Good to follow list - EXPERT advice please

[cowtown gal]

Hi there,
We are heading to Canada in 2.5 weeks for Mr. Cowtown to land, then we will be coming back to the UK for six months or so to wrap everything up and move permanently later this year. We are doing our goods to follow list but because we aren't packing things to ship for another six months we are struggling a bit as to how much information to include. I know the generally the guidance is:
x number of boxes clothes = $CDN value.
and to over estimate what we'll take.
But the goods in each of our boxes is likely to be mixed up and we don't know if we say (for example) 6 boxes clothes, 4 boxes kitchenware but then actually ship 4 boxes mixed clothes and kitchenware if this will be okay. So what we've done is not said a number of boxes but listed things in categories and given everything a value, example below:

Misc. Home decor / decorative items
Vases $0.50
Assorted household items $3.00
Ornaments, etc. $49.00
Assorted soft toys $7.00
Marriage keepsakes $10.50
Misc. Home decor / decorative items Total $70.00

Photos / Photo Albums
Framed pictures $125.00
Photo albums /loose pictures $125.00
Photo frames $5.00
Photos / Photo Albums Total $255.00

Soft furnishings / linen
Linen $15.00
Towels $5.00
Blankets / throws $5.00
Cushions $5.00
Soft furnishings / linen Total $30.00

Obviously we will list electronics serperately with serial numbers, etc. Does anyone have any experience if this will be okay? Or do we need to list a number of estimated boxes for each category? Any help will be GREATLY appreciated - we feel like this is our final hurdle!!

Thanks in advance everyone!!
Cowtown

 

[kolibri]

http://www.intergate.ca/~rajanr/Van_File/List_GTF.html
here is the example 8)

You'll be fine.
I had a trailer 7x14 full of stuff. Nobody even opened it... My list was ~ 5 pages long... Found the example above after I made my detailed list

 

[fallenstar831]

That example is perfect.

You can categorize anything that does not have a serial number.
If it has a serial number you need brand/model/number - a more thorough description.

 

[cowtown gal]

Thank you both for replying!

I have seen this example before and know that we need to categorise things - which we have done. My issue is that we don't have 'x number of boxes', etc or (as per the example on the link) a box number for our categories/items because we won't be able to pack our stuff until later this year. Do you think how we have listed it - categories and values (and as I said, serial numbers + description for more valuable things) would be ok for customs?

Thanks again!!

 

[kolibri]

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pbg/cf/b4a/b4a-05b.pdf
Based on the original form - they only ask for description and and the value - you'll be fine!!! )

 

[cowtown gal]

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pbg/cf/b4a/b4a-05b.pdf
Based on the original form - they only ask for description and and the value - you'll be fine!!! )

Thanks everyone, just putting my mind at rest!

Cowtown

 

[AllisonVSC]

Yep, what you`ve got is fine. I brought a uhaul truck full of stuff and a 5 page list. I ended up summarizing the list on the goods to follow form. No one even looked in my truck! They just asked if there was anything I had not declared, stamped the form and sent me on my way.

 

[fallenstar831]

We didn't number anything as far as what box it was in either. We had no idea, as we actually didnt pack till after he landed. (He returned to the uK to sort out a few things)

 

[NYCtoNB]

thanks for posting that link i didnt know there was an official doc you were supposed to use for goods you were bringing along i was just going to write it on a plain sheet of paper

 

[kolibri]

Just in case:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/b4-eng.pdf
this one is the accompanying goods list- also official form used for the things you are bringing with you at landing. The goods to follow list should be presented at landing as well (if any), but those items can bring later (there is certain period of time, don't remember now).
GOOD LUCK!

 

[cowtown gal]

Thanks again for the replies everyone!!

You've all been very helpful, much appreciated. Now we just need to pack for landing and then we pack for the big move when we get back!

All the best,
Cowtown

 

[fallenstar831]

You don't have to use the "official document" we used an excel spreadsheet and printed it on white paper.

 

[whoopi83]

When I landed with my list of goods to follow which incidentally included stuff I never ended up bringing... the airport personnel (YVR) did nothing. Gave me nothing. Told me not to worry about it, it's fine.

After returning to the UK and entering again 5 months later, I attempted to get "something" from the airport - didn't want to pay taxes... well again, told me don't worry it's all fine.

So... when the items arrived via DHL I went to clear them through customs myself. The officer simply looked over the list, asked me what was in the boxes, asked if I had anything from the airport - told her no, they told me I needed nothing, she said, "yep, that's usual". Took my i.d., came back and gave me my excel sheet and import slip from DHL with "cleared" stamped on them. Job done.

 

[AlanWales]

Yes, I was surprised how painless this whole process was, I was worried as the removal firm didn't list stuff properly when they packed it, so after they had gone I had to try and remember what I was taking and wrote it down on the B4 form. It all went through well though with barely five minutes in Border services getting my official stamp.