Driving my belongings to the us

[canafornia 7]

So as we are in the final days of our NVC process we are starting to finalize plans for my move to California.

I'm planning to fly in on a one way ticket to deal with the POE, I plan to bring some extra luggage with me ( clothes and linens etc.).

After researching shipping companies we've decided to borrow hubby's dad's truck and take the two way road trip, for about the same money. Our place is small and I'm not bringing more than will fit in the truck, also I have a cat and he a little dog and I feel it would be good for them to meet on the cat's turf and travel together, rather than have him wait possibly hours in his cage at the airport and then fly for the first time and them be abandoned with strangers while we go to get my stuff. The cat has been on road trips before and we are certain that they will get along (obviously there will be an adjusment period but he currently lives with a 10 month old pit bull and hubby's dog is a jack tussel mix who has lived with cat's before)

Wow I really rambled on there, anyways do I need paperwork to get my things into the states if I am traveling with them? Where would I find such forms? How detailed should lists be? Any general advice? We will more than likely be entering via port Huron or Detroit as I'd like to pass through my hometown in southwestern Ontario to say bye to the family. Thanks.

[hikergirl 277]

Here is a youtube video on completing the form to move personal belongings across the border:

I'm not sure if it will cover anything that you need if you are coming with your stuff but it looks like they know what they are doing.

Good luck on your move!

Edited May 13, 2012 by hikergirl

[canafornia 7]

Thanks Hikergirl!

[hikergirl 277]

okay I found this and it looks like you just need a list and the regular customs form if you are moving with your stuff. I found it too late to edit the above.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/107/kw/CBP%20Form)%206059B

I am moving to the U.S. with household and personal effects; how can I make the entry process more efficient?

When completing the Customs and Border Protection Form (CBP Form) 6059B, "Customs Declaration," for accompanying goods or the CBP Form 3299 "Declaration For Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles," the statement that the goods are "household effects" is not enough information. The complete inventory of imported goods will be treated as the packing list and must be provided to CBP upon request.

Canadians (who live in the U.S. for certain parts of the year, known as "snowbirds") must also submit a CBP Form 3299 in order to import unaccompanied household effects into the U.S., although not permanently. No form is needed if you plan to travel along with your goods, however, a manifest listing the items contained in your vehicle is necessary to present to the officer at the Port of Entry.

[Smiley-one 13]

I actually filled out the forms to drive my personal property to the US and the customs agent looked at the forms and said I didn't need them that I only needed to fill them out if my property were crossing the border without me. The Customs agent didn't even come down to my car to verify anything. I crossed at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge into Buffalo. Here is the link that I used to help me fill out the forms even though the agent didn't even look at them:

http://www.visajourney.com/downloads/allied_moving_to_the_US.pdf

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

If you want to import your car into the US here is some information for you as well

http://www.bordercenter.org/chem/vehicles.htm

[Tygrys 143]

Not sure, but you may need some forms from the vet.

[Flames9_RN 358]

If your traveling with your stuff, most just make a general inventory sheet, nothing too advanced. I made a simple Table on MS word, grouped things together,listed the bigger stuff individually, put down the serial # if applc. And what happens majority of the time, the Customs guy barely even looks at it or look at ur truck carrying it! But much easier to make that list at the comforts of ur home, then at the POE!! Form 3299 is for stuff that you sent unaccompnaied (or for the moving company if one uses one)

http://www.cdc.gov/animalimportation/dogs.html From readings on VJ, many of the times, they dont even look at any paperwork for animals coming from Canada. But I would make sure ur dogs up to date on shot and esp rabies. Brought my 2 cats and dog here to Nicaragua--was the hardest thing of the whole process,lol Best of luck

[Kathryn41 3,205]

There are no real federal concerns with bringing your cat into the US but there may be state concerns. Check to see what State requirements are for importing pets. Usually it requires recent rabies vaccinations which you want to do anyway for your pets' protection. I believe dogs do require proof of up to date rabies vaccinations. I moved with 6 cats from Ontario to Georgia crossing at Port Huron. The cats had no issues at all.

Have a list of the items you are bringing in available. If they are in boxes just a generic list is fine - eg. summer clothing; winter clothing; books ; personal documents and files; personal care items; ornaments and figures, etc. They are really more interested in salable items like jewelry,CDs, DVDs so make sure you don't have unreasonable duplicates of things like that and that you have what is reasonable for personal usage. You should be fine.

[RandyN 10]

So as we are in the final days of our NVC process we are starting to finalize plans for my move to California.

I'm planning to fly in on a one way ticket to deal with the POE, I plan to bring some extra luggage with me ( clothes and linens etc.).

After researching shipping companies we've decided to borrow hubby's dad's truck and take the two way road trip, for about the same money. Our place is small and I'm not bringing more than will fit in the truck, also I have a cat and he a little dog and I feel it would be good for them to meet on the cat's turf and travel together, rather than have him wait possibly hours in his cage at the airport and then fly for the first time and them be abandoned with strangers while we go to get my stuff. The cat has been on road trips before and we are certain that they will get along (obviously there will be an adjusment period but he currently lives with a 10 month old pit bull and hubby's dog is a jack tussel mix who has lived with cat's before)

Wow I really rambled on there, anyways do I need paperwork to get my things into the states if I am traveling with them? Where would I find such forms? How detailed should lists be? Any general advice? We will more than likely be entering via port Huron or Detroit as I'd like to pass through my hometown in southwestern Ontario to say bye to the family. Thanks.

I would go through Port Huron. Much less traffic and wait. We entered there and it was quick and easy. We had a list but they didn't look at it or in the car. I believe that since finances can bring their goods with them they don't pay much attention to them. YMMV.

[at long last 58]

I'm not sure I read the post correctly but if you are going to fly and then do a quick trip up to get your belongings remember that you won't have your document right away to come back across the border to US. If doing the whole thing on a one way drive, good luck and happy traveling.

Terri

[Inky 1,110]

I'm not sure I read the post correctly but if you are going to fly and then do a quick trip up to get your belongings remember that you won't have your document right away to come back across the border to US. If doing the whole thing on a one way drive, good luck and happy traveling.

Terri

The OP is entering on a spousal visa. Yes they will be able to leave and re-enter as many times as they want. Its not a 1 time use visa like the K-1 is.