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This isn't ForwardLook related strictly
speaking, but my true story might keep some of you from having a mishap.
Believe it or not, this is the short version:
I sold a parts car to a guy in British Columbia
including delivery. He supposedly checked out customs and told me "no
problem," I would need to pay a 7% import tax at the border.
Had an uneventful trip until we reached the
border crossing at Sumas, Washington. First, they directed me to park in a
nice long covered parking for "inspection." No problem.
Then my friend and I were to report to the building.
Once in the building we were directed to
immigration, where our driver's licenses were taken. We were asked if we
had ever been convicted of a crime and both said no. After about 15
minutes he came back, and started questioning my friend about a DWI. Yes,
he'd had a conviction, but that wasn't a criminal offense. Well it is in
Canada, so my friend was "deported," leaving me alone to drive his
truck, trailer and car to the delivery. He was told that he will be an
"undesirable alien" and not eligible for entry for
the rest of his life unless he gets a waiver from a Canadian
magistrate.
Next was customs. They asked me if the car
had air conditioning. Expecting a car inspection, and fearful of lying
considering my friend's experience, I admitted it did. "Well, that'll
be $100 excise tax on the AC, even if it doesn't work, plus the 7% import
tax." They never did look at the car, check the VIN or
anything. It could have been worth $500 or $50,000, they just took my word
for the price.
Now comes the fun part. After I delivered
the car and came back to the border, the US Customs men were livid. Seems
that they had a "gentlemen's agreement" with the Canadians to call US
when a car is being taken over. US then impounds the car for 72 hours and,
if it clears their stolen car check, there's an EXPORT tax! I lucked out
on that one! Once I got back it was too late for them to do anything to
me.
The moral of the story is, don't deliver a car
to Canada, or if you do, expect some real hassles.
--Roger van Hoy, '55DeSoto, '42DeSoto,
'66Plymouth, '73Duster, Washougal, WA, USA
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