Looking for information RE:US/Canada Sales

[phunka]

Hey everybody,

I've been trying to find some information, and can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for. I thought I remembered a member selling his delica to a guy in the US, but I can't seem to find the thread. I don't think it would have been on a different board, as I recall the Canadian/American thing being pretty relevant...

The reason I ask is I was going to be selling my van this winter, after one last road-trip down the coast (back to SF). and while I was there a few weeks ago, I was asked if I would sell it. I feel it's a sign that this is where the van needs to go, and I should sell it to this guy. I mean, I was planning on doing it anyway!! Might as well live out her days in the bay! So I was hoping to get some insight into the process, and where to obtain some more information on the whole process.

Has anyone gone through this?

Links are appreciated, I'm in the process of finalizing my school application and selling a van, after 2 months of camping my head is going to explode!!

[jessef]

Just make sure you as the seller have your ass covered.

Technically you are importing a vehicle into the USA (temporarily driving it) that is not allowed to be sold in the USA.

You are selling it within the USA and then leaving the USA without that vehicle.

If memory serves me correctly, you will have some very detailed explaining to do at the border with customs.

I'm not sure what you can tell them. I'll look into it.

The only way for you as the seller to do this without any repercussions down the road is to sell it within Canada to a US citizen who will themselves bring it/import it into the USA.

That way you're not leaving the USA with the vehicle you entered the USA with.

[phunka]

Interesting, I guess I thought this might be a lot easier to do than it is. For what it's worth I'd be flying back, and would just say I had a one-way ride down or something like that.

I'm not a native BC resident, so kind of new to ICBC. Would they have any information on this matter? Or would it be a Customs question? I guess I just dont know what body of government to get info from.

[jessef]

For what it's worth I'd be flying back, and would just say I had a one-way ride down or something like that.

You're kidding.

All they have to do is swipe your passport and it will give them the entry time/date/place when you entered the US along with your registered vehicle.

They will catch you on that and now you're into serious territory with a false statement heading into the legal area. The questions will come flying and you'll have to answer them.

When you drive across the border, ICBC/Canadian & US insurance systems, Canadian customs, US customs, homeland security and a fistful of other agencies all have access to that information.

If you had a vehicle stolen in Washington and reported it to ICBC, they can get the tracking/recovery information on their system which is shared in north america. I didn't know this until recently.

What will you do with you license plates ? Carry them with you ?

I've been asked to do what you are thinking of doing and there were too many unknowns and customs complications for me to even consider bringing in a canadian vehicle in my name into the US, selling it there and crossing back into Canada without that vehicle.

I don't recommend it. It's possible you may not have any problems coming back. It's highly possible that you will have issues with customs.

Another thing is with ICBC. They own the license plates, not you. What will you tell them ?

You can't say it's stolen because it was sold and customs can back it up. Flying/walking/train back into Canada with license plates on your body will attract the attention you don't want.

My advice. Don't do it.

[mdrive]

good advice, take it.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I went to Arkansas in 2003, really nice people. I was stuck at Dallas/Fort Worth for a spell. I wanted a smoke and as there was absolutely zero tolerance to smoking in the airport I went outside in full and clear view of the customs/guards. I finished my smoke, deposited the dog end in the can provided and went back into the airport.....

• Thanks guys...... "YOU WILL STEP OVER HERE AND REMOVE YOUR SHOES; YOU WILL EMPTY ALL THE CONTENTS OF YOUR POCKETS INTO THIS TRAY"

My first instinct was to say "your joking, right? I was right there in plain view all the time". Then I thought better of it as I realised they were serious. "HUMOR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED"

When I got back to Canada there was a news story about a guy from North Vancouver, who was attending some computer seminar in Texas who got snagged by Homeland Security under suspicion of possibly being a terrorist. He was held for quite a while, I think three months with no official charge.

Let the guy buy it in Canada and see about importing it himself. By the way, where we must wait 15 years in Canada for these vehicles ~ in the States they must be 25 years old. There is a thread somewhere on this site about a guy in Florida who managed to get one in ~ might be worth searching for.

You don't want to f*** with US Customs, they are not nice. By the way, the US/Canadian border used to be know as the longest unprotected border in the world, because of our trust.
This is now a story from the past.

Falco.

P.S.: How well do you know this guy? Let's say you successfully sell it in the States and walk back across the border because... it was your lucky day.... If that vehicle is used in any illegal activity in the US ~ guess who is going to get a visit from the authorities? If s/he buys it in Canada and imports it her/himself, you are off the hook.

[impalator]

Aside from all the feedback you received from Jfarsang, there is this one point that Falco makes, which I know is true and there won't be much bending it: Privately imported vehicles into the USA must be a minimum of 25 years of age... while in Canada it is 15 years... if this rule could be tampered with, we'd be driving much newer Delica's here already as opposed to 15 years old or older...

I would think very, very carefully before going down that road...

[Bullwinkle]

Since we're sharing concerns over import/export...

I lived in the states for a bunch of years and only recently came back to Canada. While living in Colorado I had bought a Subaru WRX and have to say that it was a real joy (read: not a real joy) to bring it into Canada when I repatriated. One of the many sticky points, which I suspect would be common, is that you need to get an export license to have the vehicle registered/titled in the new jurisdiction. It's a friendly thing to do; was just a bit of paperwork at US customs and a stamp on the original unencumbered title from the US but this was something that had to be done when leaving the original country of title. If not done, presented to Canadian customs and included in the RIV package, the vehicle couldn't be registered or insured in Canada. Prolly the same down south.

With all of the comments suggesting the "don't' do it" approach, just wanted to add my support to that line of thinking. IANAL but if there is no record of export/sale/transfer with export licenses in place, my gut feeling is that you're exposed to not only criminal but also liability issues. Someone else mentioned that ICE doesn't have much of a sense of humour about these sorts of things and in my experience that's a polite understatement.

Not so encouraging eh?

[phunka]

I've been away, but glad to see some feedback. I guess I hadn't thought it through that much, and was letting my desire for this to work overpower my common sense.

All very good points, and I've changed my mind on this matter. If he wants the van, he can come get it. :P

Thanks guys, I'm glad I asked!!

[FalcoColumbarius]

But wouldn't it be nice to live in a world without borders?

[fexlboi]

But wouldn't it be nice to live in a world without borders?

No.

[FalcoColumbarius]

But wouldn't it be nice to live in a world without borders?

No.

You're right. Let's rebuild the Wall.

[jessef]

[fishslapper]

I think the only problem with this is going to be for the buyer. You can cross the border with your vehicle saying you're going to sell it and they probably won't blink twice at you. They may ask you some questions about where and who but aside from that you'd probably be fine. Your best bet is to contact the US Border and ask them. Their website isn't very user friendly but you might find what you need there as well. The problem for the buyer would be getting it licensed and registered. The only way I know of a Delica less than 25 years being imported into the states was by the original owner when he moved there because it had been owned and registered in Canada for over a year. As far as coming back with a one way ticket, if you tell the truth, have proof of the sale, and declare the money you have if it's over $10,000 you'll be fine. There's nothing out there that says you can't sell things in the US. If you're thinking of doing it call US Customs and ask them. Call Canadian Customs and ask them too. people do business across the border every day. As long as there's no illegal things involved they probably won't care.

Good luck

[vixentd]

Taking a car into the states and selling it is a serious offence for the Canadian, Check with customs and they will tell you the same. Please do your homework before just driving across and selling your vehicle.

What is the penalty? You may be flagged and not be allowed to enter the states again.