I was getting concerned that this whole process was going to be a real exercise in frustration, so given that I live 2 minutes from the Windsor Detroit Border, I took some time yesterday and simply went to both the US and Canadian customs , in person. Purpose was to make sure that what I was going to bring them on the day I was coming over with the car was exactly what they wanted. Walked into the Canadian Customs first and a very nice young lady office was available right away. I explained my plan and she was an nice as you could imagine, told me that all she needed was the Title and some sort of a sales receipt so they could properly charge me taxes. I said what about the registration,what about the recall letter, what about the compliance label? She very calmly said, " I sit here and do this all day and I can tell you all you need to bring me is the Title and the Sales Receipt. Since I was buying it privately I asked her what she would accept as a receipt? She said, if you paid the seller with a certified cheque, one of the carbon copies of the bank draft would be fine. If you withdrew cash to pay him, a copy of the bank withdrawal amount would be fine, if you bought it on ebay, a copy of the ebay auction showing the ending bid would be fine. Than she said, just relax, this is very easy and you will be in and out of this office in 5 minutes. She said, just drive up to the Canadian Customs booth and tell the officer you just bought the car you are driving, we will take care of everything from there and I will even log onto the RIV website for you and pay your RIV fee right here so you are totally done. Just bring a credit card and we will take care of you, this is not a big deal.

Ok, now I am feeling better, so I venture over to the US side. I spoke to an officer on the US side who was much more militant in his behavior but he was helpful. I told him my plan, he said , "all you need to do is fax the US customs the Title to the car 72 hours in advance" and he gave me the fax number. I said ,well that is pretty easy, what about the registration, what about the recall letter, what about the compliance label"? He said, sir I just told you I need the title to the car and it must be here 72 hours in advance, that is it.

I said, WOW, that is all I need to do? He replied, "Sir, I told you all I need is the title to the car,what do you not understand" ? Ok, I get the picture, see you later.

So, looks like this will be pretty basic. I will let you know how it all ends up mid week when I have this little beauty back into canada.

For future reference for anyone bringing a vehicle back through the Detroit/Windsor border, the US customs phone number to actually talk to an officer is 313-226-3139 and you fax the title to 313-226-5347 (72 hours in advance).

Thanks to all for your help to this point, I am days away from owing a Sapphire Silver Blue Metallic 2005 Crossfire Roadster !!!
Tommy