Is it illegal to import US carseats/boosters to CAD?

[jolenet]

I am aware that it is illegal to use a US carseat that is not CAD certified...however I am wondering if one is able to have them shipped from the states. One store told me they weren't allowed...but the answer seemed lazy and uneducated. I live in pretty remote area in BC...no city centres for 700km. We do have a small Walmart that doesn't carry much.
After some research, I decided that I would really like to get Monarch booster seats for both of my children. I really do not care that they are illegal, I do care that they are the safest option.
The only Britax booster we do have in Canada is the parkway....

[CDNTech]

The Parkway is a fantastic booster option. If you have some time, Sunshine Kids is supposed to be bringing out the Monterey (hopefully arriving in February) that looks fantastic!
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/murphydog77/montereyflyer2.jpg

The thread talking about new seats...
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=24587

Yes, it is illegal for stores to ship across the border... they are not allowed and will not do it.

[snowbird25ca]

I am aware that it is illegal to use a US carseat that is not CAD certified...however I am wondering if one is able to have them shipped from the states. One store told me they weren't allowed...but the answer seemed lazy and uneducated. I live in pretty remote area in BC...no city centres for 700km. We do have a small Walmart that doesn't carry much.
After some research, I decided that I would really like to get Monarch booster seats for both of my children. I really do not care that they are illegal, I do care that they are the safest option.
The only Britax booster we do have in Canada is the parkway....

I'm not sure about the importation laws.

My suggestion would be to order from babyproofingplus.com They carry a good selection of seats including the parkway, and some seats ship free. BabiesRUs will also ship out carseats and they have the parkway as well.

Why aren't you wanting to get the Parkway? It's a good booster seat and I don't see it being much different in use than the Monarch.

My recommendation is always this - When there's a comparable seat in Canada that fits your child and is safe to use, use it. And the Parkway fits into this category in comparison to the Monarch. It's has the SIP and a very tall headrest adjustment so kids fit it a long time.

I just honestly don't see the value in importing the sister seat - it'd be like bringing in a Decathlon when you could buy a Marathon here. (Decathlon isn't being made anymore from what I understand, but it's the same idea.)

[beeman]

It is illegal for a Canadian citizen to use a US seat in Canada, However a US citizen can use a US seat in Canada. The seat could be confiscated and destroyed, and you could receive an improper use ticket for seatbelt/child restrain (which will put negative driver points and higher insurance rates) if involved in a random stop check, and it could void insurance in areas related to the use of the seat. If you are sure that this seat is your safest option, and you are willing to take the liabilities and risks of using a seat that is not legally registered in Canada, there are no laws stating that a US seat cannot come into Canada (for example families south of the border coming to Canada to visit would bring their seats and could legally use them), however, Britax may have policies and laws that do not allow them to ship non Canadian certified seats to Canada.
In my opinion, there are no safety concerns of using a US certified seat such as the monarch, that confirms or exceeds the US standards, but has not reached approval in Canada, due to slow political processes or lack of market to justify certification. The concern is completely legal, so if you feel comfortable taking the legal risks and complete liability, and you feel it is the safest seat for your needs, then you could consider it an option.

[jolenet]

Beeman,
Absolutely that is the way I feel...it's all just political red tape, and as far as I am concerned - it's the safety that matters, not so much the legalities of it. Also, anytime I have ever been pulled over - the cops haven't so much as taken a second glance at the kids, let alone ask me if their seats are CAD certified! I can never see that happening...

As far as the Parkway goes...I have been reading up about them on this forum and it seems many people have a problem with them tilting when cornering. They also lack the armrests that the monarch has. Allthough I am not able to view either in person..it appears that the Monarch looks safer. That may not be so...just looks like there is more side protection on the Monarch.

Maybe there is an appropriate substitute that is just as good. I have not owned a booster seat yet, so I have to rely on all of your judgements. I have a 4.5 yr old and a 3yr old. Obviously, I would not be putting my 3 yr old in one for awhile. They both wiegh 38 pounds. My daughter is quite thin and my son is stocky. I would like one with a latch system, side impact, and adjustable width etc. I would prefer it to be soft and comfortable (my daughter constantly complains about her hard seat now) and one that they are able to comfortably sleep in.

I also have the problem of my son outgrowing the weight restriction of his current 5 point carseat (40lbs)...before he is actually old enough to be in a booster. I am sure that is going to cost me more money and another seat.

The Monterey looks nice, I will definetely look into that.

[jolenet]

I have just rec'd confirmation from a supplier in the states that they can and do ship them to Canada. Everyone has a different answer I guess!

[andbabiesmake4]

I have just rec'd confirmation from a supplier in the states that they can and do ship them to Canada. Everyone has a different answer I guess!

Yep, I know of 2 seats that were "smuggled" in from a company in the states. Some companies will do it.

[CDNTech]

It's not always a question of political red tape. Some seats are not safe to use here just because they passed US standards.

Take for instance the Evenflo Bolero. This seat only harnesses to 40lbs in the US and does not *require* a tether. A canadian may bring up the US version because it is cheaper and decide that if they use the tether that they can now use the seat to 47lbs since the Canadian version of the Bolero requires a tether and harnesses to 47lbs.

They would be incorrect. They are not the same seat and to use this seat to the Canadian standards would be really dangerous. This is just one example, there are many other harnessed seats that can also not be used the same as their Canadian counterparts.

A booster is not as dangerous, but you need to keep in mind, that even though you get a booster that is rated as starting at 30lbs from the US, you can not use it here until your child is 40lbs. All children in Canada must be harnessed until 40lbs.

As for the checkstop thing, just because it hasn't happened to you doesn't mean it won't. CPS is becoming more active here. We are starting to do checkstops with local police and teaching them what to look for. I personally have participated in a check stop where we were looking for proper useage and ticketing if it was not there.

The Parkway is actually a great booster *because* it has no armrests. It is very easy for the child to buckle and there are no armrests to get in the way of buckling it correctly.

The new Monterey that is coming out looks like it's armrests slant upwards making it easier than most to buckle up correctly.

With your children's weights, it will be awhile before either of them can use a booster. At 4.5 it can take quite awhile to gain those last two pounds to get to booster age. My 5.5 year old has weighed 35lbs for the last year... he rides in a Radian.

Depending on their torso heights and what seats they are currently in, something like the Evenflo Bolero might be a good option. Harnesses to 47lbs and then makes a decent booster.

Just some things to think about... there's not much point in searching out a retailer to import an illegal booster seat that you can't even use safely yet.

Edited to add: boosters do not have the latch system... with the exception of one in the US. The Monterey should also have latch when it comes out as well.

[jolenet]

I do understand that there are some circumstances where there are legitimate reasons for certain carseats to not be certified here. However, I do also feel that as Canadians...in a smaller part of the carseat market, that we are far behind in our options to the newest, safest technology.

The safest thing is to have my children in a Regent...can't get that here either. We are left with one option (to my knowledge for 65 lbs)...and that is the Radian. And at best, that is difficult to get one that is approved for 65lbs. Just comparing pictures of the Regent vs. the Radiant and it appears obvious (to me) that the Regent is made better and safer. The Regent looks more comfortable as well. I do have plans to try and find one this weekend,(Radian that is) as my son is quite away from being in the booster, but outgrowing his current seat. My daughter on the other hand, has been 38 pounds for about 8 months and is going through a growth spurt (eating liking a horse!) and that is what has gotten me into looking into this. I am afraid she is going to fast approach 40lbs before I know it...and then all of a sudden she is illegal to be harnessed into her current seat. I want the safest option for her and something comfortable as well. Actually, both of my children's seats are combos...1 to 60 and 1 to 80...but there are much safer boosters out now than what theirs are. I think they are a Eddie Bauer and a Cosco...I'll check tomorrow.

I was leary about going with a parkway because of this thread http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=25080&highlight=monarch+parkway
and this review: http://www.elitecarseats.com/catalog/product_review.jsp?productId=5560&sort=N#start-review
It seems to me that the Monarch is superior in every way...does anyone who has compared the 2 in person, think differently?

It's really frustrating...I just wish we had the luxury of options as do our neighbours to the South!

[BudgieStew]

If I was looking at the safest option for my nearly 40 lb child I would be finding a seat that keeps them harnessed longer then 40 lbs rather then putting them in a booster.
Like a PP said there are several inexpensive options out in Canada that harness to 47/48 lbs then convert to booster. They can be bought at Walmart or Sears.

Also a 65 lb Radian is not that hard to find. TJ kids in B.C. Baby Proofing Plus and a store called Tummies to Tots in Ontario has free shipping and although its not listed on the website they also carry the 65 lb Regular Radian. You just have to ask.
If you are happy with the 48 lb one you can order online from CT and they will ship it to you.
I am unsure of the return policy on any of those places.

Or if you can wait until the 65 lb Marathon arrives..most likely the Baby Proofing Plus and TJ Kids will have those for sale before anyone else.
I own a Marathon and several Radian's and am very happy with both but for an older child would always get the Radian over the Marathon. For the extra height.

Then by the time your DD is in a booster the Monarch or another booster might be in Canada.

HTH

[santecno]

There was a recent recall in BC because a store was importing US seats http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=24170

Do you think your child would be that much safer in a Monarch vs. a Parkway? Which vehicle do you have, maybe someone could tell you if a Parkway works or not.

You have to remember anyone that is selling you something wants to ship it to you because they are a store. They don't know the laws, just that they want to sell a seat so they make money.

Canada can only test seats that car seat manufacturers want to put on the market. Britax might not want to bring the Monarch to Canada because it will be expensive for the average CDN and other behind the scene "goings on" :) You have no idea how many times I've heard people find the Parkway's 120$ expensive when they can just buy a 30-40 $ backless booster.

If you have any Dorel (Cosco/Eddie Bauer/Safety 1st) seat, make sure your child hasn't outgrown it by their shoulders being above the top slots.

[jolenet]

Thanks for the name of the Cdn suppliers, I will look them up. I am going to look at Walmart and Cdn tire this weekend. Even though there won't be any 65lb Radian...at least I can get a feel for the seat.

Yes, I agree, the safest option is to keep them harnessed...and I am now relooking at my options. I would like to keep them harnessed untill 65 lbs, which would be less for my DD, as she is thin and tall.

I drive a caravan w/ bench seats. No, I don't think the parkway is necessarily unsafer...I just see so many people who own them preferring the Monarch. If the kids are going to be in these for a long time...they might as well be the best you can get.

I am going to have a look at the carseats today and assess the situation and see how they are fitting.

I am not keen on spending the money on a seat that is only rated for another 8 pounds, nor do I want to get a cheapy from Walmart. At the time when I bought my kids' seats, I bought the best I could find from the selection of stores around me. Now, looking at all the wonderfully padded seats (recaro...those big head cushions!! Nice!!) I feel really bad that my kids were sitting in these hard plastic things for so long. I actually had to put extra padding on my DD's seat...so it wasn't so hard! I also didn't know about this great forum...which is a great source of info!!

As far as the Radian...how are your kids sleeping in them? The shape looks pretty much like my DD seat now and her neck is constantly flopped over when she sleeps. The sides are too wide and offer no resting spot for her head.

[CDNTech]

I have a Grand Caravan with captain's chairs in the middle row.

The Radians are installed with a slight recline due to the slope of the back seat (in both the bench and the captain's chairs). The kids heads do flop to the side of the seat (like they do in every other harnessed seat), but very rarely do they fall forward... only when they are in a very deep sleep (this happened rearfacing as well).

The Parkway does not have any tipping issues in a Caravan... at least mine has never tipped in the year or so that I've owned it.

The Radian installs very well in the Caravan once you know the tricks to installing it. If you have LATCH, then it is super easy to install. Seatbelt is a little trickier, but can also be easily done after practicing once or twice with the tricks.

I have both Radian's and Radian Premier's. The Premier's are slightly more padded than the regular Radian's and they also come with an infant insert that turns into a toddler pillow. My 5.5 year old loves the pillows and they help his head to stay in a more natural position when he falls asleep.

This is the Radian Premier (80) in Supercool fabic. My 5.5 year old is 35lbs, 44in tall...
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1332/859135296_baa6e031d9.jpg?v=0

Putting extra padding on a carseat is a complete no-no. It is extremely dangerous. The extra padding can mean the difference of your seat failing in a collision or not.

[BudgieStew]

We drove a 18 hour road trip this summer with DS FF in the Radian and although his head tilted off to the side never forward.
I do plan on buying the Comfy Soft for his primary seat soon. Its the same thing as the insert sold with the Premier so I feel comfortable using it.
http://ca.skjp.com/products/index.php?v=detail&cid=20&name=ComfySoft7294&id=123

I've seen the Premiere in person but it was high on a shelf so wasn't able to feel it but it did look much more plush then the regular Radians.
The regular Radian is very well padded though say compared to our Eddie Bauer or Touriva. It took three days for the cover to air dry after I washed it.

I've installed our Radian's FF in a 2005 Focus/2007 Freestar and 01 Sienna with Latch with no problems.
I've also installed them FF and RF in a 89 Grand Pre and 01 Jetta with seatbelt..those took a bit more work but once in there were rock solid.

[canadianmom2three]

Ds also loves the Radian and sleeps in in no problems, and all the time...Our biggest trip was a 2 day, 12 hour per day marathon drive to Florida, where he didn't complain the whole trip (about the seat anyway, he certainly found enough other things to complain about:p) He is just 5 years old, about 50lbs, and last I measured was 45" tall, but I'm sure he's taller now...I hope he can get another year or so out of the seat, but if not, whatever time he gets will be $$ very well spent IMO, he just wasn't ready at all for a booster, and really, still isn't!
If you are still thinking booster, maybe the new SK booster, the manchester will make it out in time for you. It looks very much like the Monarch, but with armrests, and would totally eliminate the tip factor, since it can secure with LATCH.

[beeman]

While the US Monarch may seem like the best booster option for you right now, a harnessed seat is always better than a booster if you're child is within the weight requirements. A radian seat would provide you with at least a couple of years of use, and by that time the Monarch could be certified here, and readily available, or a better booster could be on the market. If you can get free shipping from a company it may even cost less to get a radian than it would be to bring a monarch across the border, and it would be the safer model. The other thing about checks with seats is that cops expect to see a 3yr old in a harnessed seat, but an 8 or 9 year old, or even 5 or 6 year old in a booster is still a relatively new concept, and could influence the cop to verify that the seat is safe, especially in a community with a small selection of seats. A cop may not have checked your seats yet, but it could happen with the constant increase in cps safety. If the radian is readily available, it would be a safer option than a booster, would be less hassles than importing a monarch, could very well be cheaper, would buy you time until a more advanced booster is certified in Canada, and would eliminate legal troubles that an imported seat would create.

[jolenet]

Yes, that is what I am working on doing. Just waiting for some responses from Baby surplus...the so cool seat is backordered. I am glad I came to this forum, because prior I had no idea that we had a 65lb seat in Canada. My daughter is excited about getting a pink seat...I just hope that for what I am paying for them, they at least last awhile!!!
I never had any intention of boostering my 3 yr old at this point, I just thought if I was ordering 1, I might as well save on shipping, for when he is old enough to use it.
I will however wait for the new SSK booster to come out, as it seems to be quite comparable with the Monarch.
"but an 8 or 9 year old, or even 5 or 6 year old in a booster is still a relatively new concept, and could influence the cop to verify that the seat is safe"
Meaning...the cops would be shocked to see a child booster and would therefore inspect the seat? Most people don't booster their children? Isn't it the law?

Edit: I meant from Babyproofingplus.com, not Baby Surplus.

[snowbird25ca]

"but an 8 or 9 year old, or even 5 or 6 year old in a booster is still a relatively new concept, and could influence the cop to verify that the seat is safe"
Meaning...the cops would be shocked to see a child booster and would therefore inspect the seat? Most people don't booster their children? Isn't it the law?

Not all provinces have booster seat laws, and in some provinces booster use is very rare. I believe the province Beeman is in doesn't have booster laws.

In many rural areas, the main vehicles for transporting kids are pick-ups that have only lap belts in the center position. Boosters have to have a lap/shoulder belt in order to be used, so some of the older vehicles it can be impossible to use a booster unless the child is in the passenger seat - that still leaves mom or dad in the middle then, and I think the balance of safety would fall to having child in the middle in a lap only belt and no booster with parents outboard in lap/shoulder belts, to provide the maximum safety for all occupants...

But I think the intent may have been more towards extended harnessing? A police officer is more likely to check a seat with an older child in it if it's something like the Regent...

Anyways, we have a Radian for my ds and we're happy with it.

[beeman]

"but an 8 or 9 year old, or even 5 or 6 year old in a booster is still a relatively new concept, and could influence the cop to verify that the seat is safe"
Meaning...the cops would be shocked to see a child booster and would therefore inspect the seat? Most people don't booster their children? Isn't it the law?

Many of the Canadian provinces do not have a booster law, including my own (However, there is an improper use clause in the federal seat belt law, that makes it illegal for a child to ride in a seat belt if they don't pass the 5 step test). Here in Sask. we are still 1 and 20lb RF, and 4 and 4lb harnessed. Booster seat awareness is still relatively minimal here. There are still more people not using them here, then people who are. Uncommon sights can make cops look, which for those of us in regions without laws, could be an advantage for increasing awareness, but could also result in the finding of a non Canadian seat.

[canadianmom2three]

All over the news here that they are running a huge seatbelt blitz, for the next 15 days especially looking for kids incorrectly buckled...which given the seats I've seen (and not seen!) will be about 3/4 of everyone they stop. I am interested to see what the results are, if they are made public, and am actually interested to see:
A) if I get stopped
B) if they will comment on DS in the Radian - he is 50+ lbs, and a BIG 5 year old, in a 48lb limit Radian (of course correctly installed with seatbelt and tether, so no install issues, just the sticker technicallity).
I wonder what the odds are that they would actually look so closely as to catch that...although if there are any questions, I am certain that DS only weighs 45lbs;)

[BudgieStew]

When I was in my home province last month. A lady told me that she had been stopped at a check and they were looking at the seats and had a scale ready.
All provinces I live/travel in regularly have a booster seat law. Quebec/Ontario and Nova Scotia.

[canadianmom2three]

Interesting, I guess I will have to take my chances, I cannot afford another Radian after shelling out for this one with the promise of new stickers 'as soon as TC changes the policy' only to find out 3 months later that promise couldn't be kept....and although DS is legally ready for a booster, he is far from really ready for a booster...I figure if they want to weigh DS and issue me a ticket for keeping him harnesed 2lbs past the limit, that will be interesting for sure, and will make for a great editorial in the newspaper I guess - - mom ticketed for keeping her kid harnessed too long, while 3/4 of the town's population don't even seem to buckle their kids correctly at all:rolleyes:

[shauburg]

Just waiting for some responses from Baby surplus...the so cool seat is backordered.

Just wanted to let you know I bought DS's 65 lb Radian Premier Supercool from Tummies to Tots (http://www.tummiestotots.com/entry.aspx?entryID=50174&catID=268&subcat=98&sID=50742). Shipping was free and it came FedEx!

[jolenet]

Thanks, I ended up ordering from dearbornbaby, as they also offer free shipping. They just sent me an email today saying that they didn't have any in stock either...but plan to get a shipment tomorrow. They seem to be flying off the shelves. I am surprised that babyproofingplus is not stepping up and offering free shipping as well!:thumbsdown:

[hipmaman]

I am surprised that babyproofingplus is not stepping up and offering free shipping as well!:thumbsdown:

It has free shipping for $100+ often. Currently it does have free shipping.

[CDNTech]

It has free shipping for $100+ often. Currently it does have free shipping.

only they charge you a surcharge shipping fee on oversized items... even when they have free shipping.

I bought two Radians while they had free shipping on. My 'free shipping' cost me $48 for the two seats because of the oversize charge. :rolleyes:

[jolenet]

Yes, that is what they wanted to charge me as well. And...when I wanted to cancel, I had to actually call them, as I wasn't getting an email response. They seem to think that the others companies are charging for shipping too because of their fine print on oversized items...but I think that is only when the $ amount is under a certain amount.

[hipmaman]

only they charge you a surcharge shipping fee on oversized items... even when they have free shipping.

I bought two Radians while they had free shipping on. My 'free shipping' cost me $48 for the two seats because of the oversize charge. :rolleyes:

Well, that sucks!!!