moving house items

[OhCanadiana]

But when I travel, I don't declare my wedding ring. That seems wierd that if he travels and come back they would look at his wedding ring as a "new" imported item.

He doesn't need to declare it every time. New immigrants get one opportunity to import goods at zero duty.

Therefore, he only needs to declare when he comes the first time with intent to reside in Canada (eg when he lands) what he is bringing with him then or in the future (e.g., clothes $xxx, books $xxxx, pots and pans $xxx, wedding band $xxx (photo on an attached page), camera (brand, model, serial number) $xxx. The Customs officers will stamp the b4 form and the photo page and give a copy back to your husband to use in the future if he ever needs to show he brought something in to Canada legally or if he wants to import goods to follow without having to pay duties in the future.

The government makes a very simple form available for new immigrants and returning Canadian residents who have been out of the country for over a year to declare what they are importing on a B4 and show they imported it legally. Why not use it?

 

[Mrslwsn]

He doesn't need to declare it every time. New immigrants get one opportunity to import goods at zero duty.

Therefore, he only needs to declare when he comes the first time with intent to reside in Canada (eg when he lands) what he is bringing with him then or in the future (e.g., clothes $xxx, books $xxxx, pots and pans $xxx, wedding band $xxx (photo on an attached page), camera (brand, model, serial number) $xxx. The Customs officers will stamp the b4 form and the photo page and give a copy back to your husband to use in the future if he ever needs to show he brought something in to Canada legally or if he wants to import goods to follow without having to pay duties in the future.

The government makes a very simple form available for new immigrants and returning Canadian residents who have been out of the country for over a year to declare what they are importing on a B4 and show they imported it legally. Why not use it?

Sorry I dont mean to sound rude, but I already understood that, BUT my husband will not be bringing anything except personal belongings, no pots not pans, just clothes and what not...what I am not understand is why at any point those items would come into question by customs at a later date. So for example if his wedding band is not "photographed" and documented, why lets say 3 years from now would they stop him at customs and look at the ring on his hand (clearly a wedding band) which incidentally was bought in Canada (he sent me the money but I picked them out) and I brought them to our country with me b4 our wedding, why would a customs officer ask him to pay tax on it??? I am either missing something or that sounds absurd. Will they tax him years down the road on the clothes on his back too??? This makes no sense. I understand the B4 form, and also see the purpose of filling it out, if you planned on importing goods later, or had household items with you or coming later or larger things like cars, furniture, electronics etc, but...clothes and the jewlery on his hand????????

 

[OhCanadiana]

Sorry I dont mean to sound rude, but I already understood that, BUT my husband will not be bringing anything except personal belongings, no pots not pans, just clothes and what not...what I am not understand is why at any point those items would come into question by customs at a later date. So for example if his wedding band is not "photographed" and documented, why lets say 3 years from now would they stop him at customs and look at the ring on his hand (clearly a wedding band) which incidentally was bought in Canada (he sent me the money but I picked them out) and I brought them to our country with me b4 our wedding, why would a customs officer ask him to pay tax on it??? I am either missing something or that sounds absurd. Will they tax him years down the road on the clothes on his back too??? This makes no sense. I understand the B4 form, and also see the purpose of filling it out, if you planned on importing goods later, or had household items with you or coming later or larger things like cars, furniture, electronics etc, but...clothes and the jewlery on his hand????????

If the wedding rings were purchased in Canada, he's actually not importing them and wouldn't need to declare them since they are Canadian goods. If a Custom's Officer asked (when he lands or on a future trip), you could always produce the receipt to show they were bought in Canada. CBSA does have the discretion to check and ask about any items you have on you each and every time you cross the border - they won't every time, but things like jewelry and electronics do tend to attract attention periodically.

Regarding the personal items like clothes "and what not" any of those that he or you did not buy in Canada should be declared on a B4 and any goods he's bringing afterwards should be on a second B4 as "goods to follow."

I'm trying to help you here, but can only do so based on the info you've shared ... if you give me more details on what he's bringing and on your concerns then I can try to help address them more specifically by sharing what I've learned in my own research of the publications on http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5114-eng.html .

 

[itscoezy]

I wouldn't waste too much time worrying about it. I've just researched over a few things myself the last 2 days (thanks again steaky) If you forgot the ring or anything else, I don't see this as being a huge deal.

How many times have you or anyone you know been asked about your clothing or jewelry you are wearing at the border? I've been crossing for years by car and plane and have never been questioned.

People don't carry around their receipts for everything they are wearing that day and I'm sure the customs officer at the airports etc. don't expect people to. I agree with what was said though, it is at their discretion, and they CAN ask for it...but the chances are so slim so I wouldn't worry.

I'd fill out the paper with the stuff you have bought from another country and are taking back with you and you're good to go. If you forget an item or 2, I'm sure it won't come back to haunt you in the future.

Goodluck!

 

[Mrslwsn]

I can appreciate the help! and thank you. May I ask have you travelled much internationally? Because I have, and I have been pulled up by customs both here in Canada and abroad, and the only think they will ever question is liquor, and over in my country if your bring lots of new clothes with tags on them they will think you are bringing in to sell and want to tax you on it. My husband is coming with his clothes. Nothing else. Maybe a deodorant. Are they going to tax him if they see a gilette roll on in his luggage years from now? He is not importing at a later date either. We are leaving his car on the island with family and any larger items he owns are not worth bringing to canada ever, I have an established household here already.

 

[OhCanadiana]

I can appreciate the help! and thank you. May I ask have you travelled much internationally? Because I have, and I have been pulled up by customs both here in Canada and abroad, and the only think they will ever question is liquor, and over in my country if your bring lots of new clothes with tags on them they will think you are bringing in to sell and want to tax you on it. My husband is coming with his clothes. Nothing else. Maybe a deodorant. Are they going to tax him if they see a gilette roll on in his luggage years from now? He is not importing at a later date either. We are leaving his car on the island with family and any larger items he owns are not worth bringing to canada ever, I have an established household here already.

You're welcome.

If all he's bringing is clothes, his wedding band and a deodorant, I would just write 3 lines on a B4 and be done with it. Add in the camera and serial number if he's still bringing that too. That way, if they abide by the regulations at the border, he won't have to fill it out while he's there and if you get a stickler in the future, you can show he already imported his items legally if you need to.

All you need is to be unlucky and cross the border at a time of heightened security and be selected for a random full-search and you'll be happy you spent the 5 minutes completing the form. I'm guessing you spent much more time finalizing your application ... and for sure debating the point here

What you do is up to you. Good luck either way

 

[Mrslwsn]

You're welcome.

If all he's bringing is clothes, his wedding band and a deodorant, I would just write 3 lines on a B4 and be done with it. Add in the camera and serial number if he's still bringing that too. That way, if they abide by the regulations at the border, he won't have to fill it out while he's there and if you get a stickler in the future, you can show he already imported his items legally if you need to.

All you need is to be unlucky and cross the border at a time of heightened security and be selected for a random full-search and you'll be happy you spent the 5 minutes completing the form. I'm guessing you spent much more time finalizing your application ... and for sure debating the point here

What you do is up to you. Good luck either way

Trust me on this one, I get "random" full searched ALMOST EVERY TIME I TRAVEL. As a matter of fact there is nothing random about it, the last time the customs officer admitted they profile me as a drug mule. LOL I have had them open and take out every single thing in my suitcase, tear open the lining of my suitcase with box cutters, xray everything, my childrens things, they test my jewlery for residue, look at all the pictures on my digital camera, ask me why I have so many mosquito bites, ask me how many fathers I have for my children, rip open a loaf of bread because "it was too dense" to see in the middle under xray...and after ALL that, they never ever ONCE asked me where or how I bought my wedding ring or digital camera or clothes. NEVER. Not in Canada nor abroad. This is an expected occurance for me. I was only debating being taxed on things. And yea I will debate or research something to death if it doesnt make sense to me. There is no question that he will fill out form, I am not travelling with my husband and he is a big boy and quite clever so he will know what to do, I just had never heard of this, (being taxed later on, on personal effects) and most of the ppl I know are immigrants.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Every time I travel, I count my blessings when I breeze through immigration and customs (luckily it transcends cultures) and know not everyone is so lucky. Then again, knowing folks get the in-depth personal treatment makes me err on the side of caution and never take it for granted.

BTW ... if you want to browse through jewelry, take a look at the sale of seized jewelry by the Crown at: http://crownassets.pwgsc.gc.ca/mn-eng.cfm?x=1&snc=wfsav&vndsld=1&sc=ach-shop.
They have everything from rings to necklaces and earrings in all styles (Asian, Indian, and Western). This lawyer who has "many clients who are individuals and business owners who have had their jewelry seized and detained by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) upon return to Canada" mentions that they often sell at less than half their appraised value. (Source: http://tradelawyersblog.com/blog/archive/2010/september/article/canada-border-services-agency-seizure-of-jewerly-poses-appraisalvaluation-issues/?tx_ttnews[day]=14&cHash=617c207f06)

Trust me on this one, I get "random" full searched ALMOST EVERY TIME I TRAVEL. As a matter of fact there is nothing random about it, the last time the customs officer admitted they profile me as a drug mule. LOL I have had them open and take out every single thing in my suitcase, tear open the lining of my suitcase with box cutters, xray everything, my childrens things, they test my jewlery for residue, look at all the pictures on my digital camera, ask me why I have so many mosquito bites, ask me how many fathers I have for my children, rip open a loaf of bread because "it was too dense" to see in the middle under xray...and after ALL that, they never ever ONCE asked me where or how I bought my wedding ring or digital camera or clothes. NEVER. Not in Canada nor abroad. This is an expected occurance for me. I was only debating being taxed on things. And yea I will debate or research something to death if it doesnt make sense to me. There is no question that he will fill out form, I am not travelling with my husband and he is a big boy and quite clever so he will know what to do, I just had never heard of this, (being taxed later on, on personal effects) and most of the ppl I know are immigrants.

 

[Mrslwsn]

LOL after viewing whats seized I am even more confidant they wont even side eye my husband LOL. It's all good though. We r poor we dont have much assets. Serously tho customs has never even asked me where I got my rings, I am assuming because they are wedding band, but my engagement ring is quite nice, but her maj aint getting her hands on it.