An American Trailer in Canada
The most frequent question we've been asked since we started our build is how did we import our trailer from the US into Canada? There is very little information out there because really, why would you ever need to import a flatdeck trailer, unless you were building a tiny house? This post is all about how we did it and how you can do it too.
We really liked the idea of having a new trailer since this was going to be our foundation. After searching and calling lots of dealers, we found that the only trailers we could get in Canada were not cheap and we would have to make some adjustments to the frame to get it tiny house ready. We'd read a couple blogs of other tiny house builders who'd had really good experience with getting custom tiny house trailers from Iron Eagle, so we enquired, did the math and picked a winner. However, the process of actually getting the trailer up to Vancouver and registered was not so straightforward.
We felt pretty prepared going down to pick it up, having spoken with the American dealer, the Autoplan dealer and the RIV. So once we signed all the papers and hooked up the trailer, we were surprised when we got to the Canadian border and they had no idea how to process our trailer. After a good deal of waiting, we paid our taxes, got our stamped form and headed to the Autoplan dealer. But when we got there, they weren't sure if the trailer had been processed correctly and informed us an inspection was necessary, despite the fact that we'd been assured we wouldn't need one. From then on, the journey to actual registration was a bitter saga I think we're still getting over.
In the hopes that others will benefit from our experience, we've listed the steps to import a flatdeck trailer and the order in which they need to be followed.
Before pick-up:
Select and order the trailer you want, procuring a VIN as soon as you can. Get the invoice emailed and get a date for pick-up. Confirm that the dealer will set up the Washington permit for you, which covers you while you're driving it from the dealership to the border.
Check the RIV website to see if the trailer is admissible into Canada. Iron Eagle wasn't in the system when we did this so if it's not there, call the RIV with the VIN, the make and model of the trailer to check if it's admissible. They're pretty friendly so it's no problem and they will tell you immediately if it's admissible. Takes only a few minutes.
Once it's confirmed admissible, take the invoice and details of the trailer to an Autoplan broker and get what's called a binder for the date that you will be picking it up. They will probably give you 10 days or so and this is standard. This covers you once you cross the border back into Canada and for the next 10 days as you take it around for inspections.
Pick-up day and after:
Pick up the trailer from the dealer and fill out the paperwork. They will give you the title of the trailer, your receipt (both of these you will need for all the other steps) and your Washington permit. You'll need your passport and drivers license in order to get out of paying american tax but you'll probably have those on you anyway.
At the border tell them you're declaring a trailer and they will have you park and come into the building with all your paperwork. Here you will pay the GST on the trailer. By the end, you will come out with a paper that has a stamp in one spot and a box at the bottom left empty for the second stamp, which is done when the inspection is made.
The next step is to pay the RIV fee, which is I think $195. After a day or two, go to the RIV website and find your case in their system by using the case number on the top of the form you got from the border, and the VIN. If all was done right, it should let you pay the fee. If your case isn't found online, call the RIV and pay over the phone. Once you've paid, they will send you a form by email which allows you to get the inspection.
Call Canadian Tire to set up an inspection or turn up, depending on the shop. Canadian Tire are apparently the only ones who do these inspections. Take all your paperwork (make sure you have the RIV form that you just received) and after they do the inspection they should provide the second stamp on the border form.
Lastly, go to an Autoplan broker and register the trailer. They will need to see the trailer in person to check the sticker, so remember to bring the trailer with you. You will also need the title and receipt for what you paid the dealer, as well as the border form. Here you will pay the PST and registration fee. If you want to insure the trailer you can do that at this point too. Since ours will be parked for a year while building, we registered it only and will get plates for it when we eventually take it out to move it.
And that's how it's done!
Despite the red tape, we do not regret the decision to import and are super happy with our trailer.
We got our trailer sent to the closest dealer in Washington, which is Kiperts Trailers in Olympia. Chris, who runs Kiperts, deals with a lot of Canadians so is familiar with the process and includes the Washington permit for $30. He also makes sure that all your lights and brakes are hooked up correctly.
Top tip: if some of your lights aren't working, check the fuses. It's a good idea to know where the fuses are in your vehicle as there is a seperate panel for the tow package wiring.
We got the 20'x8'4" (8'6" wheel wells) model, rated for 10,000 GVWR. Like the states, Canada's width limit for vehicles on the road is 8'6", anything wider requires a wide load permit. Iron Eagle is now manufacturing a tiny house model which you can find here:
Good luck!
