[Zuber Speed]

Re: Importing a car from USA - HOWTO (chuckDD)

tossed up that idea
time off work is the only concern, and a rather big one
did you buy your bmw new?
I think for "bill of sale" I'll just type out a letter that is signed by both parties, as long as it includes names, signatures, dates and VIN, thats all that is necessary

 

[chuckDD]

Re: Importing a car from USA - HOWTO (Zuber Speed)

Quote, originally posted by Zuber Speed »

tossed up that idea did you buy your bmw new?

No. It's an '04, bought in Sept '07. The whole story is here: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3440316

 

[vee_dubb_ya]

Re: Importing a car from USA - HOWTO (chuckDD)

Personal experience, 2 times:
1. summer 2007, bringing a 1983 Caddy across the border at Buffalo: the US let us through with no questions

and on the Canadian side they questioned our success at that apparent violation of protocol. "We just left because they told us to". The Canadian side couldn't find the paperwork, and we had to come back the following Monday.

It seemed pretty disorganized. On the bright side, Caddy>15 years old = no $196 processing fee, it did have A/C which you get to pay the $100 tax on, even if it doesn't work

but we also got it in with no...some tax...because it was built in the US (which shocked the Customs agent) and therefore is exempt under NAFTA

. 7% GST paid, if I remember correctly, total bill was something like $160ish.
2. last week (August 2008). I faxed both the US and Canadian Customs offices at Sault Ste. Marie MI and ON Monday morning from Idaho (1980 Caddy was bought in Spokane, WA but everything was closed Sunday night). I figured it would take me at least 3 days to dolly it back to Ontario with my TDI (and I was right). I got to the Soo, MI US side, and they could not find any trace of the paperwork I had faxed them. My fax confirmation SAVED MY BACON. They saw the correct fax number and admitted it was a slipup, and manually entered the truck information in, and let me through.

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif On the Canadian side it was quick...older than 15 years, no A/C, and "oh, by the way, this guy has been in the US longer than 7 days, can we claim the $700 purchase price as his personal exemption?" "Sure, put it in the system as $0.01". NO TAX paid. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

Oh, and it didn't hurt it was 4:30pm on a Friday afternoon.

Summary: if you can, try to use the smaller border crossings, not because they're lax, but because if you're easygoing, then it'll be more pleasant for everyone. That's just my 2c

 

[pefer]

Re: Importing a car from USA - HOWTO (vee_dubb_ya)

Quote, originally posted by vee_dubb_ya »

Personal experience, 2 times:

Hi Vee_Dubb_ya,
I am planning the same, with a car that was made in 81, therefore over the 15 year mark, will I need the so called "recall release letter"?
Can't find info regarding that on the RIV site, maybe I did not read right...
edit...
ooops re-red the entire post, page 1, mtlmark answered my question!
Excellent thread from BUGS and all who contributed, great info. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
Thanks!
Alex

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif



Modified by pefer at 8:21 PM 10-2-2008

 

[Bugs]

Re: Importing a car from USA - HOWTO (pefer)

Quote, originally posted by pefer »

Hi Vee_Dubb_ya, I am planning the same, with a car that was made in 81, therefore over the 15 year mark, will I need the so called "recall release letter"? Can't find info regarding that on the RIV site, maybe I did not read right... edit... ooops re-red the entire post, page 1, mtlmark answered my question! Excellent thread from BUGS and all who contributed, great info. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif Thanks! Alex http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif Modified by pefer at 8:21 PM 10-2-2008

good chance I will be re-using my own info again soon.. too bad the canadian dollar isnt as favorable this time

Glad it's helped!

 

[MASSIV GTI]

Re: Importing a car from USA - HOWTO (Bugs)

would it be possible to import a mk6 from europe?

 

[chuckDD]

Re: Importing a car from USA - HOWTO (MASSIV GTI)

Quote, originally posted by MASSIV GTI »

would it be possible to import a mk6 from europe?

Anything is possible if you bribe the right people. But otherwise, no.
From http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/safevehicles/importation/other-than/index.htm :

Quote »

The illegal importation of a motor vehicle into Canada is a criminal offense. Inadmissible vehicles will be denied entry into Canada and will be detained. All storage and disposal fees are the responsibility of the importer. Please read the following carefully. VEHICLES PURCHASED OUTSIDE CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES The Motor Vehicle Safety Act and Regulations require that all vehicles imported into Canada comply, at the time of importation, with the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect on the date the vehicle was manufactured. Vehicles manufactured for sale in countries other than Canada and the United States do not comply with the requirements of the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Act, CANNOT be altered to comply and CANNOT be imported into Canada. The only exceptions to this rule are vehicles fifteen (15) years old or older as determined by the month and year in which the vehicle was manufactured and buses manufactured before January 1, 1971. Vehicles acquired in foreign countries other than the U.S. and designed, built, tested and certified to meet either all applicable Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or all applicable United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and bearing a statement of compliance label affixed by the original manufacturer, as required by the Regulations, may be eligible for importation into Canada provided the vehicle has not been altered and the certification from the original manufacturer is maintained, which may be subject to verification at the time of importation. A vehicle imported under these conditions will be subject to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles program which may be accessed at the following web site: http://www.riv.ca. Please contact Transport Canada, Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate, at 1-613-998-8616 for further information.

 

[autoforumwhiz]

If anyone has any questions or is getting problems with importing please feel free to email me. We imported numerous Delta Lancias and Golf's Rallye's into Toronto and not to mention yorkdale size parking lot worth of exotics. I will be more then glad to help you.

 

[r32argent]

A couple months ago I imported my '04 R32 without any problems. I went through Lewiston. I spent maybe 5 minutes on the U.S. side, around 10 minutes in Canada at Customs.

 

[Bugs]

Re: (r32argent)

any additional steps needed for the R32 since it was it previously wasnt allowed into Canada?

I hope to import my second US car at the end of next 2010. You sir, beat me to it

Modified by Bugs at 6:42 PM 3-18-2009

 

[r32argent]

Re: (Bugs)

Quote, originally posted by Bugs »

any additional steps needed for the R32 since it was it previously wasnt allowed into Canada? I hope to import my second US car at the end of next 2010. You sir, beat me to it Modified by Bugs at 6:42 PM 3-18-2009

No extra steps -- I just followed the instructions on the RIV and Customs' websites for any other admissible vehicle (pretty much the same as described in this thread).
Since I have OEM HIDs, I'd disabled my DRLs. Before I left the U.S. I modded some wiring to have a couple LEDs work as DRLs.
Anywhoo, if the R's stock you won't have to worry about it.
Aside: For some reason Canada Customs at Queenston-Lewiston couldn't look up my R's trade-in/resale value on their computers. I wonder how long that will last.


Modified by r32argent at 8:45 AM 3-22-2009

 

[mushroom_curry]

Re: (r32argent)

When you're importing a vehicle they open a file that remains valid for X number of days, correct?
What if you have no intention of registering the car in your name and driving it? (ie: a totaled parts car you trailer home)

 

[[email protected]]

whats the talk about the Electronic Immobilizer System? As i understand, cas manufactured after sept 1, 2007 have these built in.
Im looking to get a '05 350z, and i guess it wont be equipped with one. Will i need to get this EIS installed to get it imported? or its only required for cars that were manufactured after sept 1, 2007 that did not come with it?
also whats the duty tax on cars made in japan?


Modified by [email protected] at 1:11 AM 5-11-2009

 

[Drehkraft]

Re: (mushroom_curry)

Quote, originally posted by mushroom_curry »

When you're importing a vehicle they open a file that remains valid for X number of days, correct? What if you have no intention of registering the car in your name and driving it? (ie: a totaled parts car you trailer home)

You can declare it as a "parts" vehicle. The VIN will be recorded and never able to get it registered later....I did this on a wrecked scirocco.

 

[cwjstone]

Re: Importing a car from USA - HOWTO (Bugs)

Wow,
What an awesome thread. I am new to the Vortex and wanted to say thanks for putting this info together. It has saved me a ton of time and guess work!
I am in the process of importing an '05 A6 that I am buying off ebay.
So far everything with the car checks out ... the tip on getting an independent 3rd party to take the pics really helped. It took alot of the worry out of buying a car with stone chips, hidden problems etc.
The ebay Carfax report was pretty impressive for a free report, but I still had the another check done by someone I trust.
1 owner, regular service, nothing stood out.
I put down a small deposit and am waiting to drive the car and do a physical inspection at the border before I complete the sale with the dealer.
Right now I am waiting for the Recall letter and working on getting confirmation that the border (Detroit) has received the Title Docs.
I am hoping to bring the car over the border this Sat... I will keep everyone updated if I run into an hitches anyone should know about.

Modified by cwjstone at 11:45 AM 6-2-2009


Modified by cwjstone at 12:11 PM 6-2-2009

 

[wolfewerx]

Re: Importing a car from USA - HOWTO (cwjstone)

Just a couple of updates. Port Huron is closed from noon friday to Monday at 8am.
The 72 hours does not include saturday or Sunday.
You must have the original title and any original letters of lein release for US and Canada Customs. It is a good idea to print the Fax transmittal roll and have it with you.
The Recall letter is required by RIV not Customs.
NAFTA cars are exempt of duty- anything made outside is subject to duty. A "W" GTI(german manuf.) is 6%. Plus $100 air tax plus GST on the total of these and RST at the DLO Total of 19%!!!!
You must have a bill of sale for Canada customs or declared a high price else you will have a difficult time with the customs inspectors confirming the purchase price including contacting the seller.
Not all CTC are authorized to do the federal inspection. Ask!
It is good to make a recall letter part of your original deal so if the car is subject to a campaign it can be booked into the dealer while you are waiting for the 72 hours. Not al Cdn divisiions will do the recalls on a US car.
VW warrants up to 08 without any question. They will not warrant US 09s. The exception seems to be with exteneded warranty.
DON"T USE CHEAPOAIR!!! Book direct with an airline . Its usually cheaperand always less stressful.

 

[pawelgawel]

Re: Importing a car from USA - HOWTO (Bugs)

I bought my '05 R6 last year in Boston. Had an excellent ride back, other then a sore ass.
The US customs were great, no problems at all, but the Canadian side gave me huge problems when they couldn't believe the price I paid for it. Even with the bill of sale, they wanted to contact the owner and speak to him dirrectly just to double check on the price.
They held me for about 30min.
I tried my best to help them understand how I found this bike and why the person sold it to me at that price (rich, didn't care about the price, took the cash i offered).
They couldn't get in touch with the seller, but they noticed I was very respectful and explained everything in detail. At the end they began to be very friendly and cool about everything.
Overall I had a smooth transaction,
But I never received the letter from Yamaha US untill I was in Canada with the bike, no one asked for it at the border. It did take 4 weeks though!!

 

[ST33LR4T]

Re: Importing a car from USA - HOWTO (pawelgawel)

yeah the canadian side sure does ask a lot of questions...like where i found the car...and the specific web page...how and when i contacted the seller...im thinking they are flipping the information to marketeers or finding out ways to make more money themselves on the import business.


Modified by ST33LR4T at 3:12 PM 7-22-2009

 

[blacktie1]

Re: Importing a car from USA - HOWTO (ST33LR4T)

its the gov't - they are always trying to find ways to make money of us

 

[myothercarsaseaking]

Re: Importing a car from USA - HOWTO (Bugs)

Quote, originally posted by Bugs »

Before - Get dealership to fax title (both sides) to you, so that you can fax it to the U.S. border crossing at least 72h in advance of coming back.

I'm wondering - are you saying that you can do this before the sale? I've heard that some border crossings will only accept original documents (no faxes), let alone a faxed title that presumably doesn't have your name on it yet as the owner.
The riv.ca website says that "You will need to provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection with your vehicle title documents, registration and sales receipts at least 72 hours prior to export." I dont' see how this can be done before the sale.
Anyways, I might be doing this soon, so I was hoping you could clarify your comments - other than that, your checklist has been a huge help