transferring goods to USC spouse to take to US

[configuration 2]

Hi,

My wife and I are in the early stages of our CR-1 petition. We hope to get the visa by October or November. She is the USC, I am a Canadian citizen.

When we do get the visa, I will move to the US immediately. However, we are moving into a new place in her city this summer (before my green card comes through). Our plan is to combine all the belongings from our two separate apartments. I will help her move, and will try to be down there as much as possible during the summer and early Fall, but will be careful to maintain my residence in Canada and not to overstay at any point.

My question: is it feasible for us to move some of my belongings to the new place in the US, even before the visa is issued? We were thinking of moving some furniture and kitchen stuff, which are currently in my apartment. I cannot take the items down myself because I will not yet be a US resident. Can I 'gift' these to my wife, and can she then hire a moving company or PODS to move these items from Canada to the US? Would there be any tax or customs implications for her in this case? All items are used and have been in my possession for a few years. In the eyes of the CBP, does the fact that we are married imply that items that belong to me automatically belong to her too (and perhaps are tax exempt in that case)? To be clear, she is not a Canadian resident.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

Edited April 12, 2012 by configuration

[Inky 1,111]

She will pay duty and tax on them. Just wait until you move and its duty / tax free.

You cant move your stuff before you move, there have been people ( US citizens ) who were told to put the items of their spouses in storage or throw them away before crossing into the USA because they were not allowed to bring them early. Even someone with just a trunk of clothing was told they could not bring it into the USA early.

[configuration 2]

I see. Thanks for the reply.

From what I understand, though, she is still allowed to take $800 worth of goods tax and duty free back with her to the US. Would there be any issue in my giving her $800 worth of goods to take back with her? (I suppose we would have to make some guess as to the fair market value).

Thanks.