question about returning citizens - importing mattress?

[MacnCheese]

I have a couple questions about my return to Canada as a citizen who has lived outside of Canada for 10 years. My husband has been granted a spouse visa and we'll be landing at Pearson in a couple of weeks.

1. is it really true we cannot ship our mattress unless it's professionally fumigated? I thought I remembered seeing something ages ago about an exemption for returning citizens, but perhaps I made that up.

2. when I arrive in Canada at Pearson, how do we complete the landing card? We normally tick that we are visitors to Canada, so I suppose this time I put resident? I know my husband will have to go to secondary immigration to complete the landing process.

Thanks in advance!

 

[formalboygirl]

Re: question about returning citizens

If you are a citizen you cannot tick visitor.

 

[babymistycat]

Re: question about returning citizens

From my experience when we landed in Calgary airport 2014 (husband canadian, 2 kids canadian, we are planning to move back to Canada. He lived in Singapore for over 5 yrs), my family will go with me on secondary immigration to complete their checking. Please make sure you have all your documents in hand (marriage certificate, if u have kids being canadian, please provide proof, if u have applied PR before landing, that helps alot, they also take into consideration of the country etc to determine how long they will grant his visitor visa. All the best.

 

[babymistycat]

Re: question about returning citizens

Yes, if you are a Canadian. You have to tick resident since u plan to move back.

 

[MacnCheese]

Re: question about returning citizens

great, thanks for clarifying for me.

Anyone know about importing a mattress??

 

[babymistycat]

Re: question about returning citizens

You have to check with shipping / freight forwarding company to import matter.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Re: question about returning citizens

great, thanks for clarifying for me.

Anyone know about importing a mattress??

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d9/d9-1-7-eng.html

 

[MacnCheese]

Re: question about returning citizens

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d9/d9-1-7-eng.html

Awesome, thanks. So am I reading it correctly that because I'm a returning resident, I can bring our mattress without having to get it fumigated? Sorry my brain is a bit mush, my 5 month old doesn't like sleeping at the moment!

 

[TANMEX]

Re: question about returning citizens

Awesome, thanks. So am I reading it correctly that because I'm a returning resident, I can bring our mattress without having to get it fumigated? Sorry my brain is a bit mush, my 5 month old doesn't like sleeping at the moment!

are you flying to Canada or Driving ? Importing a Mattress might cost you more than buying a new in Canada . I'm talking about transportation fees .

 

[MacnCheese]

Re: question about returning citizens

are you flying to Canada or Driving ? Importing a Mattress might cost you more than buying a new in Canada . I'm talking about transportation fees .

We're flying, but shipping a heap of stuff already so cost isn't a problem.

 

[sawadee-eh]

Re: question about returning citizens

Awesome, thanks. So am I reading it correctly that because I'm a returning resident, I can bring our mattress without having to get it fumigated? Sorry my brain is a bit mush, my 5 month old doesn't like sleeping at the moment!

My reading of that does not indicate that a returning resident is exempt from the fumigation and certification process. Doesn't say that anywhere. It does say that returning residents can import a used mattress, but it also says imported used mattresses (when allowed) must be fumigated with documentation, IMO.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Re: question about returning citizens

Awesome, thanks. So am I reading it correctly that because I'm a returning resident, I can bring our mattress without having to get it fumigated? Sorry my brain is a bit mush, my 5 month old doesn't like sleeping at the moment!

It has to be fumigated.

 

[MacnCheese]

Re: question about returning citizens

It has to be fumigated.

Ugh, thanks for correcting me! I re-read it afterward and realised the same. Annoying as I presume fumigation is expensive.

 

[nmclean]

Re: question about returning citizens

My reading of that does not indicate that a returning resident is exempt from the fumigation and certification process. Doesn't say that anywhere. It does say that returning residents can import a used mattress, but it also says imported used mattresses (when allowed) must be fumigated with documentation, IMO.

It does say that returning residents are exempt. Read very carefully:

Tariff item No. 9897.00.00 reads:

Used or second-hand mattresses or materials therefrom, other than:

(a) mattresses imported under tariff item Nos. 9805.00.00, 9806.00.00, 9807.00.00, 9808.00.00, 9809.00.00 or 9810.00.00, or
(b) materials from used or second-hand mattresses, when imported after having been cleaned and fumigated, in accordance with regulations made by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, accompanied by such certificates as are designated by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness;

Tariff Item No. 9897.00.00 prohibits the importation of used or second-hand mattresses or materials therefrom, other than mattresses imported under tariff item No. 9805.00.00 (former residents of Canada absent from Canada for at least one year), 9806.00.00 (bequests), 9807.00.00 (settlers), 9808.00.00 (representatives of foreign governments), 9809.00.00 (the Governor General), or 9810.00.00 (foreign military services), or materials from used or second-hand mattresses cleaned and fumigated in accordance with the regulations.

This is prohibiting the importation of mattresses, with two exceptions listed as (a) or (b). The (a) exception includes former residents, and the (b) exception includes mattresses that have been fumigated. Most importantly, note that these conditions are connected with the word OR, meaning only one of the conditions must be met. As a returning resident, you meet the first condition and have no obligation to meet the second.

 

[MacnCheese]

Re: question about returning citizens

It does say that returning residents are exempt. Read very carefully:

This is prohibiting the importation of mattresses, with two exceptions listed as (a) or (b). The (a) exception includes former residents, and the (b) exception includes mattresses that have been fumigated. Most importantly, note that these conditions are connected with the word OR, meaning only one of the conditions must be met. As a returning resident, you meet the first condition and have no obligation to meet the second.

Thanks - that is how I originally interpreted it as well. I've asked my shipping company to confirm the situation, so I'll let everyone know the response.