Sending GOODS TO FOLLOW by Post (sea or air)

[shakira2009]

Hi all,
Forgive me if this was asked before, but I couldn't find the info upon searching.

1) Is it possible to send your Goods To Follow by regular post, i.e. in a package by air or sea, without the principal applicant being present in Canada?

2) If yes, how do Canada Post and Customs know that they're non-duty items? Do they check inside the boxes?

3) Do you need to put copies of your lists inside the boxes?

4) Does Canada Post deliver packages to the door? Or if it's a big & heavy package (10-15 kg) they tell the receiving person to collect it somewhere?

Thanks for your help!

 

[JPonmove]

Hi There,

I am going to face the same issue as I plan to relocate. I have couple of boxes to send. I am thinking DHL as they are giving the best rate? Any progress on your query?

Please share if you found more info on how things work.

 

[shakira2009]

Hi JPonmove,

From what I read on this thread:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/landing-time-limit-on-goods-to-follow-t40466.0.html

... this is what I understood:
1) Yes, regular post is fine, although I'm not really sure whether the main applicant has to be in Canada to receive the stuff.

2) They seem to check what's inside to assess the value of the items. Then, since they don't know whether they are duty-free or not, they'll first charge the taxes which the receiving person has to pay. But after that, you can claim that they're part of your Goods To Follow and receive a refund (for which you need to fill out forms and wait patiently, of course!)

3) & 4)... still unanswered. I read in another forum that Canada Post delivers boxes to the door, but I'm trying to check that information.

If anyone already in Canada has more info or URLs, we'd appreciate your help!!!!

 

[proxy]

I am also curious about this.

I was planning on sending a box with some expensive items and buying insurance for it. And then by the time it arrives, I would already be landed in Canada.

But it seems this might be a big headache ?

 

[lands]

I sent all my stuff by air..I had the VO stamp the list so that it was tax excempt..I had to go to the local customs office to clear my stuff...even though the items are non taxable..they still charge you a clerance fee...this was in 2004..I am sure things have changed a lot since then....but thought I should share my experience.

 

[shakira2009]

Hi there,
Thank you for your replies.

I was planning on sending a box with some expensive items and buying insurance for it. And then by the time it arrives, I would already be landed in Canada.

But it seems this might be a big headache ?

I also thought about doing this, but am unsure because I plan to do the landing procedures, stay 2-3 weeks and come back.

Since I'm gonna send stuff to a friend's address and may not be present in Canada when the box arrives, would my friend have to go to customs and respond on my behalf? On the box I plan to write "To (shakira2009), C/O (my friend's name)".

In Japan there are companies that send boxes by air and charge the equivalent of CAD 1000 to deliver to the door after clearing customs. Then I thought, geee! a thousand bucks for one box!!! So I really want to use the regular post....

I sent all my stuff by air..I had the VO stamp the list so that it was tax excempt..I had to go to the local customs office to clear my stuff...even though the items are non taxable..they still charge you a clerance fee...this was in 2004..I am sure things have changed a lot since then....but thought I should share my experience.

Hi Lands, thank you for sharing!

Do you know where I can find out about the procedures and clearance fee? (how much, what you have to do, etc.)

 

[JPonmove]

All,

I just wanted to share my story......

I packed my boxes and created a list of items for each box. When I landed in Canada, I presented my list to the customes officer. Customs officer stamped my documents and completed a customs form.

My friend then shipped my boxes to my destination in Canada. Upon arrival of those boxes at destination, I was requested by my courier agency to clear the boxes. For this I went to local customs office. They cleared the boxes by stamping some papers. I was asked to fax this paper back to courier service agency. They then dropped the boxes to my place next day.

Hope this helps.