How To Buy A Camper In Canada and Exchange Rate....

[tlukasavige172]

I found a camper in Canada I'd like to buy and I'm in North Dakota. I'm wondering what the process is for buying items in Canada and bringing them to the US. Also, the exchange rate is currently $1.00 Candian for $.75 US dollars. If I go to a bank in Canada with US dollars will I get this exchange rate? I'm just looking for first hand experience from someone that has maybe done this. I've looked on google but I'm still a little confused by all of it. Thank you in advance.

[free_radical]

mkirsch wrote:

...
One thing that does grease the wheels crossing the border is if you have model airplanes in the RV. The customs agent is usually so fascinated by the model airplanes that they forget all about anything else.

I hope dope pushers don't find out about this..lol

[maxum1989]

tlukasavige172 wrote:
I called the border crossing for coming back into the US and they just need a bill of sale to prove I bought it and didn't steal it. Sounds like it should be pretty easy.

Yup. Pretty much it. I would recommend you print off a bill of sale from home with the appropriate blanks to be filled in at pickup. If you look professional at the border services counter it will go a lot smoother.

[tlukasavige172]

I called the border crossing for coming back into the US and they just need a bill of sale to prove I bought it and didn't steal it. Sounds like it should be pretty easy.

[noteven]

woodhog wrote:
Call someone who does this every day.

Custom Broker

I had good success with Dilas International

[maxum1989]

screaming Eagle wrote:
First thing to do is go to Canada get firm price, put a deposit down with a credit card that way the transaction will be binding, paid in Canadian funds. Go to a bank in US and get remaining amount in a certified check for Canadian funds. When you cross Canada boarder tell the officer what amount of funds you have,what you are buying After the deal is made there is a lot of paper work that has to be filled out by the dealer, export papers bill of ladening and more. We bought a 2008 Okanogan in Abbotsford BC. It took a week to get all the paper work done.When all the paper work was done the dealer called.Then we had to go to Abbotsford to sign all the papers. The dealer had to deliver the camper across the border to Washington State for export purposes. We told the border officer that we bought the camper and the dealer was delivering over boarder, we were ask several questions why we were buying in Canada and price ETC.where we took possession then we had to fill out paper work for sales tax, title, and license for Washington State. Good Luck and enjoy.

There was a lot more paperwork required in your purchase because you were importing into Washington State. Washington is considered to be one of the most difficult states to import a truck camper into as they are a state that titles them. Canada doesn't register/title truck campers so when one is brought to a place that does it causes a lot of raised eyebrows and scrutiny.

[woodhog]

Call someone who does this every day.

Custom Broker

[noteven]

The money transaction stuff is straight forward. US cash is readily exchangeable at any charter bank in Canada. You may want to contact the US branch of RBC Royal Bank and ask about opening an account with them you can access from within Canada so you don't need to transport cash across the border etc. You can also email the funds to the seller right at their kitchen table if your bank supports that service.

It's the import export stuff you want to get right. Call the US Customs house at your proposed re-entry point to the US and ask what documentation you need. Then check with your state and county to make sure they don't have some goofy required inspection ($$ grab)...

[mkirsch]

Yeah, but what will the customs agents consider as "the proper paperwork" and "the proper procedure?"

The times I bought a used vehicle or trailer, I get a "bill of sale" which is little more than illegible chicken scratch on the back of a used napkin. The DMV has always accepted it as proof, but it's so easy to forge something like that, that how can it possibly be considered as irrefutable legal proof?

They have forms for everything else, but not that. It makes no sense.

One thing that does grease the wheels crossing the border is if you have model airplanes in the RV. The customs agent is usually so fascinated by the model airplanes that they forget all about anything else.

[noteven]

pcoplin wrote:
I say buy local and support your neighbors, but that's just me. I have an economics background before I became a firefighter. 🙂

We are North Dakota's neighbours (neighbors) 😄

(Thanks for being a firefighter - 2 active and one being a Mom in our family)

[Bumpyroad]

screaming Eagle wrote:
First thing to do is go to Canada get firm price, put a deposit down with a credit card that way the transaction will be binding, paid in Canadian funds. Go to a bank in US and get remaining amount in a certified check for Canadian funds. When you cross Canada boarder tell the officer what amount of funds you have,what you are buying After the deal is made there is a lot of paper work that has to be filled out by the dealer, export papers bill of ladening and more. We bought a 2008 Okanogan in Abbotsford BC. It took a week to get all the paper work done.When all the paper work was done the dealer called.Then we had to go to Abbotsford to sign all the papers. The dealer had to deliver the camper across the border to Washington State for export purposes. We told the border officer that we bought the camper and the dealer was delivering over boarder, we were ask several questions why we were buying in Canada and price ETC.where we took possession then we had to fill out paper work for sales tax, title, and license for Washington State. Good Luck and enjoy.

That surely sounds "MUDDY" to me.
bumpy

[screaming_Eagl1]

First thing to do is go to Canada get firm price, put a deposit down with a credit card that way the transaction will be binding, paid in Canadian funds. Go to a bank in US and get remaining amount in a certified check for Canadian funds. When you cross Canada boarder tell the officer what amount of funds you have,what you are buying After the deal is made there is a lot of paper work that has to be filled out by the dealer, export papers bill of ladening and more. We bought a 2008 Okanogan in Abbotsford BC. It took a week to get all the paper work done.When all the paper work was done the dealer called.Then we had to go to Abbotsford to sign all the papers. The dealer had to deliver the camper across the border to Washington State for export purposes. We told the border officer that we bought the camper and the dealer was delivering over boarder, we were ask several questions why we were buying in Canada and price ETC.where we took possession then we had to fill out paper work for sales tax, title, and license for Washington State. Good Luck and enjoy.

[pcoplin]

I say buy local and support your neighbors, but that's just me. I have an economics background before I became a firefighter. 🙂

[maxum1989]

Bumpyroad wrote:
IIRC when you come back to the US they ask if you bought anything in Canada. when you say you bought a $30,000 camper, things might get muddy. have the fella in Canada drive to N dakota and swap there?
bumpy

Things won't get muddy at all. With the proper paperwork and following the proper procedure there is nothing to fear. The buyer will be sent in where the transaction will be looked at. Shortly afterwards they will be on their way with the knowledge the transaction was done legally and properly.

Asking the seller to bring it across the border for them is not the proper procedure.

[polarbare21]

I would like to add that if the camper was manufactured in the USA, there should be no import/export taxes. GST or what ever they call it.

My Dad bought a 4 wheeler in Canada (USA made Artic Cat) and he saved a lot of $$ with the exchange rate and tax details.

To be safe I would suggest not crossing the border with that amount of cash.
You should be able to go to a Canadian bank and use a major credit card to draw cash from. Just check with your credit card company first, or ask your bank how to do a transfer with a Canadian bank and do it that way.

Check out the camper first! Then do the banking.

Good luck