Importing a used semi truck from canada

I bought a Canadian made trailer last November, Alutrec brand.
I had to pay an excise tax, dealer included in the price, I think it was 12.5%?
Thankfully I was able to use trailer while paperwork got straightened out.
State took 3 months to issue title.

 

There is not an Import Fee or duty on the vehicle if it was made here.

Also just an FYI, you pay the FET and Duty if it was made in Canada, that's it. No issues with Emissions (even though you have to submit paper work as mentioned) and that's it. IT is easier than getting a car from Canada.

 

Just be careful if you bought a reprossessed truck. Mine only had a copy of the registration, not a title. Illinois would accept the expired registration, but not copy. The expression they use for repossession order is different than ours, so it took a while to track it down.

 

I did not read all of the posts, so forgive me if this has been stated, call a Canadian dealer and pay him a hundred bucks, or two and let him do the customs paperwork. They do this all the time.

 

Why bother? If you have to cross the border, do it yourself there, and save the money.

 

I agree, always a title and a sales receipt.

Back in the 90's I bought a stolen 1968 Pontiac Parisienne from some clown in upper Ontario, got a registration with a sales receipt. I ended up returning the car to the original owner as it popped up on the hot sheet when I had it inspected by the state police. I wasn't happy but the RCMP got my money back thanks to the sales receipt.

 

I bought this truck from the leasing company. They didn't have the original registration. Alberta doesn't issue titles.

Fortunately I spoke with somebody at the Illinois Secretary of State, and they were able to get what they needed.

 

Agreed; it isn't that hard. If you're going to do the trip yourself anyway and you can read, just follow the instructions and submit the paperwork yourself. That's what I've done going the other way.

 

When I imported my trailer, the "no title" issue was a bit of a hassle. Needed to get the signed, original registration and a statement that all liens were released. There is a separate lien registry in Canada that costs about $20 to search, IIRC. I had help from my cousin who had contacts among dealers up there who knew the drill, that was very helpful.