Importing from Canada to US-revisited

There are prior (some horror) threads about this, containing relevant
advice. I would like to comment on a particular case.

I just returned from Canada with a glider in tow. Having perused the
other threads, I had forms CBP7501, HS-7, and CBP3311 in hand.
Additionally, I had a letter of representation from the buyer, as he
was not with me. This glider purchase was a private sale, the
particular case.

CBP7501 is required for commercial importation activities. This
purchase was a strictly private sale. The commercial aspect, from the
questions, appears to include professional cartage or vendor/company
trade/sales. Whether private sales extend to LLC's or LLP's I
couldn't venture to guess.

HS-7, for the NHTSA vehicle declaration for the trailer, was not
needed. Recent vehicle rules in Canada and the US make it easier than
importing from Europe.

CBP form 3311 is for duty free return of American products. This
glider previously had an N-reg, but this form is for American
production, thus moot.

Arriving at the first crossing, we presented the forms to the border
agent asking which applied. Upon seeing the CBP7501, we were
immediately directed to the commercial side. They essentially
wouldn't listen and said we'd need a broker to originate an eManifest
($50 service) and were turned around. The buyer contacted a broker,
but we couldn't get service on Sunday. I called the brokerage rep,
and he said as it was a private sale, they couldn't create an
eManifest. They did offer to call customs on our behalf Monday
morning.

With a bit more knowledge, we drove an hour to another crossing.
After a 45 minute delay, this time I only handed the border agent two
simple bills of sale and the letter of representation. He asked some
leading questions about transport remuneration, the nature of the
sale, and so on, but after looking over the glider and trailer, waved
us on. I did explain to him that gliders were duty free into the US,
though we expected to pay $42 on the trailer. We didn't have to
present the HS-7 either. The commercial aspect, from the questions,
may extend beyond the actual cost of goods if the buyer is using
commercial transport.

Frank Whiteley

Hi Frank,

As you may know if you searched the archives here, I also imported a
glider from Canada to the US not long ago. I used none of the forms you
mentioned. Getting through the border went quickly and smoothly. The
customs official only expressed concern that I have functioning signal
lights on the trailer (and of course I did).

Thanks for the warning not to mess with the forms in your post.

Regards,

-Doug