A Canadian buying his first Class A in the USA

[explorenorth]

I'm just getting settled after the long process of choosing and buying a 2007 Fleetwood Terra LX 31M, and driving it home from Phoenix AZ to Whitehorse YT (3,400 miles in 7 days). I described the entire process as well as showing the rig and why we chose it, on my blog last night.

[NorthOrSouth]

bmerpaw wrote:
The advice above is "right on". We purchased our 2004 Newmar Dutchstar in 2007 & as the C$ was at par, saved a bundle. A dealer just outside of Ottawa had a similar model, more than three time the miles, in poorer condition & a 100 grand higher in price.

The savings are well worth the hassle. When I asked a local dealer about buying in the US he came up with nothing but flimsy and bogus reasons not to. I think the only legit reason is time and travel cost. Otherwise its a no brainer.

[bmerpaw]

The advice above is "right on". We purchased our 2004 Newmar Dutchstar in 2007 & as the C$ was at par, saved a bundle. A dealer just outside of Ottawa had a similar model, more than three time the miles, in poorer condition & a 100 grand higher in price. The US dealer in Florida took care of all the paperwork. PST & GST on the invoice price. Well worth the time & effort. BTW the CTC person never even got on the coach, filled out the paperwork from the outside using my invoice.

[vic46]

NorthOrSouth wrote:
Just a note for those who may have a Class A older than 15 years (to the month of manufacture), they are RIV exempt. So you have a short stop at US customs where they confirm the VIN is clean, no loans or liens, and not stolen, then they hand you off to Cdn customs where they let(!) you pay the 5% GST. Not worth messing with pretending you paid less than you did. These boys spend all day catching liars and the fines are steep. You fill out a Form 1 import form and take it with you after they stamp it.

Then once youre home you go to Canadian Tire where they just confirm the Form 1 is accurate. Thats their simple Out of Country inspection. And then CT gives you the request form for an Out of Province inspection. Thats done at a registered mechanic shop and very few do motorcoaches so you have to look online. Thats the stringent one and mine costs 280 for a coach with air brakes.

THEN you can go to your registrar with your insurance card and your inspection forms and get your plates.

Ps You also have to pay an Air Conditioning Fee of 100 at the border. I wont mention how utterly silly that is here 🙂 Im just shocked they dont want the Enviro fee for bringing in 6 or 8 used tires.

You need to also have the bill of sale to complete the registration. Proof of purchase.

[NorthOrSouth]

Just a note for those who may have a Class A older than 15 years (to the month of manufacture), they are RIV exempt. So you have a short stop at US customs where they confirm the VIN is clean, no loans or liens, and not stolen, then they hand you off to Cdn customs where they let(!) you pay the 5% GST. Not worth messing with pretending you paid less than you did. These boys spend all day catching liars and the fines are steep. You fill out a Form 1 import form and take it with you after they stamp it.

Then once youre home you go to Canadian Tire where they just confirm the Form 1 is accurate. Thats their simple Out of Country inspection. And then CT gives you the request form for an Out of Province inspection. Thats done at a registered mechanic shop and very few do motorcoaches so you have to look online. Thats the stringent one and mine costs 280 for a coach with air brakes.

THEN you can go to your registrar with your insurance card and your inspection forms and get your plates.

EDIT: I stand corrected. Canadian Tire does not need to see RVs older than 15 years. But you need to go to your registrar who will check your bill of sale and Import Form 1 and do a Canada wide VIN search and THEY will issue you the Request for Vehicle Inspection form ($9 at AMA in AB) and then you take it in for inspection. Then plates.

Ps You also have to pay an Air Conditioning Fee of 100 at the border. I wont mention how utterly silly that is here 🙂 Im just shocked they dont want the Enviro fee for bringing in 6 or 8 used tires.

[vic46]

Perhaps you could add a section to the import blog regarding the importation process itself. Particularly appropriate as your import was a M/H. The rules and hoops for non-motorized are immensely less stringent.
Cheers;
Vic