My personal stuffs are tax-exempted once I become PR?

[darumal]

Hi there,

My PR was granted by an inland application, here as below is my timeline:

We received your application for permanent residence on April 2, 2009.
We started processing your application on April 21, 2009.
Medical results have been received.
We received the requested information on July 15, 2009. Thank you for providing the information.
A decision has been made and you will be contacted.
We sent you a letter on January 19, 2010 regarding the decision made
Landing interview on Mar 19, 2010 and became PR

I was too nervous at the landing interview and forgot to ask whether my personal stuffs are tax-exempted within 6 months since I became PR.

I am planning back to home to bring along some luxurious belongings, say, lap top, jewelry, brand-name but used handbags (around 10 pcs) and some clothes. The other stuffs like books, decoration stuffs will be sent by surface mail to Canada.

I want to know those stuffs are tax exemption? If so, am I simply to fill the 4a & b form when I back to Canada and hand-in to the custom officer?


P.s. If I have money more than CAD10K, but that will be remitted via bank. I don't need to declare such money. Is it right?

Thanks.

 

[BeShoo]

You must bring the items when you first become a "settler" or bring a list of "goods to follow" at that time.

Full regulations are here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.pdf but see the following quotations in particular:

For the purpose of Tariff Item No. 9807.00.00 of the Schedule to the Customs Tariff, settlers mean all individuals who enter Canada with the intention of establishing for the first time a residence for a period of not less than 12 months.

9. A person’s status for customs purposes is not always the same as their status for immigration purposes.

10. As an example, a person can become a Permanent Resident without the intention of residing immediately in Canada. However, this person is not determined to be a settler as defined in the customs legislation, and be eligible for the provisions of Tariff Item No. 9807.00.00. In this case, since the person does not have any intention of remaining in Canada at that time, and will live outside Canada for an undetermined period of time, that person is considered a non-resident of Canada and not a settler, for the purpose of the Customs Tariff, and is eligible to temporarily import goods under Tariff Item No. 9803.00.00.

There is not "6 month" rule. It has to be the first time you move to Canada permanently. Of course, you have been in Canada during the inland application, but your permanent address was not Canada during that time. I'm not clear about whether you have now officially "moved to Canada" in the definition of the regulations.

 

[wilson]

Hi,

Beshoo has replied the facts about goods to follow.

, You failed to submit the B4 forms to the Customs ( Even I did not provide and I lost the chance of importing tax free) at the time of initial landing.

Many people got the PR, who did not visit the Forum discussions are not aware of this procedure. Of course some people got information thru friends and also some agents do inform their clients. Others, like me landed with normal baggage with essential clothings, later did not have the chance of bringing personal effects from home country.

 

[BeShoo]

An important point is that "landing" and "settling" do not always happen at the same time, but in your case, I think they may have. I would call the immigration phone number and check on the rules in your unusual situation.

P.s. If I have money more than CAD10K, but that will be remitted via bank. I don't need to declare such money. Is it right?

You do need to declare any money over $10,000 you are bringing. If you are not sure, always declare it. If it doesn't count, they will tell you that. Never lie to the immigration people or hide things from them.

 

[darumal]

Thanks Beshoo.

My partner and I called "Canada Border Service Agency, Tel: 1-800-461-9999) in respect of our concerns and they said the stuffs that I ship will be tax-exempt. Yet, my partner was told such exemption is within 6 months while I was told there is no time limited.

We also forgot to ask whether I am allow to the stuffs by hand carry when I re-entry Canada by taking flight.

Anyway, we are advised to bring along the claim forms and set up an appointment with the agency. Will keep the post be updated.