Tips for Landing in Canada: Info on Goods/Luggage We can Bring

[KTCYYZ]

Hi everyone.
I'm starting this new thread so we can post all helpful information pertinent to arriving to Canada after PR has been approved.

This thread is specific to what can we bring, what can we ship and during what time frame to qualify for "Goods to follow"

When landing in Canada as a new PR there are two types of goods we will bring:
- the one we bring with ourselves as luggage
- the one we ship to ourselves later

Please post:
- helpful information on the forms that we need to fill
- is everything we bring on us (luggage) new or old duty free as it is our personals as new PR
- any restrictions (any exclusions and any deadlines) for goods to follow?


The only info I have found so far is this link which does not provide much details.


http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/before-border.asp

 

[KTCYYZ]

This is a good thread with information on how to fill the B4 form which is necessary to bring goods into Canada as a new PR

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/form-b4-goods-to-followaccompanying-list-how-to-t44793.0.html

 

[KTCYYZ]

Good CBSA link with some info

http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5114-eng.html

 

[KTCYYZ]

Question.
The maximum amount of cash that one can bring is $10,000.
I plan to go to pick my spouse.
If we both carry the cash, is the new limit $20,000 or is it still $10,000 per application or per family?

 

[steaky]

Question.
The maximum amount of cash that one can bring is $10,000.
I plan to go to pick my spouse.
If we both carry the cash, is the new limit $20,000 or is it still $10,000 per application or per family?

There is no maximum limit of cash one can bring into Canada. Just that one must declare if bringing any amount greater than $10,000.

This is mentioned in the CBSA link you posted above. Read it!

 

[Kayaker]

Has anyone had any experience bringing in musical instruments, such as a piano...?

 

[Kysorb]

Question.
The maximum amount of cash that one can bring is $10,000.
I plan to go to pick my spouse.
If we both carry the cash, is the new limit $20,000 or is it still $10,000 per application or per family?

Hi KTCYYZ,

Just in case you didn't know while the maximum (without declaring) you can bring into Canada is $10,000 each, the maximum you can leave China with (without paperwork) is $5,000USD (or equivalent) and 20,000RMB (but you will get destroyed on the exchange rate for RMB abroad.)

Also/however/important to think about - Chinese Unionpay cards will work in I believe every Canadian ATM and Chinese bank fees are quite reasonable.

a Chinese citizen can also transfer 50,000USD per year out of the country via wire transfer. So your wife could send her money to your account in Canada without any problems or need to carry the cash.

 

[steaky]

Also/however/important to think about - Chinese Unionpay cards will work in I believe every Canadian ATM and Chinese bank fees are quite reasonable.

Just to add that there are many Canadian retailers accepts Unionpay cards. Mercedez-Benz is one of them.

 

[Patience09]

Hey great thread! One thing I was wondering about for US to Canada landings, when you are bringing household goods across the land border, do the agents usually inspect them?

The reason I ask is if there are items that were not used very much and could pass for new, do they just automatically charge you duties?

 

[KTCYYZ]

There is no maximum limit of cash one can bring into Canada. Just that one must declare if bringing any amount greater than $10,000.

This is mentioned in the CBSA link you posted above. Read it!

Of course I read the link I posted... What I meant, is if the limit for not reporting is $10K per person or per family. The reason is that we do not want to fill a long document listing too many things as we want to avoid secondary check which lining up only can take an hour and another hour for the actual inspection....

 

[rhcohen2014]

Hey great thread! One thing I was wondering about for US to Canada landings, when you are bringing household goods across the land border, do the agents usually inspect them?

The reason I ask is if there are items that were not used very much and could pass for new, do they just automatically charge you duties?

if the item is listed on your list of goods forms, it is duty free whether it looks new or not. this is the whole point of filling out this form and waiting until landing to bring items over. as to whether or not they inspect, it's up to the officer. my guess is most do a simple search or just ask standard questions about what you have in there. i'm sure there are some who do complete searches or xray vehicles, though i doubt they take the time to actually compare everything listed with everything packed unless they have suspicion of illegal goods. the landing stories i've read on here lead me to believe it's a pretty simple process with minimal scrutiny.

 

[Patience09]

if the item is listed on your list of goods forms, it is duty free whether it looks new or not. this is the whole point of filling out this form and waiting until landing to bring items over. as to whether or not they inspect, it's up to the officer. my guess is most do a simple search or just ask what you have in there. i'm sure there are some who do complete searches, though i doubt they take the time to actually compare everything listed with everything packed.

I wondered because technically it's supposed to be used. I always feel like things vary from agent to agent, if they are having a good day etc and was wondering if anyone ever had issues.

 

[rhcohen2014]

I wondered because technically it's supposed to be used.

hmm...this is the first time i've seen that referenced. as for bringing in new items, i have yet to be charged duty on items i bring into canada as a visitor. usually they ask me if i have anything i will be leaving in canada, i say "wedding gifts" and give a value. I'm guessing this is because i'm a visitor, not a citizen or PR. I think there are value limits for duty free for citizens/prs, though i would assume they would waive that upon landing? (perhaps not!). IF they do charge duty on new items during landing, my advice is to bring them before hand and claim them as gifts to be left in canada. Otherwise, unless they can prove the item has never been used and just bought, i doubt they will consider items in their original boxes as needed to be taxed.

 

[Patience09]

I believe I was reading it on CIC's site. And the type of items I was wondering about were things like household goods/furniture/larger electronics or appliances. I saw something about wedding gifts and I think it said if the wedding occured no more than 3 months ago then you can claim wedding gift.

Don't quote me on this as this is just what I recall. I'm sure people have had varied experiences at the border. Yours seems to be good so far!