Travelling to states with some luggage

[thebeat4c 2]

My Fiance and I have applied for our k1 visa. We recently got an RFE. We are in the process of getting the things that they asked for. We realize that we should be approved soon. I am going to visit him on July 8. I was planning on bringing 2 of my suitcases with me, containing some of my belongings (paintings and decorations). I was thinking that it will be cheaper this way, since the first bag is 25$, the second is 35$ and each additional bag is 100$. I have 6 Bags, so it makes sense to bring 2 of them with me now. My question is will I be questioned about the contents of my bags? (Since they will not have "normal" things in them for someone who is on vacation.)

Any help on this would be highly appreciated.

[kc247 22]

I was wondering the same thing, if I do go visit I would like to check a bag and take some stuff early so I have less to take when I move! I was thinking that might be a red flag for them when you go through customs. I'm not sure though, hopefully other people who have done it will have a better idea.

[amberlynnloves 125]

Best answer I can give is if the CO asks you about the contents, just be honest with them. I wouldn't risk it, in my opinion. You're better off paying the extra later on, then having to leave your stuff at the airport or even being denied ability to board the plane when you get to the airport. It just wouldn't be worth the risk.

Is it stuff you can replace if they tell you no when you get to the airport? Is the cost of replacing more than the $100 per bag? Also, keep in mind you can always have stuff shipping to the states when you are approved and ready to move. Also, is it an option to take a car/van across the border into the US when you move?

I was lucky enough to be able to drive my fiance (now husband's) stuff over the border and didn't get questioned about it. But if I had been questioned, it was stuff that I would have had to pay duty on or leave at the border. It wasn't stuff he would have missed too terribly much if a problem did happen.

Good luck.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

~ Moved from K-1 Process to Moving Here and Your New Life in America- topic not actually about the K-1 process ~

[dandk 72]

Best answer I can give is if the CO asks you about the contents, just be honest with them. I wouldn't risk it, in my opinion. You're better off paying the extra later on, then having to leave your stuff at the airport or even being denied ability to board the plane when you get to the airport. It just wouldn't be worth the risk.

Is it stuff you can replace if they tell you no when you get to the airport? Is the cost of replacing more than the $100 per bag? Also, keep in mind you can always have stuff shipping to the states when you are approved and ready to move. Also, is it an option to take a car/van across the border into the US when you move?

I was lucky enough to be able to drive my fiance (now husband's) stuff over the border and didn't get questioned about it. But if I had been questioned, it was stuff that I would have had to pay duty on or leave at the border. It wasn't stuff he would have missed too terribly much if a problem did happen.

Good luck.

At LAX International Terminal, you'll go through Customs before picking up your luggages. So, it won't matter how many luggages visitors are carrying. This maybe the same case with major US airports.

[hikergirl 277]

At LAX International Terminal, you'll go through Customs before picking up your luggages. So, it won't matter how many luggages visitors are carrying. This maybe the same case with major US airports.

Most Canadians clear customs in Canada with our luggage. From that point they are treated as "within US" fliers.

OP: We are not supposed to move any belongings to the US prior to POE. If the CBP Officer feels you are bringing too much with you for the length of your visit or inspects your suitcases and finds items they feel are inappropriate items they may feel you have immigration intent and you won't board the plane.

I would not recommend bringing ornaments and household belongings prior to POE. The VJ members who have gotten refused at the border tend to get scrutinized at the border each and every time they cross.

[VeeNDee 44]

Ditto to what hikergirl said. I sent some books down and a few random items with my then-fiance when he returned and the border guard was highly suspicious of why he had those items in the car (one bag's worth of books etc) and questioned whether he was trying to help me immigrate illegally. He did let him through but it wasn't pleasant. At that point we decided we had gotten lucky and weren't going to try to save trips down again.

I also had left behind clothes once in the USA from a past visit so that I wouldn't have to keep bringing them back each time I visited him (a pair of jeans, some socks, a shirt or two) and could pack lighter. The border guard at that point sent me to secondary because he didn't think I was bringing enough with me and that I had personal clothing already in the USA and was living there illegally. I got out of secondary thanks to my copy of the NOA1 for the K1 visa, but brought all my clothes back up.

Long story short.... not worth the hassle. i know it's a pain to have to drag stuff across each time, or to have to bring all of it at once and have it cost more/take longer, but it's MORE of a pain to deal with problems at the border when you cross. The worst thing you would want to avoid is a ban on crossing.

[thebeat4c 2]

Thank you for all of your feedback. I will probably bring everything with me when I acrually move down. The last thing I need are problems crossing. Especially when I just paid over $900 to fly down.