Declaring engagement ring at border crossing

[VeeNDee 44]

Hi everyone - just wanted to share a positive experience with you. We got engaged this weekend and had decided we wanted to make sure to do everything legally and to the letter to hopefully avoid any technicality problems. We decided to declare the ring at the border when I drove back to Canada even though we would have to pay duty on it, just to avoid having it seized in the future or being found to have hidden something and causing border crossing issues.

Anyway, when it was my turn at the border crossing, the agent asked the standard questions (where are you from, where were you, why were you there and for how long and if I was bringing anything back with me). I replied that I was visiting my fiance for three days and that I had the engagement ring. He asked the value and I told him - then he asked to see the receipt (I had it with me for this purpose). He disappeared for a few seconds into the booth then returned saying (while pinching his finger and thumb together closely) that I was just a teeny bit over my limit. Let's be honest- I was way over my limit! Then he vanished again and returned, holding up the engagement ring receipt. He had stamped it with the border stamp and said if I was ever asked about whether or not I had paid duty on my ring in the future to show them the stamp and I'd be fine and then he waved me through. No duty! Couldn't believe it! I am so relieved So glad to meet a border agent in a good mood!

[mb3 0]

That's awesome, thanks for sharing! And, congrats on your engagement!

[EvilSquee 7]

Congrats! Out of curiousity where did you cross? If they're that friendly I bet that's a nice POE.

[Julie B. 2]

Wonderful news and congrats. E Harmony is the best! You must not have crossed at the Ambassador Bridge?

[benoi027 3]

Wow, this makes me sooo jealous! I've been engaged since October and wearing a $30 fake b/c we didn't want to risk paying duty on it! Thanks so much for sharing, and congrats!

I think I'm still too chicken to try though... don't want to risk getting a grumpy officer! Plus, I'm not too far off (fingers crossed!)from being done with this process!

[Kimbear 53]

Nice! that sounds like when David came through Truedeau Airport. They did the same thing. said congrats stamped his receipt and let him go.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I didn't even think about declaring my ring. I guess its good it never came up huh?

[VeeNDee 44]

Thanks for the congrats! We are super excited!!

I crossed at the Truck Crossing in Surrey southern BC--- but it's not always a nice POE. In the past I got rapid fire questioned by a female border officer for no apparent reason while coming home to Canada --he was still my boyfriend, I had just been there for 2 days, and I was bringing nothing back. But she wanted to know all the details of his job, my job, how we met, how often we met, what we did when I was there, where I stayed....the questions just kept on coming. I wanted to say to her "HELLO LET ME BACK INTO MY OWN COUNTRY!!!" -- not sure why she was like that. Anyway I did get back in. I'm thankful it happened on my way back home instead of going there to visit him. It seems like it is a hit and miss sort of thing, these border crossings!

By the way we are both looking forward to getting to know you through this process and have already received immeasurable help from reading these forums.

[Jen and Mikey 13]

Wonderful news and congrats. E Harmony is the best! You must not have crossed at the Ambassador Bridge?

that's where I cross. I've never had a problem there, they've always been friendly

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Congratulations on the engagement - my only question is why bother, so just curious what prompted you? I would never have declared my engagement ring. Anyone could come over the border with a new ring or it could be one they've had for a while and they wouldn't have the receipt (I never had the receipt anyway), how would the border guard prove it was new since engagement rings are normal?

[KTandTommy 31]

That's really sweet! Congrats on your engagement and yay for nice border agents!

[beejay 123]

Nice! Sometimes things work out okay

[TheFantastics09 19]

I didn't even think about declaring my ring. I guess its good it never came up huh?

Same here, did not think that it would be necessary :S.

Edited May 10, 2012 by TheFantastics09

[Elisinha 1]

Congratulations!!!!

Thats a wonderful news!