How do I bring in a Canadian M101 (M416) from Canada?

[BulletHead904]

I just bought a Canadian M101, unfortunately its still in Canada. How would I successfully bring it into the US? The owner does not have a title for it but can write me a bill of sale, thats probably all he can do.

I am in NYS, so will I be able to get a transit type plate or will I definitely need some sort of a title or registration from the owner?

Will US customs have an issue? Will I need to pay duty?

I am sorry for the stupid questions, I have never brought anything into the US nor have I ever titled a trailer.

 

[Westech]

well a trick i have done is there are many roads in the northern states that run along side Canada road only separated by a little grass. just hook up and drive across.

 

[doghead]

Call the US Customs at The Thousand Islands bridge and tell them what you need to do. They will tell you if you can and how to do it.

You will be best off to put it on a trailer, to bring it back.

There are other ways also.

 

[Sumoman]

well a trick i have done is there are many roads in the northern states that run along side Canada road only separated by a little grass. just hook up and drive across.

(LEO'S POINT OF VIEW)

I was going to say find a hill.. and push it down into America, then hook it back up after you come back across all legal like or have someone waiting to catch it. OR...Paint it Easter colors and put a huge bunny and some giant eggs in it, cross by Sunday and they will not blink an eye at the trailer.

 

[BulletHead904]

haha. I should have included the word, how do I bring it in "legally"?

will US Customs make me pay a duty on it?

 

[BulletHead904]

I dont get it. Why cant I pull it? Why do I have to have it on a bed?

 

[m109guy]

I dont get it. Why cant I pull it? Why do I have to have it on a bed?

No title/registration means no plate on the trailer. With no plate you cannot tow the trailer. Get caught on the Canadian side towing it without a plate (or transit paper) and you will have the trailer impounded.

Not sure how US customs will treat the trailer being towed without registration/title/license plate. Best to call them up first and ask.

 

[BulletHead904]

The owner said he can sign over the registration to me. But I dont know how I will be able to get a title at the NYS DMV without the trailer, dont they need to inspect it?

 

[m109guy]

In Canada, the registration and title are one and the same, we do not have a separate piece of paper for the title. So in actuality, you already have a title for the vehicle.

You get the paperwork to bring to the DMV from US customs when you pass over the border. You bring that with the registration/title and you should be able to transfer it into your name.

As for an inspection at the DMV, it would be a good idea to call them and ask what they need before showing up. No reason to show up if you don't have all the paperwork, or if you need to bring the trailer to be inspected, then have to come back again later that day.

Before doing anything you need to make two calls as it will save you a lot of headaches:

1. US customs to ask them how to go about importing a trailer into the US.

2. Local DMV to ask what they need for getting a title and registration for a trailer coming from Canada.

 

[maplehillfrm]

The owner said he can sign over the registration to me. But I dont know how I will be able to get a title at the NYS DMV without the trailer, dont they need to inspect it?

if you can get the registration paper work from the previous owner, that should be all you need to register it on ny, they will give you a registration and a 10 day inspection sticker,

which gives you ten days to inspect the the trailer,, basically all teh cops ever did here was look at the registration sticker on the trailer license plate to be sure it was current,, never had them look "for" the inspection stcker..

as far as duties, I dont know,

but you will be handed the registration ,plate and temp inspection sticker after you pay your fees at dmv, which are prorated from jan1,,

 

[papercu]

US Import Requirements - American Importers Association - List of US Importers
Answer
How Much Does it Cost to Import?

 

[DUG]

haha. I should have included the word, how do I bring it in "legally"?

will US Customs make me pay a duty on it?

You wouldn't have gotten many replies that way.

I'm sure there will be 10-15 posts about how to avoid any duty charges as well.........

 

[BulletHead904]

if you can get the registration paper work from the previous owner, that should be all you need to register it on ny, they will give you a registration and a 10 day inspection sticker,

which gives you ten days to inspect the the trailer,, basically all teh cops ever did here was look at the registration sticker on the trailer license plate to be sure it was current,, never had them look "for" the inspection stcker..

as far as duties, I dont know,

but you will be handed the registration ,plate and temp inspection sticker after you pay your fees at dmv, which are prorated from jan1,,

are you saying that i can go the DMV with the Canadian registration/title and get a plate for it? prior to heading towards the border to pick up the trailer? doesnt that mean if i do have a plate for it, i can slap it on while im in Canada and US Customs wont have any issues?

 

[BulletHead904]

Just spoke to a US Customs rep and he said all they need to see is a bill of sale, and I will get through. He said as long as its not a vehicle with an engine, I dont need to go through the import process.

Cant call anyone at DMV because its closed today.

 

[BulletHead904]

Called another border crossing since the previous answer seemed too easy and wanted to have a second opinion from a vehicle import specialist.

I will need a form HS-7 filled out for the trailer and mark it over 25 years old so its exempted. I hope the M101 is over 25 yrs old.

I will still incur a duty charge.

 

[doghead]

I think the duty is only for over like $115 or something like that. Buy it for $75 and you should be ok.(no duty)

 

[BulletHead904]

Thanks for the info. The owner will be providing me with the Cdn registration signed off to me. I hope thats all I would need to get plates for it.

One of the Customs specialist said that I would need a form 7501 for NYS DMV purposes and I will receive that when I am cleared from the US Customs office at the border.

 

[Lex_Ordo]

Many of these trailers have come into the US, so it is documented in Customs data bases. Call a freight forwarder like Purolater Courier, they can get it in for you with their paperwork. Then you just have to pick it up at a terminal on the US side. This will be the easiest!

As for the trailer.
1st, it is a 1992 vehicle. That's when they were contractred to be made, and only 1,973 were made between 1992 and 1993. They are all 1992 model years regardless of manufacture date.
2nd, in NYS, any trailer that weighs less than 1000 lbs un-laden is registered as LTR, 'Light Trailer'. No title is issued, Only a transferrable registration.
If the trailer was already registered in Canada, and you have a bill of sale and a signed over registration, then you should be able to go ot any DMV with those documents, and register it in NY. There are no inspection stickers to be placed, just a valid Reg sticker on the plate. They expire every year on 31 DEC.

Remember that different DMV personel will give you different answers.
Just go to the office, and which ever one you speak with, make sure they understand that the signed over Canadian reg, and the bill of sale are the legal documents. You will also need to pay tax on the purchase price in NY, there is a dmv form for that.
Make sure that the pricer is reflective on both the customs paperwork and NY DMV. You will pay duty. It is paid after delivery from purolater. they will send you the bill.

 

[maplehillfrm]

". There are no inspection stickers to be placed, just a valid Reg sticker on the plate. They expire every year on 31 DEC."

I agree with everything you say,, except that tthe trailer does not need a inspection, it does,,

even though most of us dont get them inspected and the garage knows it a hassle, they will mostly just check your lights if that for the 10.00 it aint worth them getting into it too much,,

You are supposed to have the trailers inspected,,, check with DMV AND LEO, and they will tell you the same thing,, I am not saying they always look for one, I never had one look , but you are legally required to have them,

the rest I totally agree on about how to register it,, should not be a hassle, and he should be able to go into Canada with a plate in hand and drive it home with a plate on the trailer,
pat

 

[Lex_Ordo]

I need to check on a few things under light trailer, so until I know for sure, which I don't, I will concur with the inspection requirement.

Looking further into it, It seems that the State wants money for everything, so YES, the trailer needs an inspection. However, I have never looked for one myself, and don't know too many others that look for them. A semi-trailer, or a landscaping trailer are different stories, but for a light trailer/ military collectible, I'm sure you can get away with a current valid reg sticker on your plate and be fine.