In order to avoid paying import duty on your goods and belongings it is essential that you prepare the list. This list must include general details of the 'stuff' you are bringing in, a second-hand value and in the for any expensive and/or electronic items - serial numbers.

Make it as detailed as you can before you die of boredom....i.e.

Box #54 - Contents: Assorted Reference Books - Value: $85

To get a value try to estimate what you would get if you sold the things second hand. Often this can be 'Nil' - second hand clothes etc. Make sure that you list every electronic item like computers, TV's, that kind of thing.

Also make sure you find and list the serial numbers, possibly how long you have owned the item and again, the value. The thing the Customs people get most excited about is an unusual amount of these kinds of items though they are getting better as people are becoming 'two and three computer families'.

If you are not bringing everything in with you when you first land then also prepare a 'List of Good to Follow' as above and remember to put in the values. You seem to have quite a bit of time allowed - I have heard of people bringing in goods as much as three years after their first landing date PROVIDED that the goods were listed in the first place. If in doubt, ask. Also check with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency

Total up the list and make two copies. One for you and one for Customs. For further information please contact

Revenue Canada,Customs, Excise and Taxation,
Automated customs Information Service (ACIS)
Phone (613)993-0534/ (902)426-2911/(604)666-0545
Toll free from other locations inside Canada 1-800-461-9999

Bringing in a vehicle.

• Not only do you have to apply for immigration and if semi-approved, go for a medical, your car does too!

  This is a difficult area. You have to jump through a lot of hoops to get a vehicle you own into Canada when you land, but not impossible. First you must check that your car/truck/whatever is allowed. Get in touch with

  Transport Canada
  Vehicle Importation
  13th Floor,
  Canada Bldg.,
  344 Slater Street,
  Ottawa ON K1A 0N5

  Phone 1-800-333-0558
  Fax (613) 998-4831

  They are very nice and helpful and absolutely inflexible. If your car is not on the list then it is not coming in no matter how much you plead.

  There is an excellent website run by the Registrar of Imported Vehicles. (R.I.V.) is a private agency appointed by Transport Canada to administer the importation of vehicles meeting US-specifications into Canada.

  All cars that are fifteen years old and older (except buses) are allowed in. BUT they will require a number of further checks and alterations before you can keep them in Canada. Additionally all cars MUST have day-time running lights (in other words the lights come on every time you turn on the car). Also you must carry an extra child seat belt restraint in the glove compartment if your car is not up to Canadian standards.

  You will not be charged import duty but there is an import 'fee' to be paid at the border. You must show a copy of a letter from the manufacturer that there have been no recalls, and if there have been, that your car has been brought up to standard. You must also present your car for inspection and approval within 3 months of arrival. Without this inspection you will not be able to tax and license the car. So, as you can see.......not easy.

  More info:

• Thank you to Mr. Lin-Chow Sim for his story

• Look in the newsgroup misc.immigration.canada for articles by Mr. Rich Wales who is a real expert in this area.

Pets

It is possible to import pets into Canada from most countries but I suggest you check with Customs. Certainly it is possible from the USA. I know about cats and dogs. Other animals may have different rules. I am pretty certain that horses have some kind of horsey passport. You need to have a certificate from a Vet showing that the animals have been vaccinated against rabies more than 30 days but not more than 3 months before the date of travel. The certificate must show the Vet's full name and address, the pet's and a description. It is also a good idea to have the Vet check that the animals are in good health at the same time.

Moving Trucks

It is possible to rent a truck and drive it one way with a drop off in Canada. Most of the larger companies pay a tax to allow their trucks to be driven both in the USA and Canada.

A word of warning, the refund of deposit (say $80.00 paid in the US) will be repaid to you in Canadian dollars (only 80 of them!!) unless you point out that you paid more than that. Also the exchange rate they will give you is appalling. Not sure what we can do about that but at least be prepared for it.

There does not appear to be any great penalty these days for dropping off the truck in Canada but you might enquire and see if it will be worth your while driving in, unloading, and driving back into the US to drop off. The US Customs people are not in the least bothered (apparently - well they didn't seem so when we moved) about the fact that one of 'their' trucks is disappearing into the frozen north. A few more words of warning, the trucks can be cumbersome, very heavy on gasoline, very noisy, not in terribly good working order and very, very bumpy - do not attempt to drink coffee on the road, you end up wearing it. This is a generalization of course and you may have better luck than us and others I have heard from. Inspect the truck if possible before you take off.

Landing! This is a fun - I really mean it.

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