Commercially Importing a Trailer from Canada

[Dustin_Saunders]

Hello,
I've recently purchased a new Armadillo 13' trailer from an RV dealership in Alberta. Couldn't be more excited! What at first seemed as though it would be a relatively easy process of importing it commercially to my home in Colorado is turning out to be much trickier. It turns out the trailer will have to be held at customs for 30-40 days before being released into the US. Has anyone had experience with this issue or success importing a trailer from Canada?

[Cathi]

Do you mean that you are using it for a business?

[Dustin_Saunders]

No the trailer is for personal use. I am unable to go to Canada to get the trailer myself and will be using a commercial shipping company for the import

[Donna D.]

My Escape was built in Chilliwack, BC and Escape Trailer Industries imported it (and brought it across the border) for me. They do that for ALL their US customers. If fact, my trailer beat me across the border because they went through the commercial lanes and I was in the regular lane.


Seems like Armadillo should look into doing the same thing if they're wanting US customers.

[Dustin_Saunders]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

My Escape was built in Chilliwack, BC and Escape Trailer Industries imported it (and brought it across the border) for me. They do that for ALL their US customers. If fact, my trailer beat me across the border because they went through the commercial lanes and I was in the regular lane.


Seems like Armadillo should look into doing the same thing if they're wanting US customers.

Does your escape have a sticker meeting the DOT standards? Or did escape include a letter that it fulfilled all the DOT requirements?

[Donna D.]

I got a whole bunch of papers, I'm sure whatever was needed was either on the trailer as a sticker, or in the batch of paperwork ETI had when they went through the border crossing.

[Glenn Baglo]

CSA sticker is DOT equivalent.

[Cathi]

Originally Posted by Dustin_Saunders

@Donna D Does your escape have a sticker meeting the DOT standards? Or did escape include a letter that it fulfilled all the DOT requirements?

I believe that there is a form for that among the papers. Escape takes all of the trailers across at Sumas, Washington or other points where the American buyers then take possession. That way Escape retains papers that it needs regarding proper importation by Americans, and that takes care of American buyers not owing Canadian taxes.

[Dustin_Saunders]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

CSA sticker is DOT equivalent.

Do you know if a trailer specified as Ubilt can be approved by the DOT standards?

[Glenn Baglo]

I don't know, but I doubt it would be an inexpensive process.
Why would Armadillo be described as Ubuilt?

[vintageracer]

Typically when YOU are not in person importing a vehicle/trailer from Canada to the US you get an hired border "agent" involved to act on your behalf for the importation of the vehicle/trailer. This "agent" is appointed by you and acts on your behalf as the importer. You said you are using a commercial shipping/transport company for the process of shipping the trailer to you. The shipping company should be able to fully explain this process to you, why the shipping/delivery is taking so long and why the trailer would be held in Customs for such a long length of time. IF they are not able to fully explain this to you why the trailer has to sit in customs for so long I suggest you are dealing with the wrong shipping/transport company without any experience in this process!

All this assumes that the seller does not want to get involved as the person importing the vehicle/trailer to the US for you. Every now and then you get lucky and the seller will take that responsibility

Remove the word "commercially" from your vocabulary as it relates to the importation of this trailer since this trailer was sold to you personally and for your personal use. Say the wrong think to the wrong border agent and it just might cost you "Mo Tax Money"!

As Donna said her trailer beat her across the border. "I" think you might have a lazy or slow shipping company who is blaming their lack of ability to deliver your trailer to you in Colorado in a timely manner on the US customs agents!

[Dustin_Saunders]

Originally Posted by vintageracer

Typically when YOU are not in person importing a vehicle/trailer from Canada to the US you get an hired border "agent" involved to act on your behalf for the importation of the vehicle/trailer. This "agent" is appointed by you and acts on your behalf as the importer. You said you are using a commercial shipping/transport company for the process of shipping the trailer to you. The shipping company should be able to fully explain this process to you, why the shipping/delivery is taking so long and why the trailer would be held in Customs for such a long length of time. IF they are not able to fully explain this to you why the trailer has to sit in customs for so long I suggest you are dealing with the wrong shipping/transport company without any experience in this process!

All this assumes that the seller does not want to get involved as the person importing the vehicle/trailer to the US for you. Every now and then you get lucky and the seller will take that responsibility

Remove the word "commercially" from your vocabulary as it relates to the importation of this trailer since this trailer was sold to you personally and for your personal use. Say the wrong think to the wrong border agent and it just might cost you "Mo Tax Money"!

As Donna said her trailer beat her across the border. "I" think you might have a lazy or slow shipping company who is blaming their lack of ability to deliver your trailer to you in Colorado in a timely manner on the US customs agents!

I purchased the trailer from a dealership not the company directly. Gonna continue to speak to them about and see if this can all be figured out. Its a shame I am really excited about the trailer! I'm wondering now if it is allowed for the dealer to drive it through the border and meet me on the other side as the purchaser? When I spoke to the Border agent at the crossing it will be going through he made it clear that me and me alone would be allowed to bring it through if the bill of sale is in my name. I had considered having my brother bring it through for me.