A Canadian Customs nightmare

[Greg Smith]

I"m wondering if any else has had this problem. I recently purchased a 1974 MCI-8 in Minnesota.( I'm in Canada ) It has been gutted and has a roof raise. I had phoned both borders to find out what I needed to get it over the border. I even got a broker just to make sure I had everything covered. I got it over and home. A few days later I got a letter from RIV (registrar of imported vehicles) telling me the bus is not allowed in Canada and must be brought back to the US. The only other choice I have is to part it out and/or scrap it. Bringing up to Canadian standards won't work because it has a roof raise. Has anyone else heard of a thing like this?

[robertglines1]

people who have faced it-- BusWarrior----Passo---Ian----(clifford  aka luverbus would know them. Don't think there is a simple solution.  go to search function on top of page and put in import to canada.

[buswarrior]

Ian had to abandon a GM New Look, built in Canada, in London ON, spent its life stateside, then Ian imported it...

No letter regarding recalls will be forthcoming from GM...

Inadmissible.

Full stop.

There is an extensive website at RIV detailing the nasty bits.

Get a broker experienced in these matters before you even start, this is not an area for DIY, the common man will screw this up, and the smug ones who try, won't ever get online and confess...

Very complicated and frustrating.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[luvrbus]

Yvan used a broker and had no problems getting the DL he bought from into Canada with a non factory raised roof

[chessie4905]

I wonder if after he tried it himself, too late to try with a broker, now that there is paperwork.

[Greg Smith]

I hired a broker that knew (he told us) how to import vehicles into Canada telling me we didn't have to inform RIV because it wasn't a commercial vehicle. He now has our money and more or less saying "Huh I didn't know that". I think I'm SOL.

[niles500]

If I were in Canada I think I'd just buy a EEE and be done with it - fwiw

[Fred Mc]

I would peruse the scrapyards looking fro a similar model to get the serial# plate,

[Greg Smith]

I wish it were that simple. When I scrap it I have to get a notary public to take a picture of it at the scrap yard and give me a notarized letter to prove it's gone.

[Fred Mc]

A few years ago I bought a truck from the US that had a blown motor.I only wanted the truck for the cab(it was a cabover) as the cab on my truck was rusted out.
I imported it and NEVER tried to register it. I simply took the vin plate off the old cab and put it on the new cab.EVENTUALLY over the next 10 years I parted it out. IF you plan to part it out how long do they give yo? It CAN be a long extended process.

[RJ]

I wish it were that simple.

Greg -

Would it be a lot simpler to just take it back across the border and sell it, realizing it was a "lesson learned?"

[Bill Gerrie]

I would try to call Yvan (Ivan) to see how he did it. He is a real nice guy and I am sure he would help you.
yvan@opticoat.com was his email but he doesn't work there now so I don't know if he changed it. Maybe he will read this and respond. 

[buswarrior]

Great minds...

Take this conversation off line, and find yvan lacroix on facebook and communicate off line.

There are some matters that don't get discussed in the open, or the doors slam shut...

Mistakes have been made, they might be able to be corrected by the right broker.

Find Yvan.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[chessie4905]

Different, but if you are rejected crossing the border into Canada, don't go and try to enter in another location, no matter how remote. They know at all of them. Found that info when searching what and what not to bring when crossing. We're planning an Alaska trip in the spring and don't want any hiccups. If it the border is open to us by then...😷

[Jim Eh.]

I"m wondering if any else has had this problem. I recently purchased a 1974 MCI-8 in Minnesota.( I'm in Canada ) It has been gutted and has a roof raise. I had phoned both borders to find out what I needed to get it over the border. I even got a broker just to make sure I had everything covered. I got it over and home. A few days later I got a letter from RIV (registrar of imported vehicles) telling me the bus is not allowed in Canada and must be brought back to the US. The only other choice I have is to part it out and/or scrap it. Bringing up to Canadian standards won't work because it has a roof raise. Has anyone else heard of a thing like this?

Was it built in Winnipeg? If so, there is probably no need for an RIV in the first place. It should have a CMVSS sticker or emblem somewhere on the vehicle.Also being a 1974, the age should also preclude the need for an RIV inspection.
See

https://www2.tc.gc.ca/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles/importation/usa/vafus/list2/explanations.htm

13. IMPORTATION OF VEHICLES (15) YEARS OLD OR OLDER AND BUSES MANUFACTURED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1971 - Vehicles fifteen (15) years old or older, as determined by the month and year of manufacture, and buses manufactured before January 1, 1971, are no longer regulated under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act by virtue of their age. While Transport Canada does not regulate the importation of these vehicles, it does not preclude the vehicles from having to meet provincial/territorial safety and licensing requirements. Importers of such vehicles are required to complete a Vehicle Import Form 1, at the time of importation, and present proof of ownership. Also, please contact the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for clearance requirements.

This may be limited to buses and not applicable to RV's. If you attempted to import as an RV then you will have issues.

MCI and Prevost buses that had a commercial conversion done in the US are quite difficult to import. Not that the vehicle itself is the problem but wiring, plumbing, electrical is not to Canadian standards and would all have to be CSA or INTERTEK approved. Big hassle.