To declare or not to declare...that is the question

[arfifoo]

Yes...'simple' question here.

I'm just bringing
> personal clothing
> Back issue tutorial/magazines and books
> electronics like personal laptop (+mobile hard drive)
> Acoustic guitar

.....SHOULD I still declare these on the B4/B4A forms?

Tnx =)

 

[belee1985]

yes !

 

[smokijoe]

Where can I get the B4/B4A forms?

 

[OhCanadiana]

Where can I get the B4/B4A forms?

The B4 is available at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/b4-eng.pdf
And the B4A is at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pbg/cf/b4a/

Take a look at additional details at http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/b4-help-please-t100666.0.html;msg1465354#msg1465354

 

[smokijoe]

Thanks very much.

 

[arfifoo]

Should books or magazines- titles or issue # be specified on the list too?

I'm not much worried about the books...but the magazines I'll be bringing are tutorial references- which means each issues includes reference CDs.

Also, are there any checkpoints for softwares installed on laptops...or file checks on mobile hard drives.
The reason I am asking about this too is because I have a lot of documentary movies downloaded- this documentary movies are free...customs might ask me about this. And I have no idea if explaining to them that these are free videos i had downloaded from youtube...and they are free for viewing.

I am totally against movie and software piracy ofcourse....but I think I should also know about this issue.

=)

 

[Fencesitter]

You think they will boot your computer and inspect it? I doubt it...wouldn't that be a major invasion of privacy?

I think they would simply inspect things like CDs or DVDs...

Seriously, the rules are too strict. It shouldn't be so invasive.

FS

 

[Isometry]

Should books or magazines- titles or issue # be specified on the list too?

I'm not much worried about the books...but the magazines I'll be bringing are tutorial references- which means each issues includes reference CDs.

Also, are there any checkpoints for softwares installed on laptops...or file checks on mobile hard drives.
The reason I am asking about this too is because I have a lot of documentary movies downloaded- this documentary movies are free...customs might ask me about this. And I have no idea if explaining to them that these are free videos i had downloaded from youtube...and they are free for viewing.

I'd say to list the issue number, etc, only if it's a particularly rare/valuable thing where the issue number might matter. More likely, you should just list it like "23 tutorial magazines w/ cd".

I've never heard of them booting computers or looking through hard drives to look at your files. When I landed, they didn't even look -at- the boxes of things that I had, let alone look -through- them, and my B4 was pretty general, except for serial numbers for the electronics.

That said, if you are concerened about your files being an issue, maybe just upload them to a service like dropbox and download them again later.

 

[arfifoo]

Tnx for the reply everyone...cheers...
It's my last week here in Philippines...m gonna miss the beach for sure-
...and just that...(and friends too) =)

 

[arfifoo]

...another related question...

If I'm going back to the Philippines and return to Canada (again...within 12 months)and will be bringing my OTHER guitar, electronics and other books-->are these the items i need to list in B4A form?

 

[Isometry]

Yes, you should list those as 'Goods to Follow'

 

[arfifoo]

...Tnx Isometry ..
So on my return to Canada..customs already have those on their record....and I just need to secure my own copy of the B4A..right?

 

[OhCanadiana]

...Tnx Isometry ..
So on my return to Canada..customs already have those on their record....and I just need to secure my own copy of the B4A..right?

When you land, you'll keep a copy of the B4/B4A set and CBSA will keep a copy. In the future, whenever you import any 'good to follow' items you'll simply show CBSA your stamped B4/B4A and they will cross off the items from the list. Keep the B4/B4As for ever as they prove you legally imported the items.

BTW, although CBSA rarely asks folks to turn on their computers, etc they can do so. You shouldn't have issues with documentaries since you can show where they are available royalty-free for download, etc but just so you are aware that your initial instinct was indeed correct.