Shipping personal stuff to the US using UPS

[Reba 2]

maybe just in putting it back together!

I'd hazard a guess though that if you try to take computer bits in your carry on, you'll be searched under suspicion that its bits of a bomb. And if you put it in checked baggage, you run the risk of it being broken into smaller bits.

As for the courier company, Yes, they will still require some form of documentation that the items you are sending are permitted to be sent without duty or taxes being charged. The only documentation accepted by USCBP for that would be a copy of your visa and I-94 as proof of your legal entry to the US. Whether you're using a moving company like Allied Vans, or UPS or Canada Post/USPS, you'll need documentation for customs.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Here is the link to the official US customs information about importing personal belongings for new immigrants:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/lpr/

Specifically, it spells it out here:

"Duty Exemptions for Household and Personnel Effects

You may import furniture, dishes, linens, libraries, artwork and similar household furnishings for your personal use free of duty. To be eligible for duty-free exemption, the articles must have either been available for your use or used in a household where you were a resident for one year. The year of use does not need to be continuous, nor does it need to be the year immediately before the date of importation. Personal and household effects entitled to duty-free entry need not accompany you to the United States; you may have them shipped to your U.S. address at a later time if you choose. Your shipment of personal and/or household goods must be cleared through Customs at its first port of arrival, unless you have made arrangements with a foreign freight forwarder to have your effects sent in Customs custody in-bond from the port of arrival to a more convenient port of entry for clearance. (Ask your moving company if they offer this service.)

Household effects from the country where these effects were used, and meeting the above criteria, may be entered into the United States duty-free within 10 years after your initial arrival in the United States as a legal resident.

Personal effects may be shipped or mailed to you at a later date. The package should be marked “Used Personal Effects” and must have been in your possession prior to your entry into the United States. Anything included in the package that is new may be dutiable."

Basically, your belongings will not make it past Customs. They will charge you the duty on the items unless you are able to prove that you are a resident or returning resident of the US and these belongings have been in your possession for at least a year prior to their import/re-import to the US. The way you prove your right to have these items imported without duty is by providing a copy of your visa (K-1, K-3) with the I-94 showing the date of admission, or the CR-1 showing the date of activation. Until you yourself have arrived physically in the US you have no right to import your personal belongings duty free. It doesn't matter how you send them - by mail, by courier or by moving company. It is US Customs that set the requirements.

[David_n_Amber 3]

maybe just in putting it back together!

I'd hazard a guess though that if you try to take computer bits in your carry on, you'll be searched under suspicion that its bits of a bomb. And if you put it in checked baggage, you run the risk of it being broken into smaller bits.

As for the courier company, Yes, they will still require some form of documentation that the items you are sending are permitted to be sent without duty or taxes being charged. The only documentation accepted by USCBP for that would be a copy of your visa and I-94 as proof of your legal entry to the US. Whether you're using a moving company like Allied Vans, or UPS or Canada Post/USPS, you'll need documentation for customs.

Since im allowed 2 pieces of luggage for free, and my fiance is coming with me and bringing an extra suitcase for me to bring ####### with, i thought about just throwing my case in one, putting the other computer parts in another along with my other belongings.. as for books/dvds, it looks like i'll have to end up just shipping those

[Flames9_RN 358]

one is allowed two suitcases, but watch the weight!!!! The weight varies between airlines, but 50lbs is the average per suitcase, and airlines can be picky!! Traveling to Canada this Xmas, 1 bg was 55 lbs and they wanted to charge us extra$$$ Luckily our second bad was well below the limit so we were able to transfer the excess contents to it!! One trick I have been told to do is use curb side check in if possible, they tend to "look" the other way!!

[David_n_Amber 3]

what is the curb side trick? lol

[Flames9_RN 358]

what is the curb side trick? lol

Some airports offer "check in" outside the terminal on the curb. They tend not to check the weight in some cases, thus your not forking over excess weight fees. Doesnt always work though.

[David_n_Amber 3]

i dont think Edmonton has that

[Reba 2]

No, I don't think Canadian airports have curbside check-in, only US ones.

[Mephys 2]

I did send 8 boxes via UPS about one month before I moved to the US. THere was a form the UPS guy made me fill indicating what date I was moving and where, etc, etc.

I dont remember very well, but I think the only thing it asked for was my alien number but not even sure about that.

The customs did ask me to fax them a prove of identification, copy of my driver license, and the boxes were released with no duty fees.

The UPS counter should have that form. I also had a detailed list of what was in every box (example 15 books, 20 CDs, 2 winter jackets, etc)

[DavidsPrincess 1]

I did send 8 boxes via UPS about one month before I moved to the US. THere was a form the UPS guy made me fill indicating what date I was moving and where, etc, etc.

I dont remember very well, but I think the only thing it asked for was my alien number but not even sure about that.

The customs did ask me to fax them a prove of identification, copy of my driver license, and the boxes were released with no duty fees.

The UPS counter should have that form. I also had a detailed list of what was in every box (example 15 books, 20 CDs, 2 winter jackets, etc)

Thanks VERY MUCH for sharing.

[Carlawarla 1]

I found it cheaper to take extra boxes on the plane with me. It was $40.00 or $50.00 per box. I brought 4 boxes with me. It was cheaper than shipping them down via UPS or Fed Ex, or even through the mail. Something to think about.

[David_n_Amber 3]

carla, did you have problems at check in/xray part of the flights? Did you bring dvds and stuff?

[Carlawarla 1]

carla, did you have problems at check in/xray part of the flights? Did you bring dvds and stuff?

No, no problems at all. I brought down various computer items in those boxes which included music and computer CD's. I carried my laptop on as well. I had a list of items that were in each box, pretty general mind you. Just in case they wanted to see the list, but no one did. I don't know that I even said anything at the Saskatoon airport, if I did maybe it was just personal effects. Like I said, it was 4 boxes, and it was under $200.00. This was in addition to my two "free" suitcases. It was just nice to have most things with me in St. Louis when I arrived. This was on NWA btw.

Edited January 29, 2008 by Carlawarla

[ladyynara 0]

Out of interest, how much are you paying to use UPS? We're just going to have few boxes of books, cds, dvds and maybe a couple of boxes of other stuff. No furniture. We've been looking into shipping companies because I figured UPS would probably be more expensive (especially as the boxes of books will be heavy)

[Duders 0]

I'm thinking of doing this, too! Moving companies are sooo expensive, and most of them are in the bigger cities, far from my middle-of-nowhere town!