Trading projects with someone in Washington, HELP!

[Cerot]

I am attempting to do a trade with a fellow in Washington, my 1970 Double Cab for a 1957 Bug. He does not own the bug, instead he will be buying it from the owner (who has a clear title for it), and then driving up here to BC with it on a trailer and making the trade, then heading back to Washington with the DC. Has anybody ever brought a non-running project from the US, or sent a non running project TO the US? Border services has been no help to us, they tell us to look at their websites, which are vague on the details involving non running vintage vehicles. Again, the DC has a clear registration in my name, and the Oval will have a clear title as well.

[BUSDADDY]

I can't speak for the truck going south and what Canada or US customs wants, but the bug title will have to be faxed into the US export office 72 hours+ in advance whether it's running or not and you'll need a bill of sale or better for Canada customs for it.

[red snapper]

When I brought my Fiat across from the states I told them it was a parts car and they never asked any questions. But when you go to insure it, it could be a problem.

[berliner]

My Ghia came across the border on a trailer and was a definite non-runner.I had the California seller's title,and just treated it like any other car.If you import it as a "parts" car,or salvage,it will come back and bite you.The U.S.border people were Very easy to deal with;they didn't even come outside to look at the car.He said"I've seen an old car before" As long as the paperwork is in order,they don't car if it runs or not.As was said before,fax your papers to them 72 hours before importing and make sure of the days and times you can actually do it.I did mine at the Blaine crossing;I seem to recall they only do it on week days.Make sure your bill of sale has the price on it...mine didn't and caused a bit of friction on the Canadian side.Hope this helps..Mike

[firebug]

I bought my '57 from Washington 2 years ago and it was super easy to bring across.  Here is a great website that will tell you everything you need to know.


http://www.ratwell.com/technical/Importing-Canada.html

The biggest thing is to make sure you give the border at least a 2 day warning that the car is going to be coming across.  They might want the day and approximate time.  The vehicle export hours are not the same as the border.  Hope this helps.

Travis

[johnny main]

Just did a trade with a good buddy from washington,

This is the only way to do the deal.

I took my ragtop over in the trailer and parked at the liquor store just before the border and walked in to the customs office cause i had no clue. I told them i was doing a straight trade to a guy in washington, they said i as a canadian could not transport the car over the border the buyer being a US resident had to do it, so i called him he was on the other side he drove through the border and we swapped the car from trailer to trailer, then he drove back through. He went into customs on the US side and they stamped it for import with no questions or fees. Then i followed him through for lunch, no problems at all.

We spent two weeks trying to email them to figure this shit out. My buddy was telling me that a guy from his work had a rock crawler and he was from the us selling it to a canadian resident, he pulled up to the border and said he was going to go rock crawling in the buggy in whistler, they asked if he was selling it and he said no, they proceeded to drill him with acusations of a pre arranged sale, then said the only way he was getting it through was to pay the taxes on it, so he thought he would pay that and work it out with the canadian buyer when he got through, so he went it and paid the fees and when he got out to his truck and went to go through the last border crossing they said sorry better luck next time and denided him acess to canada, so he was out the sale and the cash, shitty for him but there is no arguing with these guys.

Canadian Imports is as easy as pie fax them the title and export sheet, then wait 3 buisness days and you will be good to import the car, when i do it i email after the 3 days for a comfirmation, they respond within hours every time saying yes or no, and i have yet to have a no.

Two best tips i have for people importing cars is dont lie or even stretch the truth, they will get all the info they need to prove you wrong if you are doing so, gaurenteed.

And dont be scared its easy, keep trading all our rusty junkers for good dry steel it makes perfect sence for all of us


Good luck

John

[Chris]

to clarify importing to Canada, fax US customs the paperwork 3 days prior to exporting it, on the Canadian side you just have to show up, I believe it can only be done during regular business hours and US customs has to see the vehicle in person and to confirm the VIN number

[johnny main]

yes and that is three buisness days excluding holidays, learnt that the hard way before

[owdlvr]

Not regular business hours.  8:00am-3:30pm Monday to Friday, no holidays.

I've exported around ten vehicles from the states, 4+ in the last three years.

The information is possible to find on the websites if you do a search, but the best way to do it is call the US border export office at the crossing you want to use and ask them to email you the "vehicle export package."  The package includes an instruction sheet with very detailed step-by-step instructions and a worksheet you fill out.

A fair bit of the answers above are close to being correct but contain wrong information. Get the package from export services.

-Dave

[Cerot]

Thank you for the advice everybody, it looks like this isn't going to happen though. He needs a passport to bring the oval across, and it's going to cost him about $500 (he needs one for his son as well). I'm checking with a few different car shipping companies but it looks like a bust

[blarneyman]

Thank you for the advice everybody, it looks like this isn't going to happen though. He needs a passport to bring the oval across, and it's going to cost him about $500 (he needs one for his son as well). I'm checking with a few different car shipping companies but it looks like a bust

Sounds more like he is just back peddling to me. You can cross the border with an enhanced license (no passport needed). They are only $15 if you already have a valid drivers license in the state. They also have an ID card for younger ones that cost about the same.