We moved in about 2 weeks and the focus for us was booking flights and getting the International movers in to pack us up, we were moving from New Zealand to Halifax NS. Now we have heard lots about Goods to Follow lists etc, so I took the itinerary with us, but we werent informed of anything else by our International Movers, they said that Customs would want the intinerary when the container lands.

So we landed 3 weeks ago, we were asked about our luggage, but nothing regarding our Goods to Follow, I wasnt expecting to deal with it at that time so didnt ask either. We got our stuff with Immigration (WP) sorted and we got our customs cards stamped and we were on our way.

Now our container is due in any day, I am reading more about the GTF stuff and how I need our original Customs form from landing.....good luck finding that now. Generally I am concerned that because this wasnt raised at landing that we are going to face issues. Also we didnt itemize the individual details of our belongings, the product numbers and so on.

Any advice please??

When you came through Customs / Immigration for the first time, you should have filled in a landing card. There should have been a box to tick saying you had goods to follow. Can you remember if you ticked that?

Secondly, your movers should have given you a packing list.... you would have been required by them to put values next to your various goods for insurance. If you don't have a copy, get one from your shipper.

I had to go down to customs when my container arrived (I was notified by the Canadian end of the moving company.... the people who will bring it from the port to your house). Customs were great, it took about 10 minutes and then they released it to the movers. If you've any doubts, call the shippers.

Well I cant remember now ticking that box................is this going to pose a huge issue?

Well I have an itinerary but not the form I sent back to the shippers for the insurance - that all literally happened in a matter of a week and we were packed and gone. It wasnt until we were flying out the door, trying to lock it behind us that they wanted us to sign each page of the itinerary and wanted a copy of my passport!

And we have boxes that they have labeled as packed by owner - these were well packed boxes of loft items that they just stuck tape on and didnt bother going through - is this a huge red flag for customs?

I see I get a week free storage at the dock and then day 7 they start charging, this irritates the Grinch in me because there is no physical means that I can get that container to my house and emptied in that time. For starters the contianer slipped into port without my shipping company's knowledge, even though they have taken great lengths to try to divert my constant emails by telling me that they get advance warning of 48 hours. So we no assume it is here, as of Friday, though waiting for confirmation of that. But then we are waiting on snail mail to get forms from Quebec to us in Halifax and sent back, then we get the customs thing done - probably me on my own going down to the dock.......................weeks later it might get released I guess! Well it has to be a minimum of 2 weeks away having looked at the information the Canadian company has sent me, relying on snail mail as I said (3-6 days as they tell me).

And when it comes, will they take all the wrapping away with them? When we landed in NZ and had the same service there, the NZ side of the operation were appaulling to say the very least. They actually siad they didnt have the time that day to do the job properly as they hadnt been informed about how much stuff we had etc................they were not the most motivated bunch and I didnt want to insist. There we were for 4 years trying to shift wrapping and boxes!

Gripe over

worst case - they won't release the stuff until each item has been checked and then you have to pay duties and import taxes as you did not produce a GTF list when you landed.

Best case, they let it slide with a slapped wrist.

As for wrapping. I think most people here have had their container delivered and emptied. The unpacking is something they've had to do themselves. so be prepared for a huge pile of wrapping again. That is if they release your container.

I'm not going to even bother worrying about a worst case scenario, likely they will realize that I dont do this for a living and cut us some slack - if not, we will face it when it happens. This is the second relocation for us, and beleive me, worse things have happened.

Rather hoped someone would answer with some direct similar experience, seems like its just me then

OMG Rachel, not more stress. I hope it all works out fine.

Jeez woman, arent you in bed already??

No stress, just another needless thread as I work through my new thought. Usual stuff. No worries, by hook or by crook, there will be a bed for you guys soon! Even if I have to give you my inflatable bed and I sleep on the floor with the puppy............................................. .....

On the night shift again. Surfing courtesy of the NHS

Nice one lady - like your style!

Hi Poppy

I would just go into the Canada WIKI and print the GTF forms off and cross reference them to your shippers forms.

Please do not worry about this as if you are coming on a TWP it is quite possible that at the airport that you werent asked for your GTF forms or if you mentioned them that they said that they dont want to see them. This happened to me last August when I landed on a SOWP.

As long as you have some GTF forms to show CBSA when you go to collect your container then you will be ok.

Stop worrying hun

Gaynor
x

..........Kissing the ground you walk on...............thank you! Glad it wasnt just me that these things happen to, because it usually is!

Will print those forms off and get them completed - I WANT MY SOFA AND A TABLE TO EAT AT!!!!

When I asked OH what he has missed in the container he said a cabinet we own............... Can I sit on it, sleep in it or eat off it??? He's simple soul

Hi again Poppy

I remember before we came out here I spent so long worrying over GTF forms and then when I landed and mentioned to the customs lady about GTF she said that as I was over on a TWP that it would be on claiming the container that the GTF form would only be needed when we went to the poe to claim the container.

All I did was fill out the B4 - tick the Goods to follow box - and then write "see shippers itinerary" and then estimate how much our worldly goods were worth and then sign it.

When you go and pick up your container and declare those goods into the country the CBSA will give you another form to quickly fill in in respect of if you are carrying anything that you should be. Dont worry about anything if you do this you will be fine.

Gay
x

When we landed in Vancouver in November we weren't asked about our goods to follow list either, or our goods accompanying list either.

Anyway, our Canadian handler recently asked for the list of goods from our UK mover, a list I'd also written of the boxes we'd packed ourselves along with the completed B4 forms for customs and it all cleared and went really smoothly.

Try not to worry, I'm sure it'll be fine.

Zoe M. x

Hi all

I dont know if anyone has tried this but , can i send my stuff without having a work permit , ive had a few job offers and i want to check them out whilst my stuff is on its way

I have no idea, the best place to look is BE Wiki and also the CIC site too. Probably best to send it after you know where you will be and what you will be doing, it could be an expensive mistake if not!

Good Luck, sorry I dont know more to help.