Crossing the Boarder with Pets and Belongings Questions/Conserns

[Ravcat]

Hi there,

I have recently been writing on the forum about me and my husbands situation. He is Canadian and I'm Texan and I am moving to Canada, currently applying for my PR.

My question is, he is going to be coming down here and picking up some of my stuff to help move some of my stuff, I have 1 dog and 1 cat I want him to take with him so the next trip wont be so crowded etc.

When he crosses the border with my pets will they harass him much? He will have their Vet papers saying they are up to date on shots, but it will be in my name. Does he need a copy of our marriage license to prove that the animals are linked with our relationship?

Also how much of 'my stuff' can he take without being harassed? Will he have to pay taxes or anything crazy on used items, such as clothes...shoes...trinkets such as photos/figurines/books anything I want to bring with me?

Thank you again as always for your advice and help! I love this forum!

 

[Rob_TO]

Are you traveling with him?

 

[taffy7]

Are you traveling with him?

I don't think so Rob_To sounds like he is going to get some of her stuff and bring it back with him and the cat and the dog . I haven't a clue so waiting for a senior member . Well i do have a clue but its not fact so won't comment.

 

[steaky]

I bring my dog nearly every time I cross the borders for shopping. The CBP and CBSA rarely check the papers of my dog. Usually they would just ask me where the dog is and look at it.

What other "stuff" are you planning to ask him to take with him? I suppose if he's been away from Canada at least 48 hours, he can bring $800 worth of goods without paying duties/taxes.

 

[MapleLeafBride]

I also bring my dog with me across the border every time I visit my American husband. I have her papers in the car, but have never been asked for them. I also know rescue groups bring animals across on a regular basis for adoption. I can't imagine having the vet papers in your name would be an issue, especially if they are in good health.
I think they can be funny about pet food, but if memory serves me, the Americans are more concerned about it since they have stricter regulations on it. There's a ton of info online about that. But again, when I tell the guard I have my dog and her food, they haven't bothered to check it any further.

 

[Ravcat]

No basically I am giving him the dog and cat to care for since I still live with my parents and we are married now so I need to get stuff out of this house. If that makes sense...for the 6-8months it is going to take to get my PR done... (if all goes well!)

So he is going to drive down here, visit for a week or so, then drive back up with my dog, cat, and how do they know $800 worth of stuff, if it is used and such doesn't the "value" go down. I just want him to take a truck load of my belongings so it feels like I am moving and getting stuff done...and so when I go up there for REAL to stay we can do 1 more truck load without renting a u-haul or anything big and be good. I have tons of dog-related stuff, kennel, crates, toys, etc...TV/computers/ plus small stuff...where do you draw the line and know what to bring or not to bring...and how much you will be taxed if anything?

And question too.

I have a whole storage shed full of furniture that I inherited, bedroom suit, cookware etc...that I would have to probably get a u-haul for. When I cross the border, since it is really older stuff, even though it looks new...will they tax me there? And if so how much...?

! Bah so many questions for a nooblet :'( :'( :'(

 

[Rob_TO]

No basically I am giving him the dog and cat to care for since I still live with my parents and we are married now so I need to get stuff out of this house. If that makes sense...for the 6-8months it is going to take to get my PR done... (if all goes well!)

So he is going to drive down here, visit for a week or so, then drive back up with my dog, cat, and how do they know $800 worth of stuff, if it is used and such doesn't the "value" go down. I just want him to take a truck load of my belongings so it feels like I am moving and getting stuff done...and so when I go up there for REAL to stay we can do 1 more truck load without renting a u-haul or anything big and be good. I have tons of dog-related stuff, kennel, crates, toys, etc...TV/computers/ plus small stuff...where do you draw the line and know what to bring or not to bring...and how much you will be taxed if anything?

And question too.

I have a whole storage shed full of furniture that I inherited, bedroom suit, cookware etc...that I would have to probably get a u-haul for. When I cross the border, since it is really older stuff, even though it looks new...will they tax me there? And if so how much...?

! Bah so many questions for a nooblet :'( :'( :'(

As others mentioned your pets should be fine crossing the border. Just have the latest rabies vaccination info from your vet. See here for more: http://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/pets .

Yes you are right if he is bringing over the border a bunch of used older stuff, I don't think they will really care. He can explain the situation to them, and it's up to CBSA if they wanted to charge duty on anything. It's good to have a list of all main items with their approx values (that you can estimate very low) as opposed to having CBSA look at something and make up their own value. But i imagine there's a good chance they won't even care or charge anything.

AFTER you get PR approval, you can then bring as much stuff as you want into Canada completely duty/tax free of charge, by either driving it across yourself or having it shipped. But you need to wait until you are approved and have COPR landing documents in hand.

 

[steaky]

and how do they know $800 worth of stuff

Some guard will ask for receipts and others just accepts whatever amount you declared. Sometimes, they don't seem to care the amount of goods bringing especially if you were out of Canada 48 hours or more.