importing a truck

netjam wrote:
I would imagine importing a truck to Canada is the same as a motorhome. I imported the motorhome in 2017. It was a bit of a hassle. I used an import broker for most of the paperwork but needed to supply them with a bill of sale, clearance docs showing that all recalls had been done ( really hard to obtain) a letter from the manufacturer stating that speedometer read in kph, and that daytime running lights were operational. After the border where you pay the taxes etc you had a short window to get a federal inspection done (cdn tire for $125 and a days time) and then present the vehicle for inspection at the provincial dmv. I saved a few $ buying in the USA but it was a hassle i won’t do again.

Good information.

The only tidbit I would ad: you will need to 'export' the vehicle from the USA. This is easy to do and costs zero at the US border crossing that your driving the vehicle across. Some folks use a US broker or export dealer, but using them, costs you unnecessary expense. Stop at the border a week or so before you actually want to take the vehicle across and ask the Officers what is required to export a vehicle into Canada. They will advise you of the correct procedure and proper paper work. Again, this costs you nothing to do if you do it yourself.

The off-set is if you do not export the vehicle and at some point return to the US with this vehicle, when the US Officer discovers it is a US vehicle that has NOT been exported properly from the USA, you are subject to a civil penalty and or detainment of your vehicle until the export is completed properly.

Not a good feeling to be driving up to the border with a vehicle you know has not been exported properly. The guilt feelings will show on you and a watchful Officer will pick up on the non-verbal cues. You may pass through the US border a few times, but then on a future trip across, the error will become know when you least expect it. Your trip to visit the US will be different from how you anticipated it to be, with delays and possible detainment of your new (to you) vehicle.

We all buy insurance, or at least, are supposed to. Exporting a vehicle from the USA property is like buying insurance for your future trouble-free crossing at the border. And it costs nothing to do, other then as few minutes spent at the border 'to do the right thing'. Your choice.

Good luck and safe travels.

Lakeside