Vehicle modification, lift kit,

I just had a lift kit installed in the US and I got to the boarder only to find out I had to take it off. They said I have to put it back the way it was to cross the boarder then reinstall it. There is no logic to this. The same kit is sold and installed in Canada. Even by dealers. I don't plan on tearing my truck apart to put it back together. Any thoughts? Can I sell it to a US citizen then buy it back. Tear the kit off and tow the truck back over the boarder dismantled?

Wow that's really strange..Did you buy the car in the US?

I've never heard of that before. Last time I crossed back into Canada, I was asked if I had done any modifications to my vehicle beyond proper maintenance, which I hadn't. I would assume that if the lift kit passes inspection on the vehicle, what possible difference would it make which side of the border its installed on, especially if the same kit is sold on both sides? Very confusing.

Just found this on riv.ca:
Why is an modified / altered vehicle not admissible?
When a vehicle has been modified, other than general repair or routine maintenance, the vehicle no longer maintains its original factory issued certification. This certification is a requirement to qualify for importation into Canada.
NOTE: This also applies to Canadian owned vehicles that are modified in the United States and returning to Canada because the vehicle no longer maintains its original Canadian certification.
For example:
a motorcycle converted into trike,
a cargo van converted into a camper,
adding a suspension lift kit to a vehicle,
adapting a vehicle for disabled access or
re-fitting a vehicle with different body kit
Importers considering the importation of a modified vehicle or Canadians planning to have modifications made to their vehicle outside of Canada must inform themselves about the need for compliance to Canadian standards which must be established by the final stage manufacturer (or modifier). Failure to establish compliance to Canadian standards will result in the vehicle being denied access into Canada.

Had I known or been notified about this rediculous rule I would never had it done. My main reason for the lift was for work. I have been damaging my truck because of how low it rides. One border cop had the nerve to crack a joke at me about where I was going to have to stay and laugh. My fiancé has now had to miss out on upgrading her schooling for the semister now because she was supposed to be at class today. On top of that our 4 month old son will miss his vaccination shots because we are still stuck south. They made me feel like a criminal. To be told your not allowed back into your own country is a slap in the face. I have always respected them and never lied. I see now why honesty is for suckers.

At least give people the opportunity to tow their vehicle home and get it re safetied or some other logical solution. Instead they kick you to the curb like a dog and expect you have the time and money to figure it out on new years eve. The week most businesses are closed. What also doesn't make sense is that they expect you to have it repaired to Canadian specifications. Yet have those Canadian specs performed outside Canada by a none Canadian business. Again no logic or reasoning. Pathetic. I see now why other countries look down and have little respect for us. It is embarrassing explaining the situation time and time again to our friends down south

Hi ,
My family and I are going through the same situation right now with our truck. What did you do ? They turned us away and sent us back into the US to get the lift kit removed, I don't see any sense in this as we got it done at a on off road place. In fact , the local dealership told us where to go to have this done. Any information in what you have done to get us home sooner would greatly help.

Hope to hear from someone !!!

What border crossing did you get stopped at? Those effing hippocrates probably have a lift or know someone with one but pull this garbage. They are so slimy I wouldn't doubt it if your one of them trying to set me up now that I made it back. Basically I removed the rear lift (blocks and shocks) and turned down the keys. Undid what was done. Still it took three days to get done because of holidays. It's funny it depends on who you get and what kind of mood their in. I've dealt with really nice guys but these ones were pathetic

I believe there are laws on the max height a vehicle can be. I know a few yrs back some provinces said they were going to start to take action as people had jacked up their trucks and when these jacked up trucks get into an accident, their high bumpers are very dangerous. I'm sure a simple google search can find that out. When crossing the border each ways--Each POE guard looks at different things.

I just thought I would let you that its only tonight , almost a week later we made it back to canada. We came into an Alberta border crossing, and yes I have to agree with what you said about border patrol. My family and I had to go back to have the lift removed costing us just under $1000, also the kids have now missed many days of school and work. The only good thing is that the guys at the 4x4 store were awesome seeing that we got the lift removed and boxed up. My husband will be putting the lift kit back on by this weekend. I just hope others read this and don't make the same mistake as we have.