Last updated: April 2026. Note: CBP Form 3299 was last revised in May 2024 and has not changed since. The guidance in this post reflects the current version of the form.
Declaring Free Entry of Unaccompanied Goods
If you’re a Canadian heading to the United States for a long period of time, chances are you’re bringing more than just your suitcase. Many long-term US visitors — whether they are temporary migrants, students, or snowbirds heading south for the winter — choose to transport their car, household belongings, or other goods to wherever they will be residing during their stay. But before those items can cross the border, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires one important document: Form 3299, the Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles.
If your car or personal effects are being transported separately rather than driven or carried by you personally, this form is your key to ensuring a smooth and duty-free entry into the United States.
This guide explains exactly what CBP Form 3299 is, who needs it, the difference between temporary and permanent imports, how to complete the form section by section, and how Cross Country Valet handles this paperwork on behalf of our clients.
What Is CBP Form 3299?
CBP Form 3299, officially titled “Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles,” is a US Customs document used when personal belongings are imported separately from the traveler.
In plain terms: if your car, household goods, or personal effects are being transported on your behalf — for example by a shipping company or driveaway service provider — you need this form to declare those items to US Customs.
The purpose of Form 3299 is to confirm that the imported items are your personal property and that they qualify for duty-free entry under US customs regulations. Without it, your car or goods can be delayed, held at the border, or denied entry entirely.
Temporary vs. Permanent Imports: An Important Distinction
Before diving into the form itself, it’s worth understanding a distinction that affects how Form 3299 is used and what your obligations are.
Temporary imports apply to most Canadian snowbirds. If you are bringing your Canadian-registered vehicle to the US for a seasonal stay — typically up to one year — this is considered a temporary import. The vehicle is expected to return to Canada when you do. Form 3299 supports a claim for duty-free temporary entry, and no import duties are assessed because the vehicle is not being permanently imported.
Permanent imports apply to people relocating to the US permanently — Canadians moving for work, retirement, or other long-term reasons who intend to register their vehicle in the US and not return it to Canada. Permanent vehicle imports involve additional documentation including EPA and DOT compliance forms, and depending on the vehicle may require modifications to meet US safety and emissions standards. Form 3299 is still used, but it is one of several required documents rather than the primary one.
For most Canadian snowbirds, the temporary import scenario applies. Cross Country Valet handles both scenarios and can advise you on which applies to your situation when you get in touch.
Why Snowbirds Need Form 3299
For Canadian snowbirds, CBP Form 3299 comes into play when you:
- Have your car transported across the border by a driveaway service or auto transport company
- Send personal items or household goods to your US address by moving service or courier
- Have any belongings arriving at a US port or border crossing separately from you
Even though you are not moving permanently, your items are still considered an “import” under US customs law. CBP uses Form 3299 to document and approve their entry — usually without duty or taxes, as long as the items are for your personal use and you are present in the US as a visitor.
What happens if you don’t file? Failing to file Form 3299 when required can result in your goods being held at the border pending documentation, assessed import duties that wouldn’t otherwise apply, storage fees accumulating while the shipment is held, and in more serious cases, potential seizure of the goods. For a vehicle specifically, this can mean your car is impounded at a border facility until the paperwork is resolved, which can take days and cost significant fees. The form is straightforward to complete and the consequences of not filing are entirely avoidable.
Who Else Needs Form 3299?
While CBP Form 3299 is common for Canadian snowbirds, it applies in a variety of other situations where personal belongings arrive in the US separately from their owner:
- US citizens returning home after living abroad who are importing household effects duty-free
- Foreign nationals moving to the US for work or study whose personal shipments arrive before or after them
- Canadians permanently relocating to the US who are importing a vehicle or household goods
- Diplomats, government employees, and military personnel returning with household goods used overseas
For Cross Country Valet clients — whether snowbirds or relocators — our team handles the Form 3299 on your behalf as part of every cross-border vehicle transport. Learn more about our Canada-USA car transport service.
What the Form Covers
CCBP Form 3299 applies to a variety of personal goods, including:
- Automobiles, motorcycles, and other personal vehicles
- Furniture and household effects
- Clothing and personal items
- Sports or recreational equipment
- Tools or hobby items
It does not apply to goods intended for sale, business use, or commercial importation. The form is strictly for personal effects, i.e., items you already own and are bringing into the US for personal use or as part of your seasonal stay.
How to Complete CBP Form 3299
Below is a section-by-section breakdown of the form (PDF available here). At Cross Country Valet, we complete this form on behalf of our clients, but it’s useful to understand what each part covers.
Part I – Importer and Shipment Information
This section establishes your identity and describes the shipment. You’ll need to provide:
- Your full name, date of birth, and citizenship
- Your US address where the goods will be delivered, and your Canadian home address
- Contact information including phone and email
- A description of the shipment — for example “automobile” or “personal effects”
- The date of your arrival in the US and the port of entry
- The origin of your goods
This part establishes you as the importer/applicant of the unaccompanied articles.
Part II – Residency Status and Eligibility for Free Entry
This section is where you declare your residency status and confirm that your goods qualify for duty-free entry. For Canadian snowbirds as nonresidents, the relevant eligibility criteria are:
- The goods are your personal property
- The goods are not intended for any other person or for resale
- The vehicle being imported is for your personal use only
One important clarification on the one-year ownership rule: The form requires household goods to have been owned and used for at least one year to qualify for duty-free entry under the household effects category. However, vehicles and personal effects are treated differently — a vehicle you purchased recently can still qualify for duty-free temporary entry as a nonresident visitor as long as it is for your personal use and will be returned to Canada when you leave. If you have a newer vehicle you’re concerned about, discuss the specific situation with your transport provider before filing.
Part III – For U.S. Personnel and Evacuees Only
This section applies only to returning US military members, government employees, or evacuees. If that doesn’t apply to you, leave it blank.
Part IV – Inventory of Articles
This is where you itemize what you’re importing. You don’t need to list every individual item, but you should provide a clear and honest general description organized by category; for example “household furniture,” “clothing and personal effects,” “sporting equipment,” or “automobile.”
For vehicles, include the make, model, year, and VIN. This is a section where completeness matters — omitting a vehicle or major item can cause delays at the border even if the omission was unintentional.
Part V – Carrier’s Certificate
This section is completed by the transport company, not by you. They provide their company name and signature, certifying that you are the owner of the goods being transported. At Cross Country Valet, we complete this section as part of every cross-border vehicle transport.
Part VI – Importer Signature
Finally, you sign and date the form, certifying that all statements are true and correct. You can also authorize an agent — such as your transport company — to sign on your behalf.
Supporting Documents You May Need
When submitting CBP Form 3299, you may need to include:
- A copy of your passport or proof of identity
- Proof of vehicle ownership — your vehicle registration or title
- For permanent vehicle imports to the US: EPA and DOT compliance documentation confirming the vehicle meets US safety and emissions standards
- For household goods: a general packing list describing the categories of items in the shipment
Your transport company can advise on which additional documents apply to your specific situation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even a small error on CBP Form 3299 can cause unnecessary delays. Here are the most common pitfalls:
- Incomplete or inconsistent information: Your name, address, and shipment details must match across all documents. Inconsistencies between your Form 3299, your passport, and your vehicle registration are one of the most common causes of border delays.
- Listing items for resale: Anything intended for sale — even secondhand items — does not qualify for duty-free entry under this form. Declaring such items incorrectly can result in duties and penalties.
- Omitting vehicle details: If you’re importing a vehicle, ensure you include the VIN, make, model, and year. Missing vehicle information is a frequent cause of holds at the border.
- Misidentifying your residency status: Canadian snowbirds are nonresidents, not returning US residents. Checking the wrong residency status box changes which eligibility criteria apply and can affect your duty-free claim.
- Failing to sign the form: CBP will not process an unsigned form. This sounds obvious but is a surprisingly common oversight when forms are completed in a rush.
- Not keeping a copy: Always keep a copy of the completed form and all supporting documents for your own records. Border officers may have questions, and having documentation readily accessible speeds up the process.
Tips for a Smooth Cross-Border Shipment
The best way to ensure a smooth shipment is to work with a transport company experienced in cross-border vehicle delivery. At Cross Country Valet, we handle all of these complexities on your behalf. Our experienced team is familiar with CBP Form 3299, the temporary import process, and the specific requirements for Canadian vehicles entering the US. We complete the necessary forms, coordinate with border officials, and work with a customs broker when required to ensure your vehicle crosses without complications.
Learn more about our snowbird vehicle transport services or get in touch for a custom quote.
FAQs About CBP Form 3299
Do Canadian snowbirds always need to file CBP Form 3299?
Form 3299 is required when your personal goods — including your vehicle — arrive at the US border separately from you, meaning you are not personally present when they cross. If you are driving your own car across the border yourself, the form is generally not required. If a driveaway service is transporting your vehicle while you fly, the form is required.
Who fills out CBP Form 3299, me or the transport company?
Both parties have roles. You complete Parts I, II, and IV as the importer, and sign Part VI. The transport company completes Part V as the carrier. At Cross Country Valet, we handle the entire form on behalf of our clients — you provide the necessary personal information and we take care of the rest.
Does my vehicle need to have been owned for a year to qualify for duty-free entry?
The one-year ownership requirement applies to household goods and personal effects under a specific eligibility category. Vehicles imported temporarily by a nonresident visitor for personal use can qualify for duty-free entry regardless of how long you’ve owned the vehicle, as long as the vehicle is for your personal use and will be returned to Canada. Discuss your specific situation with your transport provider if you have concerns.
What’s the difference between a temporary and permanent vehicle import?
A temporary import means your Canadian-registered vehicle enters the US for a limited period — typically one snowbird season — and returns to Canada with you. No import duties apply. A permanent import means you intend to keep the vehicle in the US indefinitely, register it there, and not return it to Canada. Permanent imports require additional EPA and DOT compliance documentation and may involve import duties depending on the vehicle’s origin.
What happens if my goods arrive at the border without Form 3299?
Your shipment can be held at the border pending documentation, assessed import duties, or in more serious cases seized. Storage fees accumulate quickly at border facilities. The form is straightforward to complete and these consequences are entirely avoidable with proper preparation.
Can I authorize someone else to sign Form 3299 on my behalf?
Yes — you can authorize an agent, such as your transport company, to sign the form on your behalf. This is standard practice when a driveaway service is transporting your vehicle and you are traveling separately.
Does Form 3299 apply to household goods as well as vehicles?
Yes, the form covers any personal goods imported separately from their owner, including furniture, clothing, sporting equipment, and personal effects, not just vehicles. If you are shipping household goods to your US winter residence separately from your arrival, Form 3299 applies.
I’m relocating to the US permanently — do I still use Form 3299?
Yes, but it is one of several required documents for a permanent vehicle import. You will also need EPA and DOT compliance documentation, and depending on the vehicle, modifications may be required to meet US standards. Cross Country Valet works with a Registered Importer to facilitate permanent vehicle imports. Get in touch to discuss your specific situation.