In a message dated 14/11/2005 12:04:04 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

Hey  guys, am ready to go get some van's and/or Bus's in the US, but there  is
one thing that bothers me. The title! (differences between  equivalent
canadian document call "registration paper")

What is a  clear title? if not clear, what is NOT CLEAR? What other kind of
tiles can  there be? How can i be sure if it's clear? Does the US border
check if it's  clear or is it just for the sake of exportation?

Also, for those  Canadian out there (or American who had to deal with that),
I need to have  the REAL title(not a copy) in hand before I go get the van, I
need to leave  this one at the US border for a period of 3 days! Can someone
elaborate on  that subject as to: Why? What do they check?

-What is the cost, do I  need other document(letter from the P.O.)???

Any other input would be  appreciated

Benny Boy, your always looking for more  trouble.  So, since I've gone
through this a few times I'm gonna tell you  the story.  Clear title means that
there are no leans, claims, outstanding  debts, against it and the owner is the
lawful legal outright owner, free  and clear of any and all debts.  The ORIGINAL
title, not a copy, of  the title must be presented to the US customs boarder
inspection 72 hours in  advance of bringing the vehicle across.  You can have
the current owner  send that document to the boarder station of your choice by
courier.  They  do not want the vehicle there, you cannot leave it at the
boarder, you cannot  wait for them to complete their work.  What they are doing
is a research  into that title to make certain that it is clear before it
leaves the  country.  They then give it the OK for export.  There are no charges
and it may take less than 72 hours.  Once they have cleared the vehicle for
export then you pick up the title and related export approval and bring that and
 the vehicle to the Canadian Customs boarder inspection for their inspection
and  charges of Duty, if applicable, taxes (GST & PST), $100 charge if it has
air  conditioning, Charge for transport Canada inspection if appicable
(depends on  the year of the vehicle).  Once you pay all the applicable charges then
you  are issued the necessary papers to present at any vehicle registration
office to  get the vehicle regersterd in Canada.  Enjoy, it's lots of fun !!!!

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa  Valley
_Frank Condelli  & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 08 ~ 11,  2006