Crossing the border after visa is approved

[roxmatt 0]

Once the visa is approved, how do you move any furniture, clothing, personal belongings across the border? How would we know how much they will charge for declaring everything? Also, what do I need to do to bring my car into the Sates? We have family bringing stuff down to the states for us, does everything need to be declared, and how much are we talking about?

[HeatDeath 430]

Once the visa is approved, how do you move any furniture, clothing, personal belongings across the border? How would we know how much they will charge for declaring everything? Also, what do I need to do to bring my car into the Sates? We have family bringing stuff down to the states for us, does everything need to be declared, and how much are we talking about?

I filled my car to the roof with boxes of books, video games/other toys, and threw all my clothes on top. Did you know you can get about a dozen photocopier paper boxes into a 2 door Sunfire if you're careful? Now granted, I didn't have any furniture to bring. I would have used a U-haul trailer if I had.

The PoE doesn't charge anything, except $6-7 USD for your I-94 card, which you can pay for using a Canadian CC, if getting the US cash would be inconvenient.

To bring your car to the US you will need compliance letters, which you order from the manufacturer (GM want about 90 bucks). You will also need to know the bluebook value of your car to fill out the import form. You'll also need your proof of ownership.

You will need a list of what you are carrying, but it can be pretty general: e.g. Box 1: Books, Box 2: Nintendo Wii, Xbox and accessories, etc.

Your family will need to be carrying a letter signed by you in which you indicate the date, why and on what status you are entering, a copy of your visa, the fact that they have your permission to import your belongings, and a list, as above, of what they are carrying of your stuff. It also helps if they go through the same lane at the PoE immediately after you. It will take you some time - 15 to 60 minutes - to get through secondary inspection (where they will process your visa and import your car (though they will probably express no interest in your personal effects) so have a plan of where they should go to wait for you if they get cleared through the PoE quickly.

Edited August 17, 2010 by HeatDeath

[Brad and Vika 129]

Topic moved from K-1 forum to Canada sub forum

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Once the visa is approved, how do you move any furniture, clothing, personal belongings across the border? How would we know how much they will charge for declaring everything? Also, what do I need to do to bring my car into the Sates? We have family bringing stuff down to the states for us, does everything need to be declared, and how much are we talking about?

They don't charge anything since these are your personal belongings. It's not a big deal for a relative to bring a few things for you if it's like a box of books or something, but if anyone is carrying a significant num ebr of your belongings with them - so much so that it might look like they themselves are moving, you need to fill out a form (check the US border website - form 3299? can;t remember) when you are not accompanying your own belongings. Your family would provide the form at the border and explain that they are helping you move. Someone who's done it this way probably has some other tips about what they should have as proof.

As noted - if you're accompanying the belongings you need a list of what you're bringing - if you've packed boxes, number them and itemize generaly what is inside (ie: Box 1- women's clothes, Box 2 - dishes...). It seems that the majority of the time the border guards do not look at your list or what you have packed in the car/truck, but better to be prepared if they decide to. If you have recently purchased electronics include the serial numbers on your master list.

[Inky 1,111]

Used a U-haul to take my furnature and boxes and towed my car behind with it to save the tires and milage on it. We had to drive pretty far tho to where we were going. Numbed the boxes and made a sheet up with whats in the boxes then just put the furnature on it ie: 1 bed frame, 1 matress, 1 desk etc etc - they never looked at the list or looked in the truck. They did however go out to check my cars vin number to make sure it matched the paperwork for my car. I have left some stuff at home tho and my mom will likely drive it up at some point.

[roxmatt 0]

thanks everyone this will help out a lot! : )