[Purrybonker]

I posted the following on the vehicle importation "sticky", but I'll repeat on a separate thread, as it's kinda important.

Aw, crap - new twist seems to have popped up of imports into Alberta.

I'm going to bring in a 997S from Dallas this week and faxed the export worksheet, copies of the title and "purchase order" (aka bill of sale) to the Border guys in Whitlaw, Mt. The Whitlaw office handles all exports for Idaho and Montana apparently now.

After sending the fax I immediately had a call back from one of the officers to inform me that my submission was inadequate because the title was not signed over to me. He went on to explain that they wouldn't start the review process until I (or the seller) faxed them a signed-over title in my name.

Wow - in the past all I've done was sent the un-transferred title before the 72-hour waiting period and then showed up at the border with the signed title. In fact, at the Blaine crossing in Washington/BC - the customs office specifically says on their web-site that a signed-over title is not needed until the vehicle appears at the border. In fact-fact - I've exported into BC from Idaho with an un-signed title, just a bill of sale.

Aw, PIA- this slows down the buy-drive process. I can't get a signed title until I pay for the car, which means I have to stay south of the border for 3 days or longer (if a weekend is involved) after actually buying the car.


Funny how the process is now different from one state to the next, seeing as Customs and Border Services are a federal service. I guess these things are subject to the interpretations of the local senior officers/agents.