Moving to the USA

Joel
New Member



Joined: 05 Oct 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Edmonton

Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:37 pm

 

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I have a few questions.

I (US/Canadian) am planning on driving a load of my stuff across the boarder in the near future, and want to be prepared. I plan on driving across with my oldest boy (18 and has applied for green card) and a couple of his brothers (they have US citzenship), the load will consist of my tools, lawn tractor, and 7 dirt bikes.

1) will I have trouble crossing with my son who is waiting for his green card?

2) what about the bikes do I need anything special to avoid trouble and/or duty?

3) if duty did apply how do they calculate the rate?

4) Where can I find a list of rules for moving to the USA?

5) I planned to keep the truck and trailer in the USA, and fly back to Canada to get more of my stuff, will I need to do anything to get the truck across legally?

Thanks for the help, joel

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Reba
Moderator


Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1451
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 3:10 am

 

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You will have to import the vehicles (bikes and truck) and will need to have at least a letter of compliance from the manufacturers. If you call their Canadian head offices, they should know what you're asking for.

Your son who does not yet have his green card may or may not have difficulty entering the US. Do you intend for him to remain in the US on this trip, or is he returning to Canada to wait out the remainder of the processing?
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Joel
New Member



Joined: 05 Oct 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Edmonton

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:58 am

 

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I am keeping my place in canada till the green card is finalized, the actual final move will happen then hopfully in the early spring.

I am bringing my oldest son to help with the driving and unpacking, I was hoping
this would not be a problem.

Does anyone have any idea on duty?

Thanks

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1592
Location: Calgary

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:22 am

 

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There is no duty on personal effects, if they try to charge you any they are wrong. The only slight problem is if the goods have been in your possession for less than a year, but this is rarely something that CBP cotton onto unless it's brand new in the box.

Vehicles have to be declared to CBP, they are given conditional approval while you get the EPA check done then you go to the local CBP office to get the final clearance. Once you've done that you can get the title swapped and get them registered. Dirt bikes though are largely down to the compliance letter as they don't need to be registered. Have a look at:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/importing_car.xml

There are some shyster freight forwarders out there who tell you to use them because they can help you avoid duty. There is no duty. Be warned.

Also the best piece of advice in that CBP information is "don't use your car as a shipping container". If you ever send a vehicle across unaccompanied it will arrive at the other end with stuff you put in it missing.
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Steve.

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