moving my stuff across the border before visa arrives

[jeremiah2911 0]

hi all,

i'm in a little bit of a predicament. i have my interview date in montreal on friday august 12th and expect to receive my returned passport with visa on the following wednesday. my husband and a friend of his planned to move my stuff by uhaul the sunday after my interview but after speaking with CBP, i was advised that they would need a copy of my visa or proof from the consulate that my visa was approved. my husband and his friend would be transporting my items as "unaccompanied" (i don't even understand how to fill out form 3299....is it to be given to my husband when crossing border?) I am so confused because many months back i had emailed customs and border partrol about this and they replied that he can take my belongings as household and personal affects because we are married.

the reason i say i am in a bit of a predicament is that we have no one to help us move after i get my visa and my husband is not able to take more time off work for quite some time. his friend can only help on weekends because he has to work as well. we just had a baby and have been incurring a lot of expenses so hiring a moving company is not an ideal option. i emailed the consulate in montreal to see if they will give me some sort of proof i am approved, if approved. hopefully i hear back from them sooner rather than later. no use in planning to fly his friend to canada if we don't have anything written in stone.

has anyone else been in a similar situation? oh and i just found out i need to do all kinda of paperwork to "import" my car and get a compliance letter from GM and a title certificate? It's financed....I don't own the title. do i need a letter from my financing company too?

thanks

[Inky 1,110]

This is better posted in the Canada section. See if a mod can move this for you since its Canada specific.

Yes you have to go with your car and have compliance letter, letter from your finance company if they will even allow you to move the car to a new country. You need to sign import papers and keep a copy with you so you can register your car in the USA. You don't really have to do anything cept for sign the papers at the border. The CBP do the actual paperwork for you.

Unless you are planning to use a company to import your car. Thats a whole different story.

As for moving your things before getting your visa and without you being there. I have heard horror storys about people being told they cannot enter with their spouses items and to turn around and dispose of them before they can enter the USA. These things were just personal items, some clothes and jackets etc. I would most definitely wait until you have the visa or until you are going with your things.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Topic has been moved from the Moving Here and Your New Life in the US to the Canada regional forum as it is Canada specific.

Moderator hat off . . .

Unfortunately, your husband will almost definitely require proof that the items he is bringing in are legally allowed to be in the US since he is driving a UHaul and he himself has not been a resident of Canada. You are allowed to bring your belongings with you - or up to 10 years after your admission to the US but not before you yourself have been admitted to the US. As Inky mentioned there have been horror stories of those trying to move belongings into the US before they have their own approval/admissions and been turned back at the border. Some have had to rent storage facilities near the border and keep them there until such time as they are able to provide that proof. Until your interview and approval there is no guarantee that you will be allowed into the US and until you yourself have been admitted your unaccompanied belonging are not allowed to enter the US.

To fill out the 3299 you need to itemize the items being moved. Generally it is fine to list them, for example: one sofa, 4 chairs, 2 tables, 1 Queen sized bed; Box 1: summer clothing; Boxes 2-6:books; Boxes 7 & 8: dishes; Box 9 personal care items, etc. Electronics and computers should also list their serial numbers. Each box should also be numbered and for your own convenience you should list the contents and perhaps its final location (eg bedroom; bathroom; kitchen) as it will make it easier when you unpack.

You could perhaps explain your predicament at your interview and ask them if there is a way for them to expedite your visa. See if they would be willing to allow you to pick it up at the Consulate the next day, for example, due to your extenuating circumstances. Even with the visa in hand it is a toss-up if US Customs will allow your belongings to enter until you yourself have crossed the border.

You were overly optimistic in your plans to receive back the visa so soon after your interview. The norm seems to be between 1 to 2 weeks so you may need to try and think of additional options if the Consulate is not willing to allow you to pick up your visa the next day. (You would have to arrange to stay in Montreal until then as well).

If possible, you may see if your husband can re-schedule his time off work until later and then plan for the actual move when you have completed the car paperwork as well as have your visa in hand. I realize that this may cause further delay in being together, but unfortunately dealing with the US Consulate is never an easy or a quick process and it is always better to have flexible arrangements in place or back up plans when the first ones run into stumbling blocks.

Hopefully the Consulate will work with you to issue the visa and allow you to pick it up, and the border will accept the visa that has not yet been processed at the border to allow your belonging through. To be honest, if it were me, I would be looking at alternate arrangements - delaying having your husband and friend come until you yourself are able to cross the border with them having all of the paperwork in place and the visa in hand.

Edited July 30, 2011 by Kathryn41

[jeremiah2911 0]

This is better posted in the Canada section. See if a mod can move this for you since its Canada specific.

Yes you have to go with your car and have compliance letter, letter from your finance company if they will even allow you to move the car to a new country. You need to sign import papers and keep a copy with you so you can register your car in the USA. You don't really have to do anything cept for sign the papers at the border. The CBP do the actual paperwork for you.

Unless you are planning to use a company to import your car. Thats a whole different story.

As for moving your things before getting your visa and without you being there. I have heard horror storys about people being told they cannot enter with their spouses items and to turn around and dispose of them before they can enter the USA. These things were just personal items, some clothes and jackets etc. I would most definitely wait until you have the visa or until you are going with your things.

thank you for your advice. it is much appreciated. looks like i will hire a service or we will just have to come back for my stuff.

[jeremiah2911 0]

Topic has been moved from the Moving Here and Your New Life in the US to the Canada regional forum as it is Canada specific.

Moderator hat off . . .

Unfortunately, your husband will almost definitely require proof that the items he is bringing in are legally allowed to be in the US since he is driving a UHaul and he himself has not been a resident of Canada. You are allowed to bring your belongings with you - or up to 10 years after your admission to the US but not before you yourself have been admitted to the US. As Inky mentioned there have been horror stories of those trying to move belongings into the US before they have their own approval/admissions and been turned back at the border. Some have had to rent storage facilities near the border and keep them there until such time as they are able to provide that proof. Until your interview and approval there is no guarantee that you will be allowed into the US and until you yourself have been admitted your unaccompanied belonging are not allowed to enter the US.

To fill out the 3299 you need to itemize the items being moved. Generally it is fine to list them, for example: one sofa, 4 chairs, 2 tables, 1 Queen sized bed; Box 1: summer clothing; Boxes 2-6:books; Boxes 7 & 8: dishes; Box 9 personal care items, etc. Electronics and computers should also list their serial numbers. Each box should also be numbered and for your own convenience you should list the contents and perhaps its final location (eg bedroom; bathroom; kitchen) as it will make it easier when you unpack.

You could perhaps explain your predicament at your interview and ask them if there is a way for them to expedite your visa. See if they would be willing to allow you to pick it up at the Consulate the next day, for example, due to your extenuating circumstances. Even with the visa in hand it is a toss-up if US Customs will allow your belongings to enter until you yourself have crossed the border.

You were overly optimistic in your plans to receive back the visa so soon after your interview. The norm seems to be between 1 to 2 weeks so you may need to try and think of additional options if the Consulate is not willing to allow you to pick up your visa the next day. (You would have to arrange to stay in Montreal until then as well).

If possible, you may see if your husband can re-schedule his time off work until later and then plan for the actual move when you have completed the car paperwork as well as have your visa in hand. I realize that this may cause further delay in being together, but unfortunately dealing with the US Consulate is never an easy or a quick process and it is always better to have flexible arrangements in place or back up plans when the first ones run into stumbling blocks.

Hopefully the Consulate will work with you to issue the visa and allow you to pick it up, and the border will accept the visa that has not yet been processed at the border to allow your belonging through. To be honest, if it were me, I would be looking at alternate arrangements - delaying having your husband and friend come until you yourself are able to cross the border with them having all of the paperwork in place and the visa in hand.

thank you for the useful input. i had no idea people have been waiting weeks for their visa to arrive. i was reading some of those experiences with montreal...wow. i am currently in the usa with my husband and newborn and can't imagine being away from him with me and baby left behind in canada. i pray that the consulate will rush my visa. won't hurt to ask. thanks again

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Kathyrn has given excellent advice - no counting chickens before they hatch etc Not to discourage, but there have been people here with the best laid plans and something happens to hamper them - whether Montreal just randomly loses their passport and finds it 3 weeks later (see a recent post this month) or something is amiss and further evidence is required at the interview....never take for granted that everything will go smoothly.

On a positive note...hopefully they can expedite - can;t hurt to ask!

[canada_socks 97]

This is the first I have heard of a 3299. Is this something I fill out at POV?

[Inky 1,110]

This is the first I have heard of a 3299. Is this something I fill out at POV?

You fill it out before you move because you are shipping your things without you being present. IE with a shipping company. They need forms done up and all kinds of stuff from you. They get stopped at the border until they get faxed proof that you have crossed and are at your residence then customs can release your shipment.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/cbp_form_3299.pdf

If you are not accompanying your stuff when it enters (ie movers or friends are taking it), you will fill out this form for the movers

If you accompany your stuff - ie: you're driving the truck - a simple spreadsheet of the truck's contents will do.

Either way there is a list of what you're moving.

[canada_socks 97]

You fill it out before you move because you are shipping your things without you being present. IE with a shipping company. They need forms done up and all kinds of stuff from you. They get stopped at the border until they get faxed proof that you have crossed and are at your residence then customs can release your shipment.

Gotcha. I'll be traveling with my stuff

[ricnally 258]

Topic has been moved from the Moving Here and Your New Life in the US to the Canada regional forum as it is Canada specific.

Moderator hat off . . .

Unfortunately, your husband will almost definitely require proof that the items he is bringing in are legally allowed to be in the US since he is driving a UHaul and he himself has not been a resident of Canada. You are allowed to bring your belongings with you - or up to 10 years after your admission to the US but not before you yourself have been admitted to the US. As Inky mentioned there have been horror stories of those trying to move belongings into the US before they have their own approval/admissions and been turned back at the border. Some have had to rent storage facilities near the border and keep them there until such time as they are able to provide that proof. Until your interview and approval there is no guarantee that you will be allowed into the US and until you yourself have been admitted your unaccompanied belonging are not allowed to enter the US.

To fill out the 3299 you need to itemize the items being moved. Generally it is fine to list them, for example: one sofa, 4 chairs, 2 tables, 1 Queen sized bed; Box 1: summer clothing; Boxes 2-6:books; Boxes 7 & 8: dishes; Box 9 personal care items, etc. Electronics and computers should also list their serial numbers. Each box should also be numbered and for your own convenience you should list the contents and perhaps its final location (eg bedroom; bathroom; kitchen) as it will make it easier when you unpack.

You could perhaps explain your predicament at your interview and ask them if there is a way for them to expedite your visa. See if they would be willing to allow you to pick it up at the Consulate the next day, for example, due to your extenuating circumstances. Even with the visa in hand it is a toss-up if US Customs will allow your belongings to enter until you yourself have crossed the border.

You were overly optimistic in your plans to receive back the visa so soon after your interview. The norm seems to be between 1 to 2 weeks so you may need to try and think of additional options if the Consulate is not willing to allow you to pick up your visa the next day. (You would have to arrange to stay in Montreal until then as well).

If possible, you may see if your husband can re-schedule his time off work until later and then plan for the actual move when you have completed the car paperwork as well as have your visa in hand. I realize that this may cause further delay in being together, but unfortunately dealing with the US Consulate is never an easy or a quick process and it is always better to have flexible arrangements in place or back up plans when the first ones run into stumbling blocks.

Hopefully the Consulate will work with you to issue the visa and allow you to pick it up, and the border will accept the visa that has not yet been processed at the border to allow your belonging through. To be honest, if it were me, I would be looking at alternate arrangements - delaying having your husband and friend come until you yourself are able to cross the border with them having all of the paperwork in place and the visa in hand.

Hi Kathryn: you seem to know about this stuff, so thought I'd ask you this question. I'm in BC, and plan to POE from here with my K1. I have a bunch of stuff back in Ontario stored at a friend's place that I plan to leave there until after my AOS, when I'll go back and move it. Will I need a list of that stuff at original POE from BC? (like "declaration of goods to follow" or something?) Thanks.

[Ms Hogan 295]

Everyone has answered your questions about your items so I won't repeat

BUT I just wanted to add that your car may be an issue. I have a post somewhere here (I'll try to bump it) http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/411088-gm-vehicle-compliance-letter/?p=6249864

for getting the GM compliance letter. That part is easy.

However you need to have a clear title in order to have it titled in another location. This is certainly my understanding of it anyway and maybe some states don't require it BUT if you don't own the car, it means there is considered to be a lien on it by the company financing it. A title bureau won't issue a new title with a lien on the vehicle because you don't own the car. For me I had made my last car payment in March but the finance company provided a letter for me to carry just in case the title bureau needed it stating that they have removed the lien and I owned it free and clear. Even though my registration (Ontario) has only my name on it the lien may have not been cleared out of the system in time. That's why I had the letter.

If anyone else has other experiences to share that would be great but I don't think it would differ greatly.

Edited May 24, 2013 by MsHogan