Will this "goods to follow" apply to me? I am a PR holder & am returning after 2+ years to canada early next year. to give you little background, i landed as PR in vancouver in september27 & completed the formalities & returned the same day back to US but i did not complete "goods to follow" checklist as we are not sure at that point of time when we will be actually moving.

One of the reason i went back to US was i was trying to get a transfer from same employer who i am working in US to relocate me to canada. But things did not go as i expected as my company was recently bought & the internal transfer relocation is no longer a possibility. I am planning to move to canada for good before i expire my 3 years out of 5 year requirement. I am looking at the links Freddie sent but am not clear if i can utilize this goods to follow as i have been out of this country for more than 1 year . I am in california & would like to move all my furniture & car as i wont have the burden of re purchasing them all over again? Anyone in same boat as me? I would appreciate your help.

Many a times we miss making the declaration of the Goods to Follow, when we first land at a P.O.E. So, when you are re-entering to settle down do complete the process. Please search the Canadian Desi Website and get the complete details from the previous postings. They also give you the prohibited list too as issued at that time. Look for the current list at the CBSA website. If you are importing an automobile, please check with CBSA prior to entry, to see if it meets with the requirements of theirs and the Ministry of Transport also.

Freddie.

Freddie, Thank you very much. I'm sure i have written "None" in goods to follow section. Although at that particular time i never knew that i could utilise this if i am out of country for more than year.

One last question, How about my automobile? will it be exempted from duty free or did i miss the boat in the first chance?

First and foremost, you must have a clear title and you must have owned the vehicle for at least ONE Year.

It has to meet certain criteria and it changes yearly. So, I have not kept pace with it. But can do the research and follow it up at a later date. But it becomes duplication as you are the only ONE Who knows the year and make etc., and the compliance requirements that model and Year and Make, calls for, when you get through doing the inquiries with the CBSA. It needs to pass the MOT safety and emission test regardless when it enters Canada. Also some of this has to be done prior to it getting on the road with a set of Canadian Plates on it.

All said and done, at the same time you can drive that vehicle into Canada, and on these Canadian roads, for a short duration without any problems, as if nothing matters, when you drive it in as a visitor. So, check with them about the break that they can give you. (time that they provide for the completion of all of the formalities.)

Some of the details will be currently available with the dealers and the makers for that model, if you mention that it will be crossing the borders. They also know what it is that they needed to have incorporated in them for the Canadian roads. If the process of converting is complex or it involves extensive repairs and changes, then sell the same and buy another one here. The cost difference will justify the selling of the same. Some cars in the USA have better ratings and requirements, than the Canadian ones and so do not get discouraged by my ramblings here. Please do your own DD.

You still have to pay the duty and taxes on it. May be little, depending upon the year. Factor all of these in and make a decision before you enter with it and declare to take it into Canada.

A phone call to the CBSA or an e-mail to them will be well worth all of the troubles.

Freddie.

Edit: ONE