Moving My Stuff from Canada to the US

[Jay Ridler 1]

We have our interview date! 7 July! Now I have to get things ready for the move. I will likely be using ABF to move my remaining assets from Canada to the US, but I had a question about this form:

http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_3299.pdf

Am I required to tag each box, saying what is in it, and have the tag correspond to this list? Most of my possessions are books and documents, though I have many boxes of both. I'm just worried about how to properly fill this out (does each box get an entry or do can I write 30 Boxes of history books, replacement value 20,000 bucks?

Any advice would be great.

Best,

Jay

[trailmix 77]

We have our interview date! 7 July! Now I have to get things ready for the move. I will likely be using ABF to move my remaining assets from Canada to the US, but I had a question about this form:

http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_3299.pdf

Am I required to tag each box, saying what is in it, and have the tag correspond to this list? Most of my possessions are books and documents, though I have many boxes of both. I'm just worried about how to properly fill this out (does each box get an entry or do can I write 30 Boxes of history books, replacement value 20,000 bucks?

Any advice would be great.

Best,

Jay

I just put a number on each box - with masking tape - so box 1 - which then corresponded to our form - box 1 - books etc

[Carlawarla 1]

We have our interview date! 7 July! Now I have to get things ready for the move. I will likely be using ABF to move my remaining assets from Canada to the US, but I had a question about this form:

http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_3299.pdf

Am I required to tag each box, saying what is in it, and have the tag correspond to this list? Most of my possessions are books and documents, though I have many boxes of both. I'm just worried about how to properly fill this out (does each box get an entry or do can I write 30 Boxes of history books, replacement value 20,000 bucks?

Any advice would be great.

Best,

Jay

Hello Jay! Welcome to the Canada Forum on VJ! I haven't seen you post before. Congratulations on the interview date! Now, to answer your question...

I'd maybe number the boxes, or write on each box what is contained. Just writing books, documents etc. should suffice.

Many of us wrote down on a separate paper serial numbers of electronics.

Let us know a little something about yourself! Where are you moving etc. ?

[Jay Ridler 1]

Thanks, everyone!

I'm moving in July to El Cerrito CA. My fiance works in the video game industry and I'm a writer and military historian. This move is a long time coming, since we applied in July last year and it has taken just under a year to get everything settled. Now I just have to get through the interview and get the hell out of dodge.

Am I write to assume the visa comes in the passport a few days after the interview (in the express envelope I am to provide)?

Cheers!

Jay

We have our interview date! 7 July! Now I have to get things ready for the move. I will likely be using ABF to move my remaining assets from Canada to the US, but I had a question about this form:

http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_3299.pdf

Am I required to tag each box, saying what is in it, and have the tag correspond to this list? Most of my possessions are books and documents, though I have many boxes of both. I'm just worried about how to properly fill this out (does each box get an entry or do can I write 30 Boxes of history books, replacement value 20,000 bucks?

Any advice would be great.

Best,

Jay

Hello Jay! Welcome to the Canada Forum on VJ! I haven't seen you post before. Congratulations on the interview date! Now, to answer your question...

I'd maybe number the boxes, or write on each box what is contained. Just writing books, documents etc. should suffice.

Many of us wrote down on a separate paper serial numbers of electronics.

Let us know a little something about yourself! Where are you moving etc. ?

[JillA 2]

Jay, the Visa comes a few days to a week later in the Xpresspost envelope. There is also a big "do not open" brown envelope to be turned in at your POE.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Jay, just read this and realized that my husband and I met with you and your fiance in Kingston last Summer. Congratulations in getting your visa! Yes, it has been a long time coming.

A general list is all you require to have for your personal items. You are allowed to bring them in duty free. I numbered the boxes and put a general description on the box, ie. books, CDs and casettes, craft supplies, winter clothing, dishes, etc. I then made a master list of each box and contents that I could hand it at the POE. You can summarize such as 30 boxes of books, yes. I actually didn't worry about a valuation for the items but if you have a value you can certainly include them. Do keep a list of the serial numbers for your electronics (ie. computer, etc.). It probably won't be requested but just in case you will have it. When I crossed the border I had everything in a file folder including all of the cats information and the phytosanitary certificates for the house plants I brought. They never looked at any of it. I had the main contents moved by movers, however, and the general list was fine for them as well.

Edited June 10, 2009 by Kathryn41

[Flames9_RN 358]

doesn't say which consulate he is going to??? If Vancouver, I believe they get it same or next day? Montreal mails them out with the express post envelope you provide them with!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It could be Montreal - last I heard Jay was living in Kingston, Ontario.

[eklondon 0]

I woould like to add a question here. I am USC and will be moving my families belongings by renting a UHaul and driving it myself from Canada to US. Do I need to hit customs with a list of items?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You should have a list of the items you are bringing, yes. Customs tends to be fairly lax when you are crossing the border with a visa and all your family possessions but you are supposed to have one just in case they ask. For goods accompanying you there isn't any preset form that you have to use, so just making a general list of what you are bringing should be fine. Box contents don't need to be itemized, just give a 'title' to the box (ie. kitchenware), etc.

ok, just noticed the USC part - are you a returning USC? Do you own the items? While you shouldn't have any problem, the answers to these questions may make a difference. Here is a like to the Customs and Border Protection Agency's articles related to returning US residents and moving to the US.

http://search.cbp.gov/query.html

Edited June 10, 2009 by Kathryn41

[eklondon 0]

You should have a list of the items you are bringing, yes. Customs tends to be fairly lax when you are crossing the border with a visa and all your family possessions but you are supposed to have one just in case they ask. For goods accompanying you there isn't any preset form that you have to use, so just making a general list of what you are bringing should be fine. Box contents don't need to be itemized, just give a 'title' to the box (ie. kitchenware), etc.

ok, just noticed the USC part - are you a returning USC? Do you own the items? While you shouldn't have any problem, the answers to these questions may make a difference. Here is a like to the Customs and Border Protection Agency's articles related to returning US residents and moving to the US.

http://search.cbp.gov/query.html

Returning USC... sorta, USC from birth, PR of Canada since '82, moved back to the US in NOV 2008.

Yes I own all items (my wife would beg to differ)

I will be flying my family once immigration is complete and drive the household contents myself.

Just in case

I will produce a reference list on all articles

I will produce a list of all electronic equipment with serial numbers (This is a biggie for me)

[Jay Ridler 1]

Jay, just read this and realized that my husband and I met with you and your fiance in Kingston last Summer. Congratulations in getting your visa! Yes, it has been a long time coming.

A general list is all you require to have for your personal items. You are allowed to bring them in duty free. I numbered the boxes and put a general description on the box, ie. books, CDs and casettes, craft supplies, winter clothing, dishes, etc. I then made a master list of each box and contents that I could hand it at the POE. You can summarize such as 30 boxes of books, yes. I actually didn't worry about a valuation for the items but if you have a value you can certainly include them. Do keep a list of the serial numbers for your electronics (ie. computer, etc.). It probably won't be requested but just in case you will have it. When I crossed the border I had everything in a file folder including all of the cats information and the phytosanitary certificates for the house plants I brought. They never looked at any of it. I had the main contents moved by movers, however, and the general list was fine for them as well.

Hi Kathryn! I well recall our lunch and the great advice you provided. Thanks again for the specifics. It will be great when all of this is done and I can start working and living with Erin out in the coast!

And, yes, the interview is in Montreal

Thanks again!

JSR