Importing '78 Freightliner from Canada to US?

There should be no issue since the vehicle was imported into Canada, so all the documentation has been done and there should be nothing needed to bring it back into the USA. It is when you import the vehicle into Canada that you have to provide documentation at the border. The only thing to check is to see if there will be any sales taxes assessed, but with it that old declare it as an antique or historical vehicle which should lower the tax if any is due.

 

It will probably need to go thru the provincial safety inspection to be legal to get it to the border. Depending on how much work it needs and the final destination you may want to consider having it towed or flatbedded to your location. If it has been sitting for a long time there will be alot of issues that may turn up as you try and drive it home. Myself I would probably have it put on a lowboy and brought home. Expensive, but still cheaper than paying for road service and or tows for repairs when they have you in a position where you cannot argue about the cost. Just my opion for what its worth.

 

If your planning on driving it home be sure to check the date codes on the tires. Any tire over 7 yrs old you are taking a huge risk of blowout even though on the exterior they look fine. The interior of the tire will begin to degrade over a period of time and it is not visible without dismounting of the tire. So just be sure to check the date codes on the tires before setting off on a trip with it. PM me if you want the info on how to read the date codes on the tires.

 

Buy a temporary and drive it. NO need for an inspection as it isn't comercially plated.

 

If it has been driven for years and is parked in a garage I highly doubt that it is currently plated and inspected...

 

Has FET ever been paid on it, ie was it originally purchased in the US and then imported to Canada, or was it directly imported into Canada and then sold? If it was directly imported, you'll owe FET on your purchase price.