You don't have to pay any duty to bring a Vanagon in to Canada.  I paid PST
and GST on my purchase from abroad but Matilda is a 'settler's effect' so
she should be exempt.

I think Homeland Security will want to do the export process nonetheless.

On Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 9:41 AM, Greg Potts <greg@pottsfamily.ca> wrote:

> Hi Roger,
>
> RIV regs don't apply to German Vanagons as they are all older than 15
> years. I have seen Matilda in the flesh and I can assure you it's
> admissable under current law.
>
> The 4 day CBP requirement is aimed at US export for a buyer. I think there
> may be different rules in the case of a Canadian importation by the owner.
> Payment of duties might be required however, I am not sure. Hopefully Joy
> will not be required to sell her property to herself; that's ridiculous
> IMO.
>
> Perhaps someone else who has emigrated from US to Canada could chip in
> here; I can at least attest to knowing people who moved the other way and
> their experience was not the same as someone from the USA who was buying a
> Canadian vehicle.
>
> USEFUL INFO:
> There's a little-known workaround to the process at the border crossing:
> You can often find a federal import office at your local airport! As
> recently as a few months ago I know of several local VW bus owners who
> have successfully used the Customs office at the Oshawa Ontario airport to
> get their paperwork processed, and that saved them a considerable hassle
> dealing with the considerable line-ups at the US-based Customs and Border
> Protection office at Queenston-Lewiston NY. (two hours away!) Hopefully
> Joy could do likewise with a local airport so she doesn't have to travel
> back to a border crossing.
>
> MORE NIT-PICKING;
> Yes, Matilda will likely require a provincial safety inspection in order
> to get a license plate sticker. Requirements for that vary by province;
> some will also require emissions testing for certain years and others
> won't. My 87 wolfsburg is emissions exempt in Ontario but my 88 is not.
> YMMV.
>
> Bodywork  certainly isn't going to be an issue as Matilda looked pretty
> good last time I saw her. A "basically stock" westy such as Matilda will
> most certainly meet Canadian import requirements without issues. If Joy
> has been staying on top of the usual maintenance items then it should pass
> the provincial safety standards without modifications being required.
>
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Greg Potts
> www.pottsfamily.ca
> WWW.BUSESOFTHECORN.CA   <--- NEW .CA DOMAIN!!!
> 1987 Wolfsburg Weekender hardtop Vanagon
> 1973 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
>
>
>
> > dear happy importer
> >
> > 1. you may be too early just because you have a work visa does not mean
> > you
> > should import now ...
> >
> > 2. importing a vehicle into canada is very strait forward (done 3 this
> > year
> > )
> >
> > Prior to step one have all parts replaced and upgrades done that you can
> > ...
> > 30 to 40 % cheaper in usa
> >
> > step one go to RIV registar of imported vehicles and see if your vehicle
> > is
> > on any of the no no lists ...
> > 2. if your vehicle is older than 15 years from date of manufacture it may
> > be
> > exempt from most rules
> > 3. contact the Homeland office from which you wish to use as a crossing
> > into
> > the province you will be coming into ...
> > ask them for a permission to export package to be emailed to you
> > (i do not know if nfld is one of the choices but does not matter as that
> > is
> > destination and not crossing )
> > The offices are in a drop down window on the riv site which i can help
> you
> > with later (at work now)
> > 4. at least 4 days before you desire to cross file the papers that the
> > homeland office has emailed you .. file with the crossing you are
> choosing
> > to use
> > 5. Only between the hours of 830 and 330 can you export so you must
> arrive
> > there between those hours ... NO EXCEPTIONS
> > 6 go in with all your paper work and they will confirm that the vehicle
> > you
> > are asking to export is the vehicle you have
> > 7 they give you permission with a stamp on your title card
> > 8 proceed to canadian customs
> > fill out an F1 at the desk in the centre of the main public area
> > 9 pay certain taxes which are almost entirely at the discretion of the
> cbs
> > officer (air con and other items which may or may not be charged )
> > 10 drive to province of destination ...
> > if applicable have province of destination do vehicle inspection prior to
> > insurability ...
> > depending on the place they may suggest certain expensive upgrades and
> > replacements are required but because you got all your brakes just done
> > ...did your fuel lines ... and alignment and dont have any rusty holes in
> > the body or frame ... all your lights work even the lic ones ... and
> > bumper
> > covers are in place ... because you did that all in usa where it is
> > considerably less $$ you are good to go with out any issues ....
> > insure at local auto association office where you will also get auto
> > association platinum  rv auto club card ... to tow your vehicle the 200
> > miles between service areas in canada
> > 11 enjoy canada eh ... ps i hear the beer is stronger ... faster ... more
> > gooder than usa ... eh
> > yours
>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27