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Old 08-14-2018, 12:31 AM   #1
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Importing from WA or OR to British Columbia

Hi,

There is very few Shorties for sale in BC. Looking back thru years of auctions etc, there is very few that sold.

I'm now starting to look at potentially importing one from the US. Between WA and OR I can see several that roughly fit our criteria being sold in the last few weeks. So that looks a lot better, but I obviously have to figure out the whole process.

I found some posts here (as well as on the internet) with good information and it seems that the older ones (if unmodified) can be imported "fairly" easily.

I'll document what I learn here and welcome all feedback!

tx
Bas

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Old 08-14-2018, 10:23 AM   #2
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I have imported from BC into WA. Not the other way.

I ran into some folks who were bringing vehicles into Canada from the US and they told that the process was such a PITA that they decided to go with a broker like these guys:
https://www.davidsonandsons.com/car-imports
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Old 08-14-2018, 10:53 AM   #3
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One of the biggest issue some face is being able to get an airbrake vehicle across the line without an airbrake endorsement or CDL. You won't have that issue on a shorty if it doesn't have air brakes.
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Old 08-14-2018, 11:18 PM   #4
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@PNW_Steve, I saw that recommended as well. I'm a big fan of using experts, especially in areas involving governments


@o1marc, it's likely we will end up with hydraulic brakes. But the air endorsement in BC seems to be 2 days of theoretical work (and exam). Might be a good excuse to learn something new. If for some reason we end up with air brakes, that won't be an issue.


My current list of things to work on:
[ ] See if I prefer buying @ auction, or from bus reseller
[ ] Understand what inspection is required after the bus is imported.
[ ] Understand the exact process of reclassing a (US) school bus to RV. I found some info somewhere (but can't find it back now). That listed similar requirements as in the US (water, toilet, power. Have x out of y). Will contact ICBC (BC Car Insurance) to see if they can help figure that out
[ ] Determine what insurance cost will look like (BC is not known for it's cheap insurance. Want to make sure there is no huge surprise there
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Old 08-14-2018, 11:30 PM   #5
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Auction or Reseller?

Tricky question, and interested in feedback (specific for WA/OR). From many of the videos I've watched it seem that most people buying from a reseller are happy (even with the extra cost), as are people who bought at auction. Saw a few people who bought from reseller, but felt they did not get value and wished they bought at auction.

For auction it seems that PublicSurplus lists things sold by school districts?

Saved searches for my own reference
Washington
Oregon

And then there seems to be a ton of different bus sales companies. Feedback on good ones (specific for WA/OR) or ones to stay away from are welcome:
National Bus
Buy a Bus
American Bus
NorthWest Bus Sales

Auction might be a blind gamble, I would bid, maybe win and then only see the bus. At that point I have 10 days (usually it seems) to pick it up. If it turns out to be a rust bucket / non starter /... It's all my problem

I would think that there can be more remote back and forth with the reseller to assess state etc. But at a price.

Any thoughts / feedback is very welcome!

Bas
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Old 08-15-2018, 09:38 AM   #6
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Just to throw another one on the list:

https://www.brysonsaleswa.com

These folks are in Everett. I have bought parts from them and had numerous questions answered as well. Good folks to deal with.

They take a lot of trade in's from local districts.
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Old 08-15-2018, 03:17 PM   #7
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Before you commit to anything at all, make sure that your vehicle is eligible to be imported. The Registrar of Imported Vehicles (riv.ca) is the authority you'll need to go through. PM me if you need details.
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Old 08-15-2018, 03:21 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brijn View Post
[ ] Understand what inspection is required after the bus is imported.
[ ] Understand the exact process of reclassing a (US) school bus to RV. I found some info somewhere (but can't find it back now). That listed similar requirements as in the US (water, toilet, power. Have x out of y). Will contact ICBC (BC Car Insurance) to see if they can help figure that out
[ ] Determine what insurance cost will look like (BC is not known for it's cheap insurance. Want to make sure there is no huge surprise there
Our ICBC agent was very helpful in answering these exact questions for me. We don't have a bus, but she had answers to my "do the research before we start looking" questions, just like you're doing. There's an ICBC checklist somewhere in their operations manuals that lists conversion requirements for RVs, even.
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Old 08-15-2018, 06:08 PM   #9
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@Polarweasel. Yeah, I had a look at that list. Any Bluebird or Thomas that is older then 2007 and unmodified should be OK. So that doesn't look to bad!


I reached out to ICBC via email. Will see if they get back. If not I will walk in there. Super helpful to know they have a checklist in their manual somewhere
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Old 08-15-2018, 10:07 PM   #10
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Hmm, looks I can't edit a message. That is unfortunate. Well, some more links


Eligible buses for import on Transport Canada site via RIV


Harlow's, another source of buses
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Old 10-31-2018, 09:52 PM   #11
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This will now turn into a "our actual experiences importing a bus from WA to BC"


We purchased the bus via the Public Surplus auction. The seller is the Snohomish School District.


The Public Surplus website sends you an email confirming you have won the auction and:
1) Recommends you reach out to the seller
2) Lays out the details for payment


Snag 1) Seller did not actually have the title (that was not mentioned in the posting). Our agent confirmed the original title is needed for the import. The contact at the school district was fantastic and managed to get a replacement title the next day!!
Snag 2) For payments totaling over $4000 (and ours is by a few dollars) the Public Auction website DOES NOT accept credit card payments (I mailed to confirm if there was any way with extra documentation or something to make that happen, the answer is no). A wire transfer is required. Fortunately I read everything carefully and noticed "international wires transfers NOT accepted". And got the confirmation that CA->US is indeed international. Good thing I know some people in the US, but a bit of extra cost for a double wire transfer.


I've reached out to Davidson and Sons as recommended earlier in this tread. Their fees are super reasonable and should make my life much easier.


Next steps: clarify the insurance requirements on this side (as well as what is needed to reclass the bus to an RV), make the payment and get a copy of the registration. Lots of progress in 24 hrs
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Old 10-31-2018, 11:49 PM   #12
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Congrats on getting a bus! And good luck with the next phase(s) of the adventure! Looking forward to seeing it in person sometime!
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