Vancouver brokerage for importing my Delica

[Chris K]

Hi all,

New member, first time poster. I'm a Canadian who has owned a 1995 Delica Spacegear for a year and a half in NZ, coming home to Vancouver. I have a great shipping/freight quote out of Wellington to Vancouver, but was disappointed by the quote from the local broker they referred me to ($2000!!).

I think you can actually clear a vehicle at the port yourself (mine is coming in a 20' container), but I'm a little concerned about the paperwork and would be willing to pay someone to help me through it.

Any referrals?

Thanks,
Chris

[Ralph in Winnipeg]

I have used Thompson Logistics for all my imports, Al is a great guy and takes care of his clients. I usually buy JDM vehicles through Braveauto and they work with Al so the fee is rolled into the brokerage cost. I get an itemized bill from Thompson for the import costs at the port which is between $5-900.

Use the Google and give Al a call.

Ralph in Winnipeg

[Chris K]

Thanks Ralph! Al was recommended to me by a few sources, and I'm now working with him.

[capikrad]

Hey Chris.

Could you tell me how much was the total amount of money to pay for import? I am thinking to import my Delica from Sydney, Australia to Vancouver.

so you paid:

ship cargo: about 2000 CAD
import fee, documentation, etc: ???
something else (special service, etc): ???

Thanks for answer.

Radek

[BCDelica]

Hi Chris,

$2000 doesn't sound unreasonable. It is approximately $1300 for roro from Japan to the Vancouver Port, and they are already bringing an awful lot of cars over already. Heck co-workers were paying your amount to have their vehicle securely shipped from Vancouver to Ontario just for the period of a work contract.

You can clear a vehicle from the port yourself, and I know a few people who have. This will require a good amount of your time and your ability to get yourself around the city of Vancouver to do so. I do buy the odd vehicle from Japan directly from auction and for over 15 years plus deal with Courtney Agencies. I do get quotes, even as early as this year, and their rates are on par with other brokerage agencies. Given all the time picking up a vehicle and preparing it for inspection, the broker fees are worth it for the time saved.

There is a lot of information on the internet, but from the bureaucratic requirements, ie 72 hours submission of the paperwork; it is just such a treat to use a good brokerage firm.

https://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx

Cheers,
Kevin