skytek

Hello

I'm heading to Ontario next week on the Bunac scheme to be with my long absent (10 months now!) partner. I'm putting together a few boxes of the last of my personal belongings but having a real struggle. Parcelforce want me to list, weigh and value every individual item in each box. It just seems ridiculous. Every dvd, ever pair of shoes, every teddy bear, every shirt. I don't have scales accurate enough to weigh a pair of socks and how do I list the value of everything when I don't know it?

Fedex are the same only less helpful to deal with and basically told me to call Canada fedex for more info.

The 3 or 4 parcels shouldn't have to be the most difficult part of this trip but so far they are, sigh.

Former Lancastrian

Ever think of regular parcel post? You ask for a declaration label fill it out yourself and voila boxes on the way. Now if you want expedited service then UPS, DHL, FEDEX etc are your best bet.

exenglishman

Hi, I faced a similar situation in 2010 when I came over. The reason they will be asking about the values of the items is for insurance, if you are posting $1000 worth of items, they need to charge you for insurance covering up to $1000. It quockly adds up in price too!!

May I suggest a much better option for you which I ended up doing? Package everything into a large box, and take it as excess luggage on the plane. Whatever you are being charged to ship to Ontario, flying with it is probably going to be cheaper. This way you bring it with yourself too, and you dont have to fill in the 'goods to follow' form

skytek

Thanks for the help. I believe the values was for Canadian Customs rather than just the insurance from the shipping company. I like your idea of taking it as excess baggage on the flight! The onply problem is I'll be getting my way to the airport by myself and I already have two suitcases and a huge musical instrument flight case to carry in and lug around myself so I wouldn't be able to manage another massive heavy box. Hmmm what to do what to do :s

Do I need to fill in a goods to follow form if I am posting the parcels to my partner in Canada? I have been sendig her stuff already like clothes and bits and bobs without hitch. I'm going to the post office tommorrow to see what they say. If thy can send these big boxes the same way they have always sent my smaller boxes of food and presents to Canada over the past 2 years I'd be happy to go with that. I have always thought there's a size/weight limit though.

exenglishman

As far as im aware, If your belongings are coming to Canada and they will be arriving after you (which they will) then I think yes. However I dont really know how they would find out so its your call? Its like the whole something to delcare thing, they only find out if they lookl

Which airport are you going from? If you could, I would suggest getting a taxi on the last leg (that gets you to the airport) then jumping out and grabbing a trolley. That way you only have to push the trolley to the check in desk. I know what you mean though, I took a trip back home last month and brought stuff back with me to Canada, one of which being a Guitar in a hard case too and its a nightmare to carry with everything else. What worked best for me was a camping backpack, you can fill those things to the brim and best of all they weigh nothing on their own!! - another option for you. Anything that avoids post, because its so overpriced, and takes forever too!!

Which airport are you flying into? I can help with Public Transit advice for when you arrive if its Toronto... unless you have a ride from the airport that is!!

skytek

Thanks so much for the help! I have to fly from N.IReland to London, then to Toronto, so the baggage thing is a concern. I don't I will manage any more luggage than I have already so I am going to have to send the stuff by post. It's about 2 suit cases worth of clothes, DVDs, electrical items and bits and bobs. It's such a pain I have even thought about getting rid of most of it but I need it and it would be expensive to replace in Canana.

Once I get to Toronto my partner will be picking me up with the car so that end is no problem. Then we'll be off to resume our life once again

For any of you who are in an earlier stage than me and having to be apart from your partner, it won't be easy but it will be worth it in the end! Love is all that matters. Without love what's the point to anything?!

exenglishman

in that case the way your doing it sounds best, the connecting flight would be a nightmare having to collect everything then re-check it without being able to carry it all!

For when you arrive in Toronto, and for your peace of mind getting through passport control, it is by far the quickest out of any city I have been to in the world. Youl go through initial passport control where you present your letter from Bunac/IEC then they will send you into another area right next to this room where they will issue you your visa. From exiting the plane to seeing your loved one I would guess 30-45 mins max!

P.S if your applying common-law sponsorship in a years time, start getting proof i.e bank accounts joint leases straight away im learning the hard way now haha

Former Lancastrian

Not if Im dealing with him
Seriously 30-45 mins is not realistic if they are busy at Pearson. I know it can be done but Ive spent 30 mins just waiting for baggage and thats off a domestic flight. Id say bank on maybe 90 mins if really busy and anything quicker is a bonus to the waiting party.

skytek

Yea I've never had any problems at Toronto Pearson Intl before. I love that airport! We're going to be renting a short term for 3 months but in my partners name not both of ours. Then we'll be getting a place for the rest of the year as a joint lease if possible. I would hope that keeping records of splitting the bills would be enough for those forst few months but I'm worried now. I work for myself running a business back home online so my working setup is more complicated than most in this situation. I just have a feeling the PR thing is going to be a nightmare so it's best to start planning it as soon as I arrive there.

I'm so confused about the work part and tax and applying for PR but being self employed running a business that doesn't empoly anyone. Oh but in 10 days I should be there and life will be good again so it's ok!

exenglishman

Tax is pretty straightforward out here so dont worry about it. Youl pay it back at the end of the finnancial year so just keep money aside for it. Depending on what your business is too, you can write off alot of expenses over here, and if your business is based out of your home you can write off even more (% of rent, utilities etc!)

Being self employed wont affect your PR if its family class spousal sponsorship (common law) you will be applying for, as its not income assessed for yourself or your sponsor.

And dont worry about not having a joint lease for 3 months, just keep other proof like as you said bank statements showing transfer/split bills, photos of trips you took etc etc. Get a joint bank account as early as you can, for rent or something as that will def help. Im doing the application at the moment and havnt had a joint leases for the entire year, just the split costs and transfers, tons of photos, cards, trip receipts etc etc, joint savings, joint benefits, it all helps! If your really worried about that 3 months with no lease, just apply for the IEC visa in Jan/Feb and that will give you another 1 year visa after your Bunac one has expired, by which time you will have that 1 year leases! hope that helps!