These files are for Canadian teams shipping their robot to a US regional.

GM shipping First Robotics Instructions - Canada
Sample Canada Customs Invoice.pdf
SAMPLE.PDF
GM shipping FIRST Robotics 

Canadian Teams Imports into US

Regarding imports/exports done by Canadian teams, there are two issues. The import of the Robot themselves and subsequently any support material.

Robots will be shipped from a consolidation point in Canada weeks ahead of the competition, to the location of the competition. To help alleviate costs borne by FIRST Robotics, GMCL has agreed to be the Importer of Record into the United States on all student robots.

Therefore GMCL Customs requires that the teams complete a US Customs Invoice. On the Customs invoice, it must clearly state that GM Corporation is to be the Importer of Record and that GMCL Canada is responsible for any Customs Clearance. GM’s US Customs broker is Fed Ex Trade Network (FTN).

To allow GMCL to ensure that the robots are cleared without delay, we ask that the team provides us with a copy of the invoice at the time of shipment. Please email or fax invoices to Raylene Van Vliet. We will match the invoices up to the waybill being used to ship the robots from the consolidation point and follow up with our broker to avoid any delays. My particulars will be noted at the end of these instructions.

See the sample of the Canada Customs Invoice and a template for your use.

Most teams bring with them at the time of competition various support material such as extra parts. Because the teams are not entering into commercial activity, we do not believe that there should be a requirement for formal Customs clearance into the United States. With that being said, US CBP (US Customs and Border Protection) can ask at any time for a formal declaration. Therefore we suggest that the teams prepare a list of all parts and supplies that they are bringing with them. This list should have columns noting Description of Goods, Quantity, Part N# (if applicable), Serial N# (if applicable), Country of Manufacture or Origin (if available or noted on item), and an approximate value.

Issues also arise with electronics and again we suggest that laptops and other support electronics not be noted on the packing list but kept with personal items. Otherwise forms for FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) may be required since many electronics emit radio frequency or radiation. Very often, the required information about an item’s compliance to FCC and FDA regulations can be found on the item itself in term of a label. If not the information may be in the user manual from the manufacturer and/or can be obtained by contacting the manufacturer directly. Our recommendation to teams is to have has much documentation on their electronics as possible for customs inspection.

Lastly, we would advise all teams to prepare an a Y38 for personal items and an E15 (Certificate of Destruction/Exportation) for support material. The E15 should be attached to a copy of the packing list. This set of papers then must be stamped by Canada Customs prior to exiting Canada. It will hopefully allow you to return to Canada with having to do a formal customs declaration through our broker. Below is a sample and a template of an E15.

A  Y38 (Identification of Articles for Temporary Exportation) is a customs form that establishes that items listed on the form were initially taken out of Canada and were not acquired abroad. This procedure is optional and offered free of charge by Canada customs at all Customs offices across Canada. Again this procedure is suggested for personal items such as cameras and laptops.

See the Certificate of Exportation/Destruction