Bringing personal effects - please help!

[NewEnglander2525]

Hi everyone,

I just spoke with someone at CBSA who was incredibly unhelpful, so hopefully someone here can help:

I became a PR earlier this year (March). When I re-entered the country to finalize everything I was given a form to declare my goods, but at the time I didn't really have any goods to declare since all my stuff was still in my home state. I therefore tried to list everything I could think of but in speaking with my parents I realize I left out about a hundred things (only natural since a lot of it is odds-and-ends personal things). The thing is, my wife and I are finally buying a house and we therefore need to get all my personal stuff from my parents' place, but I was told by the CBSA that anything I bring in would be subject to tax based on value, and additionally that I'll just need to "check eBay or something" to determine this.

Am I really expected to list every little thing I'm bringing across?? I listed a few of the more expensive things but certainly not everything (left out couches), but if I have to I can pay tax on that. But cookware and plates, etc.?? Dehumudifier???!

Please help if you can, thanks!

 

[steaky]

Can you be more specific on which form you declared and submitted?

As long as the B4E form (assume that's the one you submitted) is not completed, you can bring your goods (dine wares, cookwares, dehumidifier, etc.) listed in that form free of duty.

 

[NewEnglander2525]

Can you be more specific on which form you declared and submitted?

As long as the B4E form (assume that's the one you submitted) is not completed, you can bring your goods (dine wares, cookwares, dehumidifier, etc.) listed in that form free of duty.

I looked at it this morning and it looks like I filled out a B4E form. I listed the more expensive items but was never told by the CBSA officer that I could only bring in those items specifically. It seems a little ridiculous that I would need to list each and every item to be able to bring it in duty-free.

Be that as it may, the form was stamped and therefore I assume cannot be amended. Do you know what my options would be at this point?

Thanks.

 

[firhill]

Last month when I passed through Canada Customs in London, Ontario. I was telling the agent I planned to move back to Canada soon.

After explaining what was required of me, he said not to itemize everything in every box. Example he gave was "Tools" is fine and that I didn't have to list 2 hammers, 20 screwdrivers of which 8 are flat, 4 are Phillips and the others assorted.

He also said to make sure I listed any items that did not accompany me through CBSA and will be brought into country at a later date.

safest thing for you to do is to contact CBSA and ask what options, if any, you have.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/bis-sif-eng.html