Christmas Presents

[canada_socks 97]

So, my parents are coming here on Boxing Day for a few days. They are bringing presents with them for me and my husband. My mom has informed me that she has lost some of the receipts . I think she also said she was going to wrap the gifts. I am wondering if this will cause an issue at the border? They are either crossing on land at Queenston/Lewiston or the Peace Bridge. I myself have never had a problem crossing with gifts for my husband in the past when we were dating, but it was usually just one or two items. I told my mom to lost out what she got and to write down the approximate cost as far as she can remember on a list to give to the officer if he asks.

Has anyone had problems crossing with multiple gifts? Wrapped gifts? Should I tell her to not wrap them? I don't want them to give her and my dad a hard time.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Suggest that she bring the wrapping paper with her and not wrap them before she crosses the border, or put the gifts into gift bags for the drive down. She should make out a list of the items, say who they are for, where she bought them and how much they cost and be prepared to present that to the Border Authority. They will be checking to see if the list and the prices look 'reasonable' and they may wish to look at the actual items which is why she shouldn't wrap them until after she gets to the US. I've generally just had to present a list of items and their costs at the border and never had problems, but it is always good to be prepared.

You might want to send her a copy of your AOS NOA1 as well as a copy of your K-1 page from your passport. I know when my Dad crossed with some gifts for me one time he was grilled pretty thoroughly about my status in the US (he couldn't remember the name of the visa I had entered on!) and make sure they know how you entered the US and what your current legal status is in the US. On Dad's visit they weren't at all interested in what he was bringing in, just that I was here legally.

Edited December 15, 2011 by Kathryn41

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I'm doing the reverse and going back home to Canada with multiple gifts. I will not be wrapping them and I will have a list with approximate values in case the border guard gets particular.

[canada_socks 97]

Suggest that she bring the wrapping paper with her and not wrap them before she crosses the border, or put the gifts into gift bags for the drive down. She should make out a list of the items, say who they are for, where she bought them and how much they cost and be prepared to present that to the Border Authority. They will be checking to see if the list and the prices look 'reasonable' and they may wish to look at the actual items which is why she shouldn't wrap them until after she gets to the US. I've generally just had to present a list of items and their costs at the border and never had problems, but it is always good to be prepared.

You might want to send her a copy of your AOS NOA1 as well as a copy of your K-1 page from your passport. I know when my Dad crossed with some gifts for me one time he was grilled pretty thoroughly about my status in the US (he couldn't remember the name of the visa I had entered on!) and make sure they know how you entered the US and what your current legal status is in the US. On Dad's visit they weren't at all interested in what he was bringing in, just that I was here legally.

That sounds reasonable to me. I just hope she hasn't wrapped them yet (I'll offer to buy new wrapping paper if she did lol)! I don't have my AOS NOA1 yet unfortunately. However, I could take a photo of my visa and email it to my dad, and tell him that I have applied to adjust my status recently. I left my scanner at home and mailing is probably not an option at this time (already worried my Christmas cards won't get to Canada before Christmas!) I know they had no problem crossing for our wedding, the guy didn't even ask what they had! Just congratulated them and told them to tell us good luck from the border!

[Gypsyangel 11]

I've done it both ways:

To the U.S.: I had a list with the cost and the associated receipts. They usually only asked the total amount of goods. And then waved me through. I did this a few times over the years. If she doesn't have all the receipts, she should at least make a list and guesstimate, and know the total amount. If I was her, I'd leave them wrapped and bring some extra gift wrap. What's the worst that could happen? The first year I did this, I didn't wrap them, but after that I always wrapped them. Tell her to keep her receipts in the future! It's less stressful!

To Canada: You're allowed $60 per gift. I made my list, had receipts on hand. Wrapped my gifts. The last time they asked for the total amount only. I told them $400 in gifts. They considered it and then waved me through. Another time, they specifically asked if I had a gift more than $60, to which I answered yes. I told them I had an x for $75. He thought about it and then waved me through. If they want to pull me over and pay duty, I'll pay it. I just try to be as honest as I can.

To me, it seems like, if you explain your situation (visiting a family member) and that they're gifts, they're just a little bit nicer around Christmas time. But like Katherine says, be prepared. Of course, they always just wave my husband through without asking him anything, both ways through the border. I'm always paranoid, making lists and tallying things up. He can't figure out why I have all these lists all the time, but I like to be prepared.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Oh gawd - stay tuned for my review of the US to Canada corder crossing Thurs night around midnight!!!!!

No gift is more then $60 per gift, but I have a load of ####### for my 2 nieces - used Wii games (worth $20 each, if that), jammies, make-up,cds, little stocking things etc....about $150 total per child. Then I have a used Wii (our old one) and a used computer (my old one) for my dad. Add in stuff for my brothers (about $100 each and we're up to roughly $500 and that is not including the Wii or old pc.

Hope I'm not screwed....we are debating whether we should bring any presents for one another over the border, because that will mean x3 for me, my husband and my daughter - and it will all get brought back home after Christmas.

I've done it both ways:

To the U.S.: I had a list with the cost and the associated receipts. They usually only asked the total amount of goods. And then waved me through. I did this a few times over the years. If she doesn't have all the receipts, she should at least make a list and guesstimate, and know the total amount. If I was her, I'd leave them wrapped and bring some extra gift wrap. What's the worst that could happen? The first year I did this, I didn't wrap them, but after that I always wrapped them. Tell her to keep her receipts in the future! It's less stressful!

To Canada: You're allowed $60 per gift. I made my list, had receipts on hand. Wrapped my gifts. The last time they asked for the total amount only. I told them $400 in gifts. They considered it and then waved me through. Another time, they specifically asked if I had a gift more than $60, to which I answered yes. I told them I had an x for $75. He thought about it and then waved me through. If they want to pull me over and pay duty, I'll pay it. I just try to be as honest as I can.

To me, it seems like, if you explain your situation (visiting a family member) and that they're gifts, they're just a little bit nicer around Christmas time. But like Katherine says, be prepared. Of course, they always just wave my husband through without asking him anything, both ways through the border. I'm always paranoid, making lists and tallying things up. He can't figure out why I have all these lists all the time, but I like to be prepared.

[canada_socks 97]

My mom managed to find most of the receipts, but she wrote an itemized list and put the cost of each gift beside it. She won't be bringing wrapping paper, but I have more than enough if she needs to re-wrap. I told her to not bother bringing any in. Thank you everyone for the advice

[Udella&Wiz 325]

My mom managed to find most of the receipts, but she wrote an itemized list and put the cost of each gift beside it. She won't be bringing wrapping paper, but I have more than enough if she needs to re-wrap. I told her to not bother bringing any in. Thank you everyone for the advice

I don't have receipts

[SapphireDreams 71]

I don't have receipts

I'm in the same situation Udella and have done it the past couple of years and haven't had any problems. Last year I just brought a list of the items and the value and they never asked for it.

I'll do the same this year.

I have some receipts, but I mean there are a ton of others things on the receipts so it would be pretty confusing if they asked to see them.

[Marilyn. 340]

I sent some gifts back with my brother for my family.. I am assuming he didn't have any issues.. I didn't give him any receipts or lists..

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I'm in the same situation Udella and have done it the past couple of years and haven't had any problems. Last year I just brought a list of the items and the value and they never asked for it.

I'll do the same this year.

I have some receipts, but I mean there are a ton of others things on the receipts so it would be pretty confusing if they asked to see them.

Good point - some of my items were bought a while back too. I have my lists ready.

[Gypsyangel 11]

This is a little off-topic, but I thought I'd ask ... when you guys are driving back into the U.S., what ID do you show? I've been showing my 10-yr greencard and my Cdn passport. The last time I went through, earlier this month, the young boy (either they're getting younger or I'm getting older ) got very flustered when I handed him my ID. He acted really uncertain as if he'd never come across such a situation and then decided to take a chance and wave me through.

I guess when I was engaged and travelling, I expected questions, or when I had AP, or even when I had my conditional green card. With my 10-year card, I'm kind of expecting that I'm good to go.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

This is a little off-topic, but I thought I'd ask ... when you guys are driving back into the U.S., what ID do you show? I've been showing my 10-yr greencard and my Cdn passport. The last time I went through, earlier this month, the young boy (either they're getting younger or I'm getting older ) got very flustered when I handed him my ID. He acted really uncertain as if he'd never come across such a situation and then decided to take a chance and wave me through.

I guess when I was engaged and travelling, I expected questions, or when I had AP, or even when I had my conditional green card. With my 10-year card, I'm kind of expecting that I'm good to go.

Going back into the US, I've always handed over my GC only to start- or rather my husband handed his US passport and my GC to the dude. I obviously have my Cdn passport in my purse, but have only been asked once or twice for that on top of my GC when going back into the US.

This will be my first time using my new US passport - I will let you know how it goes

[Sweetcheeksss 91]

My hubby crossed into Canada today thru the Sumas crossing with approx. $200 worth of gifts and he had NO issues. After my husband said he was dropping off Christmas gifts, the officer didn't really even ask him what he had.

[thetreble 19]

I have crossed over to Canada every Christmas for the past five years with wrapped gifts and no lists or receipts and never had an issue. I'm probably going on luck here!

They do ask me what the approx. value of the gifts are. I usually tell them $400 or $500 bucks but because you are going to visit your family and you are a US resident or US Citizen, they seem less concerned then if you are a Canadian shopping in the US and bringing goods back.

I'm going through the Nexus lane any ways on Friday