So has anyone imported through Prince Rupert, BC yet?

[ForealBoreal]

I am just trying to spark the curiosity of importing though Prince Rupert, BC.
I imported some landcruisers a few months ago and was curious if anyone else has done it.
If anyone wants to import though PR, I can either help you out or do it for you:)

[mararmeisto]

You're doing your part to realise the dream of PR being a super-port?

I understand there's been a huge amount of development over the past couple of years, building jetties, gantries, services, etc - has there been an increase in traffic yet? Does the rail-line (freightline) actually go all the way to PR?

[ForealBoreal]

Currently there are 2 ships a week.
Tons going out on rail.
3 gantries (cranes)

There quicker and more efficient than vancouver from what I have been told for their size to volume ratio.
Were also 2 days closer to the orient comparing to Vancouver.

[mararmeisto]

We're also 2 days closer to the Orient comparing to Vancouver.

I had understood it was more like 4 or 5 days closer! Still, makes more sense to go straight into a coastal port than travel around a large island into littoral waters.

Good luck on your importing...

[ForealBoreal]

thanks,
I can't wait to import again....

[JMK]

Did you do your own customs brokerage, or is there an agency in PR that can handle JDM's?

[ForealBoreal]

Did you do your own customs brokerage, or is there an agency in PR that can handle JDM's?

I did my own.
I could do brokerage for people if their interested...
But I am sure there are agencies to do it in PR. I talked to a few.
I just wanted to do it myself.

[JMK]

Interesting,

The big problem in the Lower Mainland is the storage space for when the car sits 1: waiting for clearance and then 2: waiting to be picked up subsequent to clearance.

If you could sort something like an unstuffing service out in PR it may be your competetive advantage, keeping in mind the vehicle needs to be insured during these stages from when it leaves the container until the owner takes possession of it where his insurance normally kicks in.

[ForealBoreal]

It wouldn't be a problem at all.
If someone wanted me to import them something, I'll be glad to do it.
Even if its just your paperwork.
I can clear a vehicle on any week day and have it out of the container the same day.
There's not line ups here so it goes quick.

[JMK]

Sounds like something that could prove to be a good alternative to Lower Mainland.

Are there car carrier companies working out of PR that take private customers for one offs? Or is it all rail?

Insurance could still be an issue. If you don't carry any, the best bet may be to be certain the new owner gets the insurance to cover the vehicle the minute it comes out of the container, otherwise if it gets damaged during the unstuffing process and you aren't covered by your own insurance, you may find yourself getting sued.

There are lots of 'gotcha's' that cannot be anticipated. Some include vehicles in the container with dead batteries or flat tires, no wheels, being bunked in a crib above the other vehicles in the container requiring special destuffing skills and equipment, fluids that can freeze solid in Canadian winters that can crack the lines or even the engine block, etc., etc.

If you've only imported a couple of vehicles you may not have experienced some of these challenges yet, but you'll need to have contingency plans for all of them, and of course when you can demostrate that, potential buyers will have more confidence in trying something new.

[ForealBoreal]

Sounds like something that could prove to be a good alternative to Lower Mainland.

absolutely. That is the idea.

Are there car carrier companies working out of PR that take private customers for one offs? Or is it all rail?

Car carriers can be easily arranged. Rail would also be really easy. It would just be a transfer. The rail thing really opens up the opportunity for people out east. Our port is really good.

Insurance could still be an issue. If you don't carry any, the best bet may be to be certain the new owner gets the insurance to cover the vehicle the minute it comes out of the container, otherwise if it gets damaged during the unstuffing process and you aren't covered by your own insurance, you may find yourself getting sued.

Insurance wouldn't be an issue to cover this. I will only ship in stuff that we can simply undo the straps, re connect the batterys and drive out.

There are lots of 'gotcha's' that cannot be anticipated. Some include vehicles in the container with dead batteries or flat tires, no wheels, being bunked in a crib above the other vehicles in the container requiring special destuffing skills and equipment, fluids that can freeze solid in Canadian winters that can crack the lines or even the engine block, etc., etc.

If only two delicas can be driven into a 40 footer then so be it. I will ship that way. Its safer and easier. My exporter makes sure the fluids are to canadian spec for the fluids. We both use(d) the same exporter by the looks of it. Hes a pretty genuine guy and his vehicles are of good quality.

If you've only imported a couple of vehicles you may not have experienced some of these challenges yet, but you'll need to have contingency plans for all of them, and of course when you can demostrate that, potential buyers will have more confidence in trying something new.

Absolutely. I did my homework when I brought in mine. It really paid off when I had all my ducks in a row.
It will go even smoother next time around.

Its a bit tricky because we don't have the market up north here comparing to Vancouver. Prices are usually over inflated as far as I am concerned. I'd be cheaper as far as I am concerned.

If people are interested throw me an email and we can talk.
delanuez [at] g mail dot com