POE process question

[biglos 0]

I'll be crossing my POE (Blaine Truck Crossing into Washington State) as soon as I get my Visa, does anyone know what the process maybe when you cross.

Also, where can I find info about moving my stuff, about inventory list etc etc.

Anyone?

Thanks!

[Krikit 1,165]

Basically, you let them know you are entering on a visa and they will send you to secondary for processing. There is a pinned topic in the Canada forum called the Canada Immigration Guide which will cover a lot of your questions.

Moving from Moving Here to the Canada forum as it is regional specific.

[Danu 19]

I'll be crossing my POE (Blaine Truck Crossing into Washington State) as soon as I get my Visa, does anyone know what the process maybe when you cross.

Also, where can I find info about moving my stuff, about inventory list etc etc.

Anyone?

Thanks!

When you cross you will pull up to the border and inform them you are activating your visa, they will probably ask you a few questions (like if you have your packet) and then direct you to a building that you will go into to have the paperwork finalized. For moving your stuff, if you are bringing it with you, just make an itemized list (I did mine in excel) with everything on it that you are bringing, serial numbers for the electronics. They barely glanced at my sheet but its all you need. Anything you are sending with a moving company you will need to fill out a seperate form (CPB Form 3299 for unaccompanied items) to send with the stuff so they have a list of whats there and you won't get taxed on it (its all personal belongings). If you plan to import your car at the same time, bring the paperwork you get from the car dealer (the DOT letter and the recall letter) and you can do it all at the same time. Its all fairly easy and painless if you get someone who isn't grumpy!

[Krikit 1,165]

Ugh. Merging two threads. lol

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

If you plan to import your car at the same time, bring the paperwork you get from the car dealer (the DOT letter and the recall letter) and you can do it all at the same time.

Hmmm...there are TWO letters one needs to have for importing one's car?

[Krikit 1,165]

Hmmm...there are TWO letters one needs to have for importing one's car?

Just the letter from the manufacturer.

[Danu 19]

Yeah I think you only need the one saying it meets the DOT requirements, but I got sent a recall letter too to show there wasn't any outstanding recalls on my vehicle, though that may be more for registering it? meh.

[HeatDeath 430]

When I ordered my compliance letter from GM for my car, I got two letters: A compliance letter (indicating that the car was compliant with DOT regulations for the year it was manufactured) and a recall letter (indicating that my car had no outstanding recalls). The two came together, and I paid Vintage Vehicle Services $89.95 CAN for the pair.

To import the car, I simply indicated my intention to do so to the border officer, once we were done with everything else. He looked at my compliance letters and registration, and filled out a form, asking me for the bluebook value of my car (look that up before you leave, or lowball it: it may be used to calculate an import tax when you later register the car in your home state.) And that was it.

Later, in Utah, I had to get inspections done on the car (local county requirement, will vary wildly from state to state, and even from city to city within a state). Then I took those inspection certificates, the import form the border officer did, and the compliance letters, and my Canadian registration/proof of ownership, handed them to the DMV, plus about $150, and they gave me American plates, an American registration form, and (a week later, in the mail) an American title deed.

Easiest part of the whole immigration process.

Edited January 30, 2010 by HeatDeath

[biglos 0]

Great info! Thanks guys! God Bless!

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

When I ordered my compliance letter from GM for my car, I got two letters: A compliance letter (indicating that the car was compliant with DOT regulations for the year it was manufactured) and a recall letter (indicating that my car had no outstanding recalls). The two came together, and I paid Vintage Vehicle Services $89.95 CAN for the pair.

Ahh. Good to know. I just ordered mine from GM's Vintage Vehicle Services last week.

[biglos 0]

How itemized does your list have to be? Every DVD title Im bringing over or just a number of DVDs, for an example? Same with books? Electronics I understand...

When you cross you will pull up to the border and inform them you are activating your visa, they will probably ask you a few questions (like if you have your packet) and then direct you to a building that you will go into to have the paperwork finalized. For moving your stuff, if you are bringing it with you, just make an itemized list (I did mine in excel) with everything on it that you are bringing, serial numbers for the electronics. They barely glanced at my sheet but its all you need. Anything you are sending with a moving company you will need to fill out a seperate form (CPB Form 3299 for unaccompanied items) to send with the stuff so they have a list of whats there and you won't get taxed on it (its all personal belongings). If you plan to import your car at the same time, bring the paperwork you get from the car dealer (the DOT letter and the recall letter) and you can do it all at the same time. Its all fairly easy and painless if you get someone who isn't grumpy!

[trailmix 77]

How itemized does your list have to be? Every DVD title Im bringing over or just a number of DVDs, for an example? Same with books? Electronics I understand...

Just a 'bulk' kind of list.

So like:

Box 1 - Stereo speakers and DVDs

Box 2 - Kitchen Items

Edited February 1, 2010 by trailmix

[biglos 0]

Oh okay, not super specific...groovy...

[OBX 51]

Oh okay, not super specific...groovy...

I had multiple boxes labelled "kitchen items" and "office supplies" and it was all good!

Edited February 1, 2010 by OBX

[ashenflowers 5]

Using clear bins instead of boxes if at all possible is handy as well. I got lucky (or ended up with a lazy border crossing, not sure), but they didn't ask for a list, or anything, and didn't search the car. So it could go either way. Then again, at my POE they turned out to be idiots and 'forgot' to give me the VERY important I-94, so make sure you get that. They're not used to issuing I-94s if you're driving through and you're Canadian. Don't trust them to know what they're doing. They probably don't.

Also, have the list just in case, but don't be surprised if you happen to not be asked for it.