The Blackshark family is a highly motivated team of professionals who each operate in our individual niche of expertise resulting in the well oiled machine that we are. We love luxury vehicles and all the style that comes with them. It may appear at first glance that we deliver exotic cars, but we know we are really in the business of delivering dreams.

Over the next few weeks we will introduce you to our team and share a bit of the Blackshark story.

Meet Carlos | Owner / Founder

The leadership and vision casting for Blackshark comes from Blackshark Founder and Owner Carlos Hinkson. Carlos is a lifelong vehicle enthusiast with a passion for the rare and unique hidden gem. He has applied the skills and experience that he has learned dealing in high end service based sales industries over the years to serve car collectors across Western Canada and the USA, giving an unparalleled level of service to deliver his clients dreams of exotic and collectible car ownership.

Carlos was born and raised in British Columbia, Canada, and is proud of his Italian-Trinidadian heritage. Spending his childhood years in the northern BC community of Prince George he began forging connections and friendships that would stay with him for the long haul. He married Stephanie, his high school sweetheart in 2001. Together they set out to make their mark on the world and had their first child in Winnipeg. Shortly after they relocated to Burnaby in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia where their second son was born and finally settled in Kamloops, the transportation hub of western Canada. 

Carlos spends most of his days elbows deep in the day to day operation of Blackshark Enterprises from truck and trailer maintenance and taking care of client relationships to hitting the open road and delivering these exotic cars himself. There is no feeling like delivering a car that is the fruition of a dream a client has worked so hard to achieve, it’s what keeps us going when things get tough! The open road provides an opportunity for this avid self learner to catch up on all the latest podcasts and audio books. Carlos is what some would call a multipotentialite, a person who is very adept and passionate in a variety of topics and skills, as a result having a conversation with him is an engaging experience in itself. He is forever learning from those he crosses paths with and is always up for an adventure. In his innermost circles, and maybe even a bit beyond, Carlos is known as an idea factory. Not only is he constantly learning he is always finding ways to put that knowledge into use. On a more personal note, relationships are a paramount priority for Carlos and the Hinkson household, so when he’s not “in the office” you’ll probably find him visiting with family and friends around a kitchen table, at a local ski hill or on a bicycle microbrewery crawl somewhere in the beautiful province of British Columbia. Health and wellness has always been very important key to help this busy entrepreneur maintain balance. His daily practice of movement is not up for discussion. Ask him about his favourite way to break a sweat the next time you’re chatting with him!

If you’ve spoken to Carlos on the phone you will have been greeted with the feeling of talking to a long lost friend. The core values of the Hinkson household permeate the fabric of the Blackshark brand, and for that we are all grateful. Once a client, forever a friend!

There have been a few significant changes during the Covid-19 pandemic in regards to the temporary import of vehicles into the USA for snowbirds and their return to Canada at winter's end.

We are proud to have up to date information of policy and procedure at the border and great support for our clients who travel abroad. You can find information on the process of taking your vehicle to the USA for your holiday here. In this article we are going to be focusing on the return to Canada portion of the journey as there have been some major changes in the last couple of months.

Previously, when we brought our clients Canadian cars home to Canada from their winter stay in the USA we would simply need a collection of basic identification documents for the client and their vehicle. It was a very simple process to say the least. In November 2021 as COVID-19 protocols were rapidly changing at the border we were given an updated policy from Canada Border Services Agency regarding the return of snowbird’s vehicles to Canada.

The new process for returning to Canada requires the owner of the vehicle to either be present with the vehicle at the border during transport OR to have a broker complete a set of documents for the transporter to carry with them as they bring the vehicle back into Canada. 

There is no other way we can complete the return of a Canadian vehicle to Canada without the owner present than to have a Broker complete the paperwork. 

The implication is that there are unavoidable brokerage fees in addition to the cost of the transport, but the positive thing here is that the paperwork is completed in one easy step through the broker. 

We have good news for you! We have established a relationship with an excellent broker, who has taken supreme care of our clients and can offer them very competitive fees. Upon booking your transport with Blackshark Enterprises, we will make sure you have the support you need to make the process as simple as possible including the support of our preferred broker.

The season of snowbirds returning home will shortly be upon us. If you need to bring your vehicle home after your winter stay in a warmer location, Palm Springs California, for example, we are happy to help! We ask that you contact the team at Blackshark to schedule your transport as soon as you can in order to have optimal access to your preferred dates for your returning vehicle. You can simply submit a request for a quote using the form here.

Just a few of the areas we service for snowbirds returning to Canada are Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Costa Mesa, San Diego and Los Angeles in California. In Arizona we often go to Mesa, Scottsdale, Surprise in the Phoenix area as well as Tucson. We also have routes that take us through Las Vegas, Nevada and Salt Lake City Utah. If you are wintering in the USA and would like to have your vehicle returned to Canada, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Navigating across Canada and the western United States can be quite a challenging task during the winter. Western Canada is well known for its high mountain passes that are tough on vehicles in all seasons but winter driving presents additional challenges. Some of these highways include the Coquihalla Summit, Rogers Pass, Crowsnest Pass, Kicking Horse Pass and the infamous Duffy Lake road. But the trouble here is that in order to travel almost any distance in British Columbia, you’ve got to take at least one of these roads. Most people postpone their travel until road conditions are more favorable, and that is certainly the way to go, however it is not always possible. Here are a few tips on navigating winter highways from our world class drivers:

Prepare for the road you're driving, not just for your destination.

As you set out on one of these British Columbia mountain passes you might be tempted to pack only for your destination and the trip you have planned. I totally understand! It’s exciting to escape the great Canadian winter for a warm beach, or visit friends you haven’t seen in a while. One of the most important things you can do is pack for the road you are traveling, or at least have a set of supplies that will help you get through in the event you have to shelter in place. Can you just imagine if you were stuck on Duffy Lake Road and all you had in your suitcase was tommy bahamas and tropical printed golf shirts? What a nightmare that would be! 

Now before you think we’re being overly dramatic…this kind of thing happens all the time. There are often road closures or swift changes in highway conditions that require drivers to shelter in place. Take for example the Coquihalla (Highway number 5 in BC) during the recent flooding. There were many people who had to be airlifted to a secure location that were stuck on the stretch of the highway between Hope and Merritt.

Taking some time to gather a few specific supplies will greatly increase your comfort during these kinds of incidents and boost your chances of survival. Make sure your supplies are easily accessible. If the items you need are stuck in your truck bed and you can’t get there for whatever reason, they won’t be much good to you, will they!?

These items include a sleeping bag and blankets, first aid kit, a candle and lighter/ flashlight, snacks and water, a small hatchet, toilet paper & wipes, gloves, toque, winter boots, snow pants and winter jackets.

This is a great resource for how to shelter in place can be found here.

Check over your vehicle.

The last thing you want to experience while you’re on the road is car trouble. There are so many things that are preventable with very little effort and will save you a world of headaches not to mention a giant tow bill. Recently while on a family trip from the Interior of BC to the Edmonton area to visit family our truck sprang a coolant leak resulting in a very stressful and stinky last leg of the journey. It’s fine, my husband is a mechanic, we survived and were thankfully able to fix it on our trip, but it wasn’t pleasant!  Learn from our mistakes, if you feel like something might be awry, save your marriage and have it checked out and deal with it before you go.

Here is a brief list of things we think you should check before you hit the road:

• Fill your gas tank

• Check your tires

• Check fluid levels in your vehicle

• If you are not mechanically inclined have your vehicle checked over by a trusted professional

Check the weather and road reports for your route.

When you plan ahead in terms of your route and check road conditions before you leave for your trip you will have less surprises and in this case, it’s a good thing. Over the past few months there have been so many strange weather patterns that have been creating abnormal closures for most of BC’s highways. Layer that on top of the normal winter weather routine and we have an ever changing highway network. Stay up to date and with these valuable resources for driving any time of the year.

Western Canada & USA Highway Updates by Region
(On most of the USA resources you can actually click to select the notifications you would like to see displayed on the map)

• British Columbia 

• Alberta 

• Manitoba 

• Saskatchewan 

• Ontario 

• Quebec 

• Washington 

• Montana 

• Oregon 

• Idaho

• Nevada

• California

• Arizona

Don’t over do it!

This is one thing we are very serious about, with the nature of the cargo we carry, we understand the implications of driving when you're tired and do our very best to avoid it. The best thing you can do for your safety is to drive when you’re feeling refreshed and to not push your limits. We would much rather plan extra margin in our timeline and arrive safely, and we know you would too! If you're planning an extended trip, build sightseeing stops and overnight stays into your schedule to get out and stretch your legs and get the rest that you need. Some of our most beautiful photos of the BC mountains come from these little pit stops!

If you want to see if you’re too tired to hit the road, take this test! It’s actually quite fun!

Be in touch with your people on the ground.

Remember the buddy systems our mothers used to teach us about…well this is the adult equivalent. Be in touch with your people to let them know when you’re leaving and your expected arrival time. This is not just for common courtesy sake, but also for your safety in case something goes wrong. Share your planned route and timeline with them. Simple communication like this is so very important in the case of an emergency.

Here is a tutorial on how to share your location you can familiarize yourself so you can use this safety feature in the event you need it.

I am so happy to say highway number 5 from Merrit to Hope is OPEN to all travellers starting today. 

The announcement was made earlier this week that Highway 5, the Coquihalla highway, would be opening to ALL traffic starting today, January 19, 2022. The BC highways have been plagued by one disaster after another in recent months and it comes as a wonderful surprise that the Coquihalla highway has opened much earlier than originally anticipated. 

Although we can expect there to be challenges navigating this quickly reconstructed highway, being able to utilize it will continue to help us deliver your exotic cars in a timely fashion, and optimize logistics for our team. The Coquihalla, formerly a fast moving four lane highway is now operating at a fraction of its old capacity as a two lane passageway through the British Columbia mountains. However meager it’s opening may be, we are so thankful to be able to use this major route once again to deliver the exotic cars you’ve been dreaming of.

Other than normal winter driving conditions the BC and Alberta highways have stabilized. Keep your eyes open for our upcoming introduction to our A+ team of Exotic Car Escorts and their winter driving CVs. These guys are pros at navigating winter highways in BC Alberta and the Northern USA  and we’re so thankful that they are part of Team Blackshark taking care of your precious cargo!

Naturally one of the most important pieces of our business is the ability to navigate the highways. This has been highlighted with the recent storms in British Columbia that have closed our most optimal routes for the interim. 

Please know that there may actually be some minor delays. We may have to come up with a different route to get your vehicle to you if the highway is shut down while we’re on our way. Whatever the case may be you can rest assured that no matter the circumstances that may arise during your transport you’ve got a 5 star team on your side.

One thing you need to know about Team Blackshark is that it is composed of some of the most innovative people I know. As far as being flexible and coming up with different solutions to get the job done, there is no better team of people you could wish for handling your exotic vehicle transport. It goes without saying there are a few things we’re dealing with that are well out of our control, however we wanted to let you in on our plan and how we are dealing with these ever changing road closures.

Our main transport route from Alberta to British Columbia remains generally unaffected until Kamloops, which happens to be our home base. The good news here is that if there is a major change or a closure in the highways mid transport, your vehicle will have a safe dry home in our in-door storage facility until we can find a route that will allow our Exotic Vehicle Escorts to safely deliver your car. 

The following is a short overview of the highway events we are following and links to some of the resources we like to use to keep updated on the realtime highway conditions in BC. You’re welcome!

Highway 1 - Kamloops to Alberta

There is a major construction project happening to the highway all the way from Kamloops to the Alberta border, the only part of it that is currently affecting our transport routes is the Kicking Horse Canyon Project near Golden BC. We are excited for the completion of this project as it will make the route a lot safer and help us deliver your goods between BC and Alberta more quickly. For now, if we’re headed to Calgary Alberta, this major project can sometimes force us to detour on Highway 95 through Radium, which adds a couple hours to our route. Our team is excellent at being in touch with our clients and letting them know when to expect their delivery or if there will be delays.

Highway 1 & 5 - Kamloops to Hope

Normally when we head to the Lower Mainland, the Greater Vancouver area in British Columbia we take Highway 5 from Kamloops all the way to Vancouver. It is the most direct route to Vancouver where a lot of our clients are located, so it was quite a blow when the road was closed in November. It is not uncommon for bad weather and accidents to occasionally close Highway 5. Usually our alternative route is Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway, that takes us from Kamloops through to Hope, British Columia. This route is a couple hours longer than speedy Highway 5, the Coquihalla, but allows us an alternative in the event we need it. However it too, sustained major damage during the recent storms closing it for the foreseeable future. Recently government officials have indicated their optimism that our first choice, Highway 5 could possibly be back open for business late January 2022 which is sweet music to our ears.

Highway 3

There are travel advisories and restrictions in effect for highway 3 from Princeton to Hope. This route is currently open to essential travel only. It is the main route for goods and essential services now that both Highway 1 and 5 are under construction to repair the damages from the recent storms in BC. It is worth noting that this route requires a major detour. It is often plagued with poor winter road conditions and accidents as a result of heavy congestion, doubling our transit time to the Lower Mainland. 

Highway 7 

An announcement was made just last night (Monday, December 6, 2021) stating that Highway 7 between Mission and Hope is now open to general traffic, lightening the load on the other strained routes in the area.

Highway 99 - Cache Creek > Pemberton > Squamish > North Vancouver (Sea to Sky Highway)

Is currently open to essential travel only as defined in the Travel Restrictions Order between Lillooet and Pemberton with checkpoints along the way. There have been threats of slides and actual mudslides along highway 99 resulting in an inconsistently available route. Mudslides are common in the area and affect the roads on a regular basis.

If you are concerned about planning your vehicle's delivery, let us take all the guesswork out for you. By submitting a request on our website you’ll have Team Blackshark on your side. If you’d like to keep tabs on BC Highway conditions and how we’re navigating them you can sign up to receive updates via email using the form at the bottom of this page.  

With the ongoing threat of flooding and temperamental weather patterns in British Columbia our province has had to proactively close highways according to their respective risk assessments. We can expect this to continue for the interim as the first wave of floods has caused extensive damage to infrastructure even leading to the loss of life. You can check back here for regular updates on how Team Blackshark is navigating these circumstances as they unfold.

Our hearts go out to all those affected by these terrible storms. 

Our Exotic Vehicle Escorts have travelled the affected highways a few times since the initial closures and will continue to do so in order to deliver the high level of service you’ve come to expect with Team Blackshark without risking the safety of the drivers, equipment or cargo. What used to be a four hour drive through the mountains now takes twice as long due to both the detours and the high volume of essential transport vehicles. This, as I’m sure you can imagine, has implications to the transportation of your vehicles. If you have a vehicle being transported along the affected routes our team will be in close communication with you to make sure you’re updated as circumstances develop. If you are considering shipping your vehicle with us here are a few things you’ll want to consider:

Affected Routes

Although British Columbia is plagued by storms and winter driving conditions most of our regular transport routes remain unaffected by closures. The only area that is a little tricky to get to is the Lower Mainland in BC. After the initial flooding the province worked quickly to open Highway 3 and Highway 99 allowing for essential services to travel these routes and access the Lower Mainland. These two main access points have been open and closed at strategic times allowing for the risk of flooding and slides to pass safely. In the event that we are unable to travel these roads at a scheduled time because of a road closure, please know that our Exotic Vehicle Escorts remain on standby ready to complete their transport at the earliest available opportunity. All other routes are still operational with regular transport schedules throughout Canada and the USA continuing as usual.

Your Timeline

You will want to book your vehicle transport well in advance of deadline dates, allowing for a certain degree of flexibility. We love a good challenge of putting together an impossible move, but with so many of these pieces out of our control we’d like to ask you to book as early as possible. This will allow our team the margin we need to put together the most optimal luxury vehicle transport. 

The Cost

Blackshark’s fees for transporting your vehicle as a fully insured exotic car transporter are very competitive and it is our goal to continue to deliver the highest level of service at the most optimal cost to benefit all parties. With mother nature dealing out her finest storms as of late there may be additional fees that come along with the original cost of your transport. The good news here is that we are well positioned with strategically placed warehouses within BC that we can offer safe, secure, and dry storage for the units we transport in the event there is a last minute road closure we are unable to navigate our way around.  Don’t worry, we will communicate any additional fees with you in advance, so you are informed on the different options available.

Blackshark wants to take this opportunity to thank our amazing clients for your support. We quite literally wouldn’t be living the dream of delivering your dream car without you!

You can request to have these updates delivered to your inbox by subscribing at the bottom of the page.

If you are fully vaccinated according to the entry and proof requirements for fully vaccinated travellers, you are exempt from quarantine and day-8 testing. READ MORE…

Do I Need a COVID-19 Negative Test to Enter the United States? 

Yes. All air passengers entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents) are required to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days. Airlines must confirm the negative test result or proof of recovery for all passengers two years of age and over prior to boarding. Airlines must deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery. READ MORE…

Do I Need a COVID-19 Negative Test to Enter Canada? 

Yes. All travellers 5 years of age or older, regardless of citizenship, must provide proof of a COVID-19 test result to enter Canada. All travellers must provide one of the accepted types of tests, not an antigen test, including those who are fully vaccinated. READ MORE…

Do I Need to Print U.S. Customs Paperwork?

As a service to our clients, we take care of proofing your paperwork package. Clients only need to forward the digital documents to our office, they do not need to print it for us.

Is it a hassle at the border to drive back to Canada after flying into the U.S. with a one-way airline ticket? 

Nope! So far, as long as all the necessary paperwork is in order, we’ve heard of no issues at all. MANY Canadians are travelling this way right now, and we have a lot of clients who travel back and forth for work.

How much advance notice do you require to book the car transfer?

Ideally we would like no later than 2 weeks, however we'd love to hear from you as soon as you book your flights, the sooner the better chance we have to accommodate your schedule requests. We have pulled together these transports in under a week when all the stars have aligned for us. Bottom line, we are happy to help.

Do I Need to be in the U.S. Before My Car Is Shipped Across the Border? 

Not exactly. You must have cleared customs in the US before we can approach the border with their vehicle. In major airports with commercial flights that is on the Canadian side, for example YVR to SEA. If you are chartering a private flight you will most likely clear customs at your arrival destination for example San Juan Air from Abbotsford to Bellingham.

Do I Need to Get Tested for COVID-19 to Enter Canada?

Yes. All travellers 5 years of age or older, regardless of citizenship, must provide proof of a COVID-19 test result to enter Canada. All travellers ( including those who are fully vaccinated) must provide one of the accepted types of tests, antigen tests are not accepted.

When and Where Can I Get My Test

If you're flying to Canada, you must take a test within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your flight to Canada. Airlines will refuse boarding to travellers who are unable to provide a valid molecular test result.

• If you have a connecting flight:

  • the test must be conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your last direct flight to Canada

  • you may need to schedule the test in your transit city

If you're driving, you must take a test in the United States within 72 hours of your planned entry into Canada.

If you’re entering by water, you must take a test within 72 hours of your planned entry to Canada.

For short trips that are less than 72 hours, Canadian citizens, people registered under the Indian Act, permanent residents and protected persons travelling outside of Canada are allowed to do their pre-entry molecular test before they leave Canada.

• If your test is more than 72 hours old when you re-enter Canada, you’ll be required to get a new pre-entry molecular test

• Before leaving Canada, verify that you meet the entry requirements for your destination country

MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON…

Do I Need to Get Tested for COVID-19 to Enter the U.S.?

Yes. Effective January 26, 2021 the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  requires all air passengers entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents) to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days​. Airlines must confirm the negative test result or proof of recovery for all passengers two years of age and over prior to boarding. ​Airlines must deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery.

Please see CDC’s FAQ for answers to questions about the new requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States.

MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON…

I’m shipping a car from Canada to the US. How do I complete CBP form 3299?

In this post, we will go over each part of the US Customs and Border Patrol form 3299 - Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles. We’ll explain what each section is asking for, define some terms, and help you finish this paperwork as quickly as possible.

Blackshark Automotive Transport specializes in the shipping of exotic and rare cars across Western Canada and the Western United States. We offer white-glove, door to door service and our customers’ satisfaction is our top priority. We will ship boats, RVs, auto parts, and more. We are not limited to supercars or unusual collector cars; we haul almost every type of vehicle. Head over to our Enclosed Vehicle Transport page for more about our services, or contact us today for a quote!

In a previous post covering temporary importation of vehicles into the US (such as Snowbirds moving their vehicle South for winter) we described the purpose of CBP form 3299. Here is an excerpt from that post:

Understand CBP Form 3299 - Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles and how to complete it

Form 3299 must be completed for all items you are bringing into the United States using a carrier. In the case of auto shipping, your 3299 is a full record of the vehicle and all of its contents, along with information about yourself and your trip to allow the border agent to determine whether the vehicle and items in it will be permitted entry.

It is estimated it will take approximately 45 minutes to complete CBP form 3299. The more items you will be having transported, the more you must include on the form. Nevertheless, many importers, especially snowbirds or those staying in the US for a longer stretch may find it convenient to include some larger items in their vehicle to lighten their own burden while travelling. For example, customers may want to include bicycles, larger suitcases, or other items that are difficult or expensive to check for airline flights.

Part I

• Complete this part in full

• “Importer” in this part is you, the vehicle’s registered owner

• If you do not have a permanent US address, you may use an alternate address. More detail can be found at the CBP link below

• Sections 1-7 asks for your own information and travel details

• Section 8 asks for the carrier and travel details for your unaccompanied articles/vehicle

Part 2

• Complete this part in full

• If you will still be a Canadian resident during your time in the US, check the box next to “is”

• Pay special attention to “Resident” vs “Non-Resident” distinction in section 10 and check boxes only in the categories that apply to you

Part III

• This is for US personnel and evacuees only; do not complete

This post is part of our series: Cross-Border Exotic Vehicle Shipping: Everything you need to know. Click here to read all the entries in this series.

Part IV

• Complete this part in full

• Include the requested information for your vehicle and all of your items that will be in it and/or are being shipped by the carrier

Part V

• Name of Carrier: your shipping or transport company’s name

• Signature of Agent: the driver’s signature and printed name

Part VI

• Authorized Agent: name of the person importing your articles on your behalf (if required)

• Importer: the owner of the goods

Click this link for CBP’s information page with detail for completing form 3299

Consider choosing Blackshark Enclosed Transport as your shipper across the Canada-US border

If you are shopping for an enclosed transport car hauler for your exotic car, please give us the chance to earn your business! We are proud of our five-star Google review average and are grateful to be trusted with so many special cars. For more about Blackshark, click here. For more about our enclosed transportation services, check out this blog post. Please reach out with any questions you might have, or request a quote today. Recently we have transported the following exotic and luxury brands:

• Porsche 911 Turbo

• Alfa-Romeo

• Audi R8

• Ferrari 550

• Porsche Carrera GT

• Aston Martin

• Lamborghini Huracan

• Porsche Cayenne

• We also haul motorcycles!

Are you trying to decide between a car hauler with an open trailer and an enclosed auto shipper? Click here to check out our post: 5 best reasons to choose enclosed transport!

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]]>Cross-Border Auto Shipping: How to complete CBP form 3299Cross-Border Car ShippingExotic Car ShippingBlackshark TeamThu, 28 Jan 2021 19:25:31 +0000https://www.blackshark.ca/blog/ship-vehicle-to-us-short-term-3299-entry-snowbirds-travelers592c9077cd0f6872ec56e171:5a722edc0852291044aacf2c:600e0b8fd9c8e22e3fcbdb77How do I ship my car into the US temporarily? What is a 3299 entry?

We know that shipping a car across the border from Canada to the United States can seem complicated. At Blackshark Enclosed Transport, we routinely move vehicles from cities and towns across British Columbia and Alberta down into the Western US. This has given us some valuable experience in auto hauling across the border, and we’d like to share what we’ve learned with you. In this article we will dive into the process for transporting a Canadian-registered vehicle into the United States temporarily (less than one year). This is sometimes referred to as a 3299 entry.

In our previous post “Shipping my car across the border from Canada to the United States” we’ve provided an overview of the cross-border shipping process and different types of import situations. If you’re not sure if your situation qualifies for temporary import, or if you are importing a vehicle under different circumstances, we encourage you to click through to that post. We will also be adding more posts covering various cross-border shipping topics.

This post is part of our series: Cross-Border Exotic Vehicle Shipping: Everything you need to know. Click here to read all the entries in this series.

Do I qualify for a 3299 entry into the United States?

Temporary importation, also referred to as 3299 entry, applies to people having their vehicle shipped into the US by a transport company for a period of less than one year. This type of entry may also be called an “informal import”. Typically, Canadian snowbirds, who temporarily relocate to the lower states during Canada’s cold winter months, will qualify for this type of entry. See the CBP website for more details.

Basic requirements for shipping your Canadian-registered car into the US temporarily

To have your vehicle hauled across the Canada-US border by an automotive transport company, you will need to provide your shipper with some specific paperwork and information to get your vehicle over the border with as little fuss as possible. 

Essentially, the border agent will require evidence that your vehicle is Canadian-registered, that it will be in the country for less than one year, and that the carrier has permission to transport it. In addition, they will need documentation telling the story of your trip to back up the claim that you and the car will be returning to Canada. Below you will find a summary of what you will need to provide.

Required documentation your carrier will need to ship your car over the border:

• Completed U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) form 3299

• Photocopy of vehicle registration

• Copies of vehicle owner’s driver’s licence and passport

• Signed letter of permission allowing the carrier to move the vehicle on your behalf

• Canadian residence confirmation such as a copy of a current utility, landline telephone,  or tax bill with your name and address

• US residence confirmation such as a current utility, landline telephone, or tax bill with your name and address, or hotel reservation information

• Commercial flight or other travel details

• Valid visa or 1-94

  • If you are a Canadian citizen, you will likely only need this if you are going for a job or to study in the USA.

Understand CBP Form 3299 - Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles and how to complete it

Form 3299 must be completed for all items you are bringing into the United States using a carrier. In the case of auto shipping, your 3299 is a full record of the vehicle and all of its contents, along with information about yourself and your trip to allow the border agent to determine whether the vehicle and items in it will be permitted entry.

It is estimated it will take approximately 45 minutes to complete CBP form 3299. The more items you will be having transported, the more you must include on the form. Nevertheless, many importers, especially snowbirds or those staying in the US for a longer stretch may find it convenient to include some larger items in their vehicle to lighten their own burden while travelling. For example, customers may want to include bicycles, larger suitcases, or other items that are difficult or expensive to check for airline flights.

Here are Blackshark Automotive Transport’s top tips for filling out CBP form 3299:

• You, the vehicle owner, are the importer

• Include the carrier’s information and travel details in Part I Section 8

• Do not complete Part III

• Part V is for your carrier and transport driver’s information

  
  We’ve created an even more in-depth post with more detail on how to complete CBP Form 3299. Once it has been posted, we will add a link here. 

Prepare your vehicle for shipping across the border

We have developed a set of “best practices” that we recommend to our customers to prepare their vehicles to be transported into the USA. In our experience hauling cars across the Canada-US border, we find that if customers follow these guidelines the process tends to go more smoothly and is quicker. Below is a summary of what we suggest to customers; for more details be sure to check out our comprehensive post on the topic. Lots of other tips are included in our cross-border shipping series, too!

• Have your car detailed or thoroughly cleaned before shipping

• Clear out clutter and any trash or items you will not need at your destination

• Pack any items in the car in clear bags or bins

• Make sure all the items being shipped in the car are listed on your CBP form 3299

Remember: your vehicle will be searched and x-rayed before being allowed entry to the United States.

Other considerations when shipping a vehicle across the border temporarily:

• Check whether your auto insurance is scheduled to expire while the car is out of Canada

• Renew your insurance if required, and confirm that your coverage will extend for the entire duration of your trip. Some insurers cover only six months out of country, for example

• Renew your driver’s licence if it is due to expire while you are away

• Confirm that your carrier holds adequate insurance to ship into the United States. Many carriers in Western Canada hold insurance that covers BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan only. Blackshark carries elite-level insurance to cover even exotic and high-end cars across Western Canada and into the United States

If you are searching for a car hauler to ship your ride from BC, Alberta, or Saskatchewan into the US, we would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business! Please contact us for a quote. If you still want further information on enclosed auto hauling or need more reasons to use enclosed transport click those links. You can also find our Google reviews here - we have an average of 5 stars over there. 

Blackshark has hauled cars from Canada through all the US Ports of Entry in the West

Whatever your situation, if you need to ship a car from Western Canada into the United States, Blackshark Enclosed Transport is here to help you with every step of the process. We have direct experience with hauling exotic cars through border crossings at Blaine, Oroville, Abbotsford, Peace Arch, Sumas, Sweetgrass, and more. We pick up cars from big cities and small towns.

Here’s a sample of some of our recent pickup locations in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan:

• Williams Lake, BC

• Nanaimo, BC

• Summerland, BC

• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (SK)

• Terrace, BC

• Red Deer, AB

• Vancouver, BC

• Richmond, BC

• Langley, BC

• Victoria, BC

• Tsawwassen, BC

• Edmonton, Alberta (AB)

• West Vancouver, British Columbia (BC)

• Grand Forks, BC

• Kelowna, BC

• Calgary, AB

• Courtenay, BC

• Kamloops, BC

• Chilliwack, BC

• Grande Prairie, AB

• Sidney, BC

• Medicine Hat, AB

These are some of our USA destination drop-offs and pickups:

• Las Vegas, Nevada (NV)

• Los Angeles, California (CA)

• Bellevue, Washington (WA)

• Carlsbad, CA

• Boise, Idaho ID

• Indian Wells, CA

• Seattle, WA

• Palm Springs, CA

• San Diego, CA

• Newport Beach, CA

Please note that while Blackshark makes every effort to ensure our cross-border shipping guides are accurate and complete at the time of writing, CBP and CBSA rules may change at any time. In particular now, with the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, the border situation is dynamic and rules seem to be changing fluidly. At Blackshark we stay on top of the changing border situation and keep our customers updated every step of the way.

We update the blog regularly; please consider subscribing so you don’t miss any posts!

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]]>Ship your Vehicle to the US - Short Term "3299 entry" for Snowbirds and other TravelersCross-Border Car ShippingEnclosed TransportBlackshark TeamSun, 24 Jan 2021 21:15:05 +0000https://www.blackshark.ca/blog/prepare-your-vehicle-for-shipping-across-us-canada-border592c9077cd0f6872ec56e171:5a722edc0852291044aacf2c:600a10d53377720f00cfaba2

How should I prepare my vehicle for shipping across the border into the United States?

So, you’re shipping your car from BC or Alberta down into the Western USA. Blackshark Enclosed Automotive Transport is here to help!

We have developed a set of “best practices” that we recommend to our customers to prepare their vehicles to be transported into the USA. In our experience hauling cars across the Canada-US border, we find that if customers follow these guidelines the process tends to go much more smoothly and is quicker.

Consider having the vehicle professionally detailed prior to shipping

A professional clean will ensure that your vehicle is free from mud and dirt; the US Department of Agriculture requires a clean undercarriage to “safeguard against importation of dangerous pests” (source). It will also clear out any unnecessary mess and clutter inside the car, making it easier for US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers to search the contents. You can expect your car and its contents to be searched and inspected by canine agents, so a good clean and detail is sensible before crossing the border.

In addition to the above, a clean vehicle will ensure the most accurate pre-and post inspection possible. Auto carriers, Blackshark Auto Transport included, inspect every car prior to shipping and upon delivery. If the vehicle is dirty, this can cause damage to go unnoticed, exposing you to unnecessary risk. Remember, if you ship with us your detail will stay pristine since all of Blackshark’s trailers are enclosed. If you would like to learn more about enclosed vehicle transportation, please see our post: 5 best reasons to use enclosed transport to ship an exotic car.

Blackshark Enclosed Auto Transport can arrange professional detailing for your exotic car

If you don’t have time to take your vehicle to be detailed, Blackshark is happy to pick it up and bring it for detailing prior to heading to the border. Just let us know if you would like this service upon booking or when arranging details for your trip.

If a professional detail is not possible, be sure to wash the outside of your car well, including the undercarriage, and thoroughly clean the inside. Discard or remove anything that you do not need at the vehicle’s destination (trash, receipts, clear out consoles and glove compartment of all but essentials). If you won’t need it in the US, it’s best not to bring it. Don’t leave unnecessary stuff in the car and risk seizure!

This post is part of our series: Cross-Border Exotic Vehicle Shipping: Everything you need to know. Click here to read all the entries in this series. We’re covering topics to help you understand shipping a vehicle into the US, CBP form 3299, and importation scenarios.

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Packing items to be transported in the vehicle

Pack all your personal items that will be shipped along with your vehicle in clear bins and bags. Try to keep items as easily seen or reviewed as possible. This allows CBP officers to more easily confirm that the items that have been claimed on Form 3299 are the same as those in the vehicle. Try to pack items so they can be accessed easily with minimal rearranging and searching. Remember, your vehicle will be safely secured in our enclosed trailer, so it is not necessary to tuck items out of view.

A clean, well-packed vehicle will reduce friction at the border and demonstrate to border agents that you are taking the border crossing seriously. 

Double check that all items in the vehicle have been claimed on CBP form 3299

US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has the right to turn away your vehicle at the border or impose other penalties if you have not declared items or have made a false declaration. They are also able to make seizures at the border. Even if your items are allowed through, on your return journey you may be required to pay duty on items that were not on the form when you entered the US. Form 3299 provides evidence that the items were not purchased in the US, but instead were brought in by you.

The successful shipment of your car and contents absolutely relies on accurate completion of CBP form 3299. Blackshark Auto Transport is committed to helping our customers through every step of this process. Please contact us to discuss your shipping needs, or learn more about Blackshark’s services and our team here.

Click here to review our comprehensive written and video guide to completing CBP form 3299 for short-term entry into the United States.

Remember: your vehicle will be searched and x-rayed before being allowed entry to the United States and items can be seized. Act accordingly.

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