Buying a camper in Canada

I had a similar situation with a boat and trailer I had in Canada and wanted to import into the US. (I have some property in Canada and used the boat up there for a few years before bringing it back to Seattle.) You have 3 issuses 1. Importing the camper into the US. With NAFTA if its made in Canada,other than verifing it meets US DOT specs (if campers have to meet specs?) that's not a major issue. 2. The Washington State Patrol inspecting it to verify it has a VIN and it's not altered and its not stolen. 3. The statd DOL issuing you a title and license plate. With my boat and trailer, long story short, they were only concerned that the trailer met US DOT specs. I don't know if a camper has to meet DOT specs, if it does need to meet US DOT specs generally speaking Canadian MOT specs are stricter and so if it meets those it just needs somebody to certify it, and the camper manufacturer will either be able to do that or refer you to a company that will do it for a fee.

We have crossed the border in and out of Canada seven times and never been asked about ownesrhip and, our camper doesn't have the license plate from the truck mounted either. Seems when you call about such things they give you the best sounding answer but when at the border they're worried about fruits and vegetables. We carry our dog and have always had the wellness papers but have never been asked about them either. I would be worried about an unpapered shotgun. They always ask if you have any guns going into Canada.

"Camper Outlet" in Tualatin Oregon is a dealership for new Bigfoot campers they get from Armstrong BC, so obviously must do what you are asking about all the time. Why not give them a call and ask them what their proceedure is. Their website also says they can do the paperwork if an RV is purchased from them and taken into Canada, so sounds like they know the ins & outs of it all.

It really isn't that hard. You don't need a broker and you can download and fill out the forms in advance. Call the actual port of entry you plan to go through and talk to an officer there. Explain the situation and see what they have to say. They will tell you what forms and information you will need when you are doing it yourself.

I bought a custom made sailboat (no title, no manufacturer ID) with trailer in Victoria, BC. Bill of sale was important document along with boat number (vin number equivalent). Canadian customs wasn't an issue. US customs, you go inside and give them all the paper work. Items of Canadian origin are covered under NAFTA so no customs fees (tariff) on most items. You can lookup the harmonized tariff schedule code for slide-in campers showing "Free" or 0% (8708.99.81-30). If you are importing something manufactured in Canada a letter of origin makes things easier (MCO).

Customs paper work, bill of sale and Manufacturer ID # will then get you the title. Trailer was more of an issue due to needing temporary insurance and changing registration in BC, then conformance to US standards and inspection but you won't have to deal with it.

Don't go through Blaine (Peace arch, (360) 332-5771 import specialist branch), unless you and everyone in the car has a Nexus card. Head east a little and go through the Pacific Highway (PH 15 to SR 543; (360) 332-7237) or Lynden crossing (PH 13 to SR 539; (360) 354-2183). Less waiting. Your can see border crossing wait times on the net to allow you to pick a good day of the week and time without having to sit in line too long.

If you are really concerned, do a dry run and spend a nice overnight in Vancouver and then come back through US customs, stop in and talk directly to the officers you will be dealing with and make sure you have all the forms you will need.

If the camper company is still in business, see if you can get a MCO issued from them. You can then use the bill of sale and MCO to get through customs and and title your vehicle (truck camper).

In WA, any camper (with or without wheels) that is outfitted for sleeping is considered an RV and must be titled and annually licensed.

The Mad Norsky wrote:
Easy answer here.

You have NOT talked to all the right people first.

Sure you have talked to both Canadian and US Customs.

Now go find a customs BROKER and get them to file the correct paperwork so you can import the new camper.

No three year wait. That is absurd.

Broker is an option, and a good one. But you're mis-understanding the three year 'wait'. It's about getting a title, and it does take three years. But that doesn't mean one can't use the vehicle. The registration (mind you, we're talking to the OP, and about his state) reflects this.

Getting the vehicle here, getting it licensed and getting it titled are all different things. Let's give this guy good info...

ScottG wrote:

ADC0731 wrote:
Does Washington state class campers as RV's?

I've run into something like this in reverse - bought a camper in Arizona and took it back to Canada. The hardest part was convincing Canadian Customs that I didn't have to go through the RV line with all the associated hoops of importing an RV. In Ontario a camper is just cargo and can be included in your purchase exemption for tax payment. All I needed was a bill of sale.

You pose a good question.
In Wa. State a TC is a separate vehicle and must be lic. if (I think...) it's longer than the length of the bed.
The thing is most police don't seem to know this so you can get away without licensing it if the trucks lic is still visible.

I ran with a 10' TC for several years and never licensed it but you could easily see the plate on my truck.

You're wrong; you got lucky, and that's ok. But a 'camper' requires a title and it has nothing to do with the size (RCW 46.04.085..just to be clear).

This guy needs good info.

The problem is licensing the camper in the state of Washington. As far as I know Washington, Oregon, and Idaho are the only states that require a camper to be licensed. It doesn't make sense to me but it is the law. In order to do this I have to have the correct paper work from both the US and Canadian Customs showing when and where the camper was imported and that it meets DOT requirements. If I didn't need the paper work I could do as many have suggested and just hand them my passport and drive across. No problem. If I'm going to drive it around legally in the state however I must get it licensed and they will then issue me a title. Just thought someone else out there may have done this recently.

I just had a car brought across the Canadian border and the vehicle had no title. The seller who I bought it from delivered the car and got it thru customs, both Canadian and US. So it can be done. I would suggest contacting the border crossing that you intend to use and ask about hiring a broker to help you out.
I even found a way to get a new state title issued on the car once I had it home. And thats tough to do without a previous title for any vehicle.

We have been across the Canadian border with our TC 6-8 times never asked for paperwork on our TC not licensed or titled. Last time was ten years ago or so, not sure what has changed.

ADC0731 wrote:
Does Washington state class campers as RV's?

I've run into something like this in reverse - bought a camper in Arizona and took it back to Canada. The hardest part was convincing Canadian Customs that I didn't have to go through the RV line with all the associated hoops of importing an RV. In Ontario a camper is just cargo and can be included in your purchase exemption for tax payment. All I needed was a bill of sale.

You pose a good question.
In Wa. State a TC is a separate vehicle and must be lic. if (I think...) it's longer than the length of the bed.
The thing is most police don't seem to know this so you can get away without licensing it if the trucks lic is still visible.

I ran with a 10' TC for several years and never licensed it but you could easily see the plate on my truck.