The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk How to import truck to Canada?

Hey, wasn't sure where to post this...

As some of you know, I'm selling my 61 Apache because I have deemed it to be too much bodywork for a beginner such as myself. Anyhow, I found another 61 that I'm interested in, (found out about it here on Stovebolt!) but it's in Washington state, and I'm in Alberta, Canada. I've never bought a vehicle in the States before, and was wondering if anyone, Canadians in particular, have done this, and what does it involve?

One piece at a time like the old song, use a lunchbox. JK.

Hank

Thanks Grigg for the link to the tech tip...guess I need to navigate this site more, rather than just ask questions. But I have a few that the tip didn't clarify...

I've heard a rumour that for a vehicle to be brought to Canada, it needs to have two things not necessary in the States. Seatbelts, and daytime running lights. This truck I'm thinking of buying doesn't appear to have seatbelts, and daytime running lights? Yeah, no, definitely doesn't have those. Is this requirement true? If so, does it have to be altered before crossing the border?
Second question is this...the tech tip says the title and bill of sale have to be at the American border crossing 72 hours before the truck is brought to the border. That's 3 days. So, guess I can't exactly just fly in to Washington, buy the truck, and drive it home, eh?

not so Adam, unless Alberta specific - seatbelts are mandatory after a certain date, like when they came with them, sometime in the 60's - I thought daytime running lights were an eastern thing or Ontario, nobody has them here unless OEM - so those laws are provincial, not federal .... yes, the US border needs the title [copy, don't give away the original!!] ahead so they can check if it's legit, and they insist on the schedule, if you're there ahead of time you'll be waiting the full 3 days, you'll hafta plan on a stay-over down there or find a way to get the paperwork to the border ahead of your trip

in BC when a vehicle comes from out of province it has to have a complete inspection at a provincially certified station, don't know about Alberta but I'd expect your local license/insurance place could tell you about temp plates and insurance to drive it home

Bill

You should be prepared for the copies to have been lost at the border because it happens all the time. Try to have some evidence that you were there three days before and presented the papers. If this situation arises and they want another three days, insist on speaking to a supervisor.

The rules are different for importing cars newer than 16 years and older than 16 years. Day time running lights are a Canadian thing and a recent requirement - I know people who have imported newer cars and had them installed for the inspection. Newer cars have to have a federal inspection as well as a provincial one(at least in BC). Cars older than 16 years only need a provincial inspection. Seat belts are not required unless they were mandated (which didn't happen until the 70's in most countries)

A novel concept - ask the folks you need to please, the Canadian licensing authority. I'm sure they can answer all of your questions and it'll be coming straight from the horses mouth. Anything you get from anyone else is conjecture.

Adam,

I'm the guy who transported the truck described in the Tech Tip.

The paperwork had to be at the US port of Exit (US customs at your intended crossing point) ahead of time so they can review it to ensure it's not stolen, etc. I looked up the customs web site and founf the US Customs office at the crossing point to find the mailing address and sent the materials there. It was all there and in order when I showed up with the truck. I picked up the paperwork and then proceeded to the Canadian side (as described in the tech tip. If you follow the instructions (make a few phone calls if you need to) it was all straight forward and no hassles. If you are not the owner of the truck being imported into Canada, be sure you also have a notarized letter from the owner authorizing you to be the hauler.

All the vehicle needs to have for safety equipment, smog etc was what it was originally built with (i.e. if it predates madatory seatbelts like the AD truck I was hauling, then it doesn't need to have seatbelts).

Tiny's advice is right on, though -- call both US Customs and Canadian customs to ensure you know what is required. I found them both to be very pleasant and easy to work with. There is a fair amount involved, so it is best to do your homework by calling, emailing, etc. Things may have changed since 2006 when I did it.

One last piece of advice -- when you load the truck, be sure the VIN/Data plate is easy to get to as both side will want to visually inspect it to ensure the paperwork matches the vehicle on the trailer

Good luck!

John

Adam,
If you need any assistance with this or get stuck on the crossing, I'm in Bellingham WA, (South of BC on I-5) and have property fifteen minutes from the border.
If you get the truck to the border, and get messed up somehow, it can be left at my place for the 72 hour requirment to be met if need be.
It really isn't a big hassle, and just calling them at the crossing you plan to use will get lots of your answers, US customs is very good with info, and the other guys are right, anything that old isn't going to be a problem.
Good luck!

Adam.....I imported my '40 from Oregon about 5 years ago. It actually was much less painless than I was prepared for. US customs needs documentation 72 hours ahead of when you arrive at the border. I got a copy of the title from the previous owner, filled out a couple of forms, and faxed them in to US Customs. When I arrived at the border, I just took original title / bill of sale in with me - US Customs had a file started already. Customs guy came out to the lot and verified VIN, stamped my documents, and that was it !....15 minutes tops. Rolled over to Canadian customs with paperwork - all they wanted was proof of purchase price so they could collect GST. They never even came out and inspected truck. In B.C., we require a " Safety Inspection " before ICBC will issue a permanent licence / insurance. Had a local mechanic who was certified, do the inspection. They check things like brakes / e-brake, lights / signals, etc.etc. If the vehicle didn't come from the factory with seat belts, then you don't have to have them. Definitely Day Time running lights not required.
Best of luck !

Hmm, sounds pretty simple. Well, I did buy the truck (and sold the other one:))but I bought it a month ago, and it's still sitting on the previous owner's property...which is ok with him. I wish I could simply drive it home, but it needs tires, and has sat around for three years, so I don't trust it. I'm having it shipped home. Part that confuses me a bit is this..I phoned the border crossing today, and apparently they need to fax me a bunch of paperwork to fill out...I thought it was as simple as sending them copies of the bill of sale and the title. What other paperwork is there? Would it be easier if I just went and got it myself, rather than have a company ship it for me?

what part of that is confusing? no matter who does it, the "other" paperwork involved has to do with the usual govt rituals, not the truck itself, you [and the carrier] need to be in the computer ..... you should note if you have a shipper bring it up you'll have to get them to make the appointment for crossing time, and if they miss the appointment it has to be done over, meaning they wait at the border another 3 days - the shipper will also likely charge you brokerage fees for the border paperwork, it could be cheaper to do it yourself

Bill

Oh, ok. Yeah, I typically ask questions too soon. The shipper is someone I know, who runs a commercial trucking company. I don't personally know the driver himself. I didn't realize that the driver would have to be at the border at a specific time, but I'm sure it'll all work out. I've had way too many people tell me now that this process is really easy for a vehicle older than 15 years.

I would either move to the U.S. or buy a Canadian truck. It's all to complicated. Canada is such a hot bed for stolen old trucks anyway.

*L*....yaaaaa....we need all those trucks to carry our mukluks and maple syrup !

I imported my truck last November.

I did my research before importing my truck. Registrar of Imported Vehicles has lots of info.

Basically, when it's over 20 years old, no restrictions.

I took my paperwork to the US Customs in Port Huron MI and got it all cleared before my son left Washington State for Sarnia Ontario. On the day the truck crossed, we had trouble when I drove into Michigan to meet my son. Had to do some 'random' security screening process. Had to have my van inspected. US Border folks were going nuts about why I had some cardboad in my van. I told them I had to help my son do an oil change on his Chevy Express after the long tow from Washington, and my Dad wouldn't look too kindly to making a mess on his driveway in Sarnia. They also thought it was unusual that the young lad crossing into Michigan with me happened to have the same last name. Strange that he could be my other son! The strange questions they ask you at the border, trying to trip you up and prove you are a 57 year old, white hair, caucasion terrorist! Well, maybe they didn't like my son's pony tail.

On the Canadian side, the biggest problem was that I didn't have a receipt to establish the value of the truck being imported. My son had to give the receipt to the Washington DOT folks when he bought Wild Bill from the last owner. Eventually, I paid the GST on 500 US value.

Now all legaly here.

I do have one outstanding problem.

Washington DOT Title had an extra 0 in the VIN. "Like it's a 58 truck Ma'am." So the VIN reads 508, instead of 58.

Canadian folks took it as is, and would NOT change it on registration, even when computer system warned them of a faulty VIN. So when I'm finished my restoration, I'll have to take it up again, and see if I can get the paperwork to match the VIN plate.

This spring, I went through the RIV process again to legally import the trailer into Canada that my son used to bring Wild Bill to Ontario. We left it in Sarnia over the winter. They made a big fuss on the Canadian side about why we didn't 'declare' the fact that my son's Washington licensed truck sat in Sarnia for 5 months. I was begining to feel like we were going to jail for this oversight. Eventually, I got all the paperwork in order. The trailer is now legally registered in Ontario. According to the Canadian Tire store in Sarnia, they see about 10-15 cases a day for Canadians importing vehicles into the Sarnia Ontario area alone. So it's a very common thing indeed.

John.