Our moving story

[dearheart 0]

Well, the short version is that we made it!

On Monday, the 29th we (hubby, and I, the boys & grandma & grandpa) started out. We drove two hours to the border to cross at the Sweetgrass, MT POE. I drove ahead in the van and Lyndon drove behind in the U-haul. Lyndon told them that he was here to activate a K3. We were told to pull around to the left and come inside to wait. They called us after about 30 minutes. Lyndon cleared and the U-haul cleared with no trouble. They didn't even ask for the inventory list of contents in the U-haul, even after mentioning that we had one. Not even a peek inside the u-haul! But our van did not have the DOT sticker inside the door so we were given two options. Either leave the van at the border and continue on our merry way, or drive back into Canada and get a registered importer to import our car. We had tried to get a compliance letter from Chrysler, but they refused. Some mixup because a US Citizen was on the registration. They were horrible to deal with. So, we decided to go with option two. We left the U-haul at the border and drove back into Canada to a city called Lethbridge and met a guy from a registered importer. he was very helpful. $400 and a couple pieces of paper and that sticker and we were on our way. It ended up being a 6 hour delay, but we made it. We didn't drive too far that day and gladly ended our day in Great Falls, Montana.

The next day we drove from Great Falls, MT to Twin Falls, ID. It was a beautiful drive and the boys did pretty good. We were again, very happy to get into bed. Wednesday was a drive through Nevada. That was a bit mind numbing, but we made it to Reno to stay at the Circus Circus. We enjoyed that. The boys (and adults) enjoyed the carnival games and prizes. Thursday we drove to California. The agricultual inspection was painless. They asked Lyndon where are you moving from and what part of Canada. That's it... waved him through and we were in.

It was quite the adventure. Even though the van was a hassle, the officer that worked with us was very courteous. So please, get that compliance letter or go through a registered importer.

Now it's time to get the AOS papers ready. here we go again.

[vanee 13]

Good to see you made it to the US and with the van.

[Krikit 1,164]

Wow. What an adventure! I'm glad you made it through without TOO much hassle. Congratulations Dearheart!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

WOO HOO!

Congratulations

I'm glad you made it safe and sound...I love road trips!!!

[Doug n Amanda 0]

Well, the short version is that we made it!

Now it's time to get the AOS papers ready. here we go again.

Congrats on the successful family journey (see In-Law thread, LOL) and on making it "home". Sorry to hear about the hassles on the vehicle. Hope it helps to know that your comments will be very helpful to the next guy (ME!)

Thanks!

[vnoe 0]

Glad you made it.

...I just don't get the whole problem with the vehicle. It seems every POE has "different" rules to go by. I have a 2001 Dodge Caravan Sport that has a sticker under the hood stating it meets with USA EPA or something like that...my officer told me that was all that was needed. I never did get a letter from Daimler. Anyways I'm sorry to hear it cost you time and money!!!! Glad you had a fun roadtrip anyways!!!

Now get ready to wait for your AOS!!!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Sorry about the Vehicle. You would think that an American made car would be certifiable . And a big hearty welcome to the US!

[PfcsBaby 0]

Glad you made it safe.

[dearheart 0]

And just to clarify - our 2005 Van did have the EPA sticker in the engine compartment, but did not have the DOT sticker on the inside of the door. I am at least thankful that this experience may help someone else. You just can't rely on a chance that the BO will let you through. And really, if they are doing their job well, i guess they really shouldn't let a vehicle through without the proper stickers... but man, I am very disappointed in dealing with Chrysler. I've read on VJ that other makes have no trouble. Anyway.... now we know.

[Doug n Amanda 0]

So your experience motivated Doug to check into this further, thank goodness! He's been saying all along that the EPA sticker would be all he needed, no matter how much I tried to tell him differently! THANK YOU.

Doug is currently driving truck, crossing the border daily or more and has made a great contact at the Ambassador (CBP Seargent or equivalent). According to him and the Michigan DOT, Deerheart's agent followed proper procedure in requiring the DOT sticker.

We have a 2003 Impala, and called GM. GM owners need to contact Vintage Vehicle Services (they ONLY do GM vehicles and are located in Oshawa, Ontario) at 1-888-467-6853. They email a form to fill out, with instructions on paying the $79.50 via. Visa or MC number. Once the form & payment is received, they can email the letter (PDF or Word doc) directly to you within 24 hours.

It's like anything else, depends on who ya get...they can't make sure ALL agents are following procedures, so it's up to you....take the chance you get an agent who doesn't and end up paying $400 on the spot, OR cough up the $79+ to be on the safe side. Hopefully you'll get cooperation from your manufacturer (I've worked for all 3...GM, Ford & Chrysler, so I'd just keep pounding on doors until I got one! )

PS...Deerheart, according to the Michigan DOT, it doesn't matter if there's a USC on the registration.....they made it, you bought it, they have to comply!!

[kimmbo 0]

Glad to here you made it HOME safely, and that for the most part it was pretty smooth sailing...definetly gonna make sure we have all the car paperwork we need...

good luck with all the AOS stuff!

[~Nini~ 2]

Glad to hear you made it, dearheart! Now get unpacked and start crackin' on that AOS paperwork!