I imported my RV-9A in March of this year and it was quite simple. As the DAR said in above post you need to be able to prove that over 50% was built by the individual. I had the inspection sheets from Air Transpirt Canada. Pictures etc help too.
I highly recommend that if you want to import a RV have the owner send you copies of pictures, inspections and any self kept logs. Take these to your local DAR have them look it over and see if it meets the 51% rule. If he says it does then go get it and bring it home.
Also here is the steps I went through.
1. Have the owner fly it with you in to USA under Canadian tail numbers.
2. Do not tell customs you are importing! They have no idea how to handle it and they will take a few days to figure it out. Tell them you are going to Sun and Fun or something
3. Use a escrow company I used one recommended by AOPA
4. Fill out Bill of sale and apply for your registration when you land.
5. Have the owner deregister the airplane in Canada( overnight the documents). This should not take long.
6. Schedule DAR to inspect and give airworthiness certificate.
7. You must wait till the aircraft has been deregisterd in Canada before the FAA will register it.
The escrow company is well worth the money because they do a lot of the FAA paper work for you and fast.
If you have any further questions please pm me. Contrary to others opinion I feel I got a great plane at a great price. I just had to do what everyone else was afraid to do!
Tim Crouch
Greenville SC