The B4 form! B4 you go! Make a list! (any advice?)

[heatherusa]

What should we put in the place of the importer's address, for a new settler? The intended address in Canada or our address here in Thailand???

We were told to put our address in Canada

 

[chrimano]

@heather: did you also bring a car back as returning resident? and if yes did you drive it back? Just asking because we are in a similar situation where my wife is the returning resident but my papers not filed yet since the FBI record has not arrived yet. thanks for the answer

 

[jillandmat]

where do i get the form.. ?
and what if it is just 2 suitcases? do i need to do a B4 form?

 

[heatherusa]

@ heather: did you also bring a car back as returning resident? and if yes did you drive it back? Just asking because we are in a similar situation where my wife is the returning resident but my papers not filed yet since the FBI record has not arrived yet. thanks for the answer

yes, I brought the car back - I drove it and pulled my uhaul along with it. I have detailed the process in other threads but basically if the car had been worth more than 10k I would have let my husband claim it because as a returning resident I would have had to pay duty on the amount over 10k but my husband as a new immigrant would not have.

 

[heatherusa]

where do i get the form.. ?
and what if it is just 2 suitcases? do i need to do a B4 form?

They will have the form at the border - we had a list and the one border crossing just accepted that, and the other border crossing they had me transfer the items on to the actual B4. You can also print one off from the www.cbsa.gc.ca

 

[minna]

@ heather: did you also bring a car back as returning resident? and if yes did you drive it back? Just asking because we are in a similar situation where my wife is the returning resident but my papers not filed yet since the FBI record has not arrived yet. thanks for the answer

I'm also a returning resident, and I imported my car when I crossed the border with my partner, whose application has not yet been approved. We drove from Florida to Vancouver, and had no problems at the border. I just told them our situation, and they waved us inside to do the paperwork. the car was "searched" (they asked us to open the trunk, and looked in the open windows to see what was inside), and the VIN was verified. Make sure you have your car's title and registration with you, and in your name, and also make sure you research what needs to be done re: recall clearance - different makes and models have different requirements.

Like Heather, my car was worth less than 10K, otherwise, I might not have imported it as a returning resident. Heather's previous post on steps involved in importing a car from the US is definitely worth searching out. I had some slightly different experiences than she did, but it's good info.

 

[heatherusa]

I'm also a returning resident, and I imported my car when I crossed the border with my partner, whose application has not yet been approved. We drove from Florida to Vancouver, and had no problems at the border. I just told them our situation, and they waved us inside to do the paperwork. the car was "searched" (they asked us to open the trunk, and looked in the open windows to see what was inside), and the VIN was verified. Make sure you have your car's title and registration with you, and in your name, and also make sure you research what needs to be done re: recall clearance - different makes and models have different requirements.

Like Heather, my car was worth less than 10K, otherwise, I might not have imported it as a returning resident. Heather's previous post on steps involved in importing a car from the US is definitely worth searching out. I had some slightly different experiences than she did, but it's good info.

Our car was not searched at either border crossing. In Coutts they opened the door to make sure the Vin was correct (that is where I imported).


Thanks for the nice words...my head got a bit big for a minute there! LOL.

 

[minna]

Our car was not searched at either border crossing. In Coutts they opened the door to make sure the Vin was correct (that is where I imported).


Thanks for the nice words...my head got a bit big for a minute there! LOL.

you're very welcome! your posts helped me out a lot!!

I also found the RIV website pretty helpful in navigating exactly the steps necessary for my particular vehicle make and model (I have a volvo, and had to have it inspected by an authorized volvo dealer/repair center in Canada before a recall clearance could be issued - an extra wrinkle!) as well as the info for each border crossing. I still need to export my car from the US (the office had just closed for the day when we got to the border - so ridiculous). It took me about a month after arriving to get all of the inspections completed. I just received my RIV clearance sticker in the mail today.

 

[nyssa]

With the B4 forms, are you using one B4 and one B4A to fit everything? And what about when you go past the B4A? Should I use one B4 and 3-4 B4A forms? Or one B4 and Excel pages? :-\

 

[rubyalabar]

i think the B4 form has 8 rows, so you can divide your stuff into 8 categories, what i will do is-

1. personal effects (clothing, bags, shoes, etc)
2. toys, electronics and gadgets
3. linens
4. consumables (toiletires, etc)
5. kitchenware
6. jewelry
7. doucments
8. food (not sure about this yet)

put these categories in the B4 form and just prepare an excel spreadsheet containing the detailed list. you can attach this to the B4 form. That way, you don't need the B4a. also jewelry that is very expensive, you need to submit photos.

With the B4 forms, are you using one B4 and one B4A to fit everything? And what about when you go past the B4A? Should I use one B4 and 3-4 B4A forms? Or one B4 and Excel pages? :-\