Crossing the border with our stuff

[Darthabyssus 0]

Hey Visa Gang,

I shall first state I'm the Immigrating Canadian married to an American. Problems developed where my father decided to sell our house (he was co-owner) when we were not ready and our stuff was going to be sent to us in PODS. Since I don't have my A number yet, they refused. We've been forced to pay $500 a month for storage and bills keep piling, so I suggested to my wife she go back up to Canada and rent a U-haul to get our things back in U.S. Will the U.S. border have an issue with that. She's an American and she has a right to her stuff to be sure. My wife worries that they'll somehow flag what's my stuff or something to that effect. Would it be safe to move our stuff back now or should we wait?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

~ Moved from AOS from Family Based Visas to Moving to the US and Your New Life in America - topic about moving/importing belongings ~

[Jawaree 717]

They cant stop her from bringing the stuff but she will pay tax to get it in ( not cheap)

If you brought it in after getting GC there would be a free relocation for you allowing

you personal items, work tools etc

[jfgk1987 303]

I went to get my husband's stuff but I did not use a U-Haul; filled my car to the brim with his clothes and other stuff. You're supposed to have a list of everything and the estimated value but I tooootally forgot to do that, CPB didn't seem to care. They didn't even bother to check my car aside from peeking in the window. I didn't have to pay a thing except the toll, just used my EZ-Pass. This link might help.

[Darthabyssus 0]

Ok, that's useful. But does anyone know if the border considers a couple's property as communal or individual? My wife has stuff that's decades old, and together we have of course purchased new items together like a stove or couch and so on. And I have things I also brought in the marriage. I think my wife really wants to know if she tries to take it all, will the border know whose stuff is who's. Or should we wait for my A number to arrive?

Thanx gang

[NikLR 13,220]

If it's hers and she's migrating it back to the USA she shouldn't have to pay anything.

They may ask questions about it and if they're household goods and personal items she should be fine. She should make a list of the items (box 1 = books, box 2 = bathroom, box 3 = clothes). I'm going to assume here, that she was living in Canada with you before you spontaneously decided to AOS and live in the USA.