Importing a HF trailer into Canada and Registering in QC

[legojenn]

This is the guide that I wished that I had before I bought my Motomate and my little wee HF trailer, but if I save someone time or anxiety, then I am glad to share my experience. I am sure that the registration process is similar in other provinces.

On New Year’s day, I drove down to Watertown, NY with a $50.00 coupon that was shared on this site by Cliffmeister I bought a little 40x48 flatbed trailer that was on sale for $179.99 from $199.99. With the coupon, it was down to $129.99. With state taxes and other levies, it was around $147.00. It came in two small boxes and fit easily in my Aveo.

At the border, I advised the customs agent that I had the trailer in kit format and was quickly asked to visit the secondary inspection area. I had to go to a desk and an agent took the receipt and other papers and filled out RIV form 1. (RIV is the Registrar of Imported Vehicles, http://www.riv.ca). I then had to pay $195 + PST and GST for a grand total of $220.35. The tax you pay on the RIV form varies depending on whether you are in an HST province or not. Quebec has HST, but is provincially, rather than federally administered. The fee can be paid at the border by cash, interact or credit card, OR you can be invoiced. Regardless, governments have taken more money from me than I paid for the trailer. I would have rather bought the trailer domestically, but I have not found a local supplier for small flatbed trailers. I then got to pay an additional 5% GST (around $7.00) on the value of the trailer including the NY state and tire taxes.

The next business day, I got an email to go to the RIV website and download an inspection form, called form 2. Once the trailer is assembled and the form is printed out, you take it to an RIV inspection centre. The RIV has contracted most Canadian Tires for this service, but there are some independent garages that are listed as inspection centres. The fee for the inspection is covered in the RIV fee paid at the border. An appointment does not need to be made and the inspection takes a few seconds. It involves confirming the VIN and ensuring that the lights and tires meet Canadian standards. They keep form 2 and a copy of form 1. They stamp form 1 and return it to you once the trailer passes inspection.

Assembling the trailer was easy. The only problem I had was with the wiring. I learned the hard way that you don’t depend on a bolt-down trailer for a good ground. Once I grounded the trailer’s rear lights, they all worked. I also missed a step and put the dust cap on without checking to see if the cotter-pin was inserted into the axle just above the crown nut and lost a bearing, dust cap, washer and crown nut. I took the opportunity have all the bearings upgraded to Timken bearings and repacked it all. Considering that this trailer will be towing a snow-blower in winter and a lawnmower in the summer, I think that the expense was worth it.

The next step involves registration. I went to the local SAAQ, which is the government driver and vehicle licensing agency, which is the same as the Ministry of Transportation in other provinces or DMVs in the US. They took the certificate from the manufacturer, the form 1, the receipt for the GST paid at the border, charged me PST on the value of the trailer (more tax on tax) and $67.00 for a permanent plate.

So, when I get around to building another teardrop, which will be around the time that my Aveo is paid for and I can afford a bigger tow vehicle, I will definitely go through the process again. I don’t think that it will be a Harbor Freight trailer. The final cost was $450, of which $300 went to various governments. If I am going to spend $300 in taxes to import and register a vehicle, I will start with a more expensive one.

The trailer has been plated for two weeks now. It drags behind the car quite nicely. My biggest complaint is that it is noisy and cannot be seen when it is not loaded. A minor complaint is that the licence plate is all bent because it scrapes the ground when the back end is tipped.

[eamarquardt]

It seems as though importing a HF to Canada isn't as "cost effective" as it seems. Would you now consider purchasing an axle, some steel, and having a trailer fabricated?

Cheers,

Gus

[Miriam C.]

Now that is outrageous! I wonder why there are no more private welders willing to build a trailer? I can see why companies might not want to import trailers there.

[86bigred]

it still ended up cheaper than buying one from canadian tire.or buying all the parts from princess auto.i am using a frame from an old tent trailer and have a welder in my shop to try and save some cash.