Questions about how to prepare for your first arrival in Canada - customs, proof of funds, initial settlement help, etc... Tell us what happened when you first landed in Canada.
Tax on personal effects
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hi Posts: 3
Posted On: 8/11/2016
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I and my family landed on Toronto in December 2014 and got permanent residency.
We did not submit B4 form that time and returned to our country after a week stay in Toronto.
Now we came to Toronto to settle here for good and want to bring our personal belongings by shipment, so we showed B4 form to the officer at the airport but he said he cannot give a stamp on it and there is nothing I can do but pay tax on our belongings.
I called the Border Information Services (BIS) and I was told to go to the CBSA office in Mississauga and explain my problem to the officer but the staff on the phone said she cannot guarantee because it is the officer's discretion.
So I am wondering what is the possibility of getting a stamp on the B4 form by visiting the office in Mississauga.
I really regret that I did not know that I had to obtain a stamp on the form at the time of the first landing.
Any assistance is highly appreciated.
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Moderator Moderator Posts: 4075
Posted On: 8/16/2016
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Hello,
Thanks for sharing your situation and questions with us.
According to some Border Information Services (BIS) representatives, it is possible that due to the length of time since landing, the exemption on taxes may have been forfeited.
Again, it is up to the officer and they stated that if the officer is not satisfied or convinced that it was to have originally been included on a Goods to Follow list, then you may be subject to the tax and duty.
In the event that you have to pay, you will have to pay 13% tax on the used value of the items. They stated that when allocated a used value to your items, you may want to think of it in terms of how much you would be able to sell it for at a garage sale. That is the amount you should allocate to your used items.
An additional 9.5% duty on the used value of any furniture. The amount of duty on other items such as used clothing and textiles can vary depending on where they are made. The duty can be from 0 to 20% of the used value.
Again, if you need to contact the Border Information Services (BIS), you can contact them again directly for some additional information on your specific situation.
You can contact them at:
1-800-461-9999
I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.
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Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
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hi Posts: 3
Posted On: 8/18/2016
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Thank you very much for your reply.
I want to know how much tax must be paid to receive my personal effects as exactly as possible so I called the Boarder Information Services again but it was very difficult to understand what the staff said on the phone. My English is not good enough to understand such complicated matters by talking on the phone, so I would like to talk with someone face to face if possible. Please let me know if there are any information services I can ask for help.
I cannot send shipment without knowing what percentage of tax is imposed on each single item.
What I want to know is;
What percentage exactly is imposed on items such as toys, books, clothing, and home electronic appliances.
You said 13 percent of used value is taxed on some items. How is the "used value" is calculated? Who decides the "used value"? Am I supposed to report the value by myself?
It sounds it is such a time-consuming task to calculate tax amount on each single item. How long does it take until I can receive the personal effects after my shipment arrives at Toronto?
Your support is highly appreciated. Thank you very much.
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Moderator Moderator Posts: 4075
Posted On: 8/18/2016
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Hello,
Thank you for sharing your additional information with us.
It may be best if you contact the nearest Settlement agency and speak to a Settlement Worker to see if they can help you determine what you are required to do in your situation.
You can find the nearest settlement agency/settlement worker by using our Settlement.Org Services Near Me tool.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.
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Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
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