Hi Wilson, Mitali,
I have a Question regarding the BSF 186 and BSF186A forms.
I landed at Vancouver Airport in 24th June 2019 and completed my landing procedure then. When the Immigration officer asked me if I had the BSF186/BSF186A forms with me, I said I didn't have them on me. I told the officer I had come to complete the landing procedure and planned to fly back to the USA in 2 days. I asked the officer if it was mandatory for me to fill the BSF186,BSF186A forms as I wasn't going to leave anything behind in Canada when I departed after 2 days. I told them that I planned to move in the next 12 months and not now, since my Passport arrived just 2 weeks before, with a time limit of 4 weeks to complete my landing procedure. Hence I hadn't gotten the time to wrap things up in the USA and plan my move. The Officer told me that I should have the forms with me when I plan to move to Canada Permanently. He didn't say it's mandatory to fill the forms and didn't even force me to do the same.
I returned within 2 days on 26th june 2019.
Due to Covid-19 in 2020, I couldn't move as I was uncertain of the border restrictions, especially on Canadian side. I knew that USA wouldn't let me enter on H1B Visa. So I decided to play safe and stayed in USA till it was safe to travel and restrictions were lifted. On each website of cic, only the Border closed notifications could be seen. I could see travel restrictions in place and only people required for Care, Medical, Transport, Family assistance were being exempted from travel.
I recently moved in july 2021, after all restrictions were lifted for fully vaccinated individuals, only then did i see that PR holders were openly being mentioned as welcomed and exempted from travel restrictions. However, at Toronto Airport when I presented by B4 and B4a forms and Mover's inventory and my own inventory list, the officer refused to sign, saying it had been 2 years since I received my PR and that I should have completed these forms in 2019 itself at Vancouver. When I explained what happened at Vancouver, she simply said 'I always force all my clients to fill up the BSF186 and BSF186A forms even if they are here for 2 days.' I told her I understood her view point, but I can't help it that the officer at Vancouver told me something different and didn't make me complete my forms. She said worst case I would have to pay Duty.
I am completely at a loss for what to do, as I have my shipment arriving in 2 weeks and I am afraid I may have to pay a large amount in Duty.
Any advice???