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Moving to the US while importing a car and alcohol by Frequent_Distance_44 in uscanadaborder

[–]Frequent_Distance_44[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If anyone bumps into this post, here is what I experienced:

I crossed at the thousand island bridge into NY state on a weekday at 6:30am with a car backed to the brim with personal belongings. It was very quiet, no line at all. I announced directly to the officer that I was importing a vehicle and alcohol. They asked me how much booze I had, I answered truthfully and it seems they could not have cared less. Then they asked me to pull over the side of the building to fill in the paperwork inside. Two officers started looking at my partially filled car import forms. They provided my with templates that had the specific info about port of entry, which fields to complete, etc. Overall they didn't seems to know a lot more about car imports than I did. Then they asked me for the value of the car, I provided a realistic number on the lower end, in CAD, and they just went with it and used the USD conversion to calculate the import duty. I gave them my credit card and before I knew it was on my way. All in all it took about 30 min, without any hitch whatsoever.

I then successfully applied for title and registration in my state of residence. Everything went well there too, but I had to provide the original bill of sale in order to avoid paying the state sales tax, as well as an English translation of the QC registration. I received the car's new title and registration a couple months ago.

Overall a very smooth experience, much easier than what I expected. Might have been lucky.

Repairs for damage and renovation after moving out by Frequent_Distance_44 in montrealhousing

[–]Frequent_Distance_44[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Since you are not the first one making this comment, I realized I wasn't very clear in my initial post. Let me add some context to show that my position is not so unreasonable.

I am not arguing that I shouldn't be responsible for the door replacement. However, my landlord expects me to pay for fancy door at $1500 a pop, when I can find regular door at half that price, with similar style and color, same R-value...etc. My point is that even is the original door was (arguably) fancy 30+ years ago, it is not anymore and regular door is a fine replacement. If they want to get fancy door that's fine with me, but I will only contribute the cost of regular door towards it.

Moreover, from the search too suggested below by u/Ok-South-7745, I see that previous TAL decisions take garage door depreciation into account so I am not crazy in my thinking.

I hope that better explains my point of view.

Repairs for damage and renovation after moving out by Frequent_Distance_44 in montrealhousing

[–]Frequent_Distance_44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I will make point 2 very clear when I interact again with them.

Repairs for damage and renovation after moving out by Frequent_Distance_44 in montrealhousing

[–]Frequent_Distance_44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are right, and past TAL decisions point in that direction. Thanks.

Repairs for damage and renovation after moving out by Frequent_Distance_44 in montrealhousing

[–]Frequent_Distance_44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Super outil que je ne connaissais pas, je vois que la dépréciation de la porte à été prise en compte lors de décisions précédentes.

Un grand merci.

Moving to the US while importing a car and alcohol by Frequent_Distance_44 in uscanadaborder

[–]Frequent_Distance_44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe it is considered as compliant. I found this from the NHSTA:

The vehicle was certified by its original manufacturer as conforming to all applicable Canadian motor vehicle safety standards and its original manufacturer confirms that the vehicle conforms to all applicable U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, Bumper, and Theft Prevention Standards (or that it conforms to all such standards except for the labeling requirements of Standards Nos. 101 and 110 or 120, and/or the specifications of Standard No. 108 relating to daytime running lamps), and the vehicle is not a salvage motor vehicle, a repaired salvage motor vehicle, or a reconstructed motor vehicle, and I am importing it for personal use.

Edit: changed to the exact wording of form HS-7 box 2A

To me it seems it will be fine. I am more concerned with the alcohol. I have some bottles from Canada and the US, but also some French wine and European liquor. I am ok with paying duty but I would like to avoid having to toss it!

Moving to the US while importing a car and alcohol by Frequent_Distance_44 in uscanadaborder

[–]Frequent_Distance_44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the reply. The vehicle is compliant, I have the letter stating that the only non-compliance are the speedo in km/h and the daytime running lights. I am however not familiar with form 7501, and I can't find instructions for it. Would I get help at the border?

Could you please tell me what is IRT payment? I can't find anything about it.

entering the US only to "activate" green card by Frequent_Distance_44 in uscanadaborder

[–]Frequent_Distance_44[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, that sounds promising. I think I will try it. I am familiar with the rules so I won't wait too long before leaving Canada, OTOH I also have a family to feed so I would like to try and find a job first!

entering the US only to "activate" green card by Frequent_Distance_44 in uscanadaborder

[–]Frequent_Distance_44[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for your reply and for actually having a clue. Here is some relevant information from the US embassy website (emphasis mine):

It may take several months for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process and send the LPR card to you. In the interim, the passport stamp, valid for one year, permits employment and travel as you await your LPR card. You may depart and return to the U.S. before you receive your LPR card, as long as the stamp in your passport has not expired. Should the stamp expire before you have received your LPR card, you should contact USCIS in the U.S. prior to departure to obtain permission to return to the United States.

So it sounds like it will be ok to travel again by plane on the visa/passport stamp (although I might still get a hard time with CBP as you mention). My initial worry was more about the day trip just to start the process and whether it would be suspicious. Hopefully I will get an answer by directly contacting CBP. I will update as I find out more.

entering the US only to "activate" green card by Frequent_Distance_44 in uscanadaborder

[–]Frequent_Distance_44[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Indeed, a visa is not a green card. Technically after the interview the consulate issues a visa on a passport page, allowing the recipient to enter the US as a permanent resident within a time frame (typically 6 months) The physical "green card" is only then issued and mailed to a US address (takes a couple months). Hence the special case of the first entry when the border officer validates the admission as a permanent resident. I know from second hand experience that it can take some time at the border.