Moving back to Canada - Border Questions

[Yellowhead 12]

My husband and I are divorcing (I have since moved back to Canada as of February 3, 2013. I am going to California on May 9 to move my things back to Canada and crossing through the Huntingdon border crossing in Washington/BC. I am no longer a resident of the USA and I am simply moving my belongings home. I need advice as to what to expect when coming back into my home country with these items. I have established residency in Alberta as of February of last year, and I am not importing a vehicle or anything. Just taking a uhaul and driving it home.

I don't have expensive belongings, mostly books, furniture, etc. Any warnings or any idea of what to expect time wise for paperwork, any duties etc? Help!

[blest.but.strest 50]

My husband and I are divorcing (I have since moved back to Canada as of February 3, 2013. I am going to California on May 9 to move my things back to Canada and crossing through the Huntingdon border crossing in Washington/BC. I am no longer a resident of the USA and I am simply moving my belongings home. I need advice as to what to expect when coming back into my home country with these items. I have established residency in Alberta as of February of last year, and I am not importing a vehicle or anything. Just taking a uhaul and driving it home.

I don't have expensive belongings, mostly books, furniture, etc. Any warnings or any idea of what to expect time wise for paperwork, any duties etc? Help!

If I understand well, you moved back to Canada last year and you are now, more than a year later trying to move your belongings back to Canada?

When you got back to Canada last year did you provide CBSA (Canadian CBP) with a list of all your belongings that you were bringing back at the time of entry that were in your possession and the ones you were bringing back later with the moving truck?

how long did you live in the USA before returning?

have you returned to the US since you moved last year?

Do you have any single items that are worth more than $10,000 (jewelry or anything)?, i'm pretty sure you don't with your description but please answer anyway

Please answer the questions and I will be able to help you further

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Here's a handy link I found about moving back to Canads from the Canada Border Service's Agency - they have a toll free number at the bottom which should help.

A lot may not apply to your situation but it'll get you started. Sorry - no personal knowledge myself.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5087-eng.html

[blest.but.strest 50]

Here's a handy link I found about moving back to Canads from the Canada Border Service's Agency - they have a toll free number at the bottom which should help.

A lot may not apply to your situation but it'll get you started. Sorry - no personal knowledge myself.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5087-eng.html

Very good page to look at! I think she'll be able to find all the answers there.

[Yellowhead 12]

I moved back to Canada to work in February of 2013. My husband and I did long distance for a while and decided to separate after many issues in December. He had planned to come to Canada, so our shared belongings and some of my personal items remain in the USA. I am flying to California in May 2014 to retrieve these and driving back with a uhaul through Washington/BC. We will process our divorce while I am there.

I drove back last year with just a car load. We had anticipated moving together at a later date. I did not provide an inventory and simply changed my status with CRA and the government after arriving. I did not do an import of any kind at the border. Basically I drove to the border and came across on my passport.They asked why I was coming back, I said to work, no more questions asked. I have flown back a few times bringing a few things with me each time. I then forfeited my green card in November of 2013 once I had gotten established and decided I was staying in Canada after gaining employment and accommodations securely. I filled out my Green Card Termination paperwork at the airport in Edmonton upon re-entering the USA in November as it had expired. I had visited a few times in 2013 so I have returned regularly to handle my affairs there. This will be the final time I go and bring items back. I will enter on a new passport with no green card this time around.

I lived in the USA from May 2011-Feb 2013

I have returned numerous times. Initially with my green card, then as a visitor last time after forfeit.

No items worth 10,000+. No money totally 10,000.

I assume I will have to inventory all of my items upon return. They also may ask for the green card to forfeit, but I will have paperwork for this on hand. Just curious what else to expect. I will also peruse the website provided. Thanks so much!

If I understand well, you moved back to Canada last year and you are now, more than a year later trying to move your belongings back to Canada?

When you got back to Canada last year did you provide CBSA (Canadian CBP) with a list of all your belongings that you were bringing back at the time of entry that were in your possession and the ones you were bringing back later with the moving truck?

how long did you live in the USA before returning?

have you returned to the US since you moved last year?

Do you have any single items that are worth more than $10,000 (jewelry or anything)?, i'm pretty sure you don't with your description but please answer anyway

Please answer the questions and I will be able to help you further

[neiks 19]

Make a list of all the goods coming back with you before you get to the border. It can be fairly general such as "1 box kitchen ware" and list furniture and more expensive items such as electronics. Include an approx value of the items you list. If you are bringing anything at a later date, make a separate list of these goods (goods to follow). Although you have already resumed your residency in Canada but have yet to make a declaration of your used goods coming back - (called a B4 form) you should be fine with bringing your goods back without having to pay any taxes. Just explain it to the Border Officer exactly what happened. Unless you have really really expensive and brand new goods then you should not have any problems. Good luck!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Make a list of all the goods coming back with you before you get to the border. It can be fairly general such as "1 box kitchen ware" and list furniture and more expensive items such as electronics. Include an approx value of the items you list. If you are bringing anything at a later date, make a separate list of these goods (goods to follow). Although you have already resumed your residency in Canada but have yet to make a declaration of your used goods coming back - (called a B4 form) you should be fine with bringing your goods back without having to pay any taxes. Just explain it to the Border Officer exactly what happened. Unless you have really really expensive and brand new goods then you should not have any problems. Good luck!

What do u know Neiks!! You think you are some kind of expert or what,lol (lots of sarcasm)

[neiks 19]

^{LOL.... funny, I feel with the more years of experience, I know less and less each year.}

[blest.but.strest 50]

I moved back to Canada to work in February of 2013. My husband and I did long distance for a while and decided to separate after many issues in December. He had planned to come to Canada, so our shared belongings and some of my personal items remain in the USA. I am flying to California in May 2014 to retrieve these and driving back with a uhaul through Washington/BC. We will process our divorce while I am there.

I drove back last year with just a car load. We had anticipated moving together at a later date. I did not provide an inventory and simply changed my status with CRA and the government after arriving. I did not do an import of any kind at the border. Basically I drove to the border and came across on my passport.They asked why I was coming back, I said to work, no more questions asked. I have flown back a few times bringing a few things with me each time. I then forfeited my green card in November of 2013 once I had gotten established and decided I was staying in Canada after gaining employment and accommodations securely. I filled out my Green Card Termination paperwork at the airport in Edmonton upon re-entering the USA in November as it had expired. I had visited a few times in 2013 so I have returned regularly to handle my affairs there. This will be the final time I go and bring items back. I will enter on a new passport with no green card this time around.

I lived in the USA from May 2011-Feb 2013

I have returned numerous times. Initially with my green card, then as a visitor last time after forfeit.

No items worth 10,000+. No money totally 10,000.

I assume I will have to inventory all of my items upon return. They also may ask for the green card to forfeit, but I will have paperwork for this on hand. Just curious what else to expect. I will also peruse the website provided. Thanks so much!

Having no items more than 10,000 is a good thing.

The only issue I see here is that it has been a little while since you left the USA, what will prove to the Canadian Border officer that you just didn't buy a whole bunch of stuff for cheap in the USA and are trying to bring it back to Canada. A similar scenario happened to a good friend of mine returning to Montreal after living in NYC for 5 years. A few months after he moved back to Canada, he went back to get the rest of his stuff and when he go the Canadian border (NY/Quebec), the Canadian border officers gave him a hard time, but eventually, after further inspection and questioning, they let him through without having to pay any taxes.

Just be honest with the officers, and have a list of your items ready like Neiks mentioned.

click on the link that was given above it has a lot of useful info as well.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5087-eng.html

I personally don't think you will have any problems

Good luck with everything.

[Flames9_RN 358]

hint.....listen to Neiks as she is a Canadian Customs and border officer