I was looking through the Cdn. customs allowance chart.
You are only allowed to bring back $750.00 worth of clothes and other items. That doesn’t seem like much to me, considering a bridal lengha can cost over $1000.00, yet people bring back suitcases full of items and I don’t think they pay any extra duties or taxes.
Does anyone have experience with Cdn. customs…
Are they very picky and go through your stuff???
Any advice or suggestions???
Re: How do they do that???
We've never had a problem in customs. We've always written an amount under $750 and when they asked what was in the suitcases, we would tell them clothes, gifts that we received, books, dishes etc.
Re: How do they do that???
Was your stuff over $750 by a lot or just a little????
Honestly, we will have over thousands of dollars of clothes and jewellery.
Is it worth saying a little over $750.00 (like $1000.00 or s/t) to avoid the hassle?
Do they open suitcases and search or inspect???
Re: How do they do that???
Well see the $750 is per person....can't you split it around?? How many ppl are coming through customs??
I've never had my suitcases opened ever. I think it's because we always put down an amount under the maximum limit.
Re: How do they do that???
It’s me and my mom. I am estimating we will have over $3000 each…wedding shopping adds up!
Was your stuff under the limit or slighty above it…
Did you see them opening other people’s suitcases??
Re: How do they do that???
Wow! My wedding stuff didn't cost that much!!!!
Umm I guess you could NOT declare stuff and pray that it goes through without any problems...
Re: How do they do that???
Whatever you do, don’t tell them what u bought from Pak & how much it was (if its over 750). Just say that you took it to Pak from Canada, as if its ur everyday clothes or clothes that u purchased from Canada.
& no, they don’t browse through your suitcases, as far as I know, nor have I ever seen them do it. Only seen it in America.
Re: How do they do that???
Assalaamu alaikum,
Going through customs, some people have no trouble at all while others can end up with a nightmare, if you go through with undeclared stuff, and you never know what the situation is going to be like when its your turn, so to go through with undeclared stuff is taking a chance, while declaring things over the allowance will cost you $$.
With jewellery, something I thought i’d mention in case you dont know, whatever jewellery you,your mother, any other relatives are planning to take with to Pakistan, make sure you get an appraisal report, most desi jewellery stores offer this service, basically they give you a proper record of your jewellery that you had this jewellery before you went to Pakistan, so that when you’re coming back and customs has any doubts about the origins of your jewellery and wants you to pay taxes you can show them this.
You can find a proper explanation here: customs stuff
With clothing also you have to be careful, there’s this indian guy in customs at Toronto that many aunties have talked about that seems to know his stuff, so if you price your purchases too low and if your suitcases are opened and he’s around, watch out :eek:
Not to be a spoilsport or anything but just wanted to give you a heads up that its not all sunshine and lollipops it just depends.
ps. Congrats 
Re: How do they do that???
I never had problem with Canadian customs. But I remember once I travelled to Canada with a (canadian) friend. At customs they didn't bother checking me though I was definately taking stuff worth $750, but they checked her each & every item and she had to prove that she was moving back home (Canada) after finishing a one year work contract in UK. I remember that it turned like a nightmare for her.
So its all that "ladyluck" that counts.
Re: How do they do that???
lahore ka cheeta i think is right.. that is what we used to do.. just said all the stuff was from canada.. we took with us to pak for a wedding.. and were bringing back.. never got caught (we were immigrants back then)... my aunt on the other hand, a citizen of canada for the past 30 yrs, prepared her daughter's jahez in pakiland and was bringing back to canada.. got caught, not because there was anythign fishy bout her.. just cuz the custom official felt like going thru her stuff... she had to pay one huge fine and had a 3 yr penalty put on her of some sort.... so really.. it all depends on ure luck ...
:)
Re: How do they do that???
Thank you for your help and suggestions....wish me luck! I am travelling today and returning on the 6th! I am hoping with the holiday rush they willl just go through things quickly......
I guess I will have to wait and see what they ask me before I have any definate story!
My uncle said to have recepits of items purchased (of course much less than the original cost) to show.....and the rest of the items I like the wedding story idea.
Thanks!
Re: How do they do that???
Hi. this is unpredictable that they a sk some one to open the bags or not. For example, when i came first time they even not ask me any thing, second time they just asked me about a cricket bat which i brought for my cousin, third time again no question and this time they even checked every t hing. so in my opinion when they ask just declair that those are personal belongings and some gifts. They do know the worth of our Pakistani products and also they just nees to make sure that the goods are personal belongings or for sale.
One of my friend returned with a bout 80 ladies dresses for his family and friends but they asked him a bundle of inquiries and finally entered his name and passport no for every future trip. So best of luck for you.
But again this is very sure they just wanna reconfirm either the belongings or for sale.
hahahhahahahhah an other experience
once i visited PIA cargo lahore office to book my aunt`s wedding cloths, they called me in the office of custom officer, the officer was waiting for me with rules and regulations. he immidiately showed me that i can send a gift for worth 500 rupees only. I was surprised to see the stupidity as wedding gift can never be for 500 rupees. i asked that officer that do you believe even i can buy a good pair of sockc within 500 for bride and groom. after all discusion he forwarded me to an a gent and every thing settles in just 500. HAHHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAH Pakistan Zinda bad