Too much luggage?

[Baloo]

Actually if she is flying then the IO will not know how much luuggage she is bringing in as the immigration happens first and then the baggage claim so I guess she should be fine with the IO.

If you are sent to secondary screening by the IO, you can be taken to, or asked to retrieve your baggage from the carousel.
They can and do search bags in secondary.

 

[Material]

If you are sent to secondary screening by the IO, you can be taken to, or asked to retrieve your baggage from the carousel.
They can and do search bags in secondary.

Thats what I was trying to say

 

[Baloo]

LOL, So it is confirmed then

 

[buffalo-toronto]

Thats what I was trying to say

I guess for that to happen the IO has to be quite suspectful. I have crossed into Canada a lot of times, sometimes with a lot of baggage to stay at my uncle's place for more than 2 months but I always got cleared at the Immigration counter and then head to the baggage claim n customs. What you guys are talking about could be a possibility but then the changes of that happening are quite remote I would say.

 

[Material]

I guess for that to happen the IO has to be quite suspectful. I have crossed into Canada a lot of times, sometimes with a lot of baggage to stay at my uncle's place for more than 2 months but I always got cleared at the Immigration counter and then head to the baggage claim n customs. What you guys are talking about could be a possibility but then the changes of that happening are quite remote I would say.

Yup you might be right but its always good to be prepared for every possible outcome no matter how low the chances are.

Cheers

 

[buffalo-toronto]

Yup you might be right but its always good to be prepared for every possible outcome no matter how low the chances are.

Cheers

Thats true, in border related issues you should prepare for the worst.

 

[Baloo]

but then the changes of that happening are quite remote I would say.

Being sent to secondary is more common than you think, and if you are flagged at some point, then it can become a standard process on every visit.
Some airports use secondary screening far less.

Always remember, there are no guarantees with immigration

 

[Material]

Being sent to secondary is more common than you think, and if you are flagged at some point, then it can become a standard process on every visit.
Some airports use secondary screening far less.

Always remember, there are no guarantees with immigration

Well said

 

[mittens]

i'd pay for a second suitcase...usually much cheaper than excess baggage charge!

 

[Baloo]

i'd pay for a second suitcase...usually much cheaper than excess baggage charge!

For Europe - Air canada


Overweight and oversize $100 CAD.

AC charge $225 CAD for each additional bag after the 2nd bag (2nd is charged at $50).

 

[pinklady]

I reckon if she says she is visiting for a week, and has a return flight booked etc, there would be absolutely no reason for the IO to suspect anything and therefore secondary is higly unlikely. I am usually asked by immigration, how many bags/cases. Never how big is your bag. So JessicaLyn, I would say don't worry! And enjoy your time in Canada.

 

[HoneyBird]

on a trip to canada last year, the IO asked me 3 times how much luggage i brought over,
it was just one huge suitcase with clothes and books
i suspect that he saw something strange, but they did not search my bags.

on another instance, my hubby who is canadian, when asked by the IO why he was out the country and replied that he got married, they searched all his bags....all and even went through his camera to look at the pictures.

so it really depends on what you wanna do to be safe.

 

[wilson]

So, in 11 days I am leaving the US where I am a citizen to visit my Canadian boyfriend. While I am there we are going to get married and I'm going to live there with him throughout the process while extending visitor status if necessary. My concern is this: I have a round trip ticket with my return flight a week-ish after my departure so immigration doesn't think I am trying to move there. The problem is I plan on taking a large, large suitcase and another small carry-on bag. Do you think they will see the large suitcase and wonder why I need such a huge bag for only a week vacation or am I just being paranoid at this point? I've been through immigration several times before doing this same trip and have never been asked about too much luggage but of course now that I am actually planning on staying I am freaking out about this!

Thanks guys!

In all the international airports ( domestic airport is not a concern for this subject),the baggage claim is after the Immigration. When you are getting out of the terminal with the baggage, the CBSA Officers on duty may ask (usually don't ask) about the contents of the baggage only for any customs dutiable items. They are not at all bothered about the size of the baggage.

 

[Baloo]

In all the international airports ( domestic airport is not a concern for this subject),the baggage claim is after the Immigration. When you are getting out of the terminal with the baggage, the CBSA Officers on duty may ask (usually don't ask) about the contents of the baggage only for any customs dutiable items. They are not at all bothered about the size of the baggage.

They may not ask, but if someone is directed to secondary screening, they can be asked to retrieve their bags (and may be escorted to retrieve them).

Personal experience

 

[JessicaLynn]

So much feedback, thanks guys! I've tried to stop worrying about it as there is so much more important things to stress about in the upcoming months when we complete/send in our application.

I definitely hope the baggage claim is after I go through immigration but even if it's not I've never been asked anything about my luggage anyway so I'm hoping it will be smooth sailing as it usually is, and even if they were to search my luggage they'd probably just see a girl who packs heavy on the clothes (pretty sure that's normal)