chilliwak
Expedition Leader
Redthies, whats it like getting a truck into B.C. from the states?
Is the vehicle inspection not a pain? What about duty and whatnot from the states?
Looking to buy a full size truck
- Thread starter wonderfulremark
- Start date
Redthies, whats it like getting a truck into B.C. from the states?
Is the vehicle inspection not a pain? What about duty and whatnot from the states?
wonderfulremark
Observer
Well the first mod - non mode- is to take the ugly canopy off and now she looks like a real truck!
But my first real mod will be the tires
But my first real mod will be the tires
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
I find the import process to be a piece of cake. The first time I brought one in, I was a bit unsure of the process, but it is super simple.
First, find your truck, then get a copy of title, a bill of sale, and then download and fill out a "worksheet" from US customs. Fax the 3 papers to the border crossing of your choice. Wait three business days, and then show up at the US side of the border. They will match your paperwork to the vin, then stamp your papers, and voila... you are "exported".
Next, on the Canadian side, simply tell the border agent you are importing the truck and he / she will send you inside to fill out a form, and pay the 5% HST. If your vehicle is NEWER than 15 years old from month of build (on vin plate in door frame), they will also give you a form for a federal inspection. They may require you to pay the $89 for the federal inspection at that point. If your rig is OLDER than 15 years, you need a provincial inspection, which is about $99, and any licensed inspector can do. Canadian Tire is the only FEDERAL inspection facility.
The big thing to remember is: If you bring a 15 years or NEWER rig in, it MUST be completely stock to pass the federal inspection. It is for federal compliance that it has to be stock, so lifts, bumpers etc will not pass. You will also have to install daytime running lights (a $100 module). This rule has only been enforced for about the past 3 or so years. I was about to import a >15 year F250 crewcab with a 6" lift, but luckily I asked my mechanic (who was the main federal inspector in my area), what to look out for, and he showed me paperwork on two newer trucks in for inspection. On one, there was a bold printed note saying " if this vehicle is modified in ANY way, contact us imediatley at 1-800- blah blah. They are now getting the border agents to make notes about whether or not the vehicle appears stock. You could return a modified vehicle to stock, get it inspected, and then re-install the goodies, but I wouldn't bother.
The above paragraph probably sounds less than "piece of cake", but I only bring in older rigs that can come in lifted, bumpered etc. I like the older and simpler rigs, so it works for me. I have brought in a 1970 GMC 1/2 ton 4x4, a 1992 F350 cc 4x4, and a 1994 Dodge 2500 Cummins 4x4. The inspection is the hardest part, but even that is simple, provided you plan on fixing anything that is unsafe or not working to begin with. My F350 passed with only a glance by the inspector, the Dodge was a bit of a pain as the (different) inspector was unreasonable, and wanted the entire front end redone. The old GMC is a farm truck/resto project, so wasn't a concern.
All in all, is the effort worth it? I paid $4300 for the F350, drove it for a year, put 30,000 on it, and sold it for $8500. The Dodge I paid $6000 and sold it for $9000. I got a couple of nice road trips out of each purchase as well. I think it was time and money well spent.