Hi All,
Update to my own query. Had written to CBSA and got the following reply (quoted verbatim):
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If you cannot pick up your shipment in person you must ensure that the person who will pick up your baggage has either been granted power of attorney to act on your behalf, or has been provided with written authorization from you giving your permission for them to do so.
Though anyone can witness/sign this authorization, a letter certified, stamped, or sealed by an official who has the authority to administer an oath or solemn declaration (i.e. a commissioner for oaths, notary public, lawyer, doctor, etc.) will increase the credibility of the letter, and is recommended.
If you decide to have a delegate pick up your goods, please make sure that the person picking up your baggage has government-issued photo identification to confirm their identity to the border services officer, as comprehensive a list as possible of the goods included in the baggage, and/or a copy of the B4 form.
More information on this can be accessed in Memorandum D1-6-1, Authority to Act as Agent:
<link was provided by CBSA but I cannot post links in the forum, so had to remove it>...roopster
Should you require additional assistance with your inquiry, we recommend that you contact the Border Information Service (BIS). You can access the BIS line free of charge throughout Canada by calling 1-800-461-9999. If you are calling from outside Canada, you can access the BIS line by calling either 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 (long-distance charges will apply). If you call during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, except holidays), you can speak to an officer by pressing “0” after you have made a selection of one of the 4 menu options.
Thank you for contacting the Canada Border Services Agency.
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Hope this helps others with similar queries.
Cheers
roopster said:
Hi All,
does anyone know if a colleague of mine can clear my shipment on arrival on my behalf (of course with my original stamped B4 and B4a)?
I am sure one can always assign the task to a clearing agent, but can I authorize another individual to do so on behalf, without me being physically present?
My goods might be arriving at a time when I physically cannot be present (due to work requirements) and I would rather not pay the exorbitant demmurage charges to hold the shipment till I can get back.
Apologies if this has already been answered on the forum. I did search quite a bit, but no luck
Regards