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Immigration law

25 Dec

The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) is like the bouncers of Canada’s borders, deciding who and what gets in. If you’re moving to Canada, you can bring all your personal and household stuff with you without paying extra, as long as you give a friendly shout-out to a CBSA officer about what you're bringing. So, no need to worry about sneaking in that giant stuffed moose—just make sure you declare it.

When moving to Canada, many people bring valuable personal items and money to start their new life. So, how can newcomers bring their belongings and cash safely and affordably?

Certain items have quirky rules for entry into Canada. Wedding gifts can come in duty-free if they were owned before the couple’s arrival and if they either tied the knot within three months or plan to say "I do" shortly after.

Vehicles get a free pass if they’re for personal use and pass Canadian safety and pollution tests—no need to worry about your car suddenly becoming a lumberjack! Jewelry might need a bit of a résumé and cover letter to get through customs.

Gifts under $60 CAD are in the clear, but anything pricier might face duties, and don’t even think about trying to smuggle in alcohol or tobacco as presents, Canada’s got a zero-tolerance policy for gift-wrapped booze and smokes.

The CBSA requires travelers entering or leaving Canada to declare any cash or monetary instruments valued at CAD $10,000 or more. This includes not just Canadian dollars but any foreign currency or a blend of both.

Some items are either restricted or prohibited from entering Canada, meaning they can't be brought in at all or require special permits. Newcomers who are unsure about whether they’ll need to pay duties on an item should bring sales receipts and any relevant registration documents with them.

Essentially, if you’re coming into the country with a hefty pile of cash, you’re in for a simple process-just declare it. This means you can bring in a substantial amount of wealth without having to pay additional duties, as long as you’re upfront about it. Think of it as having a get-out-of-jail-free card for large sums of money, as long as you make that declaration and keep everything above board.

Upon arriving in Canada, newcomers must declare their items to the CBSA. They should scan their travel documents at an airport kiosk or eGate, where available. Travelers will be prompted to make their declaration on the screen. It’s important to note that a kiosk can accommodate up to five people at once, while eGates are available for solo travelers aged 16 and older.

After scanning their documents, travelers will get the chance to review and, if necessary, edit their declaration at the kiosk or eGate. Think of it as your final opportunity to make sure you’re not accidentally declaring that you’ve brought a pet giraffe into the country. Once you’re confident that everything looks good and you haven’t unintentionally listed yourself as a secret agent, go ahead and hit that submit button.

Once you've submitted your declaration, a receipt will pop out like a prize from a vending machine. Take this ticket to a CBSA officer for further processing. At this point, you might have to charm them with your best story about those imported chocolates or answer a few more questions about your collection of novelty mugs. It’s like a final quiz to make sure everything checks out, and hopefully, your answers will keep you on the right side of Canadian customs. Eh!

To submit an advance declaration, newcomers can utilize the ArriveCAN app or its online platform. Begin by logging into ArriveCAN, where you'll need to provide your travel document details, such as your passport number.

After entering this information, you'll tackle a series of customs and immigration questions. It’s like a quiz show, but with fewer prizes and more bureaucracy. Be sure to answer them accurately. Canada is known for its politeness, but even they can’t make an exception if you forget to declare that extra suitcase of sweets.

Complete and submit your advance declaration at least 72 hours before your arrival, or risk being greeted by a team of very polite yet stern border agents who will quiz you on the history of hockey.

Once the declaration is successfully submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation screen on your device, and an email will be sent to you with a reference number. This reference number serves as proof of your declaration and ensures that all the necessary details have been communicated to Canadian authorities before your arrival.

If you find yourself needing to tweak your declaration before landing in Canada, you can easily update it at an airport kiosk or eGate. Think of it as the digital version of adjusting your luggage at the check-in counter.

Just remember, if you don’t confirm your declaration at one of these stations within 72 hours of submission, it’ll expire faster than your favorite milk at home. So, if your flight is delayed or your plans shift, make sure to submit a fresh declaration. It’s like hitting the reset button to keep everything in tip-top shape for customs.

If newcomers intend to bring items to Canada on future trips, they can create a “goods to follow” list as part of their CBSA declaration. By listing these items in advance, they can bring them into the country later without incurring duty or tax charges, provided that the items are eligible for duty-free entry and are included in the original list.

This process helps streamline future entries by pre-authorizing these items, sparing travelers from extra fees and the dreaded separate declaration dance each time they return. Because let's face it, no one wants to perform the customs shuffle again unless it’s a dance move in a new TikTok trend.

To import goods into Canada without paying duty or taxes while setting up a new home for a year or more, you need to prove you’ve owned, used, and enjoyed those items while living abroad before your grand arrival.

Former residents returning to Canada must have used their goods overseas for at least six months, but if you’ve been globe-trotting for five years or more, you get a free pass on the six-month rule. To back up your claim, bring along your bills of sale and registration documents.

Just remember, leased items don’t get a free ride—they’ll still attract duty and taxes because, well, the CBSA doesn’t think you actually “own” them. So, while your well traveled suitcase might be full of great stories, it won’t be getting any special treatment if it’s packed with leased goods.

In conclusion, newcomers to Canada can bring their prized possessions without paying taxes or duties, as long as they play by the rules. Just remember to declare your goodies, use the ArriveCAN app to give the heads-up ahead of time, and make sure those items have had a good workout abroad.

With proper documentation and a bit of preparation, you can waltz into your new home with your beloved belongings and avoid any unwanted financial surprises. Think of it as moving to Canada with your stuff and a free pass, just don't forget to dot the i's and cross the t's so you can settle in without any customs drama.