Crossing borders as Not For Hire - what should I know?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by JoeF2002, Jul 21, 2016.

  1. JoeF2002

    JoeF2002 Light Load Member

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    Dec 31, 2015
    Saylorsburg, PA
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    Thanks. I know a lot of you are already wondering what the heck I'm doing. Getting that part out of the way, the truck is actually an "Optimus Prime" replica truck from the movie Transformers. In other words it's just a show truck. My family and I will be driving into Canada to place it on display at a few comic cons. I realize it's a very unique scenario. But I can tell you there is no 'commerce' involved, which is why I'm unsure to what to really expect at the borders (both Canada and US).
     
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  3. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    Well then.....pictures please!
     
  4. JoeF2002

    JoeF2002 Light Load Member

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    Dec 31, 2015
    Saylorsburg, PA
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    In progress. Will be done by August. Here's my Facebook page for it if you'd like to see the work so far :)
     
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  5. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Michigan
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    Nope, sorry I don't post pictures of my trucks any more. I had some bad situation with a nut job in the past from another forum, he followed me everywhere and harassed my family until he was kind of ... Well had his hands slapped by law enforcement. So make it a habit not to post anything like that. It really isn't much, a class 8 Mack with a deck long enough to put a small car on or a camper, I took out one axle as move the other one back enough to make the ride better. Painted it up, and replaced the seats.
     
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  6. magoo68

    magoo68 Road Train Member

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    st malo mb canada
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    That is some great work you've done and it makes it very understandable to customs what you're up to bobtailing into Canada as long as you have a clean criminal record it shouldn't be a issue other than maybe someone wanting to admire your ride close up
     
    JoeF2002 Thanks this.
  7. JoeF2002

    JoeF2002 Light Load Member

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    Dec 31, 2015
    Saylorsburg, PA
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    Thanks for the advice guys. I did call my insurance and they said I was insured for Canada. I plan to call back to see if I can get a letter that states my coverage, just in case they ask.

    And here's one update: I contacted the Canadian Border services and spoke with a senior officer (surprisingly they were very easy to get a hold of). I told him about my unique scenario and that the truck is coming into Canada for "show" only. He said all I would need is a letter from the venue stating the specific intentions along with a contact name and number. Any paperwork that might be necessary would be completed at the border (nothing to submit ahead of time).

    Fingers crossed, but it sounds like it shouldn't be too bad. Now I'm trying to contact the US agency to ask the same questions. They aren't anywhere near as easy to reach.
     
    snowman_w900 Thanks this.
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