CBSA Landing Question

[Gary_87]

Hey guys!

Quick question prior to doing my landing. I know I will have to go through CBSA and declare goods I'm bringing and goods to follow at a later date.

I know there are two forms to fill out:
BSF 186: http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186-eng.pdf
and
BSF 186A: http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186a.pdf

My questions are:
1. Is one of them for goods when landing and the other goods to follow? Or do I need two copies of each?
2. How detailed do I need to be? I'm literally only bringing clothes with me, phone, computer, some other electronics and then probably my guitar and some other niggly bits.
3. I've read about others making Excel spreadsheets. Is this necessary?
4. How many copies of each set should I bring?

Thanks for your time folks!

Gary

 

[CDNPR2014]

Hey guys!

Quick question prior to doing my landing. I know I will have to go through CBSA and declare goods I'm bringing and goods to follow at a later date.

I know there are two forms to fill out:
BSF 186: http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186-eng.pdf
and
BSF 186A: http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186a.pdf

My questions are:
1. Is one of them for goods when landing and the other goods to follow? Or do I need two copies of each?
2. How detailed do I need to be? I'm literally only bringing clothes with me, phone, computer, some other electronics and then probably my guitar and some other niggly bits.
3. I've read about others making Excel spreadsheets. Is this necessary?
4. How many copies of each set should I bring?

Thanks for your time folks!

Gary

1. The form you need is the BSF186 form. The BSF186A form is a supplemental form used if more room is needed for listing items. Goods to follow is indicated by checking a box on the BSF186 form. if you are declaring goods at landing AND bringing items in at a later date, you will need 2 different forms - 1 for each list.
2.You don't need to be too detailed. you can write 1 suitcase of clothes, 1 bag of household goods, etc. you will need to write each electronic separately and provide a serial number.
3.no. i hand wrote my list on my form, no issue.
4. 2 of each list if you are declaring items at landing and goods to follow

 

[Gary_87]

1. The form you need is the BSF186 form. The BSF186A form is a supplemental form used if more room is needed for listing items. Goods to follow is indicated by checking a box on the BSF186 form. if you are declaring goods at landing AND bringing items in at a later date, you will need 2 different forms - 1 for each list.
2.You don't need to be too detailed. you can write 1 suitcase of clothes, 1 bag of household goods, etc. you will need to write each electronic separately and provide a serial number.
3.no. i hand wrote my list on my form, no issue.
4. 2 of each list if you are declaring items at landing and goods to follow

Great, thanks!
So, BF186a is only used if i go over the 8 spaces listed on BF186?

 

[CDNPR2014]

Great, thanks!
So, BF186a is only used if i go over the 8 spaces listed on BF186?

correct... or you can use a list printed off your computer if you need more space.

 

[Sous02]

Hey guys!

Quick question prior to doing my landing. I know I will have to go through CBSA and declare goods I'm bringing and goods to follow at a later date.

I know there are two forms to fill out:
BSF 186: http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186-eng.pdf
and
BSF 186A: http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186a.pdf

My questions are:
1. Is one of them for goods when landing and the other goods to follow? Or do I need two copies of each?
2. How detailed do I need to be? I'm literally only bringing clothes with me, phone, computer, some other electronics and then probably my guitar and some other niggly bits.
3. I've read about others making Excel spreadsheets. Is this necessary?
4. How many copies of each set should I bring?

Thanks for your time folks!

Gary

My wife and son came with about the same amount and did not have to fill anything in. That was through Vancouver.

 

[chilkootcee]

Hey guys!

Quick question prior to doing my landing. I know I will have to go through CBSA and declare goods I'm bringing and goods to follow at a later date.

I know there are two forms to fill out:
BSF 186: http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186-eng.pdf
and
BSF 186A: http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186a.pdf

My questions are:
1. Is one of them for goods when landing and the other goods to follow? Or do I need two copies of each?
2. How detailed do I need to be? I'm literally only bringing clothes with me, phone, computer, some other electronics and then probably my guitar and some other niggly bits.
3. I've read about others making Excel spreadsheets. Is this necessary?
4. How many copies of each set should I bring?

Thanks for your time folks!

Gary

Hi Gary,

We actually only used BSF186a when my husband landed....and didn't seem to have any issues. We were specific about our electronic and higher ticket items (serial numbers) but wrt clothes, household goods we were generic as to the contents of each box (i.e. books, camping gear, clothing, kitchen wares..). We had two copies of each (accompanying and to follow). They stamp both and you keep a copy I think (it was a while ago).

Take care,

C.

 

[CDNPR2014]

Hi Gary,

We actually only used BSF186a when my husband landed....

how were you able to only use the A form? it does not contain the personal and classification information, it only provides a list of goods. are you saying you didn't need to fill out your name and how you were declaring items or do you mean you only used the BSF186 form?

 

[Gary_87]

From my understanding of all this then I need to fill out BSF186, and then if I need any extra space I use BSF186a.

But considering I will have 2 electronic devices and then mainly clothes and household items, I will probably only use about 4 lines. I dont have jewelry aside from a watch which I'll be wearing.
So I will probably only need to fill out form BSF186 right?

Thanks

 

[chilkootcee]

how were you able to only use the A form? it does not contain the personal and classification information, it only provides a list of goods. are you saying you didn't need to fill out your name and how you were declaring items or do you mean you only used the BSF186 form?

well...at the time that we landed, it was what the instructions said on the PPR and information provided...so yes, we only used the BSF186a form (unless someone has mixed up the links on the CIC website). It is the form with mainly the long list...not all the big boxes (if that helps)

technically, on the CIC website it says you only need to bring a LIST of good accompanying and goods to follow...it only says it might be easier to use the BSF186 form (and I swear this was not the form that was on the website when we landed back in April) http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/before-border.asp

and when you land...the immigration officer stamps the lists...and probably puts the classification in their system

so that's probably why they were fine with what we brought

C.

 

[CDNPR2014]

From my understanding of all this then I need to fill out BSF186, and then if I need any extra space I use BSF186a.

But considering I will have 2 electronic devices and then mainly clothes and household items, I will probably only use about 4 lines. I dont have jewelry aside from a watch which I'll be wearing.
So I will probably only need to fill out form BSF186 right?

Thanks

yes that is correct.

if you are only bringing a small amount of items, it may not be necessary to fill out a declaration form. you can fill it out "just in case", but more than likely they won't care to deal with it for such a small amount of items.

 

[JamesBox]

Stupid question time: already living in Canada, will flagpole at US/Canada border, and won't be bringing anything back to Canada, do I have fill in the above forms, or any other forms?

Also - when you declare items you're bringing, is that so you aren't taxed on the goods?

 

[CDNPR2014]

Stupid question time: already living in Canada, will flagpole at US/Canada border, and won't be bringing anything back to Canada, do I have fill in the above forms, or any other forms?

Also - when you declare items you're bringing, is that so you aren't taxed on the goods?

no - if you're not bringing anything at the time of landing or dont' plan to bring anything after landing, there is no need to fill out the declaration forms

yes, when you use the declaration forms for items you're bringing at landing (or at a later date), it is to be waived taxes/duty on those items.

 

[dnyfyn]

When I came I didn't declare anything. Basically I had nothing to declare except the cash I had. Which I declared on the arrival card.

 

[JamesBox]

Awesome. Thank you for the answers!

 

[wyho007]

If the "goods to follow" are not arriving in one load (I'll be shipping 4 separate parcels via local post office) and via Canada Post, is 1 set of BSF186 form (in addition to the 1 set for my goods at landing) enough or should I have 1 set for EACH parcel?