Engagement Rings.. and Crossing the Border/Customs!

[PandaSong 15]

So I've seen a few topics about this.. but there's a lot of advice going both ways. I'm a bit nervous, as I really don't want to do anything wrong to be flagged for later on. We haven't sent in our application yet and will be doing that early next year. I'd really like to avoid having marks against me!

Anyways, my question/story is this. Due to some really bad (but funny) circumstances.. My SO had to paypal me the money to buy my engagement ring in Canada. I'll then be traveling into the States with my own engagement ring, giving it to him.. and most likely coming back to Canada wearing it. Do I declare the ring? Put it on the Form? Not declare it at all? I'll be carrying it with me in a laptop case with me while flying.

[baron555 934]

So I've seen a few topics about this.. but there's a lot of advice going both ways. I'm a bit nervous, as I really don't want to do anything wrong to be flagged for later on. We haven't sent in our application yet and will be doing that early next year. I'd really like to avoid having marks against me!

Anyways, my question/story is this. Due to some really bad (but funny) circumstances.. My SO had to paypal me the money to buy my engagement ring in Canada. I'll then be traveling into the States with my own engagement ring, giving it to him.. and most likely coming back to Canada wearing it. Do I declare the ring? Put it on the Form? Not declare it at all? I'll be carrying it with me in a laptop case with me while flying.

How many millions of dollars is it worth?

I don't think you need to declare anything.

[PandaSong 15]

How many millions of dollars is it worth?

I don't think you need to declare anything.

Haha, sooo not worth millions! But not exactly a cheap one either. But thanks! I am just paranoid about this whole thing!

[KayDeeCee 4,892]

It is yours for your own personal use. It is not a gift for someone in the US and you won't be selling it there. No need to declare it.

~ Moved from K-1 Process to Working & Traveling During US Immigration - topic is travel ~

[goolia 54]

I stupidly declared mine on my way back in to Canada after my fiance proposed in the US. It lead to me being sent to a separate room, having my luggage torn apart and grilled about the entire K1 process. In the end he said it might affect MY taxes which makes zero sense. Moral of the story, I don't think it's necessary or advisable to say anything lol.

[NikLR 13,220]

If your ring was bought in the USA you would be required to declare it. You're buying it in Canada and returning to Canada with it. There is zero need to declare this ring as Canadian taxes have already been paid.

[goolia 54]

If your ring was bought in the USA you would be required to declare it. You're buying it in Canada and returning to Canada with it. There is zero need to declare this ring as Canadian taxes have already been paid.

See, I had no idea whether that was the case or not so I declared it thinking it falls under the "gift" category. I didn't understand how it would ultimately affect my taxes though.

[Lemonslice 4,583]

^{I have temporarily imported items in Canada a few times and didn't need to pay anything. Can't remember how CBSA called it, but it was relatively easy. If you are buying it in Canada, seems like you do not have to worry about any of this though.}

[PandaSong 15]

Thank you all for the replies! This eases my mind considerably about the whole taking it across and then bringing it back while wearing it. I'll bring the receipt with me too, just in case.

[NikLR 13,220]

See, I had no idea whether that was the case or not so I declared it thinking it falls under the "gift" category. I didn't understand how it would ultimately affect my taxes though.

It wouldn't unless it was worth over 10k. My husband made sure to declare both of my rings and ended up not being charged the duty though. He had rather nice cbsa officers.

[gw68ad78 64]

Engagement rings are not gifts according to the law. Doesn't anybody watch Judge Judy? Lol

[Michael and Ganna 104]

Put it on a chain and wear it on your neck like you have had it for years. Don't even worry about it. I have homes on both sides of the boarder and cross often. I have only been check once ( they looked in my boat)....I had to give up some fruits once.....you will be fine

[Chris and ZhiJia 146]

I purchased my rings in China, and we wore them back to the US on our fingers. We didn't declare them, and it never once crossed my mind to declare it, on a side note, I have been through customs a little over 12 times in the past 2 years, and never once have they had any inkling to search my luggage, the first 2 times through customs, I declared items, and answered a few questions, but the other 10 times, I listed nothing to declare, and when passing the final check point just made verbal comments about snacks that were purchased (roasted nuts, candies, ect..) and I was on my way back into the US.

As for those saying that an engagement ring is not a "gift" according to Judge Judy, actually according to the federal law, and several other case precedents, any gift given outside of marriage (including engagement rings), are taxable gifts that need to be reported to the IRS, but they provide exclusions if their total combined value is less than $14,000 for the tax year they don't need to be listed to the IRS. Gifts to the spouse are not counted, but because engagement rings are given prior to marriage, they are not counted as spousal gifts.

Now whether or not you can take the IRS tax rules on gifts and apply that to your customs entry I have no clue, I know there are a couple CBP agents that lurk around here, and maybe one can provide some insight.

Edited November 5, 2015 by Chris.M

[Mike-eeh and Odie 192]

On that rational, OP, you would have to declare your earrings, necklace, belly ring, nose studs etc. Unless you bought it in the USA, you do not have to declare your accessory jewelry.

Edited November 5, 2015 by Mike-eeh and Odie

[aaron2020 11,651]

Engagement rings are not gifts according to the law. Doesn't anybody watch Judge Judy? Lol

You should not rely on Judge Judy for the law. It's a TV show. It's entertainment.

Google "conditional gift engagement ring."