can a friend drive my things across the border

[Ja&Jo 1]

I just got my permanet resident card and I still have things in canada. A friend of mine is coming for a visit (next week) and I was wondering if it would be okay for her to drive a few bins down. Can she easily cross with them or should I fill out paper work?

I don't have much time to figure this out.

Thanks

[Jawaree 717]

Some CBP will ask about extra stuff if she is just visiting,

if U give her some proof that she is taking them for U which

can be checked out you should

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Yes, she can. To provide her with an uncomplicated entry you need to send her some documents to take with her when she crosses the border. I have found it best to provide a package that includes a cover letter addressed to US Customs or Whom It May Concern, explaining who your friend is, including her name, address, the vehicle she is driving and the license plate/tag number, explaining her relationship to you, and her travel dates, as well as providing information about your status in the US and the date you arrived in the US (you are allowed 10 years in which to bring in personal items duty free). Include a photocopy of your immigration document (PR card). Complete a CPB form 3299 "Customs Declaration form Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles" identifying your personal property. She will need to show that at the border.

This link provides you with useful information as well as the link to the 3299 formhttps://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/107/kw/Importing%20Unaccompanied%20Goods%20from%20Canada/session/L3RpbWUvMTQxMTMwNDA1OS9zaWQvaUF4dmJZMm0%3D .

I have had family and friends bring down personal belongings or items from my parent's estate after they died and in each case I sent them this package of information before hand. They had no problems. The only time anyone had problems was when my Dad decided to visit and brought some things down for me that I didn't know he was planning on bringing. He spent a fair bit of time at the border explaining who he was and what my status was in the US (he had forgotten to bring the copy of my green card with him). They finally called me on the phone, asked me my status and to describe my Dad and give his full name and birth date before they let him enter the US with the belongings.

I know of others who have arranged to have friends drive down their belongings and did not provide them with a copy of their status in the US nor the proper customs forms. Their friends were turned back at the border until they had the forms, so download the form, fill it out, prepare your letter, copy your green card and overnight express it to your friend so she has it when she reaches the border.

Edited September 21, 2014 by Kathryn41