Moving to Vancouver from Seattle, USA via land - experience during COVID-19

[prenx4x]

Hey prenx4x,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience in such details!

I am also planning to move to Vancouver through Seattle. What is your recommendation on driving a Rental car (one way) or U-Haul while crossing the border? Will they want an explanation of how we will return the Rental car (YVR airport) or return U-Haul truck during the first 14 days?

Thanks!

Hi, For rental car and U-haul I don't know if they will ask about it, but it does seem a valid questions. So better to be prepared with an answer for it. If you have friends/family you can say you are going to ask them to drop it off (ofcourse you need to be careful and maintain social distancing).

 

[prenx4x]

Did you buy Canadian car insurance before entering Canada or using your US insurance?

Hi, I don't have Canadian car insurance yet. BC insurance without a BC license is crazy expensive. And for BC drivers license I need PR card, which is taking very long these days. So I am holding on to my US Geico insurance. Although I am not sure if that is valid or not or that I can claim it if needed. But luckily I don't drive much as I use public transport and walk off most of the places. Fingers crossed, I wont need any insurance till I get my PR card.

 

[Nick1233]

Hi, I don't have Canadian car insurance yet. BC insurance without a BC license is crazy expensive. And for BC drivers license I need PR card, which is taking very long these days. So I am holding on to my US Geico insurance. Although I am not sure if that is valid or not or that I can claim it if needed. But luckily I don't drive much as I use public transport and walk off most of the places. Fingers crossed, I wont need any insurance till I get my PR card.

There was some terms and conditions under which Geico is useless after moving to Canada. If i remember it right, it was residing address or something like that. Either call them or have someone with Geico in US ask a hypothetical.

 

[prenx4x]

prenx4x,
First congrats and million thanks for sharing and the offer. My wife and I are still in the process. if I may ask: how detailed was your items list? My wife and I are older and have amassed quite a few things. while we have wittled our belongings down quite a bit. their still is quite the list. frankly were perhaps overthinking it. as an example. If I bring a tool box. full of tools. How does one list/itemizes each tool? bag of screwdrivers much less a drawer of silverware. just as an example. again thanks a million! -Sam and Lisa. (Tampabay to Vancouver)

Hi. I can totally understand what you are saying here. When we first started packing we also were very confused about how detailed the list of goods must be. But through answers from others and my experience, you don't need to worry or overthink it too much. You can definitely group things like Garage tools, Kitchen appliances, winter jackets,cleaning supplies etc etc. The everyday household items can be categorized into reasonably broad categories. What you must point out specifically is any antiques, alcohol, items above certain limit (the limit is not defined officially, but you can take an educated guess like say $1000). Phones and laptops (or any expensive electronics) need to be mentioned with serial numbers. Small electronics can be grouped together. If you get too overwhelmed try this (this is what we did) - start with most common and some low hanging items like clothes, kitchen stuff, etc, then see what remains and lump those into groups like Misc bedroom items, or Misc toys etc. Eventually you will be left with very few items which you can put it separately it group it with any previous categories.

 

[canuck78]

Would add jewelry/watches that are somewhat expensive to the list of inventory items.

 

[rodsamlisa]

Million thanks for the reply!

 

[anon123]

@prenx4x Which Airbnb did you book? I'm also looking to move to Vancouver and need some leads

 

[tuhadapeo]

Thanks for sharing. I have a question, do the US border officials take your US license plate away?

Hello, I just wanted to share my recent experience of moving to Vancouver BC from Seattle WA through the land border on Apr 16th amidst the coronavirus situation.

This was my first time coming to Canada with my COPR which was approved on Jan 2020. I had used the Pacific Highway Port of Entry (and not peach arch) as I was planning to export my car and the US export office was at Pacific highway. I was glad I traveled through this border as there was no rush (I mean not another soul). The entire process took maybe 15 mins US side for car export and 20-30 mins on Canada side.
For documents, I had my car title, registration and ITN number (there is a car export process that you need to follow. Ask me particulars or check online if you need to export your car as well), passports and COPR for me and my wife, personal effects list and mover's inventory list. I also had my offer letter and finance documents but those were not needed. They did not check or verified anything from my car.
After I got my title stamped from the US export office, I was first stopped at the Canada border checkpoint, where they asked me bunch of standard questions. Then they asked me where I plan to stay during the self-isolation 2 weeks. I had booked Airbnb, so I gave them that address. Then they made us take an oath and swear that we will quarantine for 14 days. They they asked me to go further and park at a spot, go inside an office and another officer helped me. He took my documents, asked some more standard questions and then asked us to sit while he worked on his computer. When he was done, he called us, instructed about the self-isolation order and congratulated us.
After all these formalities, There was another checkpoint just up ahead which asked us about our health and instructed us to self-isolate for 14 days. Self-isolation is being stressed very heavily on the border at every step. They are very serious about the quarantine order.
Overall it was quite a smooth experience. Now I am in self-isolation till the end of April.
During my stay here, I am using uber eats and other food delivery services. I am also using instacart for grocery delivery.
Service Canada offices are closed but they are accepting applications of SIN number by mail.

If anyone has any questions or planning to do similar thing you can ask me. I will try my best to answer. Hope this was helpful.

 

[tuhadapeo]

no limit. I had my brand new car listed which alone was 60k in value (at the time lol).

I have a question! Is there a limit on the total value of items we declare on the bsf186 form? If we're importing car, the total will be high right? Any posts or articles which says anything on the limit? Thank you for your answer.

 

[prenx4x]

Thanks for sharing. I have a question, do the US border officials take your US license plate away?

No. Those plates are valid in Canada until you get Canadian plates. You have like 90 days to get your car registered in BC.

 

[rodsamlisa]

no limit. I had my brand new car listed which alone was 60k in value (at the time lol).

Did they take into consideration the 6 month rule? I believe you are supposed to own anything you are bringing into Canada for at least 6 months before you cross the border for the first time with your lists? We are buying a new truck next month and planning to land in June, trying to know if they will count the 6 months to the day.....

 

[vasug460]

When we travel by air during the quarantine period (with the quarantine plan), and if there is no one to pick us up, Can we use Uber to travel to the quarantine location?

 

[mkdirjavac]

When we travel by air during the quarantine period (with the quarantine plan), and if there is no one to pick us up, Can we use Uber to travel to the quarantine location?

Yes you can. Landed last month, I took my hotel shuttle. They really don't care how you're getting to your quarantine location.

 

[kbc]

Hi



1. No, there is no limit as long as the goods are used (and you are not a returning Canadian resident). Note the export and export of vehicles https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/export-docs/motor-vehicle Import: https://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx

Thanks prenx4x for the info.
I know this is almost 1.5yr ago, I wonder if you still remember where I can get info about importing vehicle and goods as a returning Canadian resident. I'm a Canadian citizen and has relocated from Vancouver to Seattle 10 years ago. Now I'm planning to head back Vancouver and become a resident again. I will probably go through the land border with my family. The most expansive "belongs" are the cars. Custom could charge me duties + PST + GST. However I'm not sure if there will be difference between new resident vs old resident.

Thank again

 

[d_mistry]

Documents you may need at the US customs office are - ITN/AES number (which you can apply online, see above post), email to the specific port with the ITN number, title copy, etc (check that port requirement or call them) 72 hours prior and print a copy of the confirmation reply, original title (most imp), vehicle registration, bill of sale (if purchased preowned, optional if you have the title), ID proofs

You can check RIV website - https://www.riv.ca/VehicleAdmissibility.aspx if your car is eligible. In fact, they have a full checklist and process mentioned for importing the car.
Make sure to get a recall clearance letter from any dealership corresponding to your car.

I paid basic taxes for owning a car, which you have to pay for any car in general (around $300). This depends on the value of the car. I did not pay any import duty tax as this was part of my personal belongings. If you are bringing your car later make sure to put it in goods to follow.

If you have a decent car, then I suggest importing your own car as it is cheaper in the US compared to Canada. Also having my car with me when I moved in was extremely helpful, as it was my only car.

Hey,
Could you please share how much did you paid for your car while coming to Vancouver? I mean all the charges with duties,pst,hst,ect. Would really appreciate your response.