Preparing documents before landing (imported goods, goods to follow)

[GG and B]

Hi all,

my day of landing (by plane - March 15th) is coming closer fast and I'm trying to prepare everything I need in order to make my landing as smooth as possible.

Now I've seen "B4" a lot of times now, but I can only find BSF186 and BSF186A. In BSF186 it also mentions form BSF715 after "Goods to follow yes no" which confuses me even more, which is why I have a few question I'm hoping someone can answer.

1. Which form do I need for what? Which one is for the goods in my luggage and which one is for the goods to follow later by sea?

2. For the goods to follow I would prefer to make my own list because I have many boxes with several different things in them and my electronics (with serial numbers) are all over the place, so I need more space than the forms give me for the descriptions. Would this be okay for the officer I'll be talking to?

3. Any other tips for me?

Thank you so much for any help

 

[Omegabyte]

1) The CBSA B4/B4A form was replaced last year by the BSF186/BSF186A. The BSF186 is the first page of the list, and BSF186A is used if you need additional pages to list all your items.

2,3) You'll need to have two sets of BSF186/186A. One set is for the items you're bringing when you land, and one set marked "goods to follow" for that purpose. Instead of attaching your own typed out list, you use as many of the BSF186A pages as you need to list those items.

 

[CDNPR2014]

the B4 form is now the BSF186 form. all you need to do to identify your list as a goods to follow list is to check the appropriate box.

1. If you are declaring goods at landing and to follow, then you need 2 separate 186BSF forms. the 186A form is supplemental in case you need additional room for your items, it is not required. Ignore the reference to BSF715 - notice it says (if applicable). it's not applicable to you, so forget about that form and use the BSF186 form for both lists.

2.yes, it's perfectly fine to use your own list. the BSF186A form is the supplemental form to use if you require more room than the original form requires. so you can choose to use that or create your own list.

3. you do not need to provide exact details of everything in your boxes. you can provide the information in lots - 1 box of clothes, xxx value, 2 boxes of books, xxx value.

 

[Omegabyte]

2.yes, it's perfectly fine to use your own list. the BSF186A form is the supplemental form to use if you require more room than the original form requires. so you can choose to use that or create your own list.

FYI: When I last spoke to a CBSA agent concerning my "goods to follow" list, he said they'd much rather prefer to have the additional pages on BSF186A forms instead of typed out lists. Just saying...

 

[GG and B]

Thank you CDNPR2014 and Omegabyte for your insights. This helps me a lot!

@Omegabyte looking closer at the BSF186A form, it gives me one line per article number. I can definitely use it for the list of goods at landing, but it is impossible to make it look organized and readable for my goods to follow. I could go half/half, meaning I could use BSF186A for goods at landing and my own list for goods to follow, but I get the feeling that's not the best idea.

Anyways, I guess I'll figure it out

Thanks again, much appreciated!

 

[CDNPR2014]

there are many officers who have no issue with excel spreadsheets or lists printed on paper other than the A form (as noted by many experiences from this forum). they are not going to turn away your list because you used something other than the A form. i wouldn't worry about it.