importing a truck

They're looking for stuff like modified bumpers, maybe daylight running lights. The sticker on the door that says meets Transport Canada specs. Keep in mind dealers/brokers import used trucks all the time.

They don’t care about any mods when you cross the border, just that you have the proper paperwork to import. The condition and mods only matter when it comes time to license, then you will have to have a safety inspection and CSA certificate.

Vehicles sold in the US and Canada are for both markets. My Sierra was originally titled in Ontario. The guy that owned it was a brick layer, got a job in OH, registered the truck in OH, then moved to WI. Then traded it in. What both countries are looking for on importing is mods to safety equipment and emissions.

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.

Campfire Time wrote:
Vehicles sold in the US and Canada are for both markets. My Sierra was originally titled in Ontario. The guy that owned it was a brick layer, got a job in OH, registered the truck in OH, then moved to WI. Then traded it in. What both countries are looking for on importing is mods to safety equipment and emissions.

Fwiw
Ontario vehicles no longer need Emisions testing from 2019 year..
Saved me 35$ :)
Not sure what other provinces do.

free radical wrote:

Campfire Time wrote:
Vehicles sold in the US and Canada are for both markets. My Sierra was originally titled in Ontario. The guy that owned it was a brick layer, got a job in OH, registered the truck in OH, then moved to WI. Then traded it in. What both countries are looking for on importing is mods to safety equipment and emissions.

Fwiw
Ontario vehicles no longer need Emisions testing from 2019 year..
Saved me 35$ :)
Not sure what other provinces do.

Just a clarification to the emissions comment. If you own a HD pick up truck, it gets lumped in with the transport trucks etc. and still has to be tested and at your cost. Mine set me back $99 this past fall after the change to the regs.

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

lakeside013104 wrote:

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.

Stop at the border a week or so before you actually want to take the vehicle across and ask the Officers what is required. They will advise you of the correct procedures and proper paper work.

Lakeside

This is completely unnecessary, all you have to do is fax a form (available from the CBP website along with all the instructions/ information you need) to the border crossing you will be using at least 48 hours before you get to the border.

JaxDad wrote:

lakeside013104 wrote:

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.



Stop at the border a week or so before you actually want to take the vehicle across and ask the Officers what is required. They will advise you of the correct procedures and proper paper work.

Lakeside

This is completely unnecessary, all you have to do is fax a form (available from the CBP website along with all the instructions/ information you need) to the border crossing you will be using at least 48 hours before you get to the border.

You are somewhat correct, using the form is allowed, but some folks are confused when viewing the CBP web site as to what form they will require. My advise about stopping to inquire prior to the crossing day with the vehicle, is recommended to those who prefer first hand knowledge given to them by an informed individual.

Also, you are missing the point with your advise: "All you need to do is fax 24 hours before you get to the border, your words".

This implies to the person attempting to do the 'right' thing, that all they need to do is send a fax to the border and then cross with their new vehicle.

You are missing the most important step, which can be missed by just reading and faxing compared to talking to an informed actual person (Officer) in advance; YOU need to STOP on the USA side of the border on the day of the export to finalize the paperwork. A real live person will explain this to anyone who inquires, vs. missing that point with the 'fax' only information you provided.

Again, no fees are due the day you 'physically' show up at the US border to export your vehicle. All the Officer will do is compare the previously submitted form information to the vin number of the vehicle wishing to be exported. It takes less then five minutes to export a vehicle from the USA. A very simple process, but a process that is mandated by federal law.

You may ask, why all the fuss? Simply stated, you are removing an item of value from the US commerce (exporting) and introducing that same item of value into the Canadian commerce (importing).

If the direction of the vehicle was opposite, you would be exporting from Canada and importing into the USA. This process is completed hundreds of times every month by both countries. The paper trail is there, OR it isn't, if you have failed to comply or complete the process correctly and completely.

In my opinion, it is much easier to hear the words from a 'live' individual, rather then attempt to interpret the information available from a web site. The Officers are there and getting paid a fair wage, so lets use them for our benefit when the occasion arises.

Lakeside

Well, other than you mis-quoted me, I said 48 hours, not 24, I also very clearly said “along with all the instructions/ information you need”. I’ve been to that website quite a few times, it’s extremely clear about what you have to do.

BTW, even though the OP said they weren’t necessarily doing it, driving to the border and asking might be problematic since they’re in Tucson AZ so the nearest border crossing, Sweet Grass MT, is about 1,500 miles north of them.

I suspect a fax, maybe a follow up phone call out of an abundance of caution, would be a little easier.......