Proposing to an American in America

[ortofon]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new here and would like some advice from you experience members I'm located in Canada and I plan to marry my girlfriend of 3 years from the united states. We plan to wed in 2016 but I would like to purpose now to show my commitment. I have purchased a engagement ring from United States and had the ring shipped to Canada so I paid for the customs taxes. this is just a little background on our relationship.

Now my question is how do I go about bringing the ring to America (I will be flying by myself) I was told you should not tell the border officer that you will be getting married as it raises some serious red flags because they think you might want to stay in the country for a long time. My only intentions are to purpose in a romantic setting at her homeland.

Not sure if I'm missing anything and I didn't want to make it too long either

Thanks in Advance

 

[ortofon]

One more thing I forgot to add was I plan to sponsor her to Canada later to start our family.

 

[browntrout]

Honestly I don't think you have anything to worry about - it's a personal item, you aren't planning on selling it and avoiding taxes. Customs and quarantine are busy looking for drugs and plants - things that will damage the country not nitpicking for personal items.

AND, should they check it, you bought it in US, so you have already paid taxes there, bring the receipt to show this and you should be fine in either case. I did some research on this last year as i bought a ring in London for my GF (now wife) and since i was going to propose in Hong Kong, i had the ring shipped internally (company) to their Hong Kong branch. This made me skip import duty to Hong Kong, and i also didn't have to pay London sales tax. Maybe you can check with the branch of the company near you if they can ship it to the local branch internally in US to be super safe?

You bought the ring in USA, and shipped to Canada so you had to pay taxes

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Now my question is how do I go about bringing the ring to America (I will be flying by myself) I was told you should not tell the border officer that you will be getting married as it raises some serious red flags because they think you might want to stay in the country for a long time. My only intentions are to purpose in a romantic setting at her homeland.

You're not going there to get married though, just to propose. I don't imagine the US border officer will have a problem with that. Just in case, carry proof of your intention to return to Canada (return ticket, letter from employer, lease etc.).

 

[browntrout]

You're not going there to get married though, just to propose. I don't imagine the US border officer will have a problem with that. Just in case, carry proof of your intention to return to Canada (return ticket, letter from employer, lease etc.).

agree, but more importantly, bring the original receipt of the ring (purchased in the USA) that way there is no way they will make you pay taxes on it (since you already did) and have proof on the receipt.

 

[ortofon]

Perfect, Thanks. I would not feel right to tell them I'm there for something else when I'm really there to purpose. I will definitely carry my receipt with me.