Buying from Canada

[Babyfat]

Looking at buying some jet-ski's from a guy in Canada anyone know what it would take to bring them back into the states?

 

[Road Dog]

Anything with a motor needs to be registered/inspected/approved when crossing the border. Coming into Canada there's the RIV (registrar of imported vehicles) and going into the US the EPA regulates imports of off-road engines. If the jet ski is registered in whatever province you're visiting then that paperwork needs to be in order too.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Have heard that its kind of a PITA

 

[jelag]

I've bought trucks in Canada and imported them to the US... you want a vehicle that meets US safety and US emission standards... any good broker can tell you about this... I found a broker in Spokane who would do all the work for $500 a vehicle... plus the costs to change those vehicles to meet our DOT standards... In my case it was a change in the dash cluster in the vehicle from the Meteric System to the US system... In my search for a bonded broker... as the vehicle has to sit in a bonded warehouse until it receives US approval... My biggest surprise was the fees varied from the $500 that I paid up to a $2000 as a high...

In my case, the vin #'s showed that those vehicles met all US standards except for the dash... If you were to buy these jet Ski's at maybe 25% of value it might be worth the cost, and trouble... that's my thoughts... . Hope it helps. .

 

[Wygate]

Looking at buying some jet-ski's from a guy in Canada anyone know what it would take to bring them back into the states?

I lived in the Soo and Port Huron ( both MI/CAN boarder towns for those not from MI), lots will depend on the mood of the border folks on that particular moment when you cross, this is barring the taxes and proof of sale (or lack, owner w/ you?) Then the registration part in MI, we all know how the DMV thing works.

I bought a D-max that was a CAN truck from a dealership, they said they were getting out of bringing trucks over as it was getting to be a BIG pain

Bottom line is luck will have its part, even being completely on the up & up. Everyone can read the same law and interpretation is very different.

Probably no help but My 2 cents

 

[Babyfat]

Thanks for the replies, Maybe I should just buy them from him and leave them there to ride give ma a reason for the hour and half trip and vacation LOL

 

[jelag]

After I wrote above I remember an article I read about quads and jet ski's that were built for the Canadian market and the dealers dumping them to US buyers and the problems bringing them back here... it seems they were 30-40% less than the same unit here... . Please don't quote me on this... but as I remember there was a different stream of Vin #'s that didn't comply with federal emissions, yes they have standards... or it was a safety standard... don't remember which... . In either case it was a problem that was costly to deal with... .

 

[Road Dog]

Bombardier -- the Canadian maker of Cam-Am and Ski-Doo -- is very strict about their dealer territories and forbids cross territory selling. Different prices in each territory too. An American Cam-Am is about 30% less than the Canadian version so there's a lot of "smuggling" going on.

edit: back when the Canadian dollar was 60 cents US the pricing went the other way and Canadian goods were cheaper. There were a lot of car dealers from California buying up the Canadian lease returns and taking them home.

 

[TLane]

If you take your jet-skis into Canada, does the border patrol check the VIN number when you return? So if you come back with a pair of jet-skis, how do they know you bought them in Canada as apposed to taking them into to Canada and back? Especially if you took a license plate for the trailer (from your home state) into Canada with you?

Note: I'm not suggesting anyone break the law here, I'm just asking questions...

All I needed to register a trailer here in Texas is a weight ticket from a scale and a VIN number for the trailer, they didn't need to actually see the trailer. So it seems one could go to Canada prepared.

 

[jelag]

Your jet ski's when registered in the US will have a sticker and number on the hull... . when you buy them in Canada I assume that the province requires registration and stickers the same way we do here in the states... . after all its a revenue source they would want to capitalize on...

Remember when you go north your dealing with Canadian Customs and their rules... when you return to the US your dealing with US Customs and their rules... You might get away with taking up an empty trailer and than bringing them back... but than how do you register them with Canadian Paper work with your local state. . The first thing their going to say is where is your import information where they comply with US laws... just like any other vehicle...

 

[Wygate]

They have camera's that are watching everything, that said if they don't have a reason to "dig" when you pass the booths then I refer you to the it is all up to who is asking the questions and what kind of mood. Just because they have data doesn't mean it is being used. Is the owner w/ you? Going on a trip w/ him? DMV in MI going to be an issue once you get them?

Not implying anything against the law, we would make a trip over every week or so and go to dinner & buy Booz , sometimes we would have to pay taxes sometimes not so much. Never lied, just answered what they asked when they asked. Just work within the lines that are painted for you, mood of the folks has a huge effect, just like the rest of us.

 

[Roscoe14]

Babyfat... open the cowling and see if there is a sticker reflecting that the ski conforms to U. S. EPA standards. No sticker for the U. S. ? don't waste your time and money, you won't be able to import the ski. There is a small chance that you may be able to obtain a letter of conformance from the manufacturer. If the ski has the required EPA sticker, bring it to your local crossing, the 7501 (importation) will be done by the officers at no charge. Be sure you have the bill of sale. All states require these vehicles to be registered within the state of principle use, which you cannot do unless you provide the DMV with evidence of importation. How do I know this? (don't hate me guys) I'm a supervisory CBP officer!!