Canadians buying from the USA

Just call RIV and explain the situation, it only took me a couple minutes. Let us how you make out.

MB Flatlander wrote:
I have purchased 2 vehicles and 3 travel trailers over the last couple years and can tell you that the process is easy, you just have to do it once to know. I do not consider buying south of the boarder if I'm not going to save myself more than $2000. Just make sure you take into consideration your time, gas, accomodations, temporary insurance and permits, it all adds up.

I'd also like to say that the last trailer we bought in 2010 was manufactured by Sun Valley which was not in business at our time of purchase. I called RIV, the girl I spoke with made note of it and said that I wouldn't need to supply a Recall Clearance Letter and I was never asked for one. Everything went smooth and we are now waiting to head down to pick our 3rd one in 2 more months.

I too have purchased and imported a trailer from the US and do know the process veRy well.
It is indeed very simply and I too saved thousands and got a unit that was very rare in Canada.
I simply am trying to find out if importing a unit from s company that is out of business and can't provide a recall letter is possible.

I have purchased 2 vehicles and 3 travel trailers over the last couple years and can tell you that the process is easy, you just have to do it once to know. I do not consider buying south of the boarder if I'm not going to save myself more than $2000. Just make sure you take into consideration your time, gas, accomodations, temporary insurance and permits, it all adds up.

I'd also like to say that the last trailer we bought in 2010 was manufactured by Sun Valley which was not in business at our time of purchase. I called RIV, the girl I spoke with made note of it and said that I wouldn't need to supply a Recall Clearance Letter and I was never asked for one. Everything went smooth and we are now waiting to head down to pick our 3rd one in 2 more months.

Be interesting to know. I read there rules and then confirm it with them on the phone. But having said that, I have had to educate the customs people before. Try telling the customs officer in the most polite way that they are doing it wrong or this is how you do it...... interesting turn of events. Hard not to grin when they get on the phone and call RIV themselves and you here them repeating the answers that you just tried to inform them about. Remember your Canadian and if you have nothing to hide they do not have the right to treat you like a second class criminal.

chipster wrote:
You need a recall letter for trailers as well, even utility trailers.

Call them they don't bite.

RIV

I didn't say they did bite. But government agencies don't always know the correct answer's to less than obvious questions and at some times will give incorrect answers.
I am just trying to find out why certain individuals have the opinions they do.
Over the years there have been individuals who have claimed quite strongly that they have imported towable RV's from defunct companies without recall letters and I simply want to hear directly from them.

You need a recall letter for trailers as well, even utility trailers.

Call them they don't bite.

RIV

I keep hearing people express the belief that a recall letter is only required for motorized RV's (ie: motorhomes).
Can anyone who believes this please confirm this position with evidence as I have always ruled out considering importing any Teton, Carriage or Travel Supreme fifthwheels since the manufacturers are out of business.

Transport Canada Vehicle Admissibility List:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/safevehicles/importation/usa/vafus/list2/menu.htm


Dig around on this site, all the information on importation is there.

Mexnut wrote:

michelb wrote:

chipster wrote:
Yes it will be deducted. You will pay taxes on the value minus the $800.

+1

It's like any other US purchase. You get a certain amount for the length of time you are in the US (i.e. if you're only there one day, you don't get anything, if you are there one week you get $800. If you are multiple people, you get the discount for each person (i.e. after 1 week in the US, a family of 4 is allowed to bring in 4x$800=$3200 tax free.

BUT, you are not allowed to combine the 4 duty free allowances on a single purchase. At least that's the way it was for us last summer.

dieharder wrote:
Among other terms and conditions, you are not allowed to combine your personal exemptions with another person’s or transfer them to someone else.

In addition, children can only get the $800 exemption if the goods being declared are for the child's use.

Therefore, it would be extremely difficult to apply the entire families personal exemptions onto one RV, but it could work depending on who you get at the border.

Good point - never even thought of that. Actually now that I think of it, I thought I had read somewhere that you don't get the exemption anyway if your total purchases are over the limit (i.e. if you buy $1000, you are taxed on the full $1000 not on $1000 - $800) but I could be wrong. I suspect that enforcement varies so the border / agent probably makes a difference.

I think with every vehicle I've purchased except for one, it's been a day trip to pick it up and I was alone anyway so it didn't apply. I'll have to see if I still have the receipt from the one we pick up as a family and brought it in at the end of the 'pickup trip'

Among other terms and conditions, you are not allowed to combine your personal exemptions with another person’s or transfer them to someone else.

In addition, children can only get the $800 exemption if the goods being declared are for the child's use.

Therefore, it would be extremely difficult to apply the entire families personal exemptions onto one RV, but it could work depending on who you get at the border.