Importing an Unregistered RV at POE

[Moby4 0]

I've read some threads about importing a car but I haven't seen any threads about RVs.

I'm thinking about purchasing a RV in Ontario before my return to the US to take advantage of the weak Canadian dollar. Will the process be the same as importing a car? There is no duty on it as long as it was built in the US or Canada just as it is with a car?

Also, I would like to leave the RV unregistered in Ontario and drive it to the US with a "In-Transit" permit and title transfer/bill of sales from the seller. I'm wondering if there would be any issue at the border if I did this. I know I will be ok in Michigan once I cross the border since I have a week or so after the purchase of the vehicle that I am allowed to drive the vehicle unregistered to take it home.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

You may have more issues with the compliance letter with an RV than a standard car. If you can't get that you won't be able to register it. You you thinking about paying in cash ? Loads usually restrict you in moving it.

[NikLR 13,227]

You'll have to pay duty on it just like anyone else who would go up to Canada and import a vehicle. You need to have owned something for a year to import it under the rules no duty.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/218/kw/import%20vehicle

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car

[Moby4 0]

You may have more issues with the compliance letter with an RV than a standard car. If you can't get that you won't be able to register it. You you thinking about paying in cash ? Loads usually restrict you in moving it.

Yeah, I don't know how compliance will work with an RV. If it was originally built in the US though (Many RVs are), wouldn't you be able to say that its compliant? It will all be payed with cash.

You'll have to pay duty on it just like anyone else who would go up to Canada and import a vehicle. You need to have owned something for a year to import it under the rules no duty.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/218/kw/import%20vehicle

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car

But doesn't NAFTA rules apply as long as the vehicle was built in Canada or the US? https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/404/~/nafta---duty-on-goods-imported-from-canada-and-mexico

[NikLR 13,227]

Youd have to ask the cbp and an importer.

[HollywoodNorth 22]

No duty if its a NAFTA vehicle. Chances are its US made if its a RV. No duty issues. Ownership time should not matter.

I had a GMC Pickup that I purchased 4 months before moving, no issues importing. Took 5 minutes. Once they saw it was a made in the US truck they "rubber stamped it" They just checked the VIN and I was on my way with the import paperwork.

I know at the Blaine, WA crossing they were used to seeing temp BC 1 day registration/tags for importing used vehicles into Washington from BC, heck it was even on their border patrol tv show in an episode.

So thats the Federal level taken care of. You may be subject to tax at the DMV/State level but that will vary.

Edited July 15, 2016 by HollywoodNorth

[Moby4 0]

No duty if its a NAFTA vehicle. Chances are its US made if its a RV. No duty issues. Ownership time should not matter.

I had a GMC Pickup that I purchased 4 months before moving, no issues importing. Took 5 minutes. Once they saw it was a made in the US truck they "rubber stamped it" They just checked the VIN and I was on my way with the import paperwork.

I know at the Blaine, WA crossing they were used to seeing temp BC 1 day registration/tags for importing used vehicles into Washington from BC, heck it was even on their border patrol tv show in an episode.

So thats the Federal level taken care of. You may be subject to tax at the DMV/State level but that will vary.

Awesome, just what I wanted to hear. Thanks HollywoodNorth.