Shipping my things to him

[Benni]

I'll be going to my guy to be married in April (in Canada). We will send off our Outland app. after the wedding.

I'll be there for 90 days.

I want to ship my clothing/personal items (vitamins and herbal meds included) needed for those 90 days.

I plan on shipping the box a few days before my flight.

Do I need to declare anything?

Should the box be addressed to me at his address or just to him?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[scylla]

If you're shipping personal belongings to Canada before you have PR, then you will need to pay duty on them.

I would recommend that you hold off shipping personal items until you have PR. If you are coming to Canada for a visit before you have PR, then you should bring what you need with you as luggage.

 

[Benni]

I can't bring it as luggage. I would have a rollabout suitcase with me on board and would need to check a larger one.
BUT, then I have to pick up the larger one in Toronto and try to drag both with me, while running, to customs, and then re-check it.
I'm very small and can't lug all that. So, shipping it would be easier for me.

Addressing it to him wouldn't make a difference?

Paying duty doesn't bother me. I didn't think you had to pay duty on clothing and personal items.

I wonder how much that would cost me?

 

[scylla]

You can use this online calculator to get an estimate:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/mobile/est-cal-eng.html

Looks like you're heading to Newfoundland. Assuming that's the case, clothing worth $300 would cost you around $40 in duty (to provide an example).

 

[scylla]

Addressing it to him wouldn't make a difference?

You have to declare the value on the customs form. If you lie and say it's his stuff when it's really your stuff to avoid the duty / tax, that's a crime. If caught, you can expect additional fines on top of the duty and tax to get your stuff back - plus you'll get flagged in the system as an offender and can expect extra check whenever you cross the border. Had an old boss who did something along those lines and was caught (and flagged in the system). Wouldn't recommend it.

 

[Benni]

Yep, Newfoundland is correct!!

Ok, so address it to myself in care of him???

I will only have clothing and personal care items....

This from the CIC site:

You do not have to pay duty on:

Antiques
Appliances, such as a stove or refrigerator
Books
Clothes
Furniture
Hobby tools and other hobby items
Jewelry
Linens
Musical instruments
Private collections of coins, stamps or art
Silverware
Gifts (worth CDN $60 or less each)

You do have to pay duty on:

Items you have leased or rented. The Canada Border Service Agency does not consider that you own leased or rented items.
Items you have bought on your way to Canada
Vehicles you plan to use for business
Farm equipment
Equipment you plan to use in construction, contracting or manufacturing

 

[scylla]

This from the CIC site:

You do not have to pay duty on:

What you have quoted applies to people who have been approved for PR and are moving personal belongings to Canada under that exemption. Since you haven't been approved for PR yet, you must pay duty on everything - including clothing and personal items (use the calculator I provided earlier).

If you want to take advantage of the exemption, you must wait until PR has been approved and you are landing.

 

[Benni]

Oops....... then, there's this about visitors:

As a visitor, you can bring certain goods into Canada for your own use as "personal baggage". Personal baggage includes clothing, camping and sports equipment, cameras and personal computers.

My main question is:

Do I address the box to him or to myself in care of him?

 

[scylla]

The visitor exemption applies if you are bringing the items with you as a visitor and then taking them home with you at the end of the visit. If they are staying in Canada, then the items are being imported and are subject to duty and tax.

I would address the box to yourself.

 

[Benni]

Thank you! Yes, the items will be staying in Canada so I guess I'll be paying the duty/taxes on them. *sigh*

Thanks for your time and effort, scylla.

 

[Catou]

Canada is very strict about what vitamins and personal medicines are allowed into the country. They are also likely to look very carefully at visitors that ship personal possessions into the country when they don't have legal status to stay there. I would be very careful about doing this as it could potentially have repercussions.

Visitors are expected to have their personal possessions with them and it really is the best way to avoid problems. If they have questions at least you are right there to answer them. While I understand that you would find it difficult to manage several suitcases it's not necessary for you to manage them alone. Tell the airline you are going to Canada for your wedding and ask for help with your bags. Most airlines are very happy to assist.

 

[Benni]

Thanks Catou. After more thought, I decided it probably is best that I take 2 bags and check one.

I've read that vitamins and herbal meds are ok as long as there is no more than a 90-day supply. None are prescription.

I take 8 different ones and have checked Canadian drug stores to see if they're sold there and they are so I assume they'd go through ok.

I could buy them when I get there but hate to spend the money when I already have them.

I'm glad to know that I can get help at the airport.

However, I was told to NOT tell anyone I was getting married since we won't apply for the PR until after wedding.

By the way, once we ARE married and I come back (after the 90 day trip), will I be able to ship a box of stuff to there then?
Or will I still have the same problem?

 

[Catou]

However, I was told to NOT tell anyone I was getting married since we won't apply for the PR until after wedding.

By the way, once we ARE married and I come back (after the 90 day trip), will I be able to ship a box of stuff to there then?
Or will I still have the same problem?

Telling the airlines, and even border control, that you are getting married isn't a problem. We got married in Canada and weren't planning to move there or apply for PR at that time. I was going in as a visitor. We told the airline when we checked in and they allowed us to take my wedding gown and its accessories on board as extra cabin luggage (free). When the customs and immigration people at the airport asked me the purpose of my visit, I told them I was there to get married. It was wonderful- everyone was congratulating me and wishing me well. Nobody raised any issues or questioned whether I would be an overstayer or anything.

Maybe they could tell I was being honest and open with them. Or they could see I was really happy and excited. I don't know. But being honest is the way to go. Being dishonest can come back to bite you and the only way you can avoid telling them that you are getting married is to lie when they ask for the purpose of your visit.

As for the shipping - you will have the same problem after you are married. Until you get your PR you are only a visitor to Canada.

 

[Benni]

Telling the airlines, and even border control, that you are getting married isn't a problem.

As for the shipping - you will have the same problem after you are married. Until you get your PR you are only a visitor to Canada.

Really?! I was told that it would show I didn't have ties to the US and wouldn't be going back so they would detain me. Hmmmm!

Well, crap, I guess I'll just have to buy what I need when I get there. Darn!

 

[Catou]

Really?! I was told that it would show I didn't have ties to the US and wouldn't be going back so they would detain me. Hmmmm!

Well, crap, I guess I'll just have to buy what I need when I get there. Darn!

I flew in and had a return ticket, so they could see I intended to leave. Nobody even questioned that, or asked if I had ties to my country. I guess they might have if I wasn't from a visa-exempt country.