moving out of country - how to handle parts, projects, used electronics and similar stuff?

capacitorless · Nov 6, 2024

I've had a move in the back of my mind for some time. The recent election results have sealed the deal (let's just say I'm fundamentally the opposite of the people who will be in power soon, sadly). I just filled out my passport paperwork, and I expect to make this happen in the spring of '25.

I'm currently considering Canada and if I can afford it, Vancouver. I would like to import some of my smaller projects, and one large one which includes a 200+ lb mixing board. I was already going to turn that into a 3 piece unit to be able to move it around more easily. Some of the things I have here are tools (oscilloscope, soldering/desoldering stations), some tube stuff (the usual modest hoard of old/vintage tubes, a few old organ chassis), and a decent amount of parts.

The very last thing I want to do is not claim stuff at Customs accurately - I want to pay my fair share, and definitely never want to do anything outright illegal. Has someone else here been down that road already? I literally have no idea what to expect in terms of costs. Almost all of my stuff will be non-working/in a partial state of completion.

None of this has sentimental value, and it's way more important to find a more humane place to live, so I'm not counting out divesting of all of it and starting fresh.

Any advice and/or experience would be gratefully appreciated.

JohnRoberts · Nov 6, 2024

capacitorless said:
I've had a move in the back of my mind for some time. The recent election results have sealed the deal (let's just say I'm fundamentally the opposite of the people who will be in power soon, sadly). I just filled out my passport paperwork, and I expect to make this happen in the spring of '25.

You mainly need the passport only if you plan to return back into the US. I traveled into Canada and back once without my passport (I forgot it) on a business trip last century. They let me back into the US, but the world was a little simpler back then. AFAIK Canada is pretty liberal about granting citizenship to newcomers.

In 1970 when I was drafted, my coworkers offered me the choice of a bus ticket to Canada, or a bottle of Canadian club. Canada was very popular with draft dodgers during the Viet Nam fighting. I took the bottle of CC.

capacitorless said:
I'm currently considering Canada and if I can afford it, Vancouver. I would like to import some of my smaller projects, and one large one which includes a 200+ lb mixing board. I was already going to turn that into a 3 piece unit to be able to move it around more easily. Some of the things I have here are tools (oscilloscope, soldering/desoldering stations), some tube stuff (the usual modest hoard of old/vintage tubes, a few old organ chassis), and a decent amount of parts.

I am not aware of import duties for such personal property, but we have Canadian members here who can answer better the me. IIRC there is customs paperwork (Dounce?) that allows you to return gear back into the US without paying a duty on it after previously taking it outside the country.

capacitorless said:
The very last thing I want to do is not claim stuff at Customs accurately - I want to pay my fair share, and definitely never want to do anything outright illegal. Has someone else here been down that road already? I literally have no idea what to expect in terms of costs. Almost all of my stuff will be non-working/in a partial state of completion.

None of this has sentimental value, and it's way more important to find a more humane place to live, so I'm not counting out divesting of all of it and starting fresh.

Any advice and/or experience would be gratefully appreciated.

Good luck. Vancouver is pretty especially in summer weather. I've traveled to Canada for business during the winter and you need to dress warm. Perhaps even colder than Denver, maybe with cleaner air.

JR

hodad · Nov 6, 2024

capacitorless said:
I'm currently considering Canada

Canada allows you to carry over $5K or $10K cash undeclared (I can't remember which--sorry), and you can bring in more if you declare it. I think they're fairly cool about stuff that you're bringing in that's for personal use and not for sale--my son is in school in Canada, and we've never had any issues with computers, tv, etc. The mixing board might be an issue--not sure. I would say that getting rid of anything extraneous, or relatively replaceable, before you move would be wise. Canada has helpful info online as well, I believe. We've only dealt with getting a student visa, so I don't know anything about work visas or any of that.

I highly recommend doing your research. Depending on a variety of factors, Canada may or may not be as welcoming as you'd hope. And from what I've looked at, housing in the cities can be pretty steep too.

I hope things go well for you.

capacitorless · Nov 6, 2024

Thank you, really appreciate the advice from both of you. I've been looking into it already, and I'm hopeful that I would be welcomed there.

Pretty much everything will be of little to no resale value. I'll have sold almost everything that does have significant value prior to the move. Mainly it will be a U-haul of stuff that would take time to replace. The console needs help, but is worthy (APB Spectra Ti in great cosmetic shape), and I can legit claim I paid a very small sum of money for it. Gotta love Craigslist!

As time progresses, cooler might be a feature rather than a bug

I have significant value as an IT person (QA/testing, troubleshooting and related skills) so I'm hopeful I could afford being in Vancouver. I would still have proximity to the states, if need be.

The only negative would be being further away from my folks, who are getting up there, and whom I feel a responsibility to help in their waning years. However, they do have the other side of my family close by. I'll be discussing this with them over Thanksgiving.

Truly a nightmare situation for myself, but more importantly for some friends whom I care deeply about. Maybe I'll get the chance to bring one of them with me, and maybe make her life better as a result.

Again, very much appreciate the advice. I'll definitely do my research. I haven't made up my mind where, and I fit in well with other cultures, so maybe I'll be EU bound. I do think being a Canadian would be cool - lots of my favorite people are from Canada - so I'm starting there

Script · Nov 7, 2024

I moved between Europe and Japan three times. Different case, but no import duties for personal stuff, not here, nor back in Europe. I had to be able to show proof of purchase (invoices etc) for some stuff, but ultimately nobody ever asked for it.

All things needed to be declared/listed following a detailed categorization including deemed remaining value -- not least for insurance reasons.

When moving stock clearly aimed for sale, however, it's a whole different story.

Also, I needed proof of residency in target country before shipping -- which is part of proof of stuff being personal property.

The bigger 'problem' I had was that some of the gear is old and does not comply with safety regulations...

Script · Nov 8, 2024

Oh, and be cautious with any type of merchandise. Some samples (as long as free give-aways) should be fine.

capacitorless · Saturday at 7:52 AM

Thank you. I should be good with that type of property, as I'll get rid of things like that before the move

edit: https://www.investopedia.com/countries-offering-digital-nomad-visas-5190861

So this whole Covid situation (no I'm not a "plandemic" person - I'm very science oriented) has inspired many countries to enhance their remote work situations.

I would love to have an EU passport someday. Canada is still the most straightforward way to go, so far.

JohnRoberts · Tuesday at 4:41 PM

WAPO printed an article with advice about moving to 5 different countries. https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/11/11/countries-americans-move-to/

Its behind a paywall so I didn't read it.

JR

13engrsapper · 2024-11-14T11:39:54-0500

capacitorless said:
Thank you, really appreciate the advice from both of you. I've been looking into it already, and I'm hopeful that I would be welcomed there.

Pretty much everything will be of little to no resale value. I'll have sold almost everything that does have significant value prior to the move. Mainly it will be a U-haul of stuff that would take time to replace. The console needs help, but is worthy (APB Spectra Ti in great cosmetic shape), and I can legit claim I paid a very small sum of money for it. Gotta love Craigslist!

As time progresses, cooler might be a feature rather than a bug

I have significant value as an IT person (QA/testing, troubleshooting and related skills) so I'm hopeful I could afford being in Vancouver. I would still have proximity to the states, if need be.

The only negative would be being further away from my folks, who are getting up there, and whom I feel a responsibility to help in their waning years. However, they do have the other side of my family close by. I'll be discussing this with them over Thanksgiving.

Truly a nightmare situation for myself, but more importantly for some friends whom I care deeply about. Maybe I'll get the chance to bring one of them with me, and maybe make her life better as a result.

Again, very much appreciate the advice. I'll definitely do my research. I haven't made up my mind where, and I fit in well with other cultures, so maybe I'll be EU bound. I do think being a Canadian would be cool - lots of my favorite people are from Canada - so I'm starting there

Going between Canada and the US with equipment is the worst! I have done it as a band, and in a sales capacity. One time, on the way to a trade show, they wanted to charge me for my trade show booths in my vehicle. I explained It was for work and I was returning with them. No luck. I don't recall the outcome, and to be fair it was a decade ago or more. The band experience was hilarious and I will save that for a story in another more appropriate post.

JMan · 2024-11-14T13:20:43-0500

It's too bad, since Denver is a wonderful place. I have family there that I visit often, and actually just got back from a week in the area yesterday. But I know what you mean. I have been looking into how all of this works too. Moving internationally seems complicated even under the simplest circumstances, and there are a few quirks of my own situation that make it even more so. I'll be following this thread with interest.

capacitorless · 2024-11-14T15:09:34-0500

I'm looking into documenting things ahead of time, to make the decision process easier for the border agents. Now is a great time to pare down and lighten up

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...-life-canada/border-entry/bringing-goods.html says:

When you move to Canada from another country, you may bring your personal and household goods with you without paying duty. You’ll have to pay duty on any item you bring that hasn’t been used.

13engrsapper · 2024-11-14T21:06:46-0500

When we were importing a bunch of stuff from Europe before Covid, I looked at moving to Poland for awhile. But family keeps me here, and I am glad for that.

capacitorless · 2024-11-14T22:03:55-0500

I'm in a different situation there other than my parents, but they are on their way out and I think they'll wholeheartedly approve and encourage my decision, based upon me having been an intelligent and moral person.

Anyways, passport application next Thursday! I'll continue to document stuff as it happens.

moving out of country - how to handle parts, projects, used electronics and similar stuff?

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