Stressing over Inventory Packing list for my move..

[Tithen 4]

I finally made it home to my family. We've been here over a week now, we have another week left.

I'm trying to inventory my belonging. I've read the Wiki, I've read the border information.. I'm not finding most of it terribly helpful.

I really have no idea how to inventory my belongings. Most of what is coming with me I've had for years, a large portion since the 1980's when I was a little girl. I don't know if I need to write down every single little thing, or if x# will work.. I don't know how to declare value (really, how do you give value to things that absolutely cannot be replaced like year books or little life mementos? How do you give value to books purchased in the 1980's for $.75 that today would cost $5 for the exact same thing? Or the monster sized box of lego's that was compiled as kids that my mom is letting me take because I already have a child in the US and my brothers don't that would easily cost me several hundred to make today).

Am I again stressing over nothing? I fretted about our gifts and food when we came here... but this seems like it is more important!

To Clarify, the belongings are crossing at the Houlton crossing in New Brunswick with my husband and I, not being shipped via any company. Just us and the Rental Trailer.

Please tell me I don't have to count the legos........

Edited August 11, 2012 by Tithen

[Darnell 8,478]

for $, use replacement value.

make several passes at this, aye?

first pass, list everything

second pass, make 2 lists - one list with those sentimental value things, second list with things of no sentimental value (kitchen gear that's easily replaced, for example)

remember, personal belongings for a move due to IMMIGRATION are mostly exempt, not dutiable, but the list should be provided at the border.

Good Luck !

[Tithen 4]

Yeah the problem is I have HUNDREDS of books, from my childhood, and my teen/early 20's years. I'm already leaving most of my movies and CD's behind.... I don't have to list them by title do I?

I've been inventorying the boxes/drawers as I've been going along so that way I don't have to mess with it... but I've been doing "100 childrens books @ x value" it will take me a year to write out all the titles of the books!!! My mom was a bit of a pack rat, and since we intend on having more kids I see no reason to leave them behind because they will get use in our home for the next 10 or more years.

[Flames9_RN 358]

KISS!!! Keep it super simple!!! No need to get to carried away! Sure label things to help make ur unpacking easy---but for Customs, 1 can keep it very simple! Majority of the time they don't even look! I grouped things together ie kitchen items, living room. Big ticket electric items, i kept alone, included serial # and approx price! keep it simple

[JoannaV 173]

When I shipped stuff the packing list I provided the company and thus customs said stuff like "Box 1: 91 books; Box 11: CDs, books, cassette tapes, DVDs, posters, pens pencils & misc.stationery." Everything I shipped was stuff I'd had for over a year, so I don't think I had to provide any value. Remember also replacement value isn't the same as retail value.

[Krikit 1,163]

You don't need to add a value unless it's a dutiable item. As you are immigrating you do not have any dutiable items. You list the items as you would on the box. E.G. books; kitchen equipment; clothes, etc.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I made a simple list (used excell, but anything will do)

I numbered boxes as I packed and put something like this

Box #1 - kitchen dishes

Box #2 - assorted living room nicnacs (how the heck do you spell that???)

Box #3 - Linens

I only had values for electronics which I itemized and serial numbers and receipts for (if I could find them)

In total I had something like 40-50+ assorted boxes of various sizes plus furniture

[canada_socks 97]

I packed my boxes according to room (Kitchen stuff, bedroom, living room, storage, etc). I then labeled each box as such with colour coded tabs (I had 4 colours and 4 areas of the house as I listed above so it worked. I have an organization obsession lol). I numbered the boxes and put each box in order on a master list, with each item listed. I was pretty loose about my items, such as for books and cd's, I counted them and put like 200 various CD's. I didn't list each and every CD (that would suck!). For my clothing I just put generic terms like sweaters, pants, t-shirts etc. I didn't number those. I was quite impressed with my system and was actually kind of disappointed that they didn't want to see my list!

[Tithen 4]

Thanks folks!! We managed to get most of it done the last two nights, only a few boxes left to pack and itemize. My butt hurts so bad from sitting on the hardwood floor for hours. LOL. We did a basic itemization. Most of it was things my mom had been compiling for the last 18 years. Oi, mom was a packrat. LOL.

I did pull out all the little electronics and put them in their own box, I didn't realize I needed their serial numbers. I don't have receipts for them, most of them were gifts, the newest thing crossing with me is my laptop, it flew with me to the US in 2011.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Thanks folks!! We managed to get most of it done the last two nights, only a few boxes left to pack and itemize. My butt hurts so bad from sitting on the hardwood floor for hours. LOL. We did a basic itemization. Most of it was things my mom had been compiling for the last 18 years. Oi, mom was a packrat. LOL.

I did pull out all the little electronics and put them in their own box, I didn't realize I needed their serial numbers. I don't have receipts for them, most of them were gifts, the newest thing crossing with me is my laptop, it flew with me to the US in 2011.

I just did the big ticket electrical items like TV and Stereo. Most likely they wont even look at it and if they do, only a glance!! But murphys law states, that if you did not make that inventory list----for sure they would want it!! My guy barely even glanced up from his game of solitaire on the computer!! Best of luck

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Thanks folks!! We managed to get most of it done the last two nights, only a few boxes left to pack and itemize. My butt hurts so bad from sitting on the hardwood floor for hours. LOL. We did a basic itemization. Most of it was things my mom had been compiling for the last 18 years. Oi, mom was a packrat. LOL.

I did pull out all the little electronics and put them in their own box, I didn't realize I needed their serial numbers. I don't have receipts for them, most of them were gifts, the newest thing crossing with me is my laptop, it flew with me to the US in 2011.

Congratulations on getting that mess done. I had a relatively new computer which I had purchased about 6 moths before I moved. THere was no issue as I was showing up with personal belongings only (not like I had 15 computers to try and sell ) I remember they glanced inside our UHaul, don;t even think they took teh list and said all clear. I suppose a long as you show up with a reasonable amount of stuff (we had a 2 bedroom apartment's worth) they're not too worried.

[Tithen 4]

Yeah I don't even have that much. We aren't expecting to even fill the 8'Lx4'wx4'h trailer I've rented. Which is good since my car can only tow 1150lbs. lol.

I couldn't pack and type at the same time. So I made him type it while I did all the packing. I figure since he doesn't have to carry any of it up the stairs at home (yay for movers lol) the least he could do was sit in the same room and help.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

We just labeled the boxes by room. We moved in our SUV and an 8`x4`trailer. They never even looked in it or asked about what was in it. We were also importing a motorcycle and they didn`t ask to look at it, they only wanted the proof my husband owned it and the compliance letter from the manufacturer.