Do I need to do anything special beyond just declaring prize items at the border?
May 30, 2018 | 8:14 pm
#1
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Do I need to do anything special beyond just declaring prize items at the border?
Does anyone have experience with the following? I'm not even sure what to Google (I've tried a few things, but nothing quite matches what I'm doing).
I'm going on a recruiting trip to Waterloo on Sunday.
As part of htis, I am bringing some items to give out to students as prizes, such as:
Backpacks
Google Home Minis
Paper notebooks
etc.
The total retail value of everything is well under $500.
Do I need to do anything special beyond just declaring it at the border? Am I going to need an itemized list for them to assess any taxes/duties?
Basically I just want to make this is easy as possible. I'm not concerned about having to pay any money (as it can obviously be expensed), but I am concerned about doing anything illegal
I'm going on a recruiting trip to Waterloo on Sunday.
As part of htis, I am bringing some items to give out to students as prizes, such as:
Backpacks
Google Home Minis
Paper notebooks
etc.
The total retail value of everything is well under $500.
Do I need to do anything special beyond just declaring it at the border? Am I going to need an itemized list for them to assess any taxes/duties?
Basically I just want to make this is easy as possible. I'm not concerned about having to pay any money (as it can obviously be expensed), but I am concerned about doing anything illegal
May 30, 2018 | 8:59 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Does anyone have experience with the following? I'm not even sure what to Google (I've tried a few things, but nothing quite matches what I'm doing).
I'm going on a recruiting trip to Waterloo on Sunday.
As part of htis, I am bringing some items to give out to students as prizes, such as:
Backpacks
Google Home Minis
Paper notebooks
etc.
The total retail value of everything is well under $500.
Do I need to do anything special beyond just declaring it at the border? Am I going to need an itemized list for them to assess any taxes/duties?
Basically I just want to make this is easy as possible. I'm not concerned about having to pay any money (as it can obviously be expensed), but I am concerned about doing anything illegal
I'm going on a recruiting trip to Waterloo on Sunday.
As part of htis, I am bringing some items to give out to students as prizes, such as:
Backpacks
Google Home Minis
Paper notebooks
etc.
The total retail value of everything is well under $500.
Do I need to do anything special beyond just declaring it at the border? Am I going to need an itemized list for them to assess any taxes/duties?
Basically I just want to make this is easy as possible. I'm not concerned about having to pay any money (as it can obviously be expensed), but I am concerned about doing anything illegal
While Ive only bought in personal items before, when I was close to limit I did a quick spreadsheet listing each item/collection of which price in foreign currency and the converted value to CDN based on xe.com rate.
The officer took a look at my declared amount and said ah, what are these items. Im convinced I would have gone to secondary had I not pulled out the list. He took one look and said have a nice day.
May 30, 2018 | 10:25 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
assuming someone else paid for them, get a letter from them stating the purpose, that you are allowed to transport them, and probably a receipt plus their phone number.
With these sort of things, honesty and proof is the best way forward. At least thats my completely non legal point of view
May 31, 2018 | 12:14 pm
#5
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Okay I have an itemized list. I need to figure out how many of everything I have (we somewhat randomly divided the items between us), but I'd be surprised if I'm carrying over $250 worth of stuff.
I don't think I'll need a letter from anyone. It's mostly t-shirts, backpacks, pens, etc.
Thanks for the help.
I don't think I'll need a letter from anyone. It's mostly t-shirts, backpacks, pens, etc.
Thanks for the help.
Jun 13, 2018 | 11:24 am
#8
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Haha the title was written by a moderator who moved my post here from another thread. I would have worded it a little differently, because it came across a bit like that to me too.
Jun 13, 2018 | 8:10 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2016
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Out if interest, if can divulge, how did it go? I imagine regardless that YMMV based on ones demeanour, travel patterns and history, and agent, but would still be interested.
Jun 13, 2018 | 10:24 pm
#10
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I filled out the declaration card on the flight. I was not going to use NEXUS.
I checked the box in the visitor section to indicate I was over my limit.
At the desk, I told the officer I had $250 in items like pens and backpacks to give out to students at UW for recruiting. I handed her the itemized list.
She spent some time on her computer, but crossed out what the kiosk had printed on my form, wrote a new one, and sent me on my way.
No secondary.
My colleague did not declare anything.
So sure, it took me marginally longer to get through, but I'm happy that I didn't put my NEXUS at risk.
I checked the box in the visitor section to indicate I was over my limit.
At the desk, I told the officer I had $250 in items like pens and backpacks to give out to students at UW for recruiting. I handed her the itemized list.
She spent some time on her computer, but crossed out what the kiosk had printed on my form, wrote a new one, and sent me on my way.
No secondary.
My colleague did not declare anything.
So sure, it took me marginally longer to get through, but I'm happy that I didn't put my NEXUS at risk.
Jun 14, 2018 | 4:47 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
I filled out the declaration card on the flight. I was not going to use NEXUS.
I checked the box in the visitor section to indicate I was over my limit.
At the desk, I told the officer I had $250 in items like pens and backpacks to give out to students at UW for recruiting. I handed her the itemized list.
She spent some time on her computer, but crossed out what the kiosk had printed on my form, wrote a new one, and sent me on my way.
No secondary.
My colleague did not declare anything.
So sure, it took me marginally longer to get through, but I'm happy that I didn't put my NEXUS at risk.
I checked the box in the visitor section to indicate I was over my limit.
At the desk, I told the officer I had $250 in items like pens and backpacks to give out to students at UW for recruiting. I handed her the itemized list.
She spent some time on her computer, but crossed out what the kiosk had printed on my form, wrote a new one, and sent me on my way.
No secondary.
My colleague did not declare anything.
So sure, it took me marginally longer to get through, but I'm happy that I didn't put my NEXUS at risk.
Jun 20, 2018 | 5:33 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: KWI
Programs: I travel for fun these days.
Posts: 383
All Canada Customs is ever looking for is their cash grab. Itemized list and/or receipts make things go really smooth. Be honest and usually all you pay is the GST (plus alcohol tax and tariffs on diamonds from certain countries I've learned...).