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Just got an rp-172

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Michael K View Drop Down
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Joined: 16 Mar 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Michael K Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Just got an rp-172
    Posted: 16 Mar 2009 at 7:03am
Thought I would post on my experience importing our rpod from the U.S. into Canada. I hope it is helpful to others. It looks like the Canadian dollar is starting to fall again - it has been at a high $1.30 rate. We actually bought our r-pod back in Nov and just had it shipped just now to avoid the bad weather.

Here are the steps I followed in order to import my r-pod into Ontario. Some of the steps may be different if importing into a different province; you might want to check with your local regulations.  My U.S. dealer was helpful as well - they know exactly what needed to be done. Firstly, Go to Transport Canada's Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV).
http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html  and read all the info there.

I then called my dealer and asked them to fax me a recall clearance letter. I had it in my hands in 10 minutes. I also asked them to verify the VIN given to me by the dealer by taking a photo and sending it to me.

As I purchased the trailer from a dealer in the US the following steps were done for me by them:  I obtained a notarized bill of sale, the title, purchased a temporary tag and registration, and ensured it had the appropriate VIN sticker (again by photo). 

I had the shipper drive the trailer to the nearest border entry point where I met him at the boarder guard station. I went into the border guard office to declare my purchase. 

The whole process took less than 15 minutes - I handed my bill of sale and documentation to the border guard. They went outside to check the VIN, then back inside to finish the paperwork, Vehicle Import Form - Form 1. I paid the GST (goods and services tax). They also opened a file with Transport Canada's RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles). This cost an extra $206.70 ($195 + GST).

Once a file has been opened with RIV (by paying the GST fee) they'll mail you a letter with your inspection document (Form 2) - it took 8 days to arrive. This form details what needs be done to bring the trailer in compliance, as well as provides the last date by which the trailer/vehicle is to be brought into compliance, which is 45 days from date of entry.
 
In my case, Form 2 was a checklist for the federal inspector, listing such items as "Reflectors and/or lights must meet with CMVSS 108 Standards", or that we have the Recall Clearance Letter, Tire Type, Max. load rating, verify VIN.... All of the items in the checklist were very easily verifiable by the inspector, requiring no modifications on my part whatsoever.

I made an appointment to get the trailer inspected. In Ontario, these are done at many Canadian Tire locations. I simply called one of the larger centres in town to ensure they did inspections and an appointment was easily made.

The inspection went fine- very easy. The inspector wanted to see the Recall Clearance Letter as well as the Form 1 (the form I obtained at the Border). We went out to see the trailer and he filled out Form 2, such as GVWR, tire pressures, VIN, etc... He stamped my Form 1, he kept the Form 2 plus the Recall Clearance Letter, and that was that. There was no cost for this inspection.

I then took all my remaining paperwork to my local Ministry licensing office. I showed them the stamped Form 1, the Casual Goods Accounting Document (which is the white and blue receipt issued at the border at time of importation), the bill of sale and the title (note on this below), plus insurance information. I then paid the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) plus an additional $20 for the license plate.

There is more info for Ontario is on this web site: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dan...e/rgoutcan.htm

Eventually, RIV sent me the Canadian Certification Label sticker that I affixed to the outside of the trailer. Simple as that...  and I saved $3,750 on my r-pod.
 
Well worth it and not nearly has difficult as I was thinking it might be...
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Linda Faust View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Linda Faust Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2009 at 2:36pm
Hi Michael:
What a great story!  For $3700 it was worth it!  Ted and I are going to Straits campground in the UP of MI on June 25th to July 3rd or 4th.  I don't know where in Onterio you are but feel free to stop by for a visit.  We actually met Jim and Darlene aka yizit the other day.  Really nice folks. Big smile  Linda and Ted
RPod 171 Rav 4
Happy Camping, Ted, Linda & our labradorable Gracie
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Phil H View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Phil H Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2009 at 5:21am
Hi Michael,
 
Thanks for the detailed information. Could you tell me how you actually paid the US dealer? Certified cheque? cash - not sure how that would be done when paying for such a large thing in the states. Also could you tell me what extra charges I should expect at the US dealer for things like freight, pdi, admin, shipping to the Canadian border etc. which are over and above their advertised price?
 
Thanks,
 
Phil
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J233 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote J233 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2009 at 4:33am
Originally posted by Michael K Michael K wrote:

 
...Well worth it and not nearly has difficult as I was thinking it might be...
Congrats Michael, on your purchase and the savings too.
 
I bought my current (brand new from a delear) as well as my previous trailer (used, private sale) in the US and imported to Canada and just wanted to add one detail, in case others ask . There is no need to fax the title and bill of sale to US Customs in advance if you don't import a self propelled vehicle, in this case a TT - this requirement is only for motorized vehicles. So importing a TT is just as simple as driving through and declaring the purchase at the border to the Canadian Custom officer. The RIV process is also as simple and easy as you've described but all the VIN checks for sompliance needs to be done in advance of course.  Actually, in my case, I called RIV on the very next day I got home and they already had the info from the border so they just emailed me Form2 as a pdf file. I took it to Canadian Tire in the evening with the TT and got all the stamps. Next day, I registered my TT and got my Ontario plates :)
 
J233
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