Listless

The Canadian Border Services Agency have a page of info dedicated to lucky souls moving back to Canada. This page describes in reasonable detail how to properly declare all the foreign spoils you're bringing back into the country with you. Lucky for us, everything we have to import (including our now-infamous 18 boxes, which arrived six days ahead of schedule) falls under personal effects, on which we aren't required to pay any tax. At the bottom of this page is a reference – not a link (?) – to a document lovingly named B4. B4 is a Personal Effects Accounting Document which all returning residents need to complete and present to the border guard when returning to Canada. Goods sent ahead or afterward need to be listed separately from those which you bring with you when you come, and everything needs a description, value, and even serial number (if applicable). Since I know you're all curious folk, here's my list:

PROPERTY LIST

SENT IN ADVANCE
-175 used books (value 600 CAD)
-binders, papers, instructional materials (value 0)
-2 blankets (value 100 CAD)
-2 board games (value 20 CAD)
-2 photo albums (value 0)
-6 picture frames (value 10 CAD)
-5 magazines (value 0)
-3 notebooks (value 10 CAD)
-personal office supplies (value 10 CAD)
-1 toy camera (value 25 CAD – purchased in Canada 2001)
-1 optical mouse (value 20 CAD)
-1 set watercolour paints (value 0)
-4 glass candleholders (value 20 CAD)
-2 small boxes of souvenirs (value 0)
-1 costume wig (value 10 CAD)
-120 audio CDs (value 200 CAD)
-14 DVDs (value 200 CAD)
-1 pr headphones (value 50 CAD)
-1 KORG EA-1 synthesizer (value X CAD)
-1 KORG ER-1 synthesizer (value X CAD)
-1 KORG synthesizer keyboard
-1 pr M-Audio monitor speakers
-1 x-Session DJ controller
-1 Hercules DJ controller
-1 Ableton Live computer software
-1 M-Audio Midisport interface
-20 audio/video cables
-1 Archos MP3 records
-1 Sanyo digital voice recorder
-1 Kodak Super8 film splicer
-25 reels Super8 home films
-1 Canon 514XL-S Canosound Super8 film camera
-72 vinyl records
-1 2-person MEC tent
-2 sleeping bags
-1 wool poncho
-12 wine glasses
-8 ceramic dishes
-2 large Iittala glass vases
-1 small Iittala glass dish
-1 small glass teapot
-2 glass mugs
-7 painted glass cups
-3 metal tins
-2 Iittala glass goblets
-1 large metal Iittala dish
-2 Japanese sushi knives
-15 ceramic mugs and cups (Arabia Finland)
-1 stainless steel salt and pepper
-1 stainless steel cream and sugar
-40 pc. stainless steel silverware
-1 knife sharpener
-6 small plates
-6 dinner plates
-12 ceramic bowls
-1 stainless steel shot glass
-1 wooden box
-3 ceramic plant feeders
-2 small glasses
-1 glass bottle
-1 small felt mat
-1 small wooden tray
-1 metal paperweight
-1 egg timer
-1 ceramic soap dish
-1 small box sewing notions (scissors, pins, thread, etc.)
-4 video games
-personal photographs, letters
-6 pairs gloves
-2 scarves
-4 hats
-2 dresses
-1 ski suit
-1 winter jacket
-9 women’s handbags
-4 men’s ties
-2 men’s suits
-4 towels
-3 jackets
-3 shawls
-2 housecoats
-1 men’s pajamas
-19 plastic clothes hangers
-6 pairs women’s shoes
-3 pairs boots
-2 pairs hiking boots
-4 women’s sweaters
-1 pair ski pants
-2 sets long underwear
-25 Xmas ornaments
-4 Xmas stockings
-2 men’s winter jackets
-10 fridge magnets
-1 laptop bag
-1 screwdriver set
-1 feather boa
-candy
-2 sets curtains

IMPORTED WITH ME:
-1 Apple Powerbook G4 laptop computer (2000CAD)
-1 4GB iPod mini (200 CAD)
-1 Samsung SGH-D900 mobile phone (400 CAD)
-1 Panasonic LUMIX DMC LX-2 digital camera (600 CAD)
-1 Nikon F-55 film camera (300 CAD)
-2 diamond wedding rings (1000 CAD)
-1 CROSS black metal fountain pen (100 CAD)
-1 PEUGEOT women’s 21-speed bicycle (400 CAD- purchased in Canada 2000)
-12 pairs women’s pants
-2 umbrellas
-1 large crocheted blanket
-11 skirts
-25 t-shirts
-6 blouses
-3 bikinis
-50 undergarments
-1 pr slippers
-15 women’s sweaters
-5 handbags
-3 pr sunglasses
-7 pairs women’s shoes
-3 hats
-6 dresses
-22 data CDs
-personal documents, keepsakes, costume jewelry
-toiletries, makeup
-prescription medicines (birth control pills, minor infections)
-6 pr contact lenses

The funny thing (aside from the whole stupidly long and embarrassing list of stuff I just listed for the world to see, that is) as those of you who couldn't resist downloading it from the link provided above will notice, is that B4 provides exactly 6 lines in which to list this information. Since the page clearly states that "Goods that arrive later will qualify for free importation under your entitlement as a former resident only if they are on your list," I have to assume they don't want me to summarize. At first I planned on simply tagging a full list onto the form, but then I found B4's longer, lankier brother, B4A. B4A is exactly what I was looking for, a nice long page of empty fields where I can list my egg timers (you know that one was just for fun, a la Cpn Hook) and costume accessories in roomy comfort – note that page [blank] of [blank] at the top right! In fact I'm a bit hurt that the CBSA tried to hide him from me under the guise of a related yet separate yet equally obscure file name. So I mention him here to save you the trouble, should you ever suffer from overly long lists someday. Ta.