What is required for U.S. residents or
citizens moving or transporting personal belongings through Canada to
another state in the U.S.?
NOTE: Please refer to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection web site
for official answers. http://www.cbp.gov/
Answer: If you are an U.S. citizen or resident moving or transporting
your personal equipment, household and/or personal effects in-transit
through Canada from one U.S. State to another, you will encounter Customs
in the U.S. and Canada. Customs in both countries will enforce their
regulations and may want to inspect your goods to determine admissibility.
(In most cases, the below described process is very similar for Canadians
transiting the U.S. with household effects.)
There are measures you can take prior to leaving the U.S. with your
belongings to assist both customs authorities in determining the goods'
admissibility and to avoid complications when clearing Customs in Canada
and the U.S.
1. Prepare an inventory list of the items you are transporting and present
it when you declare your goods to the Canadian Customs (going into Canada)
and U.S. CBP officers (when reentering the U.S.).
2. Present documentation to the Canadian Customs officer to prove you
do not intend to stay in Canada. For example, if you are moving to another
U.S. State for employment reasons, a letter of employment can be presented
to Canadian Customs. A new signed lease or mortgage for a new house in
the U.S. would also be sufficient proof of your intent.
3. Register any equipment with serial numbers on a Certificate of Registration
form (CBP 4457) with an U.S. CBP officer prior to leaving the U.S. You
must physically take the equipment to a Customs port of entry and have
a CBP officer fill out the form and stamp it. You will need to present
the form when you reenter the U.S. with the equipment. (If you have sales
receipts for these items, you do not have to register them with customs
- just make sure you have the receipts handy.)
4. Avoid taking items that are restricted or prohibited from entering
Canada. For instance, household plants and dirt generally can enter Canada
temporarily. However, under no circumstances can outdoor plants or firewood
enter Canada. Additionally, firearms are prohibited by Canadian Customs
from entering in-transit. Firearms are only allowed to enter with hunters
during hunting season. Ammunition is not prohibited and you are allowed
to pass through with up to 5000 rounds of ammunition.
5. Avoid purchasing goods in Canada that are restricted or prohibited
from entering the U.S. For instance, beef products and eggs are not admissible
at this time, neither is pet food containing meat or poulty. Also, citrus
or tropical fruits purchased in Canada are prohibited. Fruit and vegetables
that are grown in Canada, such as apples, peaches, etc, may be admissible,
but must be declared and presented for examination.
When entering Canada, you will not be required to fill out a declaration.
The inventory list will be sufficient. However, you may be required to
fill out a Customs declaration CBP 6059B when returning to the U.S. It
would be helpful to present the inventory list as well. If you registered
equipment prior to leaving the U.S., present the certificate of registration.
Any purchases acquired while you were in Canada must be declared on
the CBP 6059B. These items may be subject to duty, unless you stayed
in Canada for 48 hours or more, In which case you will be eligible for
an $800 duty-free personal exemption. The next $1,000 worth of your purchases
will be subject to a flat rate of 3%. The duty rate for goods purchased
valued over $1,800, will be subject to duty rates in the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule. If you were in Canada for less than 48 hours, you will be eligible
for a $200 exemption. The remaining value will be subject to duty rates
in the HTS.
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