It's almost time! Questions about point of entry

[Klee 6]

I have a few questions regarding my fiancee's emigration to the states. 

She will be emigrating from Windsor through the Windsor>Detroit point of entry. She will be accompanied by her parents and I to the airport where we will then be flying together from Detroit to Seattle.

 

As far as her belongings go, our plan is to put all of her clothes and personal effects in luggage (which we have already begun doing) and then check that luggage for the flight to Seattle. Other belongings (mostly just some boots/yarn/computer monitors, etc) will be with us in boxes across the boarder and before we get dropped off at the airport, we're going to mail it to ourselves at USPS in Detroit. 

Our plan is significantly different from a lot of other couples on here, so I wanted to double check that our plan is actually feasible and in accordance with immigration law. I've searched all over the place for a similar scenario but couldn't find one. Also, since she is technically emigrating with her belongings, will she need any special form for customs, or does she just need to give a list of all of her belongings? 

 

Thanks so much for your help. I have no idea what we'd do without this site and its posters.

[JlovesA 109]

There's nothing wrong with what you're doing at all! Just make sure you have a basic manifest of the boxes and suitcases you're bringing in. It can be very general (e.g. box #1 - kitchen stuff, box #2 - books). I was asked by CBP to have a manifest but then they didn't even want to see it when I did POE (also in Detroit).

 

Not sure if your fiancée is going through the tunnel or the bridge. I went through the tunnel and other than having to wait about 30 minutes to be dealt with, it was easy.

[Klee 6]

3 minutes ago, JlovesA said:

There's nothing wrong with what you're doing at all! Just make sure you have a basic manifest of the boxes and suitcases you're bringing in. It can be very general (e.g. box #1 - kitchen stuff, box #2 - books). I was asked by CBP to have a manifest but then they didn't even want to see it when I did POE (also in Detroit).

 

Not sure if your fiancée is going through the tunnel or the bridge. I went through the tunnel and other than having to wait about 30 minutes to be dealt with, it was easy.

Awesome advice! We are going to go through the tunnel as well. Thanks so much 

[JlovesA 109]

FYI we had a U-Haul packed FULL of stuff. The border agent asked my husband to open the back. As my husband was doing so, he said, "It's really full," and the agent said, "Oh it is? Never mind then."

 

Definitely a good plan to go through the tunnel. 

[Klee 6]

1 minute ago, JlovesA said:

FYI we had a U-Haul packed FULL of stuff. The border agent asked my husband to open the back. As my husband was doing so, he said, "It's really full," and the agent said, "Oh it is? Never mind then."

 

Definitely a good plan to go through the tunnel. 

LOL that sounds like an awesome agent. That definitely is a relief that it's pretty straight forward. With how complicated and nerve wracking the whole process has been, we're hoping the last leg of it is less stressful. Thanks a lot for making us feel better.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

All I had was a list on a spreadsheet , 3 suitcases of clothing, Kitchen - 4 boxes, 2 tvs, 1 computer, Linens - 2 box etc.........

 

Just have the list of what she has, they don't care how you're getting to Seattle, they just care about your point of entry into the US.  I'm sure it will go smoothly.

[chiggins82 88]

I agree with everyone, your plan sounds fine. I was told very specifically by the border agents (I contacted them) about the itemized list. They told me the list needs to be specific enough that they can find each item. I had some stuff coming with me and some stuff with movers so I went all out and made a spreadsheet, I numbered every box and had a fairly detailed description of everything. When I got to the border, they never even asked to look in my car... It all depends on who you get so I figure best to be over prepared... Spreadsheet + numbered boxes was the easiest way to do it in my opinion

 

Safe travels!

[Teddy B 17,252]

21 hours ago, Klee said:

I have a few questions regarding my fiancee's emigration to the states. 

She will be emigrating from Windsor through the Windsor>Detroit point of entry. She will be accompanied by her parents and I to the airport where we will then be flying together from Detroit to Seattle.

 

As far as her belongings go, our plan is to put all of her clothes and personal effects in luggage (which we have already begun doing) and then check that luggage for the flight to Seattle. Other belongings (mostly just some boots/yarn/computer monitors, etc) will be with us in boxes across the boarder and before we get dropped off at the airport, we're going to mail it to ourselves at USPS in Detroit. 

Our plan is significantly different from a lot of other couples on here, so I wanted to double check that our plan is actually feasible and in accordance with immigration law. I've searched all over the place for a similar scenario but couldn't find one. Also, since she is technically emigrating with her belongings, will she need any special form for customs, or does she just need to give a list of all of her belongings? 

 

Thanks so much for your help. I have no idea what we'd do without this site and its posters.

Have crossed thru the Detroit/Windsor Tunnel a few times, they tend to be pretty strict at that crossing due to the area it is in. Just make sure you have all your paperwork filled out correctly and answer the CBP officers truthfully and with confidence. (Not that you were ever thinking of being untruthful, but sometimes people slip up) Enjoy your ride down the I-75 to Detroit Metro (sarcasm there). Not sure if you've flown in or out of DTW before it's a pretty big airport, give yourself plenty of time to make it to your gate.

 

Good luck!

[zilchfox 296]

Sounds like a simple crossing to me! As long as you have a general idea of what you packed, you should be fine, i.e.; "Kitchen stuff", "bathroom stuff", etc. and of course, declare all food.

[Leafsfan 54]

I had a relatively painless experience when I made my POE at Sewwtgrass, Montana. Did the itemized list like everyone else has mentioned, and got a comment from the CBP officer that I was organized. In the end they really only cared about the vehicles I was importing, and even that went smoothly. No searches, nothing crazy. I never had issues at a POE the hundreds of times I've entered the USA either, though.

[JlovesA 109]

 

Have crossed thru the Detroit/Windsor Tunnel a few times, they tend to be pretty strict at that crossing due to the area it is in. Just make sure you have all your paperwork filled out correctly and answer the CBP officers truthfully and with confidence. (Not that you were ever thinking of being untruthful, but sometimes people slip up) Enjoy your ride down the I-75 to Detroit Metro (sarcasm there). Not sure if you've flown in or out of DTW before it's a pretty big airport, give yourself plenty of time to make it to your gate.

 

Good luck!

Funny, I've heard and had the total opposite experience with the tunnel. I lived in WIndsor for a year, and now I cross there daily as I'm commuting back to Windsor for work, and they're so laid back.

 

Also, OP, I-75 southbound is closed so don't plan to take that way! I-94 will get you right to the airport.

Edited May 5, 2017 by JlovesA
typo

[Teddy B 17,252]

 

Funny, I've heard and had the total opposite experience with the tunnel. I lived in WIndsor for a year, and now I cross there daily as I'm commuting back to Windsor for work, and they're so laid back.

 

Also, OP, I-75 southbound is closed so don't plan to take that way! I-94 will get you right to the airport.

Do you have a Nexus card?

[JlovesA 109]

On 5/5/2017 at 7:23 AM, Teddy B said:

Do you have a Nexus card?

 

Yup.

[Teddy B 17,252]

14 hours ago, JlovesA said:

 

Yup.

That would be why you have such an easy time crossing the border. When you have a Nexus card you have been pre-screened for your border crossings. Having a Nexus card makes crossing the border similar to going through a toll booth.

 

 

[HollywoodNorth 22]

Label your boxes and give each item an number. Put it on a spreadsheet list.

 

If its general stuff, label boxes as clothes, computer, printer, kitchenware, towels. High dollar value items I'm more specific on [camera case with x equipment], etc.

 

I crossed into Blaine WA at 1:30 am and the only question they asked me was if I had any plants or been to a farm, I said nope and they didn't even look at the truck with everything in the back [they rubber stamped my vehicle import form , they basically just looked out the window to verify the make/model]

 

In and Out in 5 minutes..