Importing used trailer from Canada

[jvhretiredatcs]

Good morning everyone I am looking for updated information on what is needed to import a used travel trailer from Canada into the USA. Every thread that I have searched on here is at least 10 years old and links don't work. We will be going up to Alberta in a couple of weeks to pick up an older travel trailer and trying to be prepared for our trip. We know the obvious that we need our passports and a bill of sale, but can't seem to get ahold of anyone at the border crossing point to find out what we need beyond that. I do know that the magic number is if it is more than 25 years old we don't need some sort of tag on the trailer. Other than that I am coming up empty on the requirements.

[jerrybob]

In today's crazy world....hard to say. I would try to contact the US border crossing office you will be using on your return. Ask them what is required. If possible....get a name along with any details. Good luck.

[jvhretiredatcs]

Originally Posted by jerrybob

In today's crazy world....hard to say. I would try to contact the US border crossing office you will be using on your return. Ask them what is required. If possible....get a name along with any details. Good luck.

We have tried calling them but all we get is a recording and no live body. We will keep trying them though as you are correct they are the best place to get info.

Update, I just got through to the Border Patrol and they said if less than 25 years old then you need a Compliance Letter from the manufacturer. In our case the RV is more than 25 years old so not applicable. Other than that he said we will only need the Bill of Sale and any other docs that we get from the seller, meaning registration docs. Other than that he said that they will give us anything we need at the border. Thanks to your advice I did get his name too. There most likely will be a 2 1/2% duty for us to pay he didn't know about what will happen with the tarriffs yet.

[jerrybob]

Great.....hope it all works out for you. Have fun picking up the trailer....wishing you safe travels.

[dylanear]

Originally Posted by jvhretiredatcs

Good morning everyone I am looking for updated information on what is needed to import a used travel trailer from Canada into the USA. Every thread that I have searched on here is at least 10 years old and links don't work. We will be going up to Alberta in a couple of weeks to pick up an older travel trailer and trying to be prepared for our trip. We know the obvious that we need our passports and a bill of sale, but can't seem to get ahold of anyone at the border crossing point to find out what we need beyond that. I do know that the magic number is if it is more than 25 years old we don't need some sort of tag on the trailer. Other than that I am coming up empty on the requirements.

I've only done imports going the other way. And a title was a requirement getting US vehicles, trailers imported, registered, insured in BC.

[kari13]

Just wanted to say thanks for the thread and update. We are in the market for a used trailer and maybe 2-3 hours from the Canadian border so wouldn't rule out buying one from there. This is helpful!

[Tcjmiami]

I imported a 20 year old winnebago about 5 years ago.
It is just like customs at an airport. Depends on the agent as much as the action.
They went through my purchase completely even though it was only a retired couple and a dog.
The agent even accused us of trying to smuggle it in to the US even after I showed him that Winnebagos are manufactured in the USA.
I ended up paying a customs agent $700 to produce a complete set of unneeded import papers.
When we crossed the second time the agent asked why we wasted the money. I would have liked to.tell him but the ahole from the fist attempt was at the next window.

[Fran in Ideeho]

To contact your insurance agent to add the TT and have a letter that states it is covered beginning on your anticipated date of sale.

I bought a Bigfoot 17.5 in Canada in October 2023. However, it was NEW.
I declared it at the border in Canada, they just said “travel safe”.

Then on to the US side, customs needed me stop:
1). for inspection (actually I think they were just curious and not concerned I was trafficking anything).
2.). To verify I had Bill of Sale, letter from manufacturer or other proof - like a sticker on unit - that it complied with US RV Industry safety standards, verified the VIN# matched on papers and on rig and I think they asked for that insurance letter.
3.) the US Border Agent completed & provided the forms I needed to show to the DMV in Idaho to get registration and plates. I believe he gave me 2 forms.

Tarriffs were not an issue then. Just had to pay Idaho state tax on the US purchase price. Back then USD was way stronger than the CA dollar and I still grin & feel like timing was on my side.

Love my BF, the 17.5 is a perfect downsize from my BF 21RB. Hope you have Happy & Safe travels and create many wonderful memories!
Fran

[wilyoung]

Things are so screwed up here they change from day to day. Just be SURE you know what the tariff situation is the day you are bringing it back over.

[ReneS]

You might just pick up a trip permit tag from your DMV before your trip. You may not even need to do anything more or even say you bought it in Canada at the border, I am thinking. ?? Rene'

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Fran in Ideeho

…Then on to the US side, customs needed me stop:
1). for inspection (actually I think they were just curious and not concerned I was trafficking anything).
2.). To verify I had Bill of Sale, letter from manufacturer or other proof - like a sticker on unit - that it complied with US RV Industry safety standards, verified the VIN# matched on papers and on rig and I think they asked for that insurance letter.
3.) the US Border Agent completed & provided the forms I needed to show to the DMV in Idaho to get registration and plates. I believe he gave me 2 forms.

I’m wondering about the insurance. I’ve followed this topic for over a decade, and trailer insurance has never been mentioned as an import requirement before, nor was it included in any of the online articles I’ve seen on the subject, including the go-to summary on the recently closed Fiberglass-RV-4Sale site, which served both the US and Canada.

Mandatory basic liability when towing is normally covered by your tow vehicle’s liability coverage, and that’s all the government typically cares about. Most buyers will want full collision and comprehensive coverage on a new or late model trailer for the trip home, but not necessarily on an older unit. That does require a separate policy, and it's not a legal requirement.

Did the border agent specifically ask for proof of insurance on the trailer? Proof of registration and insurance on your tow vehicle is standard procedure for all vehicle border crossings and has nothing to do with importing a trailer.

The sticker or letter required for trailers under 25 years old is not the recreational vehicle standards certification, but proof that it meets US DOT motor vehicle requirements for the year of manufacture. Different sticker, different purpose. It covers things like emissions, safety equipment, and lighting. For trailers, it’s just the running lights, maybe brakes over a certain GVWR.

Not all molded fiberglass manufacturers are RVIA members carrying the RVIA certification sticker, and there is no related federal or state requirement.

[Fran in Ideeho]

I would agree the insurance is not a “required” portion of the import. They don’t really have any vested interest in your safety or out-of pocket costs in event of accident. Sorry, I should have clarified.

I prefer to think the agent (older male) who asked me (solo female) did so in an overly protective / perhaps parental way vs just hassling me. Doubt I would have been denied import if I didn’t have it. As I recall, he just asked, and when I said, “yes - right here”, he didn’t even look at it.

However, that letter from my agent indicating the TT was properly covered by my vehicle insurance commencing on such & such a date gave me peace of mind that all boxes were ticked.

[jvhretiredatcs]

We got across the border with no problems and are working our way back to AZ. Crossing was not an issue at all, they didn't ask for proof of insurance although I had it. Paid the 10% tariff and filled out the appropriate forms and were on our way.

[Fran in Ideeho]

Enjoy & make Happy Memories!
Fran