Importing a Sprinter into Canada

I am planning on buying a used Sprinter in the states and want to import it to Canada. Canada Customs needs documentation that the US Sprinter will meet Canada emmissions and safety standards. As I understant it all passenger sprinters imported to North America were built in Germany and there were not models specific to the US or Canada.

Does anyone have the contact information on where I can get this documentation. My local Dodge dealer was clueless about this matter.

Regard.

MY
 

frostback

junior sprinter
I just imported one from Texas and it was easy. No modifications required, it already had DRL's and french airbag labels.

You need to file paperwork with the border crossing you intend to use 72 hours in advance of your arrival. Phone the border crossing and request they fax you a vehicle importation package. You also need to have a copy of the State issued title. Make sure to get a bill of sale as well.

At the border you need to pay $206 to RIV which includes your federal inspection at Canadian Tire which is a joke:lol: . Also 6% GST and %6 duty on Canadian value since it isn't built in NA. Also $100 excise tax on AC.

From there on it depends which Province you are bringing it into. BC requires a Provincial inspection which is very thorough and more cash. After all inspections are complete we pay %7 BC PST and licensing fees and your done.:clapping:

http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html

Derek
 
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Altered Sprinter

Happy Little Vegemite
I am planning on buying a used Sprinter in the states and want to import it to Canada. Canada Customs needs documentation that the US Sprinter will meet Canada emissions and safety standards. As I understant it all passenger sprinters imported to North America were built in Germany and there were not models specific to the US or Canada.

Does anyone have the contact information on where I can get this documentation. My local Dodge dealer was clueless about this matter.

Regard.

MY
re importing into Canada.
One of our members Sprinterman did this for a new van , not that easy as to the specifics of the Grey area of importing new and second hand.

You will need to change Speedo to metric, Change engine Vin number stickers to side door panel or place on dashboard, not sure which at the moment, there may be an issue with the bumper brackets for impact at between 5 to 10 miles pH impact as Canada has a higher impact ratio than most U.S states , the easiest way would be to arrange for an import broker to do this for you, but it's not that hard, as you have not stated the year of the Sprinter I'm just a little lost as to emission standards they vary in Canada as to the specific years and running lights have to be installed to run full time in some or all provenience's .
Warranty is non-transferable if there is one on the Sprinter, this is a Grey area with politics involved, to keep a warranty you will have to be registered with a U.S address.
If you require more info I can post N.A.F.A web site info regarding importing into the U.S and Canada -cross boarder transferee
PS for compliance this has to be done via a authorized Dodge dealer and the report costs CA$500.00.
Richard
 

frostback

junior sprinter
I forgot one other item. When you get your federal inspection done you will need to provide a vehicle recall clearance letter. Go to this Dodge link and enter the last 8 digits of your VIN. You will be able to print a recall clearance letter.

http://www.dodge.com/webselfservice/dodge/index.jsp?screenName=recall&country=canada&emailUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fapp01.extra.daimlerchrysler.com%2Fwccs%2Fca%2Findex_en.jsp

No modifications are required on Sprinters. Bumpers meet Canadian standards, gauge cluster already has metric speedo and no child seat tethers are required on vans.

I imported my passenger van for personal use and had a discussion with CBSA over them trying to classify it as a commercial vehicle. If I had lost it would have cost another $1000

I've imported about half a dozen vehicles in the last 2 years and it's fairly painless.

Here is the Transport Canada list of admissable vehicles.

http://www.riv.ca/english/US_vehicle_admissibility.pdf

PM me if you have any other questions or perhaps you'd like to buy my van. :smirk:

:cheers:

Derek
 

hbonwit

New member
Does anyone else have info on importing already-converted Sprinters into Canada?

We are considering doing the same, but are worried about the Admissability (see section 3, here: http://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/motorvehiclesafety/VAFUS.pdf) which says " Vehicles that have been modified from their original state, other than regular maintenance, may not be eligible for importation into Canada. For example, a van transformed into a motorhome (often known as Class B motorhome), a van equipped with raised roof and/or modified interior, a pick-up or a passenger car equipped with lift kit, a motorcycle converted to a motor tricycle (trike), etc."

I'm not sure if they'd care that we put a bed, stove, oven, fridge, solar panels, foot-pump sink on there? Has anyone done this? Would love to compare notes!
 

rickyray

Member
I imported a 2008 Roadtrek into Canada in 2010. Dead simple as long as the van is modified by a known company (Roadtrek, Pleasure way, Winnebago, etc). Make sure you notify the border crossing at least 72 business hours before going to pick it up. Use the RIV website here:
http://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx

and here's a good overview of the process from awhile ago, but I doubt much else has changed.

http://mr2.com/TEXT/Import.html

And here's a Transport Canada list of approved Class B conversions.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/motorvehiclesafety/SafeVehicles/Importation/Usa/VAFUS/list2/Section5_2.htm


If the van has been heavily modified by the owner and not a known conversion company like the above then not sure on what issues you may have.

Good luck!
 
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tinman

Well-known member
I think any propane equipment or other combustion cabin heaters would make it near to impossible to import. The installations would need CSA approval, and that would likely be very impractical if not impossible to obtain on a one-off basis.
 
Does anyone have any updates on this? I am looking at a 2013 Outside Van. It has a sink. Cook top. Furnace but no toilet? Four seats.......are we going to get it to Canada and then have to bring it back to the states for failed inspection?
 

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