BCbound
ArboristSite Operative
Thinking about going south of the border to hunt for some equipment. Anybody have any experience with this? Any tips would be great? I've been looking at the government sites, but they do get a little confusing.
Importing trucks or chippers into Canada from U.S.
- Thread starter BCbound
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Oak Savanna
ArboristSite Operative
Its not too bad if you have all your paperwork and stuff in order. Hire a broker to do all the paperwork for you, its worth it!! You also have to fax the U.S. border a copy of the title of the truck 72 hours before you plan to cross over with it so they can release it from the U.S and you can register it as a canadian vehicle. Use a fax machine that will give you a confirmation of the fax and has the date and time that you sent it and a copy of what you sent printed on it. They wont let you cross unless its been exactly 72 hours or longer. You will have to stop on the U.S. side and go into the customs office and get the title stamped and released. Then once back in Canada you go into the customs office and they will process your paperwork which you had your broker put together for you or you prepared yourself. Also if you bring a truck back make sure it is clean, no chips in the box etc cause they will make you turn around. It seems like alot of work but if you are patient and have all your ducks in a row its not too bad. Chippers or stumpers might be alittle different because I think they are considered machinery and not a vehicle. I brought an 02 forestry truck over in the fall. 60 footer that came out of Florida looks brand new and not all rusted out from the road salt like trucks here.
deevo
Addicted to ArboristSite
Yep exactly, chippers and stump grinders all you have to do is pay the HST, very easy process!I was in/out in less then 5 mins when i brought my stump grinder back into Canada. So go for it! Many deals to be had buying in the US!
BCbound
ArboristSite Operative
Good info.
I like the broker idea. I may look into that process for the truck. I know the chipper wouldn't be a huge problem. There are some great deals down south. The stuff up here is very limited over priced in my opinion.
I like the broker idea. I may look into that process for the truck. I know the chipper wouldn't be a huge problem. There are some great deals down south. The stuff up here is very limited over priced in my opinion.
tsouz007
ArboristSite Member
A broker is the only way to go in my opinion and the suggestion to clean out the truck is great advice too! Don't give any reason for them to make it harder than it needs to be. I cross the border often and it usually goes great but sometimes you get a guy who didn't get his Timmie's that morning!
squad143
Tree Guy
Before you purchase a truck, check with RIV (Register of Imported Vehicles) and make sure you are allowed to use the vehicle in Canada. There are some vehicles that they will not allow into Canada (Mostly cars, but there are some larger vehicles).
Registrar of Imported Vehicles - Importer Checklist
You will also need recall clearance documentation (usually in the form of a letter) stating that there are no outstanding manufacturer's recalls associated with the vehicle. This can be obtained from the manufacturer of the vehicle.
It can seem a little overwhelming, but can be worth it.
I've purchased some equipment down in the U.S. and brought it back. Make sure you have a bill of sale, if buying private. When buying off a dealer, you'll definately have one.
Buying trailers is a little more involved (have to deal with RIV).
You'll have to pay HST (and any RIV) fees when you cross the border back into Canada.
Other good advice already posted.
Best of luck
Registrar of Imported Vehicles - Importer Checklist
You will also need recall clearance documentation (usually in the form of a letter) stating that there are no outstanding manufacturer's recalls associated with the vehicle. This can be obtained from the manufacturer of the vehicle.
It can seem a little overwhelming, but can be worth it.
I've purchased some equipment down in the U.S. and brought it back. Make sure you have a bill of sale, if buying private. When buying off a dealer, you'll definately have one.
Buying trailers is a little more involved (have to deal with RIV).
You'll have to pay HST (and any RIV) fees when you cross the border back into Canada.
Other good advice already posted.
Best of luck
BCbound
ArboristSite Operative
What methods of payment did you guys use? If the seller will take a company check will that work in the U.S. ? This will be a private sale.
deevo
Addicted to ArboristSite
I did mine in cash. That usually can get the seller down also! I got a steal on my grinder paying with cash:msp_wink:.
greenline tree
ArboristSite Lurker
Bought a chipper from Portland a few years ago.Definitly glad I went the broker route.
Make sure you have a bill of sale if it is a private deal. Also make sure you clean the machine from top to bottom before you hit customs.
Some really good deals and better selection south of the border.
Good Luck
Make sure you have a bill of sale if it is a private deal. Also make sure you clean the machine from top to bottom before you hit customs.
Some really good deals and better selection south of the border.
Good Luck
squad143
Tree Guy
Visa and cash.
Use American money, ours looks too much like Monopoly money to them.:hmm3grin2orange:
Use American money, ours looks too much like Monopoly money to them.:hmm3grin2orange:
BCbound
ArboristSite Operative
Well it will be a private sale. So visa will be out and I cant cross the border with more that 10,000. The sale will be more than 10,000. When the long week end is over I'll start some negotiations with the seller and talk more about payment options. As well I'll talk to the bank to figure it out more. I'd like to head down with cash but hate the thought of traveling with that kind of coin in the vehicle.
deevo
Addicted to ArboristSite
I hear yeah, I went down with a large sum of cash under $10, I made sure someone stayed in the vehicle while we gassed up and guarded the loot! Good luck with your purchase, keep us updated!
Oak Savanna
ArboristSite Operative
I bought my truck from a dealer and had my bank wire the money to their bank. I went down the weekend before and saw the truck and made the deal then went back and picked it up the next week.
pacific stumper
ArboristSite Lurker
Crossing border
My understanding is you can take more than 10k across but the law states you need to declare it to the customs officer. FWI
My understanding is you can take more than 10k across but the law states you need to declare it to the customs officer. FWI
arbor pro
Addicted to ArboristSite
unless you're wary of the seller or the equipment and need to inspect first, a bank to bank wire is easy to do and usually costs just a few bucks ($10 US for me) to complete. However, once completed, there's no withdrawing it from the account you send it to should you have a change of heart about what you're buying so be sure it's what you want.
Other option is to wire a deposit so that the remaining balance is $10k or less if that is the limit you can take with you without declaring it.
AP
cooey
ArboristSite Lurker
looking to do the same
Just wondering what sites you use to locate trucks and tree service equipment. Excity California trucks look good for low hours and no rust . Let me know how you make out. thanks
Just wondering what sites you use to locate trucks and tree service equipment. Excity California trucks look good for low hours and no rust . Let me know how you make out. thanks
I've imported 2 chip trucks and all I can recommend is don't expect anything to go too quickly. Be patient. Just brought one over from Montana this winter and the one glitch came from not finding a secondary manufacturer label for the chip box. Make sure the decals are on before you buy. Also daytime running lights will be the other requirement. If it is an older truck you'll need to install a module before you can pass the riv inspection.
All in all it is a bit of a pain, but the deals and equipment available in the states makes it worth the hassle.
All in all it is a bit of a pain, but the deals and equipment available in the states makes it worth the hassle.
arbor pro
Addicted to ArboristSite
another idea: paypal allows credit card payments. If you don't already have a cc account set up within paypal, it will take a few days to link your card account. the seller just sends you a paypal invoice, you pay it with your credit card. there is,however, a 3% fee that one of you is going to have to pay or split. usually, it's the seller who pays.
nice thing about paypal is they guarantee the transaction by holding the payment until you inform them to release it. I bought a trencher attachment from a guy who proceeded to remove the new hydraulic hoses and couplers from it before shipping it. I filed a complaint with paypal after he refused to send them or refund the cost of them. I had a picture of the trencher he had sent me and it clearly showed the hoses and couplers attached to the trencher. paypal made him send the parts or they wouldn't release the payment I had made. he would have been out the entire cost of the trencher!
AP
nice thing about paypal is they guarantee the transaction by holding the payment until you inform them to release it. I bought a trencher attachment from a guy who proceeded to remove the new hydraulic hoses and couplers from it before shipping it. I filed a complaint with paypal after he refused to send them or refund the cost of them. I had a picture of the trencher he had sent me and it clearly showed the hoses and couplers attached to the trencher. paypal made him send the parts or they wouldn't release the payment I had made. he would have been out the entire cost of the trencher!
AP
BCbound
ArboristSite Operative
Hi Greenleaf,
What kind of truck did you buy? Was it older or newer then 15yrs? How did you deal with the box not having a compliance label? This could be an issue for me as one of the trucks I'm looking at has a homemade dump box on it.
What kind of truck did you buy? Was it older or newer then 15yrs? How did you deal with the box not having a compliance label? This could be an issue for me as one of the trucks I'm looking at has a homemade dump box on it.
BC Bound I picked up a 2001 F550 with a 12' box. After a lot of stressful phone calls we were able to find a label which was in the glove box! The previous truck I brought up had the label behind the seat. I believe they are supposed to be putting them on the door. You should call RIV.ca to ask about a home made....that could be a deal breaker.
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