Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #25 – September 26, 2015, 01:15:06 am don't feel bad krush i was right behind you and hit the same pot hole. as you can see in post #16. i asked customs about the data plate (which is requierd by law) that id's a vehicle as to it's orgins and specifications. they said NO they won't accept it.i will push this question up to the next level. as i think the field officer is mistaken. only the government would mandate a vehicle id tag so they could validate the vehicles id, then refuse to accept said tag as a valid vehicle id. Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #26 – September 27, 2015, 09:34:42 am QuestionI have seen lots of pictures of the Foretravel builder's plates (which include the VIN) but have never seen a post relative to OTHER locations for VINs. Automobiles have multiple locations. Do Foretravels?? Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #27 – September 27, 2015, 10:07:12 am foretravels that I have owned have the vin # stamped on the frame,near the left front wheel. Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #28 – September 29, 2015, 05:42:44 pm Quote from: John Haygarth – September 25, 2015, 05:55:32 pmAs far as FT is concerned just ask them for a letter stating that the coach (vin#) was built in !! and meets all vehicle Rv requirements. Really? When I called Foretravel this morning they acted as if I were a nut case. Said they had never heard of such a thing. I do suppose that most Foretravels are imported to the North and are rarely re-imported to the USA. Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #29 – September 29, 2015, 06:30:17 pm Quote from: bigdog – September 29, 2015, 05:42:44 pm they acted as if I were a nut case. I bet you're glad to not be picking up the coach 'til May. With all the mixed messages you're getting, it's gonna take that long to see who's on first! Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #30 – September 29, 2015, 09:06:30 pm Quote from: mike leary – September 29, 2015, 06:30:17 pmI bet you're glad to not be picking up the coach 'til May. With all the mixed messages you're getting, it's gonna take that long to see who's on first! There is also the fact that until all is worked out as per repatriation. No way will I buy any coach that does not have a green light South. As per a message I received from Wayne in BC (Just one of the many very helpful folks here on FF) I have one more call to make. I might not even be allowed to test drive the coach either. Canada mandates an air endorsement. Washington State does not require nor even offer this endorsement. I'm sure that the owner doesn't have an issue. But the rozzers and the insurance company might have an issue. I'd hate to get into an unfortunate circumstance of having an accident or even someone running into me whislt driving his coach. Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #31 – September 30, 2015, 01:23:42 pm Quote from: sk320 – September 25, 2015, 02:27:33 pmI am a Canadian customs broker.If you need help of a US Customs broker I recommend Jones & Jones Customs BrokersBlaine, Wash360-332-6090Ask for Kim Jones.This is only for people who need the help of a US broker.,If your an individual you can import goods in both directions without a customs broker.SteveSummit Customs BrokersBritish Columbia.Thanks Steve.Kim was very helpful & nice to talk to. She told me what I would need to do in clear terms. And that it really isn't necessary to use a broker for a "personal use" import.She said for the west coast to always use the Blaine, Washington crossing. Sumas "according to her" always tended to be more "by the letter" whereas at Blaine they were a little more willing to "go with the flow" so to speak.in a nut shell:If you buy a coach in Canada to import to the USA for "your personal use" and it was made with USA specs. The first step is to get temp insurance and plates at a Canadian insurance agency so that you will be legal for your trip to the US border.If the import is for personal use. Then the person using the imported item must also be the one to bring it through the border and do the paperwork. You need to fill out a CBP form 7501 (border entry summery) In reality, The customs agent filled this form out when I imported my car trailer as it's meant more for commercial entities. As has been mentioned & the source of the issues i have had. Some officers have said the VIN plates mean nothing and others saying that it's all one needs. Kim said the proof of meeting US DOT & EPA specs are on the TWO data plates on the coach and you don't need a letter from the manufacturer. As we know, There is the data plate by the drivers position which has the safety compliance statement that everyone is familiar with. The second data plate that states it is in EPA compliance is in the engine bay. Kim also said that if the Canadian owner has managed to keep the old US registration or even a copy of it. That should help, But said it's not a requirement. The fly in the ointment is the fact that the government allows their customs agents to have a wide latitude of just how they personally interpret the regulations. Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #32 – September 30, 2015, 02:18:58 pm Quote from: bigdog – September 30, 2015, 01:23:42 pmThe fly in the ointment is the fact that the government allows their customs agents to have a wide latitude of just how they personally interpret the regulations. So much for my idea of bringing substances & diamonds back! Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #33 – September 30, 2015, 02:45:36 pm Yeah Mike! How is one to lead a life of crime if one minute the thing you did was illegal then the next it's fine. Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #34 – October 01, 2015, 08:58:45 pm Well here we go again, back to square one. Met with a very nice couple that owns a 1999 U320 that is local to me. We looked long and hard to find the EPA certificate that is supposed to be in the engine bay. Could not find it. I'm beginning to think that this coach isn't for us as we haven't even been able to get past the first step. (can we even bring it back) I have now had two customs agents and a customs broker Kim Jones tell me that without those two stickers. Repatriation is a no go. The coach I looked at today (one year newer) no EPA sticker was to be found.As a last resort, Are there any owners here that recall seeing one? (EPA sticker in the engine bay) I will once again call FT and ask about this. If the answer is yet another shoulder shrug from FT. Then this coach is done. I'm sure it will make a fine coach for another Canadian. Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #35 – October 01, 2015, 09:11:18 pm Quote from: bigdog – October 01, 2015, 08:58:45 pmAs a last resort, Are there any owners here that recall seeing one? (EPA sticker in the engine bay)Are you possibly looking for a data plate on the engine? Not sure what it would look like (have only seen the one on our Allison transmission), but I wonder if that might have "EPA" on it? Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #36 – October 01, 2015, 09:19:10 pm Not sure where it is on the M11 engine, but on the 8.3 it is on the top of the timing gear cover Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #37 – October 01, 2015, 09:34:16 pm By law it is supposed to be in plain sight not hidden. I looked every where on the engine that I could get to and found nothing. I even went to the garage and popped the hood on the Mercedes. There it was in plain sight on the underside of the hood. Yes I did look at the inside of the rear cover, all around the electrical under the bed. I will call FT in the morning and ask where they put this sticker so that Reg & his friend Wayne can locate it. Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #38 – October 01, 2015, 09:43:58 pm The engine sticker on that age M-11 is on the curb side of the engine just below the valve cover. If you stand on your head with the bed up and look just to the rear of the engine ECM it will be in plain site. Pamela & Mike Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #39 – October 01, 2015, 09:51:41 pm Wow!! So much for "in plain sight" I'll forward that info to the guys in Canada.Thanks for the info. Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #40 – October 01, 2015, 09:57:09 pm There is enough room to be able to get a camera in there and get a couple of pics. but not your head and camera. Use a selfie stick.Pamela & Mike Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #41 – October 01, 2015, 10:06:51 pm It's on the engine. They likely won't even look for the engine sticker though. Didn't when I imported mine. It's really simple process. I just used a trip permit from my state to bring it back. I got insurance coverage too. Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #42 – October 01, 2015, 11:32:00 pm Quote from: krush – October 01, 2015, 10:06:51 pmIt's on the engine. They likely won't even look for the engine sticker though. Didn't when I imported mine. It's really simple process. I just used a trip permit from my state to bring it back. I got insurance coverage too.Yes it is easy, IF the papers and the vehicle are in order. And that's my issue. I know for a fact that this vehicle does meet US standards, But I have to be in a position to be able to prove this to customs. Spending $50K and just showing up and hoping for the best isn't going to cut it. So far I haven't been able to verify that the proof (the EPA data plate) is on this vehicle. Fortunately Pamela & Mike have helped immensely & I can now have Wayne verify that this tag is where it is supposed to be. Remember, This is a large government agency which is like meeting a dog in an ally. It might walk up and lick your face (what happened to you) Then the next day it may rip your face off. I have to be 100% prepared to face a dog that wants to kill me.It's already stressful enough buying my very first RV. Then you throw in a possible international transaction into the deal. I simply should have slapped myself and said "get a grip on yourself" what were you thinking. Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #43 – October 02, 2015, 07:48:38 am Quote from: bigdog – October 01, 2015, 09:51:41 pmWow!! So much for "in plain sight" I'll forward that info to the guys in Canada.bigdog,Here is some food for thought on this. This engine was used in class 8 trucks of that time (and not many RVs). So if you were to raise the hood and stand at the space behind the left front wheel that info sticker would be at most inspectors eyesight. RVs were not even thought about when that sticker was installed on the engine.Pamela & Mike Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #44 – October 02, 2015, 09:31:13 am Quote from: bigdog – October 01, 2015, 11:32:00 pmYes it is easy, IF the papers and the vehicle are in order. And that's my issue. I know for a fact that this vehicle does meet US standards, But I have to be in a position to be able to prove this to customs. Spending $50K and just showing up and hoping for the best isn't going to cut it. So far I haven't been able to verify that the proof (the EPA data plate) is on this vehicle. Then get a letter from cummins by giving them the engine serial number that says it meets EPA requirements, if you are worried. That will also suffice.The key is, it IS legal and was made in the USA. Any "problems" you encounter will be simple. Quote Selected
Re: Importing a FT back into US from Canada Reply #45 – October 02, 2015, 11:21:59 am Quote from: John Haygarth – September 25, 2015, 05:55:32 pmAs far as FT is concerned just ask them for a letter stating that the coach (vin#) was built in !! and meets all vehicle Rv requirements. I got these letters same day by Fax from them when I needed them. The are used to doing it so no problems there.Depending on when it was brought into Canada (if it was not more than the 15 yrs old) there will be a decal next to plate by driver with a # on it and stating it was imported so that should help as those files will be stored in Govt office showing the original owner etc. The present owner may still have the original Title ( I keep them). Once over the Border in Washington you can get a temp permit to move it that is very cheap. 3 day permit $21.JohnHI called FT twice. First time the receptionist said "I've never heard of such a thing" So I left a message with the manager. Never got a call back. The second call fared no better. Just hire a broker is what FT said. Maybe I'm being a bit pedantic. But I'm just trying to make sure that should I buy the coach, That everything goes as smooth as possible in repatriating it and to do this I need to be prepared for the worst. Because all it takes is for me to happen to draw the officer that has had a very bad week and decides to take out their frustration on me and my coach. So far gathering all the info as to what is actually required by me and my coach has been like herding chickens. Just sit back and think for a moment about what Mike told me as to where the EPA data tag really is. These tags are meant to be read by the authorities. So they stuck it in a place that one needs to stand on their head under the raised bed platform to even get a peek at it. Gee why didn't I think of that? Yes this engine was used more often in class 8 OTR trucks, Perhaps a simple note in the FT manual data plates section 3.1 stating where this info is would be nice. Heck they showed where the VIN is on the chassis frame, Why not the VIN/EPA data tags location as well?So, I hope that the group might understand my frustration. I'm a first time coach buyer that is potentially trying to buy his first coach from a foreign country. So I have double the stress to deal with. Quote Selected
Topic: Importing a FT back into US from Canada