Hi PLayboy, I purchased a 1942 Chev 3/4 ton in Bellevue last year and trailered it to Victoria, BC. If you do the research, you'll find that everyone, including customs on both sides of the border has a different idea as to what you need to do.
First sent a copy of your title and bill of sale to the USA customs at the Pacific truck crossing 72 hours before you plan to be there, it's the only place you can import a car through in our area. If they haven't lost them, you get a stamp for export (they are only open weekdays 830-330) and proceed to Canada customs. They will look at your truck and the original title and bill of sale and collect the duty. We missed getting to USA customs on time and could not wait another day (you have to leave the truck on the USA side) so we went to Canada customs and imported the truck with out exporting.
The only problem with this is if you decide to sell your truck to someone in the USA, you may face a penalty. After clearing customs and paying duty we got stamped and off we went.
You can not get any insurance or transfer title into your name until the truck passes the provincial inspection, (you don't need fedral)again this is subject to grey areas to be interpreted by the shops inspector. I even contacted the head provincial guy, Ron Beck here in Victoria and he admitted there were lots of grey area. What we found in Victoria was to get through inspection we had to have the truck done. It took us a year to get there. You need to have a mechanically sound truck, no major rust and preferred if it's at least primed one colour. You only have to have what the truck originally came equiped with. However I would recomend 2 tail lights and if you have a signal switch in the truck, be sure the siganls work or remove it. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Keith
