Exporting Machinery From US And US Customs

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ralphthetrucker

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Nov 26, 2009
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A couple of years ago US Customs decided that any used vehicle exported (leaving USA) had to have the "vehicle title" faxed to them 72 hours in advance. Unconfirmed rumour was so that a lien check could be performed as once the vehicle was out of the USA the lien holders were SOL. Recently certain US ports have been implementing this rule/policy on used machinery also. US Customs in Port Huron will turn a truck leaving the USA around if it has used machinery on and hasn't stopped and reported to US Customs before proceeding.

A different US Customs port that I contacted by phone told me that they didn't want the paperwork faxed ahead and to just truck across the border to Canada! WADDA!

Is anyone else here involved in exporting/hauling machinery (skid steers, farm tractors, bull dozers) from the USA into Canada? What success or failures are you having?

Thanks,

Frustrated (but drinking) Ralph
 
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got to love it

Trailer still sitting in Port Huron since Tues. They only stamp until noon on fri. Go into Detroit with the same type of thing and they get mad at you. God Bless America.
 
Wiley One, I feel yout PAIN!

So...IF you faxed paperwork AFTER noon Tuesday then, you couldn't cross until the following MONDAY!

What a fuggin' deal!

ps:wanna meet me @ the bar, it's my round.
 
From personal experience I can tell you that US Customs has advised me that any previously owned, self propelled land vehicle must be export cleared before leaving the US. This even applies to riding lawn mowers i was advised by the officer I spoke with in Port Huron, MI. They require 3 business days notice, and not all ports will accept vehicles for export. Peace Bridge does not clear vehicles for export for example, but Lewiston/Queenston does, and yes, the hours are restricted so check in advance or risk having to sit it out and wait, or unload the vehicle some place and come back for it. Original documents (notarized bill of sale, manufacturer certificate of origin, or original title, depending on the circumstances/type of vehicle) must be presented along with the vehicle at time of export as well.
 
My conversation with US Customs @ the Peace Bridge was a very cool "NO, we don't process that here" amd US Customs in Lewiston said"Don't send the paperwoek, don't stop, just driver across the bridge to Canada"

BYP, Port Huron Customs had mentioned "original" documentation for farm tractors/construction equipment. That will be extremely painful if it comes to be!
 
I have personal experience being turned around at Port Huron, as well is in MT at Regway,SK because of not having original documents. All I can advise is that a notarized bill of sale stating that the equipment is unencumbered by liens to the best of the sellers knowledge has worked for me, and you, or your drivers should not load or leave without it. Ritchie Bros auctions will provide this at time of loading, but other sellers are a little clueless about this requirement at times it seems. If the original docs are coming from a third party, not from the loading site, I would suggest having them sent overnight to a US customs broker at the port where you will be exiting so you canlay hands on them to present to Customs for export clearance. I have done this and everyone seems to be willing to accept the delivery on my behalf without charge as well, which is nice.

If you do decide to just "run" it over the border and happen to be stopped by someone from US Customs doing an export check (happened to me), or get turned around by Canada Customs because the machine wasn't "clean" enough (in which case you will be faced with explaining to US Customs why you don't have export clearance), I believe the penalty can be in the neighbourhood of 20% of the value of the vehicle/machine. I am thinking that getting caught with a $100k piece of heavy equipment would ruin your entire day, and leave you explaining to your customer why they are getting penalized by US Customs. I am not trying to tell you I agree with their policy, because I don't, but I do try to be compliant for the sake of my business as well as my customers.
 
if the vehicle has a "title" the 72 hour rule applies like on a car or a motorcycle. The US Customs stamp needs to be on the title before provincials will register vehicle. That doesn't prevent vehicle from being imported into Canada. Feds just wants their dues but if you skip this step you got a tough time solving the problem when it comes time to register with Minsitry of transport. Be careful where you're crossing too, because the rules aren't the same at all points of export. Buffalo won't allow autos, Lewiston is 8am to 4pm Mon-Fri, but you can fax title to them. Detroit same, and Port Huron is good till 7pm mon-thu, Alex Bay won't take fax, you have to Fedex original title, same for Houlton, Sweetgrass and Pembina will take faxes. Best to call ahead, because a lot of the POE have specific guy and fax number that you need to correspond with, use this website: U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Contacts

BTW, easiest way to solve the problem if the driver skips to US stop ? Send same guy right back to border
 
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