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Spouse wants to bring TV... HELP!

Buletruck

VIP Member
May 18, 2015
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You would probably want to include a copy of the b4form when you ship it. DHL will still probably try and ding you for duty and brokerage.
 

Miraclejj

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Mar 10, 2017
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It covers everything she owns. Her worldly possessions. For the avoidance of doubt: If it belongs to her, when she lands, she can bring it in tax free. There is nothing you can come up with that isn't included in this. So long as it is hers, it qualifies.

You can present CBSA with a list of your own (I handwrote mine from notes while I was on the plane), there are forms you need to fill in with CBSA in their office.
That is not entirely true. I don't think that CBSA would allow me to import the 15 pieces of pistols that I legally owned in US.:)
 

spousalsponsee

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Apr 21, 2017
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That is not entirely true. I don't think that CBSA would allow me to import the 15 pieces of pistols that I legally owned in US.:)
Of course not. But that has nothing to do with their tax status - the component metal, melted down, could be. Anything she owns is free of duty and tax. Whether they'll allow them in the country is another question altogether.
 

jordo

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Apr 27, 2014
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Regina, SK
Here is some more information:
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html

And this is email correspondence I received from CBSA myself when I asked about the level of detail they want (My wife will be filling a U-Haul truck! Could be a long list) :)

------------------------------
For an overview of the laws, restrictions, and entitlements that affect people intending to settle in Canada we encourage you to consult our publication entitled Immigrating or Returning to Live in Canada, found at:

http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5113-eng.html

(Please note that although the publication has been archived, the information is still relevant)



A settler describes all who enter Canada with the intention of establishing a residence for the first time and for a period of not less than 12 months.


Before you settle in Canada, you must prepare two copies of a list, preferably typed, detailing all household and personal goods you are bringing into the country. Your list should describe the goods, giving such details as the value, make, model, and serial number of each item, particularly high-value items. Please note that we require the current value of goods, not the replacement value. The list should be divided into two parts, showing which items are accompanying the owner at the time of arrival and which items are to arrive at a later date as “goods to follow.”


For general household items such as books or clothing, a group listing and overall value is sufficient (e.g., kitchen utensils – $000). Since jewellery is difficult to describe accurately, it is best to use the wording from your insurance policy or jeweller's appraisal and to include photographs that have been dated and signed by the jeweller or a gemologist. This information makes it easier to identify the jewellery when you first enter Canada, and later if you return from a trip abroad with this jewellery.


When you arrive in Canada you will have to give your list of goods to the border services officer, even if you do not have the goods with you at the time. Based on the list of goods you submit the officer will complete Form B4 or BSF186, Personal Effects Accounting Document, for you, assign a file number to your B4 or BSF186 form, and give you a copy of the completed form as a receipt. You will need to present your copy of the form to claim free importation of your unaccompanied goods when they arrive.


Memorandum D2-2-1, Settlers' Effects - Tariff Item No. 9807.00.00, provides information about the B4 or BSF186 forms for people settling in Canada. It can be found at:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.html


Should you require additional assistance with your inquiry, we recommend that you contact the Border Information Service (BIS). You can access the BIS line free of charge throughout Canada by calling 1-800-461-9999. If you are calling from outside Canada, you can access the BIS line by calling either 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 (long-distance charges will apply). If you call during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, except holidays), you can speak to an officer by pressing “0” at any time after you have made a selection of either English or French.


Thank you for contacting the Canada Border Services Agency.
--------------------------------------------
 
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AirJordan23

Star Member
Dec 19, 2017
136
107
Here is some more information:
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html

And this is email correspondence I received from CBSA myself when I asked about the level of detail they want (My wife will be filling a U-Haul truck! Could be a long list) :)

------------------------------
For an overview of the laws, restrictions, and entitlements that affect people intending to settle in Canada we encourage you to consult our publication entitled Immigrating or Returning to Live in Canada, found at:

http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5113-eng.html

(Please note that although the publication has been archived, the information is still relevant)



A settler describes all who enter Canada with the intention of establishing a residence for the first time and for a period of not less than 12 months.


Before you settle in Canada, you must prepare two copies of a list, preferably typed, detailing all household and personal goods you are bringing into the country. Your list should describe the goods, giving such details as the value, make, model, and serial number of each item, particularly high-value items. Please note that we require the current value of goods, not the replacement value. The list should be divided into two parts, showing which items are accompanying the owner at the time of arrival and which items are to arrive at a later date as “goods to follow.”


For general household items such as books or clothing, a group listing and overall value is sufficient (e.g., kitchen utensils – $000). Since jewellery is difficult to describe accurately, it is best to use the wording from your insurance policy or jeweller's appraisal and to include photographs that have been dated and signed by the jeweller or a gemologist. This information makes it easier to identify the jewellery when you first enter Canada, and later if you return from a trip abroad with this jewellery.


When you arrive in Canada you will have to give your list of goods to the border services officer, even if you do not have the goods with you at the time. Based on the list of goods you submit the officer will complete Form B4 or BSF186, Personal Effects Accounting Document, for you, assign a file number to your B4 or BSF186 form, and give you a copy of the completed form as a receipt. You will need to present your copy of the form to claim free importation of your unaccompanied goods when they arrive.


Memorandum D2-2-1, Settlers' Effects - Tariff Item No. 9807.00.00, provides information about the B4 or BSF186 forms for people settling in Canada. It can be found at:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.html


Should you require additional assistance with your inquiry, we recommend that you contact the Border Information Service (BIS). You can access the BIS line free of charge throughout Canada by calling 1-800-461-9999. If you are calling from outside Canada, you can access the BIS line by calling either 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 (long-distance charges will apply). If you call during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, except holidays), you can speak to an officer by pressing “0” at any time after you have made a selection of either English or French.


Thank you for contacting the Canada Border Services Agency.
--------------------------------------------
Very helpful, thank you so much @jordo!
 

WeegieInOttawa

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Just to clarify, is your spouse importing this TV as part of her landing? If not, can she wait until she lands? Everything imported at landing (even if it's shipped later) is tax and duty free.
Did not know that! Every day's a school day!
 

Ceimi

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Nov 14, 2017
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My spouse wants to bring a TV that was given to her as a gift from her grandmother. The TV has a lot of sentimental value... She is planning to ship it through DHL from Europe to Canada and it's valued at 600$ CAD. If anyone has been in a similar situation, how much do you think we will be paying in import fees/duty once it arrives?

Thanks!
As others have mentioned, if she does this as part of landing she wont need to pay duties/customs, she WILL have to pay brokerage fee though, and expect that to be expensive. Often when shipping from the USA to CAN via a courier like UPS or FEDEX, the brokerage fees end up costing more than the item people had shipped.
 

Miraclejj

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Mar 10, 2017
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As others have mentioned, if she does this as part of landing she wont need to pay duties/customs, she WILL have to pay brokerage fee though, and expect that to be expensive. Often when shipping from the USA to CAN via a courier like UPS or FEDEX, the brokerage fees end up costing more than the item people had shipped.
I agree, the inquiry that we got from a moving company is about $3,000 USD for a container load that moving from Arizona to Vancouver, BC. It is worth it for us, because our furniture along is way more than $3,000. :)
 

Ceimi

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Nov 14, 2017
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I agree, the inquiry that we got from a moving company is about $3,000 USD for a container load that moving from Arizona to Vancouver, BC. It is worth it for us, because our furniture along is way more than $3,000. :)
Have you thought about renting a truck and just driving up there? It would only take roughly two days to go from AZ to Vancouver, and would save you a TON of money!
 

Miraclejj

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Mar 10, 2017
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Have you thought about renting a truck and just driving up there? It would only take roughly two days to go from AZ to Vancouver, and would save you a TON of money!
I thought about that, but we have two little children and if my wife took them to fly there and I drove, it wouldn't save a lot.
 

Hunks

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You might want to consider that it probably won’t work in Canada. 220/50 Hz vs 110/60 Hz in Canada. Make a nice conversation piece in the dining room.
You can buy a transformer which converts voltage
 

russ6970

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Hi



1. Canada/US TVs use NTSC European TVs use PAL, they are not compatible
As long as the tv has a transformer and can handle the voltage (which it should be able to as it is less here), cable boxes have ntsc/pal switches nowadays so it should work
 
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Hunks

Star Member
Aug 15, 2017
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England
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Mississauga
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Doc's Request.
16-10-2017
AOR Received.
16-10-2017
File Transfer...
7-11-2017
Med's Request
21-10-2017
Med's Done....
2-11-2017
Hi



1. Canada/US TVs use NTSC European TVs use PAL, they are not compatible
We have a TV from the US in Canada with no transformer....we also know even a European TV you can buy a transformer for so...