Can I bring gifts for family to Canada on my first landing?

[bdroid89]

Hi. I wanted to ask if I could buy gifts for my family in Canada on my first landing as a PR? Items I want to bring are clothes and snacks. If I do, do I have to explicitly mention it in my BSF186 form?

TIA!

 

[zardoz]

Hi. I wanted to ask if I could buy gifts for my family in Canada on my first landing as a PR? Items I want to bring are clothes and snacks. If I do, do I have to explicitly mention it in my BSF186 form?

TIA!

You can bring gifts but they can not be included as part of the duty/tax free "settlers effects".
You may have to pay for them at Customs. Also, food items must be declared regardless.

SETTLER (tariff item No. 9807.00.00)
I hereby declare that I have read and qualify for the provisions of tariff item No. 9807.00.00 and that:

1. I am entering Canada with the intention of establishing, for the first time, a permanent residence for a period in excess of 12 months and I arrived in Canada on (date).
2. With the exception of wedding gifts, bride's trousseau, alcoholic beverages andtobacco products described in the Tariff Item No. 9807.00.00 Exemption Order, all household and personal effects imported or to be imported by me under this tariff item have actually been owned, possessed, and used abroad by me prior to the date of my arrival in Canada.
3. All goods imported are my personal or household property and they will not be used in Canada for any commercial purpose.
4. If any item is sold or otherwise disposed of in Canada within 12 months of the date of its importation, I will notify a CBSA Office of such fact and pay all duties owing at the time.

 

[scylla]

Hi. I wanted to ask if I could buy gifts for my family in Canada on my first landing as a PR? Items I want to bring are clothes and snacks. If I do, do I have to explicitly mention it in my BSF186 form?

TIA!

I would avoid bringing food.

 

[bdroid89]

You can bring gifts but they can not be included as part of the duty/tax free "settlers effects".
You may have to pay for them at Customs. Also, food items must be declared regardless.

SETTLER (tariff item No. 9807.00.00)
I hereby declare that I have read and qualify for the provisions of tariff item No. 9807.00.00 and that:

1. I am entering Canada with the intention of establishing, for the first time, a permanent residence for a period in excess of 12 months and I arrived in Canada on (date).
2. With the exception of wedding gifts, bride's trousseau, alcoholic beverages andtobacco products described in the Tariff Item No. 9807.00.00 Exemption Order, all household and personal effects imported or to be imported by me under this tariff item have actually been owned, possessed, and used abroad by me prior to the date of my arrival in Canada.
3. All goods imported are my personal or household property and they will not be used in Canada for any commercial purpose.
4. If any item is sold or otherwise disposed of in Canada within 12 months of the date of its importation, I will notify a CBSA Office of such fact and pay all duties owing at the time.

Thank you, this helps. Would I have to declare, say, [vegetarian] snacks, too if I'm bringing some to be consumed by me?

Thanks.

 

[bdroid89]

I would avoid bringing food.

Does that include snacks, too?

 

[zardoz]

Does that include snacks, too?

The international definition of a "snack" is so wide that the term is meaningless.
Anything that could adversely affect the North American ecosystem is going to potentially be confiscated, such as meat, dairy or plant products.

 

[bdroid89]

The international definition of a "snack" is so wide that the term is meaningless.
Anything that could adversely affect the North American ecosystem is going to potentially be confiscated, such as meat, dairy or plant products.

It's packed fried and dried lentil and chickpea. Things like that.

 

[zardoz]

It's packed fried and dried lentil and chickpea. Things like that.

If they are sealed in a commercial packaging, fully labelled by the manufacturer, they will probably be OK, but you must declare them anyway.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/fpa-apa/menu-eng.html

 

[scylla]

It's packed fried and dried lentil and chickpea. Things like that.

As said above, only if they are commercially sealed by a manufacturer. And you must declare them. If homemade - definitely not. Do not bring anything homemade.

 

[Copingwithlife]

It's packed fried and dried lentil and chickpea. Things like that.

Simple, if you can EAT it declare it. Customs might just say no problem, but by not declaring it, and if they inspect your bags, you will have a bigger issue to explain by not speaking up.

 

[zardoz]

Simple, if you can EAT it declare it. Customs might just say no problem, but by not declaring it, and if they inspect your bags, you will have a bigger issue to explain by not speaking up.

I believe that the current maximum fine for non-declared items is $800 per item.

 

[bdroid89]

Simple, if you can EAT it declare it. Customs might just say no problem, but by not declaring it, and if they inspect your bags, you will have a bigger issue to explain by not speaking up.

Understood! Thank you for the help.

BTW, what about gift? Is there any limit to the gift I could bring?

 

[bdroid89]

As said above, only if they are commercially sealed by a manufacturer. And you must declare them. If homemade - definitely not. Do not bring anything homemade.

Understood! Thanks for the help.