Exporting from the US

by Vic Whitmore
(Thornhill ON & Mexico!)

You have omitted one very important aspect of buying in the US for importation into Canada. The US requires notification 72 hours in advance of your arrival at the border crossing. You need to send, by FAX, courier, or mail, the vehicle information, including the VIN to the US border crossing. Not all crossings support this. For example, in the Niagara area, the crossing point is Lewiston NY.

The vehicle export information is included on the US Customs and Border Services web site:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/export_docs/motor_vehicle.xml

A list of entry points:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/

If you are importing into Ontario, you will pay GST at the Canadian border. After your RIV approval comes through, you can then register it. When registering in Ontario, you will then pay the PST. With the up-coming HST, this may change.

Comments for
Exporting from the US

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Jun 02, 2012
 RV registration changing years in Canada
by: Anonymous

Did anyone experience buying a rv in the US and have to get it regestered a year older in canada, because the chassis was made the year before the motorhome?
May 24, 2011
 re: 72 hr notice
by: PhilO

I'm in the process of importing a travel trailer, and from what I've seen on the USGovt Customs site, and the dealer I'm buying from, the 72 hr notice does not apply - it applies only to "self propelled" vehicles or RV's.
Jan 09, 2010
 My response
by: Marianne (moderator)


Thanks Vic,
Exactly the kind of info I was hoping to get from "seasoned veterans." I was aware of the 72-hour border delay and did mean to mention it...I'll update the page, also adding the other websites you referenced.

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