The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

I don't have a drone to take an overhead shot, but I do have the OVS 270 if you want any other info regarding it.

 

And now I want a drone.

 

i enjoy my drone

 

My order date was 7/24

 

You're gonna have to drive down but the trip is worth it !

Just come back through AB to avoid the PST in Ont or Que.

Its what we did going back into MB also try and do the trip when its still warm enough for 3 season tyres we went down on studded winters and definitely wore them down fast when were were driving in +20c for a week. That and stopping / cornering on dry pavement with studs SUCKS but man coming back through the rockies was I glad to have them on the 1 was slick !!

 

Is shipping to Canada just not possible? I had emailed a while ago asking about shipping but have not heard back yet. I was looking forward to the road trip to pick it up but with talk about the boarder remaining closed for possibly a year or two, I’m really not wanting to wait that long.

 

So wait, as a resident of Ontario, if I re-enter Canada in Alberta I don't pay HST at 13%??? Call me a communist if you like but I don't ever grudge an income tax marginal rate of some 46%, but not paying 13% HST on a cross border purchase?

Count me in!

Can you actually confirm CBSA won't charge me HST?

 

Well I just got into the books and as of Mar 4 2020 CBSA memo D2 - 3 - 6 provinces that have HST agreements with the Government of Canada are New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Prince Edward Island.

The HST rate will be levied on all taxable non-commercial importations by residents of participating provinces. The HST rate will be collected regardless of where a resident or the goods enter into Canada

So no matter your port of entry they can now apply the HST/PST to your non commercial items ........ so you guys could still be dinged for Ont PST coming through AB if they don't you'll only have to pay 5% GST where as in Ont you're gonna pay both for sure.

Sorry man looks like my info on the PST was old.

I'd still give it a shot going through AB because you never know what those guys are gonna do ...... where as Ont.you know they are gonna get ya.

 

Ya the Comms with them can be tough they will get back to you eventually just takes sometime........ sometimes a really long time but I digress.

When we looked at getting the drifter into Canada the shipping was absolutely insane (not to mention the duty your guaranteed to pay if you ship it) and the fees and brokerage were just as bad....... plus they won't deliver to your house so you'll need a shop to except delivery here in MB that ment more cost. And that shop will need a forklift to do the install.

The Vegabond guys did tell me they had no international shipping in place and I'd have to figure out the border stuff. So after a ton of research and quotes we just said bullocks and drove down to get it ! Trip was totally worth it. And it saved us money like a substantial amount and this was pre Rona so I'd imagine the shipping rates haven't gotten better ......

I know the Rona is making it shitty right now but TBH its worth the wait to just drive down it will save you money in the long run plus the guys are awesome you'll wanna meet them and the install they do is really good not to mention if there is an issue with the install they can fix it right on the spot ! Unlike here where if its damaged in freight shipping then what ?

I doubt the border will be closed for 2yrs man a year maybe at the long end sure I'll say that's possible but 2yrs is highly highly highly unlikely. I'm sure if you've read through this thread lots of people will have said this already the wait sucks but its worth it.

 

Also if any one wants to have a go at the drifter in the Edm or Cal area late Oct early Nov shoot me a Msg and let's see if we can't link up.

 

Pardon my ignorance, what's RONA?

I don't mind waiting 2 years. In the end fits into family plans just as well. Since I haven't received a response yet to message I sent Vagabond, maybe you guys could answer quick. What is the total deposit you have to pay? I can't seem to find that on the website. And, if I go all out on Goose Gear, do they do installs?

Our plan would be drive down more or less time-over-distance route, but hit the Grand Canyon for a few nights, then take a really long time to drive back - long as in possible northern BC even duck into Alaska...

 

CoRona Virus, Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2

 

I only added the min in the cart and paid 40% of the total. I will finish all the add-on's when they get around to my build. They are a distributor for goose-gear and will install it in your vehicle for you if you would like.

 

I could be wrong but I think the Drifter is exempt from paying duty fees on as it’s made in the States and falls under NAFTA.

I’m sure I still have a few more months on the build to be complete and hopefully the boarder will be open by then. I just know that it’ll drive me crazy if it’s completed but the boarder isn’t open for me to pick it up. If I have to spend the extra money to have it shipped, then it is what it is. I did manage to find a shop in Vancouver that is willing to receive and install the Drifter for me. They just received another brand wedge camper recently so I have that part covered if it comes down to it.

 

Can't answer the money question, but Phil was on here saying they were updating something for that. As for goosegear they're an authorized seller/installer so they'd probably set you up if that's what you get!

Edit - already been answered lol, I guess I need to read carefully

 

LOL he asked what the rona was. I answered. Thanks for the edit. Lovely to live in a PC SJW bubble.

 

You answered with correct answers (which are still there) and you had offensive racist answers. Dont be an asshole and then try to justify being an asshole

 

When I looked at shipping I didn't get told it would meet NAFTA for duty free. I had to do some digging on it and it got complicated quick (I am not a lawyer this shit is hard to decipher !!)

It might be covered under NAFTA (CUSMA now) but its not as simple as just showing up at the boarder and saying its duty free under CUSMA

Vagabond would have to have applied for some certification of approval from US Govt meeting the rules of origin for all materials used in production of the drifter. And have it clearly marked on the Drifter as made in the USA (Phil did mention something about marking the drifer with made in the USA) ifnits laser engraved or a plate or something more than a sticker that could be enough for CBSA to say bugger it i'll let it through.......

having said that under those markings on most products are number codes that correspond to the proof of origin as applied for from the specific Govt these numbers prove that the product does infact meet the CUSMA requirements. And was not just assembled from mostly foreign parts that were imported from outside N America.

Also just because an item meets criteria for CUSMA does not guarantee it won't have some level of duty attached to it. An easy example is alcohol once you exceed your limit you are paying duty now it won't matter that the alcohol is wine from Napa Valley or whatever eventhough its made from local ingredients your still going to pay duty. You also have to take into account your personal exemptions on "consumer products" again there is no guarantee that after a certain amount you won't pay duty despite the products being made of wholly N American sourced materials. Then you'd also need to know how they classify the Drifter is it an automotive component? A Recreational Vehicle? Because those again change how they apply dutys.

CUSMA is not as easy as one would hope to use in order to purchase duty free products it requires a lot of research to make sure it will meet criteria and what not. If you're bored check out the CUSMA stuff on the CBSA site and read through CBSA memo

Rules of Origin for Casual Goods Under Free Trade Agreements
Memorandum D11-4-13
ISSN 2369-2391

Ottawa, August 14, 2020

Here is a link to more info as well but I'd start light at 270ish pages on the memo.......

https://www.international.gc.ca/tra.../cusma-aceum/text-texte/toc-tdm.aspx?lang=eng

If you do end up having to ship it to Van then hopefully the shipping company explains all the details on what and how to get a tax / duty break !

If not.......

You can also try and call CBSA and ask but I've never actually spoken to a person when I tried that so if you do let me know so I can say I know a guy who did it once !

Please don't think I'm being a dick from my info above to prove a point I just want to caution you on this as its something that's burned me personally before and that sucked to the tune of several grand. Not on the Drifter on something else but once bit twice shy

Hence why I suggested going through AB because at least then its only the one tax if they do decide to make you pay !

Sorry about the long winded post and the grammar/ spelling errors, doing this from my mobile while sitting outside a coffee shop using there WiFi on the other side of the world......

Best of luck man and glad you found a shop in Van that will do it for ya ! There is a guy in N.Van West Coast off road he did amazing work on my truck before I went down to pick up our drifter and he said he could do installs as well. Check them out

104 Garden Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3H2, Canada

Edit: corrected NAFTA to CUSMA