[wp442]

Hey, got a question for you all. What would be involved with buying a running vehicle in Canada and bringing it to the states? I have a friend who is looking at buying a Mercury pickup (Canadian only) and have heard that it's a nightmare. I've heard an unsubstantiated rumor that Canda has stopped the 'import' of all Mercury trucks to the states....something about loosing part of their heritage or something.

Just curious if anyone here has been through this and can give some good advice, short of disassembling the truck and bringing it across the border in pieces (as parts) and then reassembling in the states.

[cboy]

My '32 pickup was built at Charlie's Rod Shop near Vancouver and then shipped to me in the states. The process was pretty straightforward, mostly because the shipper took care of all the transport logistics and I hired UPS (yes THAT UPS), to act as my agent at the boarder. Having an agent is pretty much essential and cost me $180. The "agent" assembles all the necessary paper work to get through customs, meets the shipper with the vehicle at the boarder, and walks the papers through customs.

Whether or not there are special restrictions regarding Mercury trucks, I have no idea. But I doubt it.

Basically if you find a good shipping firm and then contact UPS, it's a piece of cake.

[home brew]

Shipping antique vehicles has never been a problem whether it was from or to Canada from the States. Now with free trade there is no problem shipping any vehicles if you do the paper work correctly or like cboy said have someone do it for you.

You can import Merc pickups, there is no laws against it although some Canadians feel that we should not be sharing our heritage. If its not being used here go for it.

[cboy]

One minor side note. If you (and anyone else shopping for a car in Canada) is going across the boarder to inspect the vehicle before buying, my advice is to get a passport. While not mandatory, it will make crossing the boarder much easier and quicker. I was held up by customs/immigration for nearly an hour because I did not have a passport (I was used to the old days when I fished quite a bit up in Canada and went across the boarder like going through a toll booth). Also, don't crack wise or argue with the immigration folks. They are quite up tight and pretty much have total control over whether you enter or not. (Don't ask me how I know this.)