US citizen buying an RV in Canada

T18skyguy wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

I've done it many, many times, the conversation usually goes something like this;

"Do you have the preclearance paperwork?"

"Yes"

"OK, pull over there so we can check the VIN number."

It usually takes longer to walk inside and pay than anything else. I doubt I've ever been even 5 minutes.

Once you are on the side, they will run a stolen vehicle , wants and warrants check, and any other check they can think of, you'll be there awhile. Specially if you enter at Blane, Wa.

I think you missed several posts. CBP has a form you fill out and fax in 48+ hours ahead of hitting the border for importing or exporting a vehicle, they do the ‘wants and warrants’ (as you put it) check DAYS before you ever get to the border.


You are there 5 minutes, not “awhile”. Certainly less time than getting caught trying to break the law lying to Customs.

I too was considering a RV in Canada, but I have no passport. Can you cross into and back out for vehicle purchase without a passport? Getting a passport now is a lengthy process now. And what's this about "import fees"? Who levies that and how much is it? Anybody know?

I don't think the passport process is more lengthy. I know last summer my daughter had to rush a passport through for her husband. There was a problem because his legal Pennsylvania birth certificate (he has always been a U.S. citizen) did not have the required info. So she took an out of state trip to PA from VA and got the required paperwork and and then applied in person for her husband. I think it was less than 3 weeks.

Dale