Importing snowcats?

[indy1]

Anyone know how difficult it is to bring a snowcat into Canada through customs from purchasing one in the U.S.

 

[MNoutdoors RIP]

Anyone know how difficult it is to bring a snowcat into Canada through customs from purchasing one in the U.S.

if you haul it yourself you just need a Bill of sale, you will need to pay your GST at the border. if you have it hauled it will need to go through a broker
like linvingston International we send over a dozen cats into Canada some years and that many come south across the border also. they can be a pain in the arse but they should not lock you up. they did make me wait 3 hours once.

 

[yj junker]

check with customs but I think you need to have the registration and other paper work at the border 24-72 hrs. in advance,it is thatr way with vehicles and atv's

 

[sledhaus]

I've been over a few times hauling vintage snowmobiles and they ask where it was manufactured (for tax determinations) and do want a bill of sale. One time at a Detroit crossing I had a truckload of parts and one sled in the back and the Canadian side ran me through the ringer. I think mainly because the "Butch" woman was trying to impress her cute little trainee gal. More of a personality issue. (she hated all men) Coming back across with another sled onboard and no paperwork the US side let me right on in. I think it is a crap shoot so be as prepared as possible.

 

[the old trucker]

if you haul it yourself you just need a Bill of sale, you will need to pay your GST at the border. if you have it hauled it will need to go through a broker
like linvingston International we send over a dozen cats into Canada some years and that many come south across the border also. they can be a pain in the arse but they should not lock you up. they did make me wait 3 hours once.

Boggie is right. There are a dozen different load brokers. Livingston is one of the more popular ones. I have had as many as 5 different brokers with one load of LTL.(more than one shipment) If you cross over yourself make sure when you come back you don't have anything else that you are not allowed with.
Been there many times in the past... never did have many problems.

Ot.

PS. Boggie.. I'm still working on that email you sent to me awhile back....just waiting for the BIG MAN to come around...

 

[Blackfoot Tucker]

I can't speak to bringing one into Canada. However I have bought in Canada and transported into the US....

It was (surprisingly) painless. I had a bill of sale and since it was originally manufactured in the US (Tucker), there was no duty, no nothing. The US Customs Inspector was somewhat concerned about the mud on the tracks. He asked where I picked it up as there is a problem with some type of Nematode and they are worried about an infestation.

 

[AdkSnowcat]

Did the age of the Tucker make any difference? I have heard that it is easy if the machine is over fifteen years old. Did the border people say anything like that? Thanks!

 

[the old trucker]

I haven't been running south since my accident 10 years ago. When I was, I have hauled cars, pickups & quads north & south for people that worked with the oil rigs. Some were in mint shape & others were more or less old relics. As long as there were the ownership papers for each machine everything went OK.
About 4 years ago my neighbour & I went to New York. He bought a boat. We went south on a Friday evening & came back Saturday evening. 5 minutes @ customs paying taxes & we were on the go again.
Now I would call customs to see what's what... Simple....nothing to worry about.
OT.

 

[Blackfoot Tucker]

Did the age of the Tucker make any difference? I have heard that it is easy if the machine is over fifteen years old. Did the border people say anything like that? Thanks!

The age of the machine never entered into the discussion. Though the bill of sale did clearly mention its age (over 15 years old), the inspector was satisfied that because it was manufactured in the US (Medford, OR) there was no duty or fees of any kind due.

I deal with TSA regularly and have dealt with Immigration and Customs Enforcement more than my fair share. This was a truly painless experience.

I do think it would be wise to call the specific Port Of Entry you plan on using and confirm the required documents and general process ahead of time. Maybe I was fortunate, but it didn't seem that they were trying to be difficult or unreasonable.

 

[AdkSnowcat]

Thanks! Every once in a while I see a tempting snowcat in Canada. A pal has now moved near Niagara Falls--so maybe getting something in Canada is more possible with a friend twenty or so miles from the border.

 

[Kootenay Cruiser]

So how would it work if the owner hauled the snocat across the border(either direction) and then sold it?