Moving stuff to US (F-1 Canadian)

[sarah9881 0]

I'm moving from Canada to US for med school. I have everything ready: my I-20 from the school, financial statements, student loan docs, credit card statements, all the stuff from my parents etc... But we will be driving across with some of my furniture and a lot of clothes/books (I will be in school 4 years in the US, and won't be able to come to visit my parents until next summer so I am bringing quite a bit of stuff).

I am worried that I may be forgetting something - are there documents I need to have ready for the move? I am confused because I found lots of stuff online from moving companies about how you have to let the border know 24 hr in advance that you are coming, or that you need a list of all the stuff you are bringing, but my parents will be driving me instead. (We are not using a moving company or a trailer, we are just packing stuff in our family van, and they will be driving it back to Canada!) What forms do i need to present (if any) at the border? And do I have to call the point of entry before I arrive?

thanks!

Edited July 30, 2011 by sarah9881

[Inky 1,110]

You need to make a list of everything your bringing. Just something on excel or word perfect.

Lable boxes with numbers and a general name then put them on the list according to number with description.

Edited July 30, 2011 by Inky

[Paul_Sasha 4]

also most Canada / US Crossing points have a Livingstons Customs brokerage house / agent on site.

90% of the time things go easily but if you want a guaranteed easy passage:

then contact a good agent like Livingstons and get your paper list of belongings

and items and make 3 copies of it.

(include make/ model/ type of vehicle you are driving with plate numbers)

sign each as an original.

contact the brokerage and tell them anticipated crossing point

and day / time and then have them pre-apply for clearance.

clearance will still on be given on the day but they will already

have you in the system and profiled etc for when you arrive to cross.

you will need to sing a POA of the crossing.

99% chance that by doing it this way, you will get

a cursory glance over your things and waved through by customs.

(immigration is separate item as you already know).

[sarah9881 0]

Thanks Inky & Paul!

I would prefer to do it myself, if possible (moving is already expensive enough!)

If I make lists of everything myself, do I still need to contact the border in advance?

[sarah9881 0]

Also, I forgot to add: how detailed does the list have to be? Can i list "clothes" or do I have to be specific, as in, "underpants (10 pairs), 4 coats, etc..."???

[canadian_wife 1,822]

No, simply list "clothes" and how many items you have.

List your boxes as such...1 of 17, 2 of 17, 3 or 17 (or however many total you have)

your goods cannot cross into the US before you, they either have to go with you or after you. If you are using a moving company then your stuff will cross after the moving company has your visa

Good luck

[Kathryn41 3,205]

No, you don't need to notify the border in advance that you are crossing with your personal belongings. I suspect that larger moving vans maybe need to make such arrangements but you and your parents travelling with your personal effects should be fine. Have the list prepared and if you are bringing any electronics or computers you might also want to include serial numbers on your list. They are really more concerned about people who are bringing items in for resale rather than personal belongings.

[sarah9881 0]

Thanks for all the advice!

How ####### are they with the check, generally? Do they just look at the list and give a look-see in the car, or will they go through the stuff?

The van will be pretty packed with a whole lot of textbooks and clothes and I am dreading having to re-pack at the border.

[Inky 1,110]

Thanks for all the advice!

How ####### are they with the check, generally? Do they just look at the list and give a look-see in the car, or will they go through the stuff?

The van will be pretty packed with a whole lot of textbooks and clothes and I am dreading having to re-pack at the border.

Depends on who you get and how their day is going. Literally.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I know when we entered with our vehicle full they never even looked at my list of items nor the 6 cats and the phyto sanitary certificates for my houseplants. If you have a good detailed list and the boxes numbered, if they do open it up they will be able to see a quick comparison of the box numbers and some of the contents. That is probably the most they are likely to do - although, yes, it depends on the individual guard that day. The majority don't seem to have a lot of trouble, though.