Canada to US tractor importing ???

Requesting any info regarding the logistics/red tape involved in bringing a farm tractor across the bridge at Port Huron , MI. In other words Canada to US import. I know some on here have probably done it or know the drill. Thanks in advance. RB

I've brought two tractors into Michigan myself, one at Sault Ste. Marie, one thru Port Huron. My 1ton truck, my gooseneck trailer. Never got out of my truck. never paid duty. I have an enhanced Michigan drivers license, and had a detailed receipt from the seller, his name, address, phone number, tractor serial number, price paid in usd. Tractor , truck and trailer were clean. That's what they want. Never any problem.

Forgot to mention..this would be hauled by semi/drop-deck/fully legal carrier. Just didn't know since 9/11 what , if anything, had been tightened up or a charge put on.

Being hauled by commercial carrier makes it HARDER!!! If your hauling it your self them it is pretty pain free if everything is CLEAN of dirt and you have a complete bill of sale with the serial number of the equipment on it. A commercial carrier has more hoops to go through. I would not have an idea on doing it that way. I usually go do it myself and have had no issue.

My brother-in-law bought a big piece of logging equipment in Canada, he drove it across the bridge. I think because it is over width that eliminated the special permits.

It is not hard at all to get equipment across the border yourself, as long as it is clean and you have some sort of proof of where you bought it and for how much. A bill of sale showing seller's name, address, contact info and the purchase price is sufficient. You will have to fill out a couple of brokerage forms and state taxes might apply depending what state you live in or what state you are crossing the border at. Call the border where you will be crossing and they can give you all the specifics.

I work for an equipment company on the Canadian side of the border, and we truck stuff across North America. Generally trucking companies will quote you a price delivered in your yard with customs, brokerage, etc. taken care of. Using a trucking company is a good way to go if you are nervous about the border or unsure of requirements.

Also FYI you can no longer drive equipment across the bridge at Port Huron, it has to be trailered. If it is oversize/needs wide load permits (like a combine or wide sprayer) be aware they only let oversize stuff cross at certain times of day, and if it's big enough you will need to let them know ahead so they can arrange to shut down the bridge for you to get through. Of course fees for that will apply.

Hi I would personally phone the relevant people( both Governments borders) and ask them, i was thinking of buying from the U.S and the rules changed. There is 72 hour movement restrictions for paperwork checks now and whole lot of aggravation,to make sure stuffs not stolen, no unpaid leans and other issues. It's on all Motorised vehicle sales including anything like self propelled lawn mowers/cars trucks and farm equipment. It doesn't matter if it's private import either. A guy I know did the hoop dance recently and the dealer said never again, unless the buyer paid like $2000 for doing the paper work!. They might still not let what you brought cross if they don't like you at the Border after you got the machine. It basically wasn't worth the hassle for me or the seller in the end,so I never went ahead.
I do not know about Buying from Canada and going the other way. You could now find there are similar hoops to jump through both sides, it might not be as simple as you are being told now. Make sure before you get caught out , and end up with a machine you can't get into the U.S, and have to sell it again this side.
Regards Robert

Thank you all for the great info. Besides the fact that my friend (buyer) and I would both have to get simple passports ($ 75 ea) and fuel to go 175 mi ea. way to look at/drive it and THEN the potential mess getting it here, he has decided he doesn't need THAT tractor that bad and will stay local in MI. Can't blame him. Again, thanks to all who posted.

When I hauled seed potatoes across The Blue Water bridge, I had to stop and go through a Bondsman that was in a office right at the bridge.