Short landing - list of goods

[uppperkut]

Hi everyone,

I'm doing a short landing in 2 weeks, and wanted to ask about the list of accompanying goods and goods to follow.

I've got some doubts..

• There are some items which I will be carrying during my landing trip, and potentially while moving for good, such as my laptop, smartphone, etc. Where are those supposed to be written?
• I will be taking my work laptop with me, does that go on either lists? I will obviously be returning it to my employer when I move to Canada permanently.
• If I sell or get rid of some of the items in the goods to follow, what happens in that case?
• If I buy a new item (say a new smartphone) before moving permanently, will that be taxed? (It won't be mentioned on either lists)

Thanks!

 

[anttica]

Hi uppperkut. I am in the same boat with you nearing short landing in a few weeks from now.

Based on what I had read in the forum earlier I was just about to start filling the lists for accompanying and following goods. That is until I came up with this link: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.html

Points 9 and 10 clarify that anyone performing a short landing is not considered a settler by the customs. To my understanding this means that the goods lists (BSF186 forms) are in fact not supposed to be submitted during the short landing but later when one is actually establishing residency in Canada.

I'd even say that submitting the forms during short landing is disadvantageous since the contents of goods to follow will then be locked without a chance to supplement with more items you might acquire before relocating. Naturally the forms are also more difficult to fill out now compared to later when physically packing for your move and seeing how many boxes get filled.

I still can't keep wondering why so many people in this forum insist on submitting the forms during the short landing. By the memorandum everything is clear and you'd be backed by it even if any single customs officer wouldn't agree with you.

Me still being far from a lawyer would appreciate if anyone possessing more insight to this topic would set the facts straight.

 

[anttica]

Anyone able to help out?

 

[uppperkut]

Hi uppperkut. I am in the same boat with you nearing short landing in a few weeks from now.

Based on what I had read in the forum earlier I was just about to start filling the lists for accompanying and following goods. That is until I came up with this link: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.html

Points 9 and 10 clarify that anyone performing a short landing is not considered a settler by the customs. To my understanding this means that the goods lists (BSF186 forms) are in fact not supposed to be submitted during the short landing but later when one is actually establishing residency in Canada.

I'd even say that submitting the forms during short landing is disadvantageous since the contents of goods to follow will then be locked without a chance to supplement with more items you might acquire before relocating. Naturally the forms are also more difficult to fill out now compared to later when physically packing for your move and seeing how many boxes get filled.

I still can't keep wondering why so many people in this forum insist on submitting the forms during the short landing. By the memorandum everything is clear and you'd be backed by it even if any single customs officer wtttouldn't agree with you.

Me still being far from a lawyer would appreciate if anyone possessing more insight to this topic would set the facts straight.

Thanks for your reply. I wasn't gonna highlight my intention of a short landing until explicitly asked. My reason is legitimate anyway as I need to open a bank account to be able to transfer money from my current residency country. That way I can close my bank account here before leaving for good.

I don't have much to move anyway. My particular concern is related to things like electronics.

 

[mgnlky]

Complete both lists (goods with you and goods to come later). The officer will stamp both forms. That is what you will use later to import/bring the goods to follow into the country duty-free.

 

[Wolverine17]

Goods accompanying wasnt needed but write them down if it makes you feel better,as for the goods to follow there is no issue if you wrote stuff down and later you didnt bring

 

[chikoo1985]

So I have got my COPR today and should be planning for short landing asap. So as per my understanding so far below needs to be carried
- Goods accompanying
- Goods to Follow
- Friend's address for PR card mail.

Things those can be taken care while short landing:
- Get SIN
- Open a Bank Account probably (not sure how to provide residential address for this)
- Health card application maybe

What other thing could be taken care and what should be the sequence? If anyone can throw some light.. it will be great.

Thanks,
Chikoo

 

[mgnlky]

So I have got my COPR today and should be planning for short landing asap. So as per my understanding so far below needs to be carried
- Goods accompanying
- Goods to Follow
- Friend's address for PR card mail.

Things those can be taken care while short landing:
- Get SIN
- Open a Bank Account probably (not sure how to provide residential address for this)
- Health card application maybe

What other thing could be taken care and what should be the sequence? If anyone can throw some light.. it will be great.

Thanks,
Chikoo

Carry proof of funds with you too too. Some officers ask for it, some do not. Don't risk it.

 

[chikoo1985]

Carry proof of funds with you too too. Some officers ask for it, some do not. Don't risk it.

Ok. Noted.

Right after interview will I be getting SIN?

 

[mgnlky]

Ok. Noted.

Right after interview will I be getting SIN?

Depends on where you land. Some airports you can get it immediately. Others (and most if not all land crossings) you'll have to go to a Service Canada center to get it.

 

[ca_hopeful]

@uppperkut @anttica can you pls share your landing experience? Were you asked to show goods to accompany and follow lists ? I am also planning a short landing and don't see any sense in declaring my belongings now because I don't plan to make a permanent move for another year at least. Pls help

 

[uppperkut]

@uppperkut @anttica can you pls share your landing experience? Were you asked to show goods to accompany and follow lists ? I am also planning a short landing and don't see any sense in declaring my belongings now because I don't plan to make a permanent move for another year at least. Pls help

I was asked yes, although I'm not planning to ship anything major like furniture. They stamped both lists and gave me a receipt of the total worth of my items.

 

[kusrbo]

I was asked yes, although I'm not planning to ship anything major like furniture. They stamped both lists and gave me a receipt of the total worth of my items.

Is that Ok to tell the immigration officer that its a short landing, will leave Canada in two weeks and come back only a year later or more?

I am in the same boat and currently residing in UK. I have got my COPR and I am planning to do a soft landing some time in Feb or March and stay there for a week to apply any formalities and eventually move to Canada later.

Appreciate if you can list what all documents they have asked for other than funds statement, COPR? Thanks

 

[uppperkut]

Is that Ok to tell the immigration officer that its a short landing, will leave Canada in two weeks and come back only a year later or more?

I am in the same boat and currently residing in UK. I have got my COPR and I am planning to do a soft landing some time in Feb or March and stay there for a week to apply any formalities and eventually move to Canada later.

Appreciate if you can list what all documents they have asked for other than funds statement, COPR? Thanks

If you want to be fully honest like I did, you should write the number of days you're staying in Canada in the declaration card. No need to say anything else. The officer did notice the number of days in the card and asked me to apply for a PRTD to re-enter Canada.

I first passed by the immigration counter (right before you go down to collect your luggage at YYZ.) The officer only seemed to care about the declaration card at that point when she knew I was a new immigrant. She then directed me to the immigration office after marking my declaration card (I declared an extra bit of cash.) All the immigration officer required was the Passport, COPR and an address to send my PR card. She made me sign both copies of the COPR, took the one with the photo attached and gave me the other one. I then went to get my SIN number at the same place. The whole process took around 10 min. Finally, I passed by the CBSA office after collecting my luggage and met the same officer I first met at the immigration counter. I gave her my lists of goods and goods to follow and filled in the money declaration form. She gave me receipts of the total value of my goods as well as a receipt for the cash. They did not check any of my luggage.

 

[Becky_543]

Is that Ok to tell the immigration officer that its a short landing, will leave Canada in two weeks and come back only a year later or more?

I am in the same boat and currently residing in UK. I have got my COPR and I am planning to do a soft landing some time in Feb or March and stay there for a week to apply any formalities and eventually move to Canada later.

Appreciate if you can list what all documents they have asked for other than funds statement, COPR? Thanks

Hi @kusrbo, I'm in the same boat and planning to do a soft landing in May or June. Is it possible that I PM you later to ask about your experience? Thanks!