canadaian laws ???

[JohnEd]

Scottie,

NO SALE!  People have just said THEY DID IT.  One key with govies is to talk to people till you get the answer you want.  Try this for this case and forever after:  When someone in authority tells you you can't do something ask "If I could do that, how would I do it?".  You will be absolutely AMAZED at how often you get a straight faced answer of exactly HOW TO DO THAT.  That woman was nuts, really.  nuts!

HTH

John

[dave870]

This is a subject that comes up frequently and usually takes aim at the BAD Canadian laws.
However, the US and Canada introduced very similar laws effective 1st January 1971 regarding a requirement for a "Certificate of Compliance".
The differences are in how US and Canadian manufacturers and Government agencies responded.

Most Canadian manufacturers obtained Certification for both countries, not to have US certification would be suicide - the US is their largest market by a large margin.   US builders, Eagle for example were selling few coaches in Canada and I'm sure were reluctant to submit models to both national agencies for what I understand is almost destructive testing. 

Eagle and others quickly found that Canadian enforcement was near non existent and they continued to sell buses in Canada without certification until a frustrated Canadian Government handed enforcement over to RIV - the Registra  of Imported Vehicles in the mid 90's.    Unsure of the legal or corporate structure of RIV but operates almost as a privatised Government department doing the dirty work of Transport Canada who still issues the regulations. 

The "Vancouver Air Porter " system operates a fleet of RTS's and I've heard they purchased about six additional buses in the LA area in 1997 and RIV advised Canada Customs to turn them back if they appeared at the border.   

I understand that the early enforcement was so lax that even GM of Canada was selling buses in both countries with only a US Certificate  and people later had difficulties bringing the back into Canada.  I believe it is now understood at the border that these buses were built to comply with all Canadian requirements and can now be repatriated without certificate.

Its a long story,  Dave.

[scottie]

hi again everone

as i said before ,im not giveing up yet !!!!
another problem,i will have is that,i have been looking at ebay.
im sure that the powers that be want to know all the imformation about "the bus" ....so what do i tell them, i dont have one yet,and what is their  answer going to be, come back when you do.....and then on the other hand do i buy one first and risk it that i might not get it home....know what i mean...
most of the people selling buses on ebay want it picked up in a week....we all know how fast it is to deal with the goverment      mmmmmm maybe a sports car.. 
scottie

[Paso One]

Hi Scottie
There is a proper procedure to getting a Vehicle / Bus  into Canada The post above by Stan is 100% correct.

Go to the RIV site and they have a list of buses you can bring into Canada  ( with or without seats )

They Also have a list you cannot bring into Canada.  ( converted or not converted )  ( modified or not  )

There also is HUGE LOOP holes on getting Buses into Canada.  ( age and type of title )

I best shut up as I hold a dealer license and I enjoy owning it. 

There is Plenty of good buses in Canada to chose from if your concerned Buy a unit already here.

The link above Dave provided is correct it clearly tells you what buses are allowed Your MCI is on page 29 on the PDF list

[prevost82]

If the bus is 15 yrs old and it is registered as a motorhome there should be no problem, because it isn't a bus anymore. The problem I see is it only has the seats removed and in most provinces to be reg as a MH you have to have a bed / sink / toilet / and a stove all premently mounted but they don't have to be hooked up to any thing, because no one at the boarder is going to check them out.

You have to get rid of the word "BUS" it is a "MCI Motor Home" or RV. I have a friend that has bought 6 bus conversions in the US and imported them into Canada and resold them, none are on the RIA list but they are all over 15 yrs old ... he's never had a problem.
Ron

[lesrMC9]

you have to have a bed / sink / toilet / and a stove all premanantly mounted

this means "it must be removed with a tool" [this is a quote i got from RIV] not just pick it up and walk away with the item!
les r

[Paso One]

Another "tip " is don't fall into the trap question  "when was it converted "   If you answer the question ie: 1999  all of a sudden the vehicle has to meet 1999 standards.  Don't lie or mis lead but you need to know what your doing...  and how to answer the trap questions... 

The suggestion of bringing something in built before 1971 is very good as you have another choice of being able to bring it in under antique or classic .....

[prevost82]

Yes Les ... it has to be remove with a tool. But it doesn't have to be hooked out to anything ... like I said no one will check.
Ron