Cross border shopping...interesting info

[ZRrrr]

So the dollar is suppsoed to hit above par by September. That should mean lots of guys cross border shopping for winter toys.

I bought a truck last time it hit par and did the whole faxing 72 hours prior to US customs and such. Was a bit of work but well worth it.

Friend of mine just went down to the US and picked up a Prowler. Got one year newer than local deal and saved about $5000!!! I asked about the whole border thing as they did the trip in 34 hours. No 72 hour faxing, no US customs stop. Whaaaat???

A neighbour of his picked up a 600 ETEC recently and said you don't have to stop at US customs. So my friend goes and drives right through to Canada customs. He has to go in, show paper work and pay the GST, but no RIV fee as the Prowler has no classification. They come out, confirm VIN and send him on his merry way. No stop at US customs. It sounds to me like it is only US customs that "wants" you stop but that Canada Customs does not press the issue.

Can anyone tell me if this is a new procedure for toys? I hear differently form our end of the country and yet that's 2 known down East that have not done anything with the US customs side.

Interesting.

 

[Oldtrick]

US Customs have no interest in anything leaving the Country.
You declare entering a Country, not leaving.

 

[Longhorn]

us customs have no interest in anything leaving the country.
You declare entering a country, not leaving.

x2...

 

[arcticdodge]

Don't know about toys but with the wife's van had to stop in the US side.

 

[Polarblu]

x2...

True. I lived in the States, even got my green card. Damn those big boobs in Iowa.............. Well moving forth. When i came back to Canada with my tail between my legs they didnt give a $hit. Canada wanted to know how much i bought in the last two years and what i bought recently. Recent stuff was taxed and duty cost 48 bucks sent me a bill. Asked them if they wanted to look and they came out looked at my pile of crap and said welcome home!! Oh Canada My Home And Native Land!!!

 

[ZRrrr]

US Customs have no interest in anything leaving the Country.
You declare entering a Country, not leaving.

Yes, but for my truck I had to have a copy of the Bill O Sale and other documents filled out and faxed to them 72 priors to my crossing. Then I had to go to Canada customs who made me go to US customs for the "stamp" of approval. Then back to Canda customs for paper work check and payments.

With the recent toy purchases these guys did not have to do anything before or after with US Customs.

More I thought about it this may be due to dealer purchases. Not sure it applies to vehicles yet though.

 

[Polarblu]

Yes, but for my truck I had to have a copy of the Bill O Sale and other documents filled out and faxed to them 72 priors to my crossing. Then I had to go to Canada customs who made me go to US customs for the "stamp" of approval. Then back to Canda customs for paper work check and payments.

With the recent toy purchases these guys did not have to do anything before or after with US Customs.

More I thought about it this may be due to dealer purchases. Not sure it applies to vehicles yet though.

Ya thats a good point. When you get turned back for a stamp, is it a dealer oops or are you being screwed around? Canada customs is very easy to deal with, a great bunch of Guys and Gals that do a fantastic job!!

 

[goodngrubby]

I brought back 2 vehicles, and had to stop at the US side on both occasions. When I was looking at 5th wheels last year, I phoned US Customs, and they told me not to waste their time by stopping in, just go straight to Canada Customs. I am not sure if trailers fall into the same catagory as sleds and quads, but I wouldn't think so.

 

[DRD]

If it's a Motor Vehicle you are supposed to stop on the US side, trailers etc are exempt.

 

[JoHNI_T]

Yes, but for my truck I had to have a copy of the Bill O Sale and other documents filled out and faxed to them 72 priors to my crossing. Then I had to go to Canada customs who made me go to US customs for the "stamp" of approval. Then back to Canda customs for paper work check and payments.

With the recent toy purchases these guys did not have to do anything before or after with US Customs.

More I thought about it this may be due to dealer purchases. Not sure it applies to vehicles yet though.

when i did my sled canada wanted 72 hours, riv and vin check and recall letter,,, have your buddies tried to register yet? you could probably get in but when you go to regi the unit you may be out of luck, but that being said the regi office can not search sled vins, I bought a 07 sled never registered in canada so I called to see if thats ok and they said get insurance and we will register, maybe their is a small lope hole,, but legaly you are suposed to stop and declare all goods at the border and pay the GST on the value.

 

[DaveB]

What JoHNI_T and ZRrrr said....

Registrar of Imported Vehicles - Welcome to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles

It's not as painful as it sounds. I just did a vehicle last month and it was a piece of cake. They ARE very sticky about that 72 hr thing though.

 

[bigdaddy35]

From my experiences, bringing a motor vehicle across has more hoops. Trailers and motorized toys are easier.

Brought a used boat across. They didn't care about the boat, only the trailer it sits on. Made me laugh when Canada Customs said that.

 

[JoHNI_T]

From my experiences, bringing a motor vehicle across has more hoops. Trailers and motorized toys are easier.

Brought a used boat across. They didn't care about the boat, only the trailer it sits on. Made me laugh when Canada Customs said that.

ya I know,,, I bought a used boat from a guy in red deer who bought it down south and I asked about all the paper work etc. and he said all they asked to see was the 2 grand trailer but the 40grand boat was not even looked at.

So I go to Licenese the boat with canada and get my numbers and there is NO charge and no questions about were the boat came from... It was the easiest thing I ever did invovling the government and there was no charge lol...

 

[overkill131313]

when I imported my Buick Grand National (well on my car trailer behind my truck lol) I pulled up to the Can. boarder crossing, showed them the car, the bill of sale, and paid the tax (I think it was gst ) and when I got home I had to pay the pst when I insuresd it. I was told the 72 hour thing but thought I would just try since it was a 1 day trip to get car and come back.........had zero problems at the boarder since the guys were more interesed in the car (a 87 with only 18 000 miles). maybe buy a sled and put a naked woman on it and see if they even notice the sled lol

 

[DaveB]

You got off easy because the unit was over 15 years old....exempt from the RIV. For vehicles not exempt, the bill of sale, title(signed over), and temp registration must be faxed to the US side of the border crossing 72hrs prior to getting there. If all the ducks are in a row, takes 5 min in the US side and they stamp your title then send you to the Canuck side for the rest of it.

 

[RETODD]

Bought a Mastercraft X2 out of Portland last October...called Canadian Customs and told them what we were doing, Americans could not have cared less...drove down...bought boat...drove to predesignated crossing...filled out paperwork...paid GST...drove home. They just wanted the tax. Worked out well.