I had a couple of conversations, today, with people at the Canada Border Services Agency, the former Canada Customs and Immigration people. One was through official channels, the other with a former co-worker of mine.
Here is the skinny on Canadians bringing their gear to the Fest. You will need to assemble ALL your gear, for the Fest: sources, amplification, speakers, cabling, stands, whatever you are bringing. Prepare an itemized list, detailing make, model, and serial number, if any, of every single piece that you wish to bring. Albums/CDs, as well. Everything. Sign and date this list. Bring the list, AND THE GEAR, ALL OF IT, to the nearest office of the CBSA. The officer, there, will inspect the gear, to validate the list, then either stamp your list, if it is a long list, or prepare a small Y-38 card (green, wallet sized). This document will prove to U.S. and Canadian Customs that the gear was in your possession, before you left Canada. CBSA will then NOT charge you taxes/duties on your gear. Both people told me the next part, twice, with special emphasis. Please pay close attention:
DO NOT SHOW UP AT THE BORDER, EXPECTING TO PREPARE THIS DOCUMENT, AND THEN CROSS INTO THE UNITED STATES.
This apparently is a sure-fire way to piss them off, royally, and guarantee that you will have many hours of waiting, while they decide if or when to process you. Is this fair? No. Can they do this anyway? You bet your ass.
So, if you need to locate the nearest office of the CBSA, go to their Website
Select the location, nearest you, and you are all set. GTA people, the agent recommended the office at 1 Front Street. Everyone else, check the website.
Remember, you MUST do this in advance, and you MUST bring every piece of gear listed, and list every piece of gear you are bringing to the Fest.
The document does not expire. This is only for personal systems.
Dealers have a whole other set of problems.
The CBSA can be reached at their Border Information Services (BIS) telephone number, 1-800-461-9999
I hope this helps answer the nagging questions about bringing gear across the border.
Here is the skinny on Canadians bringing their gear to the Fest. You will need to assemble ALL your gear, for the Fest: sources, amplification, speakers, cabling, stands, whatever you are bringing. Prepare an itemized list, detailing make, model, and serial number, if any, of every single piece that you wish to bring. Albums/CDs, as well. Everything. Sign and date this list. Bring the list, AND THE GEAR, ALL OF IT, to the nearest office of the CBSA. The officer, there, will inspect the gear, to validate the list, then either stamp your list, if it is a long list, or prepare a small Y-38 card (green, wallet sized). This document will prove to U.S. and Canadian Customs that the gear was in your possession, before you left Canada. CBSA will then NOT charge you taxes/duties on your gear. Both people told me the next part, twice, with special emphasis. Please pay close attention:
DO NOT SHOW UP AT THE BORDER, EXPECTING TO PREPARE THIS DOCUMENT, AND THEN CROSS INTO THE UNITED STATES.
This apparently is a sure-fire way to piss them off, royally, and guarantee that you will have many hours of waiting, while they decide if or when to process you. Is this fair? No. Can they do this anyway? You bet your ass.
So, if you need to locate the nearest office of the CBSA, go to their Website
Select the location, nearest you, and you are all set. GTA people, the agent recommended the office at 1 Front Street. Everyone else, check the website.
Remember, you MUST do this in advance, and you MUST bring every piece of gear listed, and list every piece of gear you are bringing to the Fest.
The document does not expire. This is only for personal systems.
Dealers have a whole other set of problems.
The CBSA can be reached at their Border Information Services (BIS) telephone number, 1-800-461-9999
I hope this helps answer the nagging questions about bringing gear across the border.