form for items you are bringing with you at time of landing and items you plan to bring later on - known as "goods to follow". if you have items that fall into each category, then you need to fill out 2 forms and you will present them at time of landing.

it is not necessary to give specific detail of each item you are declaring. you can lot items together and declare them as "1 box of kitchen items", 2 boxes of books, 2 suitcases of clothes, etc. then give a value for each lot. you will want to list electronics separate and identify them by serial number, and if you have a car to import, it gets listed as a "conveyance".

You can find the form by googling "BSF form Canada".

 

[CDNPR2014]

your own list will be fine.

1. if it's one small tv, i'm sure it's not going to be an issue. i don't believe you need serial numbers for the appliances. No one can tell you whether CBSA will unload the uhaul. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. It depends on the officer who greets you. I suspect they are responsible for unloading and loading everything. i wouldn't know.

2. i'm assuming the cars are not registered and insured in canada yet, since the weren't properly imported? assuming so, you can still import the car, and will need to go to the closest border to do it. the process starts with exporting on the US side, then you initiate the import on the CDN side. there is an entire process to importing and there are a lot of little steps. there is an excellent thread on this settlement issues board with a step by step guide (it is by baffled and is a few threads below this one at the moment). the RIV is the canadian agency responsible for imports. i recommend familiarizing yourself with the website.

 

[Rob_TO]

what exactly we need to do to get our USED OLD Household belongs thru customs with a rental U-Haul. even if we decide to move it all now and not later ??

Keep in mind that if you move any stuff here before you're approved for PR, all the items will be subject to full taxes/duties. If things are old and not expensive there may be no duties involved, but I'm not sure for bigger appliances and electronics devices.

Your wife could have moved things back for free as a returning resident, but it's probably too late now as she returned almost a year ago.

Both our Vehicles are up here already, We had to drive them here from Ohio when we came up for the emergency last year and we came at different times.

Are the vehicles leased or being financed, or completely owned by you? Of course you can't import unless they are owned by you.
Also did you tell your US auto insurance company the cars will be in Canada for this extended amount of time?

With the inland process, you should budget around 1 year for your PR to be completed. It's a shame you didn't apply outland, as that would have given you total flexibility to travel to the US and back as you needed, and processing for US citizens is usually very quick.

 

[WOLFHAWK]

I was able to find out directly from a CBSA web site that gave me this information about a "Returning Canadian Moving back to Canada"

You may import free of duty and taxes household and personal effects that were owned
and used by a person in there former country of residence. She/he May bring back duty free all household and personal effects including car, boat, airplane, provided they have been acquired and used six months prior to arrival in Canada. (After 5 years, the 6 months provision is eliminated).
There is, however, a valuation limit placed on these goods of $10,000 per item which includes automobiles. Duty & taxes will be levied against any
one item that exceeds that limitation.

Returning Canadians will also need to provide the following documents:-
Proof of Residency outside of Canada, Monthly statements, letter from employer, rent receipts, Income Tax, Utility Bills etc etc.

The 5 month period will save us allot of money..

Importing a Car is a long hard ordeal, but we shall getter done !!

Thanks yall for all your replies !!!

 

[Rob_TO]

I was able to find out directly from a CBSA web site that gave me this information about a "Returning Canadian Moving back to Canada"

You may import free of duty and taxes household and personal effects that were owned
and used by a person in there former country of residence. She/he May bring back duty free all household and personal effects including car, boat, airplane, provided they have been acquired and used six months prior to arrival in Canada. (After 5 years, the 6 months provision is eliminated).
There is, however, a valuation limit placed on these goods of $10,000 per item which includes automobiles. Duty & taxes will be levied against any
one item that exceeds that limitation.

Returning Canadians will also need to provide the following documents:-
Proof of Residency outside of Canada, Monthly statements, letter from employer, rent receipts, Income Tax, Utility Bills etc etc.

The 5 month period will save us allot of money..

Importing a Car is a long hard ordeal, but we shall getter done !!

Thanks yall for all your replies !!!

Didn't she return in May 2016? It's now 10 months later, so pretty sure it's too late to have her start importing things under the "returning to Canada" exemption, if she didn't declare them as "goods to follow" upon her entry to Canada in May 2016.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5113-eng.html
Before you leave for Canada, you should prepare two copies of a list (preferably typewritten) of all the goods you intend to bring into Canada as part of your personal effects. The list should indicate the value, make, model and serial number (when applicable) of all the goods.

Divide the list into two sections. In the first section, list the goods you are bringing with you; in the second, list the goods to follow. Goods that arrive later will only qualify for duty- and tax-free importation under your entitlement as a settler or former resident if they are on your original list.

 

[WOLFHAWK]

YOU HAVE a great point.. I think ill just call down to Fort Erie Monday and discuss this with a officer...

You seem pretty good with this stuff,, do you know much about how to tell if a person has a application Linked on the site..
I thought I did but Im not so sure after looking at another persons screen shot of there account page..
If you can help out great if not its cool,, ill just keep asking lol

Didn't she return in May 2016? It's now 10 months later, so pretty sure it's too late to have her start importing things under the "returning to Canada" exemption, if she didn't declare them as "goods to follow" upon her entry to Canada in May 2016.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5113-eng.html
Before you leave for Canada, you should prepare two copies of a list (preferably typewritten) of all the goods you intend to bring into Canada as part of your personal effects. The list should indicate the value, make, model and serial number (when applicable) of all the goods.

Divide the list into two sections. In the first section, list the goods you are bringing with you; in the second, list the goods to follow. Goods that arrive later will only qualify for duty- and tax-free importation under your entitlement as a settler or former resident if they are on your original list.

 

[zardoz]

YOU HAVE a great point.. I think ill just call down to Fort Erie Monday and discuss this with a officer...

You seem pretty good with this stuff,, do you know much about how to tell if a person has a application Linked on the site..
I thought I did but Im not so sure after looking at another persons screen shot of there account page..
If you can help out great if not its cool,, ill just keep asking lol

It's now only you that can bring those goods, and the vehicles in without paying duty/taxes under the New Settler provisions. However, you can't be a settler until you have PR status. Until then, you are ONLY a visitor. The Returning Resident provision will certainly be very hard to invoke for your wife now.

 

[WOLFHAWK]

Wow all this great news lol.. well it is what it is right? Thanks for the information !! Let me ask this.
CIC received our Complete Applications package on the 3rd of March along with the apps my wife had to Fill out to sponsor me we also filed for me to get a Open Work Permit.. Now I was told once I get that permit I can leave Canada and still be under Implied Status,, Visitor status I was told stopped when I applied for Immigration from within Canada,
When I get that OWP CAN I at that time go back to the US and get our stuff.. I read on a CIC site you can reenter Canada with a work permit if you leave ! I am desperate because we have NOTHING to use in a Apartment once we rent one,, ITS all in the US !!

Sorry to be a pain, This whole process of Immigration has become very confusing!!

OR can my wife just go get it with my brotherinlaw (so I don't have to leave Canada ) and Pay the Duty and taxes ?? we did an inventory so our Stuff is Valued around 5000.00 I have no idea how to figure duty and tax on 5 grand But it might be an option to get our stuff NOW

It's now only you that can bring those goods, and the vehicles in without paying duty/taxes under the New Settler provisions. However, you can't be a settler until you have PR status. Until then, you are ONLY a visitor. The Returning Resident provision will certainly be very hard to invoke for your wife now.

 

[scylla]

You have implied status as long as you remain in Canada. If you leave Canada, there's always some possibility you might not be allowed back in. Leaving on an OWP and then coming back with a ton of belongings to import may be a bit risky. If it works - you will need to pay tax and duty since you're not a PR yet. Not sure I would try it if you have an inland application in progress. (An OWP does not authorize re-entry into Canada - you'll see this is specifically written on the work permit once you receive it.)

Your wife can certainly go.

 

[WOLFHAWK]

I know what you mean about getting BACK into Canada, seems if they think your moving here they are even worse,, So ok I watch to much tv,, Border protection TV show LOLOL.. So yes your right I should not leave or I might have to Camp out in Buffalo ..

Do you know of a site we can go to try to figure out the duty and taxes on Household goods ?? So we have an idea how much she will have to pay at the Border.. I am guessing coming across the border with a 20ft U Haul Truck (brother-in-law Driving and she will drive his car behind him) she will Need the Fees and OUR Inventory sheets showing the box number or item and values of each thing.. Is that all she would need?

AND THANKS you have been very informative !!

You have implied status as long as you remain in Canada. If you leave Canada, there's always some possibility you might not be allowed back in. Leaving on an OWP and then coming back with a ton of belongings to import may be a bit risky. If it works - you will need to pay tax and duty since you're not a PR yet. Not sure I would try it if you have an inland application in progress. (An OWP does not authorize re-entry into Canada - you'll see this is specifically written on the work permit once you receive it.)

Your wife can certainly go.

 

[zardoz]

Visitor status I was told stopped when I applied for Immigration from within Canada,

A common misconception. A PR application, in itself, offers no status. An accompanying OWP application only maintains existing status as "implied status" once the original status has expired. It doesn't grant any change in existing status type, until it's approved.

 

[WOLFHAWK]

AW ok.. so at the start of all this, I thought I had to leave and comeback to restart my 6 month visitor stay.. But several people. told me that since I applied for Spousal Sponsorship immigration that my status changed to Implied Status and no longer Visitor Status And that I didn't need to Leave at 6 months And to not leave Canada until I get MY PR status or I would have to start all over again and that I would most likely have problems crossing back across the border.... Thanks for clearing that status thing up for me !!

A common misconception. A PR application, in itself, offers no status. An accompanying OWP application only maintains existing status as "implied status" once the original status has expired. It doesn't grant any change in existing status type, until it's approved.