Well, my Ford Ranger was now registered in and sporting Jalisco license plate. I was going to drive back to Canada -- how would I be received at the international borders?

Since August, 2023 I have driven my Ford Ranger from La Manzanilla to Toronto three times.

The US Customs officers at Laredo were indifferent. My Canadian passport was in order. I did not have anything to declare and I was transiting through the US to my Canadian address. "Have a good day."

My first of three crossings at the Ambassador Bridge (Detroit/Windsor) was interesting. We both have NEXUS cards, so I pulled into the lightly used NEXUS lane. I watched the Canadian customs officer note the Mexican license plates on my truck and "awaken" from a bored stupor. What were a couple of grey haired gringos doing in the NEXUS lane with Jalisco license plate? I gave him our Canadian passports, NEXUS cards, and answered his questions Where did we live? (Toronto). Why did our vehicle have Jalisco license plates? -- we have a casa in Mexico and decided to drive back in our Mexican vehicle. Were we planning on "importing" the vehicle into Ontario? -- no, the truck was originally purchased in Canada, we recently imported it into Mexico and we would be driving it back to Mexico in the near future.

He was flumoxed. He took a picture of the truck's VIN, phoned someone, had a discusion and then waved us through.

The second time through was more involved. Similiar questions and responses were given. However, it was decided the these two grey haired gringos must be up to something nefarious. We were directed over to an area so the truck could undergo an inspection. Six officers unloaded everything in the truck, opened and examined all backpacks, suitcases, cargo bins, etc. Found nothing and apologized for the delay and reloaded our "stuff". "No problem", I said, "last year exiting Nicaragua into Honduras a similar "inspection" took six hours."

The third and most recent crossing at Detroit/Windsor was about 5 weeks ago. Again, pulled into the NEXUS lane, similar questions and responses and then was asked "Were we Canadian citizens? -- yes, of course, we have Canadian passports and were born in Canada. Do we pay Canadian Income Tax? -- yes, for decades. "Okay, then you can not bring this vehicle into Canada. Turn around and return to the US." I said, "I am the original owner of the vehicle. It was bought in Canada in 2006, and all taxes were paid upon purchase. I have the original sale documents here. We recently imported it into Mexico because we have a casa there. Please have someone show me the regulation or law that prohibits me from bringing my vehicle into Canada."

"Pull over to that area and proceed through those doors to the office. Someone will look after you."

Serendipitously two of the officers who had unloaded and inspected our vehicle during our last crossing were on duty, recognized our vehicle, shook their heads and wished us well.

We entered the office. The officer had been briefed on the situation. She proceeded to tell me that when I imported my vehicle into Mexico I had to comply with the Mexican import regulations. Why did I not understand that if I brought a vehicle into Canada I had to comply with Canadian import regulations.

I said, "No problem, show me the regulation that prohibits me from bringing a vehicle that I purchased in Canada. Imported to another country and then returned to Canada."

She came back an hour later. A Canadian citizen who purchases a vehicle in Canada, imports it to another country can return the vehicle to Canada for a period of 45 days and then apply for an extention if the vehicle is to remain in Canada for a longer period of time. There is no cost. If the vehicle is older than 15 years. There are no restrictions. (My Ford Ranger was 17 years old.)

"Please go to your truck and bring the appropriate documents."

I returned with the original 2006 purchase document, the Mexican vehicle registration, and the current Ontario vehicle insurance docs.

"Sir, would you mind signing a document to indicate that you legally brought this vehicle into Canada?"

Below are the two documents.




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