Importing personal belongings - returning USC

[skipperdee 11]

Hi all,

 

Fiance and I have been cohabitating in Canada for several years (I was living in Canada for much longer), but I just moved back to the US early to start a new job while fiance awaits visa issuance.

 

I (USC) was planning on returning to Canada to help with the official move-out, as well as drive our stuff across the border into the States myself to load a Uhaul container, thereby avoiding Uhaul's international shipping rates. (The quote doubled for a Canadian address, even though it's just 45 minutes away!) Fiance will of course not participate as we do not intend to activate his K1 visa at that time.

 

My understanding is that as a US Citizen returning to the US after living abroad, I can bring in my household goods duty free. I want to make sure it's okay that I essentially drop it off across the border for shipment, then return to Canada to fly back to the US the next day. 

 

Any reason why this could be problematic? Anything I should be aware of? Is my plan sound??

[NikLR 13,227]

All of this stuff is just yours?

Also curious... why not pursue the CR1 if you were already living together?  (pure curiosity..) 

[skipperdee 11]

It’s technically “ours” - furniture and household goods we paid for jointly.

 

We considered CR1 but we wanted to be able to physically move to the US sooner, even if it meant my fiancé can’t work right away. We also weren’t even formally engaged until after we filed for the K1, so it would have felt weird and forced to have a shotgun wedding just to be able to file for the CR1. Ultimately came down to the timing we wanted for our move and our marriage.

[NikLR 13,227]

11 hours ago, skipperdee said:

It’s technically “ours” - furniture and household goods we paid for jointly.

 

We considered CR1 but we wanted to be able to physically move to the US sooner, even if it meant my fiancé can’t work right away. We also weren’t even formally engaged until after we filed for the K1, so it would have felt weird and forced to have a shotgun wedding just to be able to file for the CR1. Ultimately came down to the timing we wanted for our move and our marriage.

Okay cool. Anything belonging to your partner is not allowed to be moved.  You can move YOUR household goods.  Don't run into the issue where the CBP doesn't think it's yours and wants you to leave it on the side of the road for pick up on the way back.