With the wild backlog of passports, at least in Canada, many Canadians are ditching their Eurotrips in lieu of one of the most cherished pastimes on any side of the border: the road trip. Are you thinking about buying or selling your RV? During the pandemic, many families decided to purchase RVs and mobile recreational vehicles as a way to abide by travel restrictions, while still finding ways to explore and enjoy precious holiday time. Others still have looked to RVs as a way to usurp skyrocketing home prices and live wherever the road takes them. Need help planning a trip? Outdoorsy is a great resource for all your planning needs – it’s even fun! Plus, it’s an excellent place to find RVs and even sell them.
Whatever your reasons, if you’re looking to buy a new or used RV, here is a handy guide with tips to make it an easy ride. It’s not as simple as buying a car across the border, so we encourage you to read this carefully. When in doubt, contact us. Have a conversation with a real BorderBuddy customs broker who knows the intricacies of buying RVs and managing all duties associated with importing/exporting them. Try our free duty calculator!
Supply & Demand – COVID Affected RVs Too.
Like almost everything, supply and demand has been impacted by challenges in the global supply chain. Unfortunately, RVs are no different. In fact, the COVID restrictions created a real vacuum for RV manufacturers with so many people looking to set out for close to home adventures. Many prospective campers are stuck on wait lists for new campers. But there may be another way, if you’re willing to forgo “new”. Motor Biscuit has an excellent and up to date aggregator of RVs for sale, so it’s a smart place to start browsing. Most RVs are private sales — though some dealers also use it — not unlike Craigslist, only this is targeted for RVs.
Canadians have it a bit easier than their Southern neighbors in the U.S. Statistically, Canadians already own more RVs and camper vans than Americans, so there is less of a drought of supply. Maybe the way Canadians are represented as hardy, plaid-wearing outdoorsy people is an accurate stereotype, after all.
Do I Need a Special License to Own and Operate an RV?
Simply put, no. In most instances, RVs only require a regular driver’s license. Although it is always good to check with the provinces and states you are traveling in to be sure. Ensure you have had a valid driver’s license for over a year and are over the age of 25 to rent.
Are the Rules Different in the U.S. vs Canada for RVs?
There are different rules for bringing RVs into Canada versus bringing them into the U.S. But at least the border between Canada and the USA is open!
Getting started, you should begin paying the taxes due to America for purchasing your camper abroad. In addition, insurance is absolutely essential – you will need to make sure that the camper you wish to purchase is already insured fully and legally available for you to purchase. Once you purchase it, like any driven vehicle, it will need insurance. Be sure to browse carefully here, and when in doubt, give us a call. We’d hate for you to get taken advantage of or scammed. There have been scams where buyers make most of a purchase for an RV online, only to discover that the vehicle doesn’t actually exist. Like all major purchases, do your due diligence, and feel free to leverage your friendly BorderBuddy customs agent for any questions you may have, as for some of them, RV purchases is an area of expertise.
Go RVing Canada is a “must bookmark.” It’s not only a great place to buy and sell RVs, but it also has tons of tips on managing ownership, handling borders for travel, and much more. Give it a spin, you may find your dream RV and your next inspired road trip.
So how do we help you find your dream RV and get it legally documented for importing and exporting to and from the U.S. and Canada? Give us a call! Our BorderBuddy customs brokers are specialists in RV importing and exporting and would love to be part of planning your next great escape.
Call or email today: https://borderbuddy.com/contact/