Selling Ontario licensed trailer in Texas

It would be simpler maybe if you could find a buyer in a state that doesn't title or license trailers. Oklahoma is one, except most put tags on anyway to make it easier to go out of state,

Getting a title is more the buyer's problem, seller should not need a Texas title to sell it in Texas.

Import safety certifications, and duties, could be more of an issue. I don't know that trailers would fit into the same "free trade" classification as small motor vehicles.

You are removing the RV from Canadian commerce and attempting to put the RV into United States commerce. That requires entry of the RV at any U.S. Port of Entry. Have a broker supply the necessary paperwork. Any Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officer can make the entry for you. Their fee is ZERO $$$$ to make this entry. All you need to do is present the RV to any CBP Officer at any U.S. border crossing, or at any airport that has international arrivals. If going to an international airport, I suggest that you make an appointment with a CBP supervisor prior to just showing up.

As far as state department of motor vehicle requirements, every state is different as to what they require for registering an RV. Check with the state you wish to register the RV in.

On a side note, if you do sell the RV without importing it into the U.S, there will be a permanent paper trail leading directly back to you. This trail could cause you serious legal / financial issues at any time in the future that you drive, float or fly across the U.S. border. Do it right the first time and prevent any problems in the future. Good luck.

Lakeside

If you have the original paperwork from the first registration of your 5'er you might be ok.

As for the paperwork the DMV gave you, there is only one version, I ran into this with Florida.

As I mentioned however, you MUST have the original paperwork certifying that the 'vehicle' conforms to the required government safety items be they UL or RV industry standards. Without that it requires some marginally legal under-handed tricks that you probably don't want to try, but work.

I had a similar issue after we imported our trailer into Mexico. We wanted to go the other way. Being close to the RGV, I went to the DMV in Mission. They couldn't answer my question. I went to another office until I found the answer I wanted.

I think it is possible, it is a matter of finding someone in the know. My final answer and the one I wanted came from the office in San Antonio. I happened to be there at the time and went in to see them.

So, I say, check with another office as their answers and knowledge set differs.

Also have a very close friend who moved to the U.S. bringing her Mexican car with her manufactured in Mexico. Everyone said it would never happen. She went to the DMV and for $180 got California plates.

We did go to the DMV and got a package of instructions that we are working through now but it seems it is more for a motorized vehicle. We will keep trying at the DMV to clarify what we need to do for a trailer. I think we just need to find the right person....

How about going to the local DMV and ask them?

Thanks for the replies. It's not practical for us to haul it back to Ontario as we sold the truck. We have started making inquiries but have not too much luck yet. We do have a TX "residence" - a lot with a coach house and the trailer. I think we just need to find the right contact. I'll post our experience.

I used to work for the Michigan Dept. of State (basically the motor vehicle dept.) and supervised northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula areas. This area dealt with Ontario titled vehicles on a daily basis. I did not work in the Sault Ste. Marie office, but know that they processed many Ontario titled vehicles regularly. My advice is that you directly contact the Texas Dept. of Motor Vehicles. Tell them what you want to do and get their input. Some states consider foreign manufactured and titled vehicles "grey market vehicles" and require additional documentation to be titled in the U.S. I would guess that this isn't the first time a Canadian wanted to sell their RV in the U.S.

I've never done it (only did imports from US to Canada) but I don't think it's that difficult. This link http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/importing_car.xml should provide answers for you (although I haven't read it).

A few points to keep in mind:
- I believe you need to bring it to the border to import it into the US. Ask them if you can do this at the MX/US border or if this has to be done at the CND/US border.
- You might need to have a US residence in order to do this. Furthermore, different states have different rules on who they allow to register vehicles in the state. Some only require an address, some require a DL (which I believe requires US status now).

Before you do too much, find out exactly how much the dealer is willing to give you. Because it's a Canadian unit, they might only offer significantly less than market value and it might be worth bringing it back to Canada to sell it there rather than trading it in.

Good luck.

ramsaymike wrote:
Can anyone offer any suggestions or pointers (or links)?

Much appreciated....

Your problem is the fact the Manufacturer is out of business. You will have a hard time getting the paperwork you need to sell the trailer in the US. Not as tough as a motorized vehicle but I suspect you still need UL certification and a statement that all recalls are complete.

My 2c worth is that you would be MUCH further ahead to haul the trailer back to Ontario to sell.
Two reasons:
- You will avoid all the paperwork hassles
- Pretty sure you will get a MUCH better price for it in Canada.

Good luck with whatever route you choose.