Permanent Resident

International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for Canada CANADA On behalf of UniGroup Relocation, we will be coordinating the shipmen...
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Canada

CANADA On behalf of UniGroup Relocation, we will be coordinating the shipment of your goods to Canada. To simplify the process, we have outlined the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition. This will also review your responsibilities in assisting with this process In addition to the points below; the following pages will outline the requirements, which will be facilitated by our local representative in Canada to complete the clearance. They will assist with each item specific to your shipment so please be assured they will do whatever is necessary to facilitate a quick and efficient clearance. The documentation process can take a few days up to 10 days plus the transportation – airfreight – 3 to 4 weeks and ocean – 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the on origin. It is extremely important that you take a few moments to review these important requirements, as they will allow us to process the release of your personal property through foreign customs. Customs and immigration requirements are established by the country of import and not by UniGroup Relocation. This guide has been designed to assist clients understand and comply with country-specific requirements. Substantial effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is current and correct. Substantial effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is current and correct. UniGroup Relocation assumes no liability for changes in the law or interpretation by enforcement personnel as it exists at the time you and/or your goods enter the country.

Visa Requirements – Details Please advise your local representative or UniGroup Relocation Representative of the “Type” of passport or visa you will be travelling under (working visa, temporary visa, diplomatic, etc.). The Customs Official reviews the packing list and the rest of the paperwork to confirm everything is in order. Shipments are usually cleared following an interview with a Customs Official. In some cases, the Custom Official may require an inspection of the goods.

Required Documents Returning Residents/ Permanent Resident Visa

Effective: April 10, 2012

Details A returning resident is someone who has left the CANADA and has been given permission to come back again to live in the CANADA, with no time limit. Passport or travel document. A recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm) color photograph. This should be taken against a light colored background clear and of good quality and not framed or backed printed on normal photographic paper, and full face and without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless applicant wears this for cultural or religious reasons. • Original valid passport • Proof of being out of the country for more than one year e., Letter of Employment, copy of resident visa abroad, utility bills, rent/mortgage receipts, etc. • Valued inventory. The regulations require submission of a detailed valued inventory, yet a declaration of a total value will often suffice.)

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Canada

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Temporary Resident

Copy of shipping manifest Any documents completed/stamped by Customs upon arrival at the airport e.g., B4E.B4 form and file number issued by customs at time of arrival in Canada.

Visa

Passport or travel document. A recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm) color photograph. This should be taken against a light colored background clear and of good quality and not framed or backed printed on normal photographic paper, and full face and without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless applicant wears this for cultural or religious reasons. • Original valid passport • Valued inventory. The regulations require submission of a detailed valued inventory, yet a declaration of a total value will often suffice.) • Copy of shipping manifest • Any documents completed/stamped by Customs upon arrival at the airport e.g., B4E. • B4 form and file number issued by customs at time of arrival in Canada.

Work Permit

Work permits are issued by Work Permits (CANADA), part of the Home Office's Immigration and Nationality Directorate. A work permit relates to a specific person and a specific job. The work permit scheme lets CANADA employers recruit or transfer people from outside. • Work permit

Landed Immigrant Visa

Requirements for Work Permit: • A support letter from applicant’s employer with confirmation of employment. New immigrants to Canada must have their Permanent Resident Card (PR Card in hand prior to shipment of personal effects can be shipped to Canada. Passport or travel document. A recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm) color photograph. This should be taken against a light colored background clear and of good quality and not framed or backed printed on normal photographic paper, and full face and without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless applicant wears this for cultural or religious reasons. • Original valid passport • Valued inventory. The regulations require submission of a detailed valued inventory, yet a declaration of a total value will often suffice.) • Copy of shipping manifest • Landed immigrant paper • New immigrants to Canada must have their Permanent Resident Card (PR Card in hand prior to shipment of personal effects can be

Effective: April 10, 2012

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Canada

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shipped to Canada. Resident card Any documents completed/stamped by Customs upon arrival at the airport e.g., B4E. B4 form and file number issued by customs at time of arrival in Canada.

Documents Requirements – Details There are no forms to be prepared in advance of the Shipper’s departure for Canada. When the Shipper arrives by plane from an international origin, they will be handed a “Declaration Card’ by the airplane crew on board. The Shipper should indicate that they have goods that have been shipped and are not accompanying them. This will prompt the Customs Official at the airport to create a file for the shipment. The Customs Official at the airport may ask the Shipper for a packing list of items shipped so that it can be reviewed and stamped as viewed. Shipper should keep a copy of the inventories available when travelling. Customs may ask for a value of the shipment, which is part of the normal procedure. Customs may also ask for detailed values of each item in the shipment. If a valued inventory is available for insurance purposes, this can be presented. A returning Canadian citizen/resident who has been living abroad for more than one year is exempt of duties and taxes upon his return. This exemption is for household goods that have been used by the shipper for more than 6 months before shipping it to Canada, and of which its single item values are less than CAD 10000. If any single item has a higher value, duties and taxes are charged on the amount of excess of CAD 10000. When the shipment arrives into Canada, according to Canada Customs regulations, the shipper must appear in person before Customs to clear their shipments. The local representatives will prepare all the customs paperwork they will require. The Shipper will need to bring along the forms given to them by Customs at the airport, in addition to required documents.

Duties Note: For customs clearance in Canada, only the owners of the household goods or their spouse are the only people who can clear customs. In order to clear customs, the owner of the goods must present themselves and all applicable paperwork in person to customs. The owner of the goods must be available to clear when the goods arrive to avoid storage or demurrage charges. Only Diplomats may appoint an agent to clear on their behalf and this is not the case with all diplomatic shipments.

Duty-free entry is permitted if the following requirements are met: •

The importer has lived at least 12 month outside of Canada.

Restricted and Prohibited – Imports Effective: April 10, 2012

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Canada

All countries, including Canada prohibit and restrict the importation of certain dangerous or sensitive items.

Restricted and Prohibited Items:

• • •

Radio transmitters (walkie-talkies and CB radios) that have not been approved for use in the Canada. Explosives and fireworks. Offensive weapons such as flick knives, swordsticks, knuckle-dusters and some martial arts equipment. Food products, meat and dairy. (Some non-perishable and dry food items may be imported in limited quantities, verify prior to packing. Unlicensed drugs, such as heroin, morphine, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines, barbiturates and LSD. All firearms and ammunition. (see below) Pornographic materials



All obscene material, hate propaganda.

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Importing Firearms

Canada has strict laws governing the cross-border movement, possession and use of firearms. All goods, including firearms, must be declared to Canada Customs & Revenue Agency at first point of entry. A visitor may import a nonrestricted firearm, such as a sporting rifle or shotgun, only for the following purposes: • • • •

Sporting or hunting use while in Canada Bonafide competition use; Transport through Canada to another country; Protection against wildlife in remote areas of Canada (excluding national parks) if the customs officer is satisfied that the circumstances warrant the firearm’s importation

NO special documentation is currently required to import non-restricted firearms. Handguns are classed a restricted firearms and may be imported only for use at approved shooting competitions. A Permit to carry, which may be obtained from Canadian police agency, is required. Requests for a Permit to Transport restricted firearms (e.g. most handguns) through Canada to other parts of the U.S., including Alaska, or another country are normally denied. Visitors should discuss their options with Canada Customs & Revenue Agency customs officials before leaving for Canada. Certain handguns and ALL automatic weapons are classed as prohibited firearms and are bannd from entering Canada. Severe penalties and confiscation apply to the possession of illegal firearms in Canada. Before importing a firearm, you should check with a firearms officer for the Canadian province or territory you intend to enter. For more information and the addresses of these officials, see the brochure “Importing a Firearm or Weapon into Canada”, or memorandum D19-13-2, Importation of Offensive Weapons. You may get both of these publications at any Canada Customs and Revenue Agency customs office.

Effective: April 10, 2012

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Canada

Importing Alcohol If you meet the minimum age requirements of the province or territory where you enter Canada, you can include limited quantities of alcoholic beverages in your personal entitlement. Minimum ages for the important of alcoholic beverages, as prescribed by provincial or territorial authority are as follows: • 18 years for Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec



19 years for Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador

You are allowed to import only one of the following amounts of alcohol free of duty and taxes: • 1.5 litres (53 imperial ounces) of wine • 1.14 litres (40 ounces of liquor • A total of 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of wine and liquor • 24 x 355 milliliter (12 ounces cans or bottles (maximum of 8.5 litres) of beer or ale Note: The quantities of alcohol you can bring in must be within your exemption limit set by the province or territory where you entered Canada. If the value of the goods is more than the free allowance, you will have to pay both customs and provincial/territorial assessments. In Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, you cannot bring more than the free allowance of alcohol. For more information, check with the appropriate provincial or territorial liquor control authority before your arrival to Canada as you may require an Import Liquor Permit.

Restricted and Prohibited – Exports •

Not available.

Motor Vehicles – Imports If you need to import a vehicle into Canada, be aware of the Canadian import laws. The vehicle must meet the requirements of the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA), Transport Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) before it can be imported. For returning Canadian citizen/resident, a vehicle may be imported if it was originally manufactured for Canadian or U.S. (modifications may be needed) markets or if it’s older than 15 years. Vehicles not manufactured for Canadian or U.S. markets are not allowed to be imported. For temporary residents, the above restrictions do not apply. They can import their vehicles as long as they are reexported at the expiration of their work permits. Temporary import vehicles may not be sold or disposed of in Canada. These requirements apply to cars, trucks, vans motorcycles, snow mobiles, motor homes, trailers or any other equipment mounted on rims and tires. A vehicle cannot be imported that was manufactured to meet the safety standards of a country other than the U.S. or Canada unless the vehicle is the following. Effective: April 10, 2012

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Canada

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15 years or older (excluding buses) A bus manufactured before January 1, 1971 Entering Canada temporarily

If your vehicle is less than 15 years or is bus manufactured on or after Jan. 1, 1971, you must prove that your vehicle qualifies for one of the above exemptions. Vehicles must be completely clean of any type of dirt. A certificate of cleaning is recommended.

Motor Vehicles – Exports •

Not available.

Pets The requirements to transport dogs and cats may vary per country. If you wish to ship your pet, please contact the airline or country Consulate/Embassy for specific details concerning your type, breed and documentation for pets.

Effective: April 10, 2012

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Canada

IMPORTANT CUSTOMS REMINDER Customs and immigration requirements are established by the country of import, not by UniGroup Relocation and are subject to change without notice by the country of import. All regulations may vary according to the customer’s nationality or immigration status. This guide has been designed to assist clients understand and comply with country-specific requirements. Substantial effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is current and correct. UniGroup Relocation cannot be responsible for changes in the law, or interpretation by immigration or customs enforcement personnel, or non-compliance with the law as it exists at the time you and/or your goods enter the country. Contact with the local Consulate or Embassy for further information concerning your specific visa, residence and entry situation is strongly recommended prior to planning your move.

Effective: April 10, 2012

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Canada

WOOD PACKAGING MATERIAL International wood packing requirements are in accordance with ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures: Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade*) as of 5 July 2006: *ISPM 15 is produced by the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). ISPM 15 requires certain phytosanitary procedures, in particular heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation, relating to wood packaging material (including dunnage) made of raw wood in use in international trade; the phytosanitary procedures are meant to minimize the risk of introducing and spreading certain pests that live and breed in raw wood.

REQUIREMENTS OF ISPM 15 Wood packaging material in the form of: • Packing cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings • Pallets, box pallets, skids, and other load boards • Pallet collars • actually in use in the transport of objects of all kinds, except: • Raw wood of 6mm thickness or less • Processed wood produced by glue, heat and pressure, or any combination thereof

Effective: April 10, 2012

The wood packaging material shall: • Be subject to one of the approved measures as specified in Annex I To FAO ISPM 15 (currently, heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation) • Display a mark with: o The two-letter ISO Country Code (in place of XX in the image below) o A code identifying the producer (in place of 000 in the image below) o The code identifying the approved measure applied to the wood packing material in the mark as specified in Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (in place of YY in the image below; examples are HT For “Heat Treatment” and MB for “Methyl Bromide Fumigation”) o Where “debarking” is required, the letters “DB” shall be added to the abbreviation of the approved measure included in the said mark o The logo as specified in Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (this logo is the ippc trademarked graphic symbol shown in the image below on the left side)

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Canada

REQUIREMENTS OF ISPM 15 (Continued) Wood packaging material in the form of:

•TheMarkings should be: wood packaging material shall: 1. Permanent and not transferable 2. Legible and visible, preferably on at least two opposite sides of the article being certified • •

Be marked in accordance with Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (see directly above under "Display a mark with:") If not, at a minimum it should be made from bark-free wood that is free from pests and signs of live pests

DUNNAGE, i.e. wood used to wedge or support non-wood cargo, including that which has not kept its natural round surface except: • Raw wood of 6mm thickness or less • Processed wood produced by glue, heat and pressure, or a combination thereof

Effective: April 10, 2012

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