Dual intent - bringing goods?

[Deficient]

This is a hypothetical question for me at the moment but I can't yet rule out that I might have to do this...

Say someone has booked flights to Canada in the hope/expectation that they'll more likely than not have had their PR application approved before that date. And then say that person hadn't been approved by that date and still decided to make the journey.

I understand it is possible to enter as a visitor in this circumstance in the understanding that if PR isn't granted, you will leave again (so having a return ticket is important). And if PR is granted then you can flagpole.

So with all of that out of the way, my question is how would your personal effects be dealt with in this scenario? Obviously as a PR you would have your Goods Accompanying and Goods To Follow lists with you when landing. I would have thought as a visitor that your goods wouldn't fall under the duty/tax-free import provisions so this might be a problem for somebody like me, who intends to bring the vast majority of personal effects as Goods Accompanying in suitcases on the flight rather than shipping later as Goods To Follow. Obviously as a visitor I could get away with bringing some stuff (e.g. clothes) but household goods (e.g. kitchenware) and such would seem a bit questionable in this scenario.

Would it be necessary to just leave such personal effects behind and then have these listed as 'Goods To Follow' for flagpoling, and then arrange to have them shipped later. The problem is that would be a major hassle and would also likely be more expensive in my case. Ideally I'd just want to do what I'd have done if I were landing as PR, which is just to bring most of my stuff in suitcases.

Thoughts/experiences?

 

[cantor2537]

Depending on the border officer, they have the right to refuse you entry if you haven't been granted PR yet, even though your app is in process. Thus if they think you're moving your kitchenware and such into the country and they think you're already moving to set up shop here there is a chance they could deny you entry.

It may be more of a hassle to reland and reship everything but that is the safest route.

 

[steaky]

According to CBSA website below, there are certain info on what a visitor to Canada can bring:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5082-eng.html#s2x1

 

[Deficient]

Thanks guys. I had a feeling it probably wasn't going to be what I wanted to hear.

Hopefully it doesn't come to this for me!

 

[GOGOGO]

From the link steaky provided...

Gifts

You can import gifts for friends into Canada duty- and tax-free as long as each gift is valued at CAN$60 or less. If the gift is worth more than CAN$60, you will have to pay duty and taxes on the excess amount. You cannot claim alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or business-related material as gifts.

So you can officially claim some of the kitchenware and such as gifts for your spouse, spouse's family, spouse's friends, etc?

 

[Pippin]

Don't think I would risk bringing in goods that I wouldn't bring if I was coming for a holiday. There was a case not too long ago of a woman coming through Vancouver International Airport with kitchen goods in her suitcase. She was turned around and sent home.

 

[GOGOGO]

So better safe than sorry then.