Hauling tractor from Canada to Michigan

Thinking seriously of buying a antique tractor in Ontario Canada. What steps paper work wise or other would have to be taken to go to Canada with a semi and bring it back. Or would you just hire someone to haul it that does this professionally. Expensive hauling or border taxes might be a deal breaker.
Would like to hear from some that have done this recently as the borders keep getting harder to cross. Mark

There will be no taxes involved, but there is a need to have all the proper paperwork in order before showing up at the border ( U.S. customs must have the paperwork a minimum of 2 hrs before shipment arrives). Also the machine will have to be thoroughly washed beforehand...any organic matter (dirt,straw, mouse poop,etc) can result in being denied entry. If you have not done it recently, hiring a customsbroker would likely be a wise investment. The days of showing up at the border and playing stupid are long over.

I've done it several times. From New York, through Canada, and on to Michigan. There's lots to know. Best read the info yourself, it's all posted on-line.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

I have a lot more trouble getting myself across than tractors or cargo. Canadians say I'm a "vintage criminal" due to some scrapes with the law in the 1960s. I get called into the immigration office every time, they ask me a few questions, tell me I'm an "acceptable vintage criminal", and then I go on my way. They tell me if I go to the Canadian Consulate I can get my name "fixed" so it won't happen anymore, but I'm not driving up to Buffalo for that.

This is the new wonder of information sharing between the USA and Canada now. If you got in a bar fight in 1952, you'll probably be on their list.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

A few years ago my brother-in-law bought a Rottne forwarder (logging equipment) in Canada and it was going to be a problem for him to take his truck and lowboy across to haul it. He had it delivered to the Canadian side of the bridge and then he drove it across and thru customs, with all his paperwork in order!

what kind of tractor we talking about here? I've hauled about a dozen over the last few years across the Sarnia/Port Huron route, all pre-1960 machines and have never had a problem on the Canadian side, but the Americans have objected to me bringing over Canadian dirt on the tyres. Seems we americans are terrified of canuck muck and insist that tractors be power-washed off before entering the country. I was told that was to keep foreign microbes from getting here (we buy Ontario's garbage and dump it here in michigan by the un-ending semi loads, but somehow that doesnt count...) I always tell them I traded mechanical repairs I preformed for a friend for it and intend to use it for parts and then junk the rest and they shrug and let me pass. Never paid no taxes, never got turned back, and I only got strip searched 4 times!

Where in Ontario are you looking?

And where are you looking to cross?

Cross at either Sarnia or Windsor. Mark

Use the Sarnia route- closer to farming areas and theyve seen many tractors go over the bridge here so its not an unusual thing that'll bring all the officials out of there offices to gawk at it and dream up infractions to justify them taking a break from their office work. If your talking a small tractor on a bumper pulled trailer they wont bat an eye, once you get into the big stuff (Stiegers or Versatiles, ect) on a low-boy, they tend to go over them with a fine-tooth comb. Go on a week day, hit the border around rush hour and dress like a poor farmer and they wont mess with you. If you are really worried, dump some water on your intake a few miles back before you hit the gates. While the guard is talking to you he'll notice the steam coming out from under your hood and you can mention your radiator leak that just sprung up. The last thing they want is a broken down truck and trailer overheating and clogging a lane- I've used that one to get thru quickly more than once... Oh, and if they ask you where the tractor was made, tell them it was made in whatever country they represent- then your not importing anything, your just retreiving it.