Hi all

When our container arrives in Calgary, does my husband have to be present to clear it or can we pay someone else to do this? My hubby is a trucker and would have to take days off to go into Calgary when the container arrives then take more time off when it gets delivered to our new house. We are trying to avoid him taking too much time off so he can have a couple of weeks at home when the kids and I arrive at the end of April. Not sure if I have read this right or not but is it possible to pay a broker to clear our goods for us?

Thanks for any help as always

When we bought our goods over we said goodbye to it at our old house and didn't see it again until it got to our new house so I would say you can get someone to do it for you. Your shippers can help - they did everything for us.

All depends on your arrangement with the shipper. Check the contract. You can also ask the shipper to arrange clearances and their broker will get in touch with you. If you are looking for a broker, we use Pacific Customs Brokers, they are very efficient.

when our container came to edmonton, we went to the customs office and signed the paperwork and left again.. took about 30 mins... and then the container turned up at the house (after organising dates etc) .

the paperwork is for the contents ie any vehicles, guns, garden equipment etc - for them to judge whether they should impound it or not to double check.

we took our packing list and the shipping companies packing list (our personal one was more details as to contents ie box 86 has kids books where shipping just said house contents (for every box)

good luck!

Hi Jo

I had to go to the Canadian side shippers pick some documents up and then go to CBSA offices (not the one at the airport) and clear the paperwork before the shippers could get the container from CBSA.

5 hour round trip for 30 minutes and no problems

Thanks for your replies guys

I think I will have to call the shipper I am using as I'm still not clear on whether we can pay someone or not....but I am having a frazzled day

You know Jo am pretty sure that you have to clear it yourself

Thanks Gay...pain in the rear end though Oh well, OH will have to time it to get a load into Calgary....where are the CBSA offices?

Our Experience was that we had to go in person to Customs House in the NE of Calgary where we met our shippers. We had to present our Goods to follow customs officials to make sure it resembled the same goods list the shippers had.
The guys from the shipping company walked us through it and the customs guys were great.

We didn't

We did. Or, at least, SWBO had to go in person to Toronto to clear it (the shipping contract was in her name, so I didn't have to go). Pretty straightforward and all very friendly according to her. We are expecting the goods here in a week or so

Our container came in through Tippett & Richardson in Calgary - we went to their office, dropped off some paperwork and then left again.

Customs cleared our container the next day - we offered to be present, but were told it was not necessary (even though they were searching it ) and the stuff arrived at our house the following afternoon.

No you don't. If you don't clear a shipment yourself, you give a power of attorney to a broker who does it on your behalf.

So if I contact the brokers you mentioned, for a fee, they could clear the shipment for my hubby and he doesn't have to be there? Sorry if I sound dumb but I just want to make completely sure before I tell my hubby whether he has to go or not. I think I will send Pacific an email and ask them. Thanks

When they searched your container ann was it just a random search ? did they damage anything ?