So, P is in the midst of final exams. First semester of law school. She gets up this morning, fires up the computer - the one with all her notes, course outlines, practice exams - and... nothing. Well, not exactly nothing, but a screen full of pretty colored vertical lines. No wallpaper, no icons, no screensaver, just lines. Talk about a student's nightmare. And, not only did she need the data, but they take exams on their laptops. Well, one call to Apple Care, one trip to the Apple Store, one trip to CompUSA, and twelve hours later we have one new PC notebook - with the data that we were able to transfer from her PowerBook to mine - and one PowerBook with a questionable future. You see, the estimate to fix it is $350. Given the original cost of the thing or the cost to replace it with a new MacBook, that wouldn't be so bad. But, that only gets her a 90 day warranty on the repair. So, with computers becoming obsolete within days of walking out of the store, we figured she'd get a low-end PC notebook, buy the extended coverage, and have a computer good for the rest of school. By then we'll be several more generations down the road and she can get the one she really wants.
Now, this may sound completely unrelated to immigration and, yeah, it pretty much is. But, here's the connection. As I understand it, when we land, with our Goods to Follow list in our hot little hands, we will list all our property, with serial numbers where applicable. But, if we're then in the US for another couple of years and, say, buy a new computer, we won't have owned that at landing. Technically, as I understand it, we'd have to pay import duty - or whatever they call it - on anything we acquired after landing. Is that correct?
I also hear tell that they don't really check your stuff. That if we have a laptop packed inside, e.g., the boxes and boxes of books, who would ever know? Now, let's be clear - am I paranoid or what? - I'm not saying we'd do this. But, hypothetically speaking...?
10 months ago
6 comments:
Hi, well when Juan moved all our stuff across the tunnel, he actually had to come back twice to get the rest. And he was told by the Canadians that he would need a list, and they will checked every item he'd bring across each trip. So he did so and they just asked him; what are you bringing at this time and they didn't go through each box at all. Now if you buy a computer after have landed you will need to pay the taxes, because it has not been in your possession or has been used by you. I hope this helps a little.
It will be interesting to hear the responses regarding if anyone has actually had their belongings checked at landing . . . . I would be quite surprised if this, in fact, occurs. In a brief review of the process, it is my understanding that anything brought in after the actual landing date would be subject to duties - Gito's comment makes me question that now. Would be rather nice to have the option of making multiple trips with accumulated "stuff".
There are no import duties on anything you move with. Nothing like that at all.
You also do not have to list serial numbers of anything.
All you'll need is a list of what you're bringing, and a separate list of what's coming later if you're using movers. You don't have to itemize each little thing. Something like "kitchen items", "xx number of boxes of books", "xx number of boxes of CDs", "TV, VCR, and stereo equipment" is enough. You assign guestimates of the value of each in Canadian dollars.
That's it.
Also, our stuff was not checked at the border. Neither was that of anyone else's we've spoken to.
Of course border security reserves the right to look at everything. But it seems that enerally if your papers are all in order and you have your visa, it's assumed that you're already vetted.
The only thing they checked in our case was proof of funds.
They didn't even ask for the dogs' rabies certificates (although you'll want to have that with you if you're bringing pets). But no one asked for any of it.
I believe Nick and Mason had a similar experience.
Oops, one more thing.
After you land, anything you buy in the US and bring with you to Canada is subject to tax. There are no import duties involved, but there is GST.
However... There is a $200 per person allowance, so for you two together, the first $400 doesn't count (like a deductible). Also, if you're using a laptop or camera or iPOD, and it's packed in with your clothes and suitcases as you drive in, and you don't delcare it, you won't be asked about it, and you won't have to pay tax on it.
If the item is in a box with a receipt - an obviously new purchase - then you have to declare it and pay GST. (Not import duties, just taxes.)
This is not 100% by the book, but it's commonly done.
Thanks, everyone!
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