Moving my belongings into the US this weekend

[Brunette 0]

Hey all, I'm packing all my belongings into a UHaul this Saturday. So far I have prepared a list of my household and personal effects. Anyone have any experience with this process?

I don't have my husband with me (he's in Afghanistan) and I'm getting worried about my treatment from the border agents. I just want to make sure I have everything down to a T. I might just call my father in law and ask him to accompany me. He has offered, but it's just so out of his way.

[raymaga 25]

We moved my things down from Canada with a U-Haul truck. My fiance (at the time) drove the truck, and I followed in his car. I had made a list of the items I was bringing with me and took the list in with me when I went into Customs. They took a very brief peek into the truck and looked at my list and that was it.

They got a chuckle out of some of the things I had on the list too. I had my old Barbie doll stuff in one box, and they thought that was pretty funny. I was told they were worth a lot of money now, so I didn't want to leave them behind.

The main thing they want to make sure of is that you aren't bringing any live plants into the U.S.

Write down the serial numbers of any electronics (such as t.v., computer, etc.) because they may want to see that you have them.

Good luck.

[Brunette 0]

We moved my things down from Canada with a U-Haul truck. My fiance (at the time) drove the truck, and I followed in his car. I had made a list of the items I was bringing with me and took the list in with me when I went into Customs. They took a very brief peek into the truck and looked at my list and that was it.

Did you make an inventory of what was in each box?

Should I list the quanity of items? ex. 25 cookbooks, 12 hand towels

Edited March 28, 2006 by Brunette

[Ladylethal 12]

On the same subject, and since mom has been teasing me, anyone had belongings overseas they wanted to take to US? If you took it, how did you manage? Just paid the excess bagage or did something else?

[Flames9_RN 358]

I moved down with an U-haul truck, Went through Maine as my POE. Very easy process. Drove up to the officer at the gate, said I was their to activate my CR-1 visa, he told me to pul to the bay and go inside! Once in there, talked to Customs dude, gave him my inventory list which was made from MS Word, in table format. I didnt list every single item, but grouped them together for the most part. I didnt put every content in each box, but more of a general idea. As he was overlooking my list ( I inturrepted his solitaire game on the computer!!) I went to immigration. Answerd their very few questions, got fingerprinted and that was it with them, plus they stamped my passport. Back to Customs dude, he said it was great, and off I went. never looked inside my truck. Very easy experience, laid back. Best of luck

[canadalaura 0]

I crossed the border with a uhaul too. Just had a general list of the things I was bringing - and what box it was in. ie. Box#2 - books and cds Box#3 - collectibles, etc. They never even looked at it! My husband is in the military and couldn't get leave to help me with the move - so I drove it myself... no hassles at all at the border, they were wonderful!

[Cassie 8]

We moved my things down from Canada with a U-Haul truck. My fiance (at the time) drove the truck, and I followed in his car. I had made a list of the items I was bringing with me and took the list in with me when I went into Customs. They took a very brief peek into the truck and looked at my list and that was it.

Did you make an inventory of what was in each box?

Should I list the quanity of items? ex. 25 cookbooks, 12 hand towels

Nah, what they want is a general list. I had boxes of books as well, so I listed them like:

books -- fiction

books -- cookbooks

books -- non-fiction

etc etc

the other boxes I divided up by category, and then with a very brief description of the contents

the key is being organized, descriptive, but not so descriptive that your list looks like a small novel

Edited March 29, 2006 by Cassie

[Brunette 0]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

I'm excited about this and nervous at the same time.

[tom&tata 2]

On the same subject, and since mom has been teasing me, anyone had belongings overseas they wanted to take to US? If you took it, how did you manage? Just paid the excess bagage or did something else?

Depends how far you are from the US and what kind of items you want to bring ? I am not really a person who keeps a lot of personal stuff & been living with parents. Asia to US flight allows 50kg or more than 110 lbs of luggage and I took some already when I visit in Feb. Will take more when I move. But most of heavy stuffs (books, etc) will stay at parents house.