B4 - do I have to claim my luggage?

[canadiangirl78]

I just finished filling out a B4 form as our stuff is crossing into Canada next Friday. We are flying to Vancouver and then going to the US border to drive the truck and car over and claim everything.

1. Do I have to put our luggage on the B4 form? Just clothes, snacks, cell phone, laptop etc.
2. What do I do about the goods to follow? We are going back to the US to wait for my husband's PR. We will have mostly clothes and toiletries plus a PS3 - maybe a few small kitchen items and toys. Whatever we can fit in our suitcases that we have in the barebones house for a few months.

Thank you!

 

[CharlieD10]

1. Yes. Cell phone and laptop should be listed separately with serial number information.
2. You use the B4A for Goods to Follow that you will be bringing later.

 

[canadiangirl78]

1. Yes. Cell phone and laptop should be listed separately with serial number information.
2. You use the B4A for Goods to Follow that you will be bringing later.

Thank you. I grouped everything together (electronics, furniture, kitchen items, clothes) and I have no room for single stuff like laptop and iphone. Do I just fill out second sheet and print it?

I will use B4A. Do I include the stuff my husband will have when he lands? Or does he do his own form?

 

[canadiangirl78]

PS I also have a detailed spreadsheet with the contents of every box or package.

 

[CharlieD10]

Your husband does his own forms when he receives PR.

You really should separate high value items. Use an Excel or other spreadsheet programme and attach to the form, if needed.

 

[canadiangirl78]

Your husband does his own forms when he receives PR.

You really should separate high value items. Use an Excel or other spreadsheet programme and attach to the form, if needed.

But I am moving the majority of our stuff next week. He cannot be there. So I don't claim his stuff in the goods to follow list? Because most of his/our stuff is going months before him.

I have a detailed spreadsheet that lists pretty much every item. 180 items on the list - most are boxes and I wrote what was in each box. Is that ok? Plus everything grouped together on the B4 with total values?

 

[CharlieD10]

You should be fine with the itemized listing attached to the summarized B4, if that is how you have them.

 

[canadiangirl78]

You should be fine with the itemized listing attached to the summarized B4, if that is how you have them.

Thanks. One last question. I don't really know what goods will follow. I mean clothes and toiletries yes but we won't be moving until my husband gets his PR which will be months. We will just have our suitcases and stuff I will be claiming next week such as my daughter's stroller and car seat. Can I just claim that stuff when the time comes or do I *have* to do a B4A?

 

[CharlieD10]

Why not have your husband claim them among his things then, since they won't come until he receives PR?

 

[canadiangirl78]

Why not have your husband claim them among his things then, since they won't come until he receives PR?

We might travel separately.

 

[CharlieD10]

Ah. Be general with that list then, since your other valued items are actually in the itemized listing you have now. If there will be nothing too high in value such as electronics, you don't need a separate itemized listing for that.

 

[canadiangirl78]

Ah. Be general with that list then, since your other valued items are actually in the itemized listing you have now. If there will be nothing too high in value such as electronics, you don't need a separate itemized listing for that.

Ok thanks. The only thing we will be taking later that is of value is a PS3 and a video camera. But I am not sure whose suitcase it will fit in.

I really appreciate your help.

 

[canadiangirl78]

Sorry thought of another question.

I will be flying in with my suitcase and some baby stuff like stroller and car seat. My stuff will cross one day later on a truck. So does that mean I need one list of stuff that I am taking on the plane and a B4 with all the stuff I will claim the next day?

 

[OhCanadiana]

Sorry thought of another question.

I will be flying in with my suitcase and some baby stuff like stroller and car seat. My stuff will cross one day later on a truck. So does that mean I need one list of stuff that I am taking on the plane and a B4 with all the stuff I will claim the next day?

It may help to see the big picture:

As a returning Canadian you only get to fill out one B4/B4A that will allow you to import goods duty free as long as you've been out of Canada for at least one year and have owned, used, and possessed the items for at least 6 months (6 month req't waived if you've been out of Canada for five years). If you are importing any item over 10,000 Canadian you will have to pay duties on the amount over 10k. The government gives you one opportunity to tell them what you are bringing in.

Similarly, your husband, as an immigrant can fill out one B4/B4A set after he gets his PR, which he has to turn in on his first visit where he intends to live in Canada more than 12 months. He does not have the 10k limit per item.

Therefore, you need to fill your form out with everything you are importing (on your flight, on your shipment the following day, or that your husband is bringing in later) in your B4/B4A set. If in the future, it's in your husband's suitcase, it's not a big deal because you can give him a letter explaining to CBSA why he is carry it and authorizing him to import it on your behalf, with your B4. That is why couples often only fill out one B4/B4A set of forms with all their items.

For clothes and toiletries, you can just estimate the value - ideally on separate line items per trip so that you don't run into issues when they cross items off as you import them. For vehicles, jewelry, and electronics, you do need to list them one per line item and include: for jewelry a photo (can be one you took yourself and printed) - don't forget wedding bands! - and for electronics you should include model and serial number (hopefully you have it for stuff in your shipment). You can complete multiple B4A forms and just number them. Folks have also reported using other formats (Excel, packing lists) successfully.

I realize time is tight, but if you can take an extra copy, it will make life easier for you and the CBSA agent since they keep one and give one (once stamped) back to you.

If you decide to use them, the B4 is available at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/b4-eng.pdf
And the B4A is at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pbg/cf/b4a/

Detailed instructions for returning Canadians are at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5087-eng.html

 

[canadiangirl78]

Thank you so so much!!!