[Bugs]

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

Quote, originally posted by myothercarsaseaking »

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

They require a fax copy 72 hours prior to crossing so they can start paper work. You will require the original paper when you actually cross the border.
And yes, you will need to have the car signed over to you before you cross.
I had the deal finished, money wired to the dealer and title put into my name and a copy faxed to the border 72 hours in advance. When i crossed, I gave them the original and all is well
its a bit of a juggle. You either have to go down and do the deal in person, and go back down later to get the vehicle, OR buy it site unseen

 

[myothercarsaseaking]

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

Thanks a lot for the quick reply. I just called up a border crossing and got more or less the same response.
The tricky bit is that apparently different crossings will have different requirements. Stupid but true. Some require original documents to be couriered, some will allow copies to be couriered, and some will also accept faxed copies (all 72 hrs before bringing the vehicle across, mind you).
Oh, and to complicate things even more, the US Customs website specifically says that only the Vehicle Title needs to be sent 72 hrs in advance ... but the border crossing I called says they require the Title and Bill of Sale.

Anyways, for anybody who's reading this and confused as hell, the moral of the story is:
1) US Customs agents apparently make their own rules,
2) There's nothing you can do about it,
3) You better call ahead to the border crossing you're planning on using and find out what they want and when they want it (you can find the numbers on riv.ca).
===============================================
There's a site that's full of useful information on this subject, but unfortunately its servers seem to be down more often than not. Luckily google has a cached version:
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=...gl=ca
===============================================
Oh, and for anyone crossing at Houlton/Woodstock in the near future, here's what I found out:
- They require the Title and Bill of Sale 72 hrs prior to bringing the car across.
- They "usually only" accept couriered originals (his exact words).

 

[NorthDubbin]

I have owned my car for a year already and I'm wondering if you have to pay the GST if you have owned the car for a length of time and are not importing a brand 'new to you' car. I can't seem to find any information on this. Or do every car have to pay the GST on the invoice price regardless.
Great thread BTW

 

[BennyB]

Re: (NorthDubbin)

Does anyone have experience bringing a car in for parts? I'd be bringing in an obviouly wrecked car, and will even cut the roof off if necessary. I don't plan on rebuilding the car, I just want the drivetrain.
I'm pretty sure you still have to export the car on the US side, but what is required on the Canadian side?

 

[Crazy Hungarian]

Re: (BennyB)

Quote, originally posted by BennyB »

Does anyone have experience bringing a car in for parts? I'd be bringing in an obviouly wrecked car, and will even cut the roof off if necessary. I don't plan on rebuilding the car, I just want the drivetrain. I'm pretty sure you still have to export the car on the US side, but what is required on the Canadian side?

The US side is the same proceedure...fax title in advance blah blah, they stamp the title you're good to go
The Canadian side its merely a different form to fill out, you pay the same taxes and duty...and if the car has AC you'll still pay the pollution tax for that.
But then you have none of the follow up, no trip to the MTO to register, no inspection at CTC.
Pretty easy.
So yeah, if you've imported, say, a caddy

for personal use before, then as far as the border is concerned its same office, different form.

 

[NorthDubbin]

Could someone tell me if you have had your vehicle in the US and had it for some time do you still have to pay taxes on the car if you are moving back to canada and taking the car with you. Is there a time limit you must own your car and not have to pay Canadian taxes on it?
I ask because I might be buying a new car and moving back to Canada in 6 month so I'm wondering if I would have to pay both US and Canadian taxes. Anyone?

 

[ALLROAD VR]

Re: (NorthDubbin)

What's the closest border crossing in Detroit, Michigan?

 

[NorthDubbin]

My guess would be Windsor or Winsor...not sure of spelling

 

[denyle]

Re: (NorthDubbin)

Not sure if anyone still comes here, but if so it would be great.
I currently live in Canada, however I USED to live in the states. I bought my car while living in the US, and I registered/insured it. Car is a 2003 Audi a4 Avant. It is lowered on coilovers, but mechanically has no add ons done. Just curious if I still need stuff like a bill of sale, or if they need to know prices, etc. Also wanted to know if my suspension modifications will be a problem. Thanks for any/all help!

 

[Drake_Orion]

Re: (denyle)

Not sure about the bill of sale. I would assume they would want the paperwork/receipts when you first bought the car in order to get the proper plates from whatever province you're currently in. From my own experience, they will need to know how much you bought the car for as the price will affect how much tax you pay when crossing the border. The suspension shouldn't be an issue. I brought a lowered dub into Ontario last year and it wasn't a problem.


Modified by Drake_Orion at 2:18 PM 3-24-2010

 

[denyle]

Re: (Drake_Orion)

Quote, originally posted by Drake_Orion »

Not sure about the bill of sale. I would assume they would want the paperwork/receipts when you first bought the car in order to get the proper plates from whatever province you're currently in. From my own experience, they will need to know how much you bought the car for as the price will affect how much tax you pay when crossing the border. The suspension shouldn't be an issue. I brought a lowered dub into Ontario last year and it wasn't a problem. Modified by Drake_Orion at 2:06 PM 3-24-2010

Sweet thanks!! I'm not sure what you mean by paperwork/receipts from when I bought it though. I bought it private sale, and we don't keep the copy of the bill of sale. That goes to the DMV. I can let them know the price I paid, just don't have any documentation as to prove it. Glaaaaad about the suspension, as my car is REALLY low, lol.

 

[alphazero]

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

What if a family member is the US would like to gift a vehicle to me here in Canada (Quebec)?
I imagine I would still need to pay tax on it... how is that assessed? Or would I be free? Anyone done this?

 

[nopaddle]

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

I phoned the Peace Bridge border crossing ( (905) 994-6330) and asked them what i needed to bring an older vehicle back from the states...and they did NOT want me to fax them the bill of sale or ownership...claimed they would take care of everything when I arrived wth the vehicle

have things changed!?

 

[Drake_Orion]

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

The fax they need is a 72 hour notice of your intention on bringing the car into Canada

 

[peteA4]

Help me out with this.

I want to buy a vehicle in the US. It will go from the previous owners house, to a shop to get some bodywork, paint, and interior. By the time it gets to the border crossing it will be worth a few bucks more and look alot better. What are my options in this situation?

I'll have the bill of sale to pay tax on. Do i need to also pay tax on the service/work that will be done? Tax on new parts/materials?

Or will they look on the net to assess its market value?

Pete

 

[lowazzgolf]

I'm writing this post to document and archive my experience.

- bought a 96 Jetta GLX from Florida in 2005

- drove it from Florida to Toronto on Dec. 30th 2006. When I got to the border I was allowed to bring it into the country with no trouble because I am a dual-citizen. When I showed my American passport I was now a visitor and did not have to pay anything at the border and could drive in as a tourist.

- the car went into storage in Toronto for 2 1/2 years soon after. When I took the car out of storage in 2010 I started the import process, this is now almost 3 years later.

- I called the border to find out if I had to drive it back there to start the import process. I explained my story that I was also a US citizen and was now going to reside in Canada and wanted to import the car but it is already in the country. They told me to contact the INLAND BORDER SERVICE. Keep in mind, this IBS is not listed in any yellow pages, google search or anything that I could find. I was given the address of one of the TWO places in and around Toronto which is 5425 Dixie Road in Mississauga and 2720 Britannia Rd E.

- once I went to the IBS I explained my situation once again and I was classified as a returning resident and as such had an allowance that my car value was way under, especially with my "Bill Of Sale" stating I bought the car from my father for $200 . It was here that I received the infamous FORM 1 I think

- the next step was to go to the RIV and pay them their $200 fee for FORM 2

- after this I went to Canadian Tire to get my inspection. They only checked the stickers on the door jams and that I had DRL's, this is a free inspection.

- the next step was to get a "Safety Check" and an "Emissions Test", I think we all know about these

- the final step was to get insurance, this was the tricky part. I had to call around various brokers, explain the situation and tell them the car was in storage at the mechanic who was taking care of all the inspections, etc etc and I needed to get it insured even though it was not yet registered in Canada so I could drive it to the MTO to get the plate. After I found a reasonable insurance rate I went to the MTO with my FORM 1, E-Test, Safety and Proof of Insurance and got a plate for $38 and that was it. I never had to pay taxes on the car because I was a returning resident

:thumbup:

 

[super_man]

Just finished importing a used 2010 VW CC Luxury from the USA into Canada. Did the importing at the Lewiston NY border crossing. Spent 20 minutes with US Customs to export the vehicle, then 15 minutes with Canada Customs to import the vehicle. Followed the RIV process to a "T". Went smooth. The secret is to go early in the day and mid week, to avoid any customs lineups.

 

[Monokromatik]

Lots of great info here :beer:

From what i gather,

- Fax title and bill of sale to US border 72hrs in advance, obtain fax confirmation as a C.Y.A.

Just to clarify.. What about Canada customs? What needs to be done in advance?

:thumbup:

 

[Crazy Hungarian]

Lots of great info here :beer:

From what i gather,

- Fax title and bill of sale to US border 72hrs in advance, obtain fax confirmation as a C.Y.A.

Just to clarify.. What about Canada customs? What needs to be done in advance?

:thumbup:

absolutely nothing....just show up with the stamped titled (the US customs side will stamp the title you got from the seller) and bring a signed bill of sale....and get ready to fill out some documents and pay some taxes and fees.

and enjoy :thumbup:

 

[frateretto]

Given the taxes in ontario have been 'combined' ... does that impact the import taxes?

I do not think it does - but looking for input from someone who has completed this recently ... is it still just the GST to import into Ontario?

Thank you,