Buying in the US

[mdunner]

I have been told that as a Canadian,it is cheaper to buy MH in USA.Is it.Can that be done without alot of mess.How do I go about this.

[IMDSailor]

Yes by all accounts buying in the States is cheaper than the same rig in Canada, but watch the dollar exchange. Most RV dealers in the States know what you need to get your rig across the boarder, they will fax the paperwork to two reentry points 24-48hrs in advance of your arrival. When you get to Canadian Customs you will declair the vehical. You will pay the GST at the border. Customs will give you some paper work for you to take to Canadian Tire, nobody else can do it that I'm aware of (but that don't mean much). They will inspect the vehicle to ensure it meets Canadian roadworthyness (This is not an MVI), Daytme running lights bumpers etc. If all is well they will file the paperwork with the Canadian Govt and you will receive a sticker in the mail to place on the RV. If things have to be modified it could take time and no small amount of money, depending on what it is, to make it meet Canadian standards. Having said that there shouldn't be any issues. You now have a Canadian Vehicle. When you plate your vehical you will pay the PST portion of the tax.
This is how I understand a purchase from a dealer, all bets are off if you're buying private. It's not a long or convoluted process. Just make sure the dealer you are purchasing from knows what he's doing with regards to crossing the border.
Plenty of info online also. Google "Importing a Vehcle into Canada".

Hope this helps

[Grandpere]

Well it might not be cheaper depending on how much the import tax would be. I would contact your DMV and talk to them, if they do not have the answers, they can direct you to the correct department to get your questions answered.

[Moxy]

Originally Posted by mdunner

I have been told that as a Canadian,it is cheaper to buy MH in USA.Is it.Can that be done without alot of mess.How do I go about this.

you need to a) know what you are doing and b) you need to know what you are doing lol, not a simple as some think

be carefull

Moxy

[brian-nicola]

Everything you need to know right here:
www.riv.ca

Couple of points to review

USCBP:
Requires electronic notification of export not less than 3 working days prior to export. This can only be done electronically and must be filed by a US entity or via a US Customs Broker/Freight Forwarder OR if the dealer is willing to file the electronic notice and complete the export filing information and register.
USCBP WILL NOT ALLOW the vehicle to be exported without this filing and you must declare the border crossing in advance. As well, for most export inspections, they are only open Monday-Friday 0830-1500hrs

CSA:
Do not confuse this with the "chassis" RIV portion of the MH. Units for the US market are NOT CSA certified, therefore you need to check with your insurance company that the underwriter does NOT require CSA certification for insurance on the coach portion of the unit. The last thing you want to find out is something happens and the underwriter declines coverage due to the coach not being CSA approved in Canada. There are small differences between CSA and Non-CSA approved coaches

Propane:
You will also have to have the propane system inspected and certified for the Province that the coach is licensed.

CBSA:
$210 RIV fee
Free of Customs Duty (if a personal import)
GST on the Cdn dollar value
100.00 excise tax for air conditioner on the motor
PST for your Province
CBSA will do the Customs entry for you

Enroute Insurance:
Obtain a A to B permit
Interim binder of insurance
(This will get you through the US and home)

[sirpurrcival]

I have heard that some states will charge a state sales tax even if the vehicle is being exported. Is there a list of states that one should avoid buying a used RV from in regards to that point?

[Moxy]

Originally Posted by brian-nicola

Everything you need to know right here:
www.riv.ca

Couple of points to review

USCBP:
Requires electronic notification of export not less than 3 working days prior to export. This can only be done electronically and must be filed by a US entity or via a US Customs Broker/Freight Forwarder OR if the dealer is willing to file the electronic notice and complete the export filing information and register.
USCBP WILL NOT ALLOW the vehicle to be exported without this filing and you must declare the border crossing in advance. As well, for most export inspections, they are only open Monday-Friday 0830-1500hrs

CSA:
Do not confuse this with the "chassis" RIV portion of the MH. Units for the US market are NOT CSA certified, therefore you need to check with your insurance company that the underwriter does NOT require CSA certification for insurance on the coach portion of the unit. The last thing you want to find out is something happens and the underwriter declines coverage due to the coach not being CSA approved in Canada. There are small differences between CSA and Non-CSA approved coaches

Propane:
You will also have to have the propane system inspected and certified for the Province that the coach is licensed.

CBSA:
$210 RIV fee
Free of Customs Duty (if a personal import)
GST on the Cdn dollar value
100.00 excise tax for air conditioner on the motor
PST for your Province
CBSA will do the Customs entry for you

Enroute Insurance:
Obtain a A to B permit
Interim binder of insurance
(This will get you through the US and home)

exactly what I mean when I say know what you are doing, having privately imported 20 plus vehicles into Canada,

firstly and foremost the vehicle must be on the list of acceptable imports, not all comply or are importable into Canada regardless of manufacture, secondly and just as important, you need a chassis and coach recall clearance letter, without these you are not importing period,

third, if the state issues title it must be at border crossing at least 72 hours ahead of your arrival,

there are no export papers to be filed as a private individual, don't know who told you that, the title if it exists will be searched and cancelled, period, Canada customs does not enforce this but it is recommended you attend and clear US customs,

even at this point you should have determined that the vehicle can be made to comply with Canadian standards, it is not automatic and changes to coach may cost more than you saved so be very careful and do not listen to anyone, find out for your self, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing,

and as far as the RIV site, read everything, they have a disclaimer that everything is subject to change and they are not responsible.


So like I said, make dam sure you know what you are doing.

Moxy

[brian-nicola]

Hello Moxy,

Everything you stated is found on the RIV website. You are not correct about USCBP. Any self propelled vehicle is required to file the electronic filing notice and a copy of the State issued title. If you export the vehicle without presenting to USCBP the fine is up to 10,000. CBSA never "used" to enforce but this year there is a recip agreement.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...and-motorcycle)

[phil57]

I don't have a lot to add as I'm a US citizen. I did park next to a guy from the Canada and lives on the boarder. He wanted to do thing correctly and follow the laws but they hit him with a 13% import tax. He bought a 2009 Prevost I would guess valued around a million dollars they would give no credit for the trade in value of the MH he traded so he said no way and keeps in on the US side. Why do all governments wish to tax us so much? It may not be right but he saved 130,000$. I would do the same.

[Gordon Dewald]

Just brought back our Tour from the US. Purchased at Lichtsinn.

Hannah from Lichtsinn did all of the prepratory work for us and filed with the border agencies. We crossed without incident. Took less than an hour. Had to pay the GST at the border (they take Visa) and file the RIV (not payable at the border but they give you the information).

Saving depends upon the deal your local dealer will give you and the value of a comparable unit you can deal with in the US. We saved about 6.5%.

[Moxy]

Originally Posted by brian-nicola

Hello Moxy,

Everything you stated is found on the RIV website. You are not correct about USCBP. Any self propelled vehicle is required to file the electronic filing notice and a copy of the State issued title. If you export the vehicle without presenting to USCBP the fine is up to 10,000. CBSA never "used" to enforce but this year there is a recip agreement.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...and-motorcycle)

it may very well be on their website but as indicated they accept no responsibility for what they post with respect to vehicle admission, Transport Canada is the agency responsible for admissions and where you need to confirm eligibility for import, have you ever imported a vehicle from the states? You do not require export forms if and when presenting your own vehicle at the border for importation into Canada, all that is required is the title and certified copies, in advance, period, this year being 2014 titles are required to be cancelled just as every other year for the past 15 years not being enforced, Canada Border Services, they do not even ask for title they inspect vehicle, record and verify serial number as well as various requirement for RIV form 1, review and copy bill of sale, collect gst and send you on your way, you can pay riv online and pst at provincial licence bureau that's the way it is done in Ontario and Quebec, no additional forms required. but I reiterate having witnessed the stunned look on people who think they know what they are doing because they only looked at the RIV web site, didn't understand warranty recall requirements, failed to ensure admissibility, and have to return or leave their motorhome in the US and resell to try and recoup their money.

So again, it is not an easy process or simple to do, with some care a precautions it can be done and you can save a bundle,

Moxy

[Skip426]

New rules regarding ; EXPORTING, vehicles from the USA, came into effect in May or June. Before you can import into Canada , you must first export it from the USA.
There was a post on this in May , I'll track it down and link you to it.

EDIT: Note to self , read every post before posting. I see most of the other post , that I was thinking of , has been covered here already.

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by Moxy

it may very well be on their website but as indicated they accept no responsibility for what they post with respect to vehicle admission, Transport Canada is the agency responsible for admissions and where you need to confirm eligibility for import, have you ever imported a vehicle from the states? You do not require export forms if and when presenting your own vehicle at the border for importation into Canada, all that is required is the title and certified copies, in advance, period, this year being 2014 titles are required to be cancelled just as every other year for the past 15 years not being enforced, Canada Border Services, they do not even ask for title they inspect vehicle, record and verify serial number as well as various requirement for RIV form 1, review and copy bill of sale, collect gst and send you on your way, you can pay riv online and pst at provincial licence bureau that's the way it is done in Ontario and Quebec, no additional forms required. but I reiterate having witnessed the stunned look on people who think they know what they are doing because they only looked at the RIV web site, didn't understand warranty recall requirements, failed to ensure admissibility, and have to return or leave their motorhome in the US and resell to try and recoup their money.

So again, it is not an easy process or simple to do, with some care a precautions it can be done and you can save a bundle,

Moxy

You can check out if your vehicle choice is admissable at this web site: Vehicle Import Compatibility (Admissibility) list for vehicles purchased in the United States - Transport Canada

You need to follow the guidelines for documentation to export/import the admissable vehicle. The electronic requirement will be required in October. Probably cheaper and easier to get a broker to do that portion. Probably cost about 400 (guess). Have to check with a broker to get actual prices.

If you follow the rules it is not difficult, just have to do your homework. You can call the CBSA and they will be happy to help you with any questions you might have.

[brian-nicola]

Most US brokers/forwarders/transport companies are charging about $50-$75 per filing.