Engagment ring and bringing across the border...

[MichaelANDVelvet 2]

Hello everyone. We are new to the forums but read through everything else on the site. We are about to jump into this K1 Visa journey but first I had a question.

We want to do things the traditional way and I(Michael) want to get her an engagement ring and still surprise her. She lives in Canada and I live in the states. I want to give her a surprise visit and show her the ring. What are the rules and thoughts on doing this? Is it against anything to bring a ring of that value across the border?

I have been asked previously by customs when visiting her if I have brought any gifts for her and I have not before, but what would this be considered and would it cause a problem at the border?

I understand I have to prove I will not remain in Canada, that is why I would be bringing along all my proof of obligations and also the paperwork for a K1 visa to help customs understand I am going about things the legal way.

Thank you for all the help and expect us both on here frequently as we start the journey.

Michael

[Scott and Mhay 57]

you wont have any problems with that....they are more concerned with you bringing stuff up there that can be resold...one ring will not cause an issue.

[Danu 19]

You will want to declare it, because if you say no and look uncomfortable and they search you and find it there could be more issues. Some people get through without having to pay duty, my fiance had to pay duty on mine. Bring the reciept as proof of the cost. They only charged us like $60 for my ring. If you explain that she will be moving to be with you probably within the year they might not charge you, if they do, keep the reciept as you can claim it back once you move.

[Nik+Heather 121]

You will want to declare it, because if you say no and look uncomfortable and they search you and find it there could be more issues. Some people get through without having to pay duty, my fiance had to pay duty on mine. Bring the reciept as proof of the cost. They only charged us like $60 for my ring. If you explain that she will be moving to be with you probably within the year they might not charge you, if they do, keep the reciept as you can claim it back once you move.

WOW really?! Usually, this sort of stuff falls under "personal items", and unless it's over a certain amount, you don't have to say anything about it. Coming into the US, it's $10,000...

[Bernie C 24]

Hmmm Interesting question!

I gave my fiancee a diamond ring, necklace and earrings, as well as other jewelry. Never claimed any of it through customs as I also considered it personal items. Although I was never asked or questioned. I always kept them in a pouch safely secured on my person - never in a bag or luggage.

I never even gave it a thought to claim them

Maybe a good thing it never came up because with all them carats I might have been out a bunch of carrots!!!!!

[hgdfjdfghgfr 0]

Like Bernie, I didnt think of claiming anything, but probably shouldve...we got lucky! I would listen to Danu. Unless you want to hide it in your bag really good and hope you dont get searched Not recommended though

[MichaelANDVelvet 2]

well i appreciate all the responses. i will probably just declare it just to be safe.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

[Danu 19]

Yeah Nik and HEather....It would have been different if I had been wearing it through the border. I probably wouldn't have said anything. But if for any reason they searched him and found a ring in his bag we didn't want to chance it, because technically its a gift. Its being brought in by someone else to be left in the country. That being said, as its returning to outside the country a lot of people don't have to pay duty and if you do you can claim it back, just depends on the guard you get I suppose.

[K and L 27]

I brought my engagement ring to Brazil, because it was cheaper to ship it to me than to him (by about $50). I didn't declare it because as far as I'm concerned, I was coming with it, and leaving with it, even if it came in a box that was given to him shortly after landing and left on my finger

[lbounds 16]

For whatever it's worth I asked this question when I was going to the Philippines the first time on the plane when they gave out the declaration forms. I asked the flight attendant if I should declare the engagement ring and she said "no, because that's personal jewelry, they are looking for items for sale you might bring in"

[neiks 19]

The poster is wanting to bring it into CANADA not the US. I suggest you follow the Canadian regulations. If you are bringing it into Canada to give to your fiance it is a GIFT and must be declared to Canada customs or you face the possibility of having it seized!

Please see discussion in previous post

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...&hl=declare engagement ring&st=30

[Danu 19]

The poster is wanting to bring it into CANADA not the US. I suggest you follow the Canadian regulations. If you are bringing it into Canada to give to your fiance it is a GIFT and must be declared to Canada customs or you face the possibility of having it seized!

Please see discussion in previous post

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...&hl=declare engagement ring&st=30

Yup, thats why we did it, I didnt want them to take my pretty ring!

[ABCW 0]

My fiance Ben lives in Portland Oregon and I live in Abbotsford BC. He has been coming up to see me almost every weekend since 2008, so the border guards are pretty familiar with him and he is pretty used to their random searches etc.

A lot of times they would explicitly ask him "are you bringing an engagement ring'' and he had always answered no. The day that he did bring an engagement ring with him, they asked if he was bringing any gifts so of-course he told them about the ring. He was asked to go inside the office to pay GST which ended up being $420.00. It sucks, but if they ask you, then it's better to be honest. You never know when they will decide to search your vehicle.

[Nik+Heather 121]

My fiance Ben lives in Portland Oregon and I live in Abbotsford BC. He has been coming up to see me almost every weekend since 2008, so the border guards are pretty familiar with him and he is pretty used to their random searches etc.

A lot of times they would explicitly ask him "are you bringing an engagement ring'' and he had always answered no. The day that he did bring an engagement ring with him, they asked if he was bringing any gifts so of-course he told them about the ring. He was asked to go inside the office to pay GST which ended up being $420.00. It sucks, but if they ask you, then it's better to be honest. You never know when they will decide to search your vehicle.

UGH! Better to do what Nik did and wait for the lucky lady to come visit!

What strange rules. As others have said, most of those laws (at least in the US) are written against people trying to make a profit off things...