For Canadians, that piece of paper is usually referred to as a "green
card."  (I understand that a "green card" has a different meaning in
the US).  Pick one up from the Canadian side of the border *before*
you leave the country.  An officer *may* want to see the goods and
verify serial numbers and so forth before signing and stamping.
Takes about 5 minutes.  I have one for all my camera equipment, etc.
Don't forget bicycles etc if they are expensive (like the high-end
road racing bike I had when I was younger) and especially if they
look new.

You don't want to pay duty on your expensive imported toys twice, believe me!

T.

At 2:27 PM -0800 12/10/01, Ben McCafferty wrote:
>If you want to be really official about it, that paper pensioner refers to
>needs to be filled out and signed by a Customs official prior to departure.
>Useful when traveling to countries like Japan with a camera you already own
>so you don't pay taxes on the camera when you come back to the U.S.
>
>  > From: pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
>  > Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2001 14:09:02 -0800
>  >
>  > I use a little form that you can pick up at any international airport that
>>  declares what you took out of the country by item and serial number.  Coming
>>  back in, presenting this paper gives an indication that you know the rules
>  > and are trying to comply.
--
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Tobin T. Copley, M.A.                                    tobin@chspr.ubc.ca
Project Director, Centre for                           Voice:(604) 822-6219
     Health Services & Policy Research                    Fax:(604) 822-1370
University of British Columbia                      http://www.chspr.ubc.ca
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