Getting our stuff there part 2 - Seasonal home?

[LizaDoolittle]

To recap, my husband (an American citizen) and I are planning on moving to Nova Scotia this summer. I'm a Canadian citizen. He was going to move our things first, and then we were going to go back to Canada together. We have not started the permanent resident application yet as I can't decid whether it would be easier to start here or there.

Since we have already bought a home there, could he move our things as a seasonal resident? And then we could realize that we liked it so well that we decided to make it a permanent move. ;0)

 

[ashunandal]

To recap, my husband (an American citizen) and I are planning on moving to Nova Scotia this summer. I'm a Canadian citizen. He was going to move our things first, and then we were going to go back to Canada together. We have not started the permanent resident application yet as I can't decid whether it would be easier to start here or there.

Since we have already bought a home there, could he move our things as a seasonal resident? And then we could realize that we liked it so well that we decided to make it a permanent move. ;0)

i dont think if he can enter canada with all the stuff as a visitor. you can do that and he can follow you as a visitor.
by the way, what part of nova scotia are you moving to? im also from nova scotia and looking for a new house

 

[LizaDoolittle]

This is what I'm thinking about, from the CBSA webpage:

Seasonal residents
If you are a non-resident of Canada and you acquire or lease a residence in Canada for seasonal use for at least 36 months, you have a one-time entitlement to furnish the residence with certain goods, duty- and tax-free. This does not apply to a mobile or portable home, a time-share residence, a residence that you will share with a resident of Canada or a residence that you will rent or lease to others in your absence.

Preparing to enter Canada
Before arriving in Canada, you should prepare two copies of a list (preferably typewritten) of all the goods you intend to bring into Canada as your personal effects. Include the value, make, model and serial number (when applicable).

Divide the list into two sections. In the first, list the goods you are bringing with you; in the second, list the goods that will follow at a later date. Goods that arrive later will only qualify for duty- and tax-free importation under your entitlement as a seasonal resident if they are on the original list.

Declaring your goods
When you arrive in Canada to occupy your seasonal residence, for the first time, you must give both copies of your list of goods to the border services officer, as well as provide proof of ownership or a long-term lease for your seasonal residence.

Based on the list of goods you submitted, the border services officer, at the first port of entry, will complete a Form B4 (PDF, 83 KB), Personal Effects Accounting Document for you, assign a file number and give you a copy of the completed form, as a receipt. Keep this receipt as proof that you have permanently imported these goods. You can make the process easier by filling out Form B4, as completely as possible, in advance. Form B4 is available by selecting "Publications and forms" on the CBSA Web site.

Ownership, possession, and use requirements
For your personal effects to qualify for duty- and tax-free importation under your seasonal resident entitlement, you must have owned, possessed and used them before you arrive to occupy the seasonal residence for the first time.​

 

[LizaDoolittle]

Oh, and we bought a home in Springhill because my family is from there, and it's super crazy cheap.

 

[ashunandal]

This is what I'm thinking about, from the CBSA webpage:

yes you can try to do that but im not sure if it will work because they will ask for his proof of return to US, since his wife is from Canada. it is very hard to prove because of this. i would advise you NOT to bring your things for your new home at the same time you bring your husband to Canada, as this will create a lot of doubt that he will return, and there is 99% chance they will reject his tourist visa (they will see he is planning to move permanently, while tourist visa is only for temporary visit. if you take all of your things with you to Canada first, he can come later, which is the best thing to do (there is more chance of getting tourist visa at the border).

 

[ashunandal]

Oh, and we bought a home in Springhill because my family is from there, and it's super crazy cheap.

ohh im from halifax and its super crazy expensive

 

[steaky]

I think you should contact CBSA for definite answer. BTW, I think Vancouver property prices is more expensive than Halifax.

 

[LizaDoolittle]

yes you can try to do that but im not sure if it will work because they will ask for his proof of return to US, since his wife is from Canada.

How would they know that, though? He would be arriving ahead of me. Argh! I wish that this wasn't so frustrating.

 

[ashunandal]

How would they know that, though? He would be arriving ahead of me. Argh! I wish that this wasn't so frustrating.

yes steaky is right, you should call CBSA
and he/she is right about property prices also, nova scotia is cheaper than other provinces.

 

[Deficient]

I suspect he doesn't qualify as a 'seasonal resident' due to the following:

"If you are a non-resident of Canada and you acquire or lease a residence in Canada for seasonal use for at least 36 months, you have a one-time entitlement to furnish the residence with certain goods, duty- and tax-free."

That sounds a bit like he'd need to prove his intention to use it seasonally for 36 months, not just for a one-time visit, such as by having a visa for work that is seasonal over the 36 months. Given he has a PR app in process, it seems unlikely that they'll accept the idea that he'd just be be using the residence seasonally for the next three years.


It would probably be easier for you to take the stuff there, I think, if one of you wants to take it before his PR is granted.

If you've been living outside Canada for over a year: http://cbsa.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5087-eng.html but if you're not actually returning at the point of you bringing the stuff, that might make a difference.

If you've been away from Canada for less than a year: http://cbsa.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5056-eng.html


If he enters as a visitor, he wouldn't yet have his PR status that gives him the ability to import his personal effects duty-free, so I suppose they would be within their rights to charge duty on the stuff if they had reason to believe he would not remove it from Canada again once he was finished visiting. Maybe they would listen to reason on this, if he explained that he has a PR app in process and would only be bringing it duty-free later, but I personally wouldn't count on it. A call to CBSA might be worth it to clear this up, but even then the ultimate decision rests with the people who process his entry on the day.

I am not sure if the border officers have a way of seeing on their system that someone has a PR application in process, but I suspect they probably do. Maybe someone else can confirm. Having a PR application in process doesn't mean automatic rejection as a visitor, especially not for people from visa-exempt countries. I don't think he will have a problem entering Canada at all, but I think he could experience problems bringing household goods for what is supposed to be a visit.

 

[scylla]

I would stay away from the seasonal resident thing. Your husband's actual intention is to file for PR and become a permanent resident. So if your husband goes with the seasonal resident explanation, he's misrepresenting himself. As a general rule, it's a horrible idea to say you're one thing to immigration officials when your intentions are actually completely different. That's the kind of stuff that leads to refusals to enter the country - or if you encounter the wrong officer - even a ban.

 

[OhCanadiana]

I would stay away from the seasonal resident thing. Your husband's actual intention is to file for PR and become a permanent resident. So if your husband goes with the seasonal resident explanation, he's misrepresenting himself. As a general rule, it's a horrible idea to say you're one thing to immigration officials when your intentions are actually completely different. That's the kind of stuff that leads to refusals to enter the country - or if you encounter the wrong officer - even a ban.

Absolutely!