Car Importation (Car is already in Canada)

[Veelia11]

Hi,

I have a question about car importation.

I got my permanent residency back in December last year. I already had my US car with the US license in Canada, and was living in Canada when I received my permanent residency, so I never really knew I needed to import it.

However, while doing research about a trip that I'm supposed to take to upstate New York this Friday, I learned that I should have imported my vehicle after getting permanent residency.

My question is: What is the process for this, and how fast can I get it done? My trip is supposed to be this coming Friday (August 25th) is it possible to import the car before that? Also, does anyone have an idea for how much it will cost? My car is 10 years old, a Honda CRV, still works great, never had any issues with it.

Does anyone know any ways around this, like car rental for a permanent resident?

 

[Rob_TO]

How have you been keeping the car insured all this time? If from a US company, did you tell them the car would be driven in Canada for such a long time? If not, then you may run into problems if you ever end up making a claim while in Canada.

Also did you declare your car on your "goods to follow" list when landing as a PR? If not, then when you import it now the car may be subject to full duties/taxes etc.

Info on how to import is here. https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles-importation-usa-index-445.htm
You may need to get modifications done to car to align to Canadian standards (i.e. like daytime running lights). There is tons of info posted on the US export/Canada import process if you do a search of this forum.

 

[Veelia11]

How have you been keeping the car insured all this time? If from a US company, did you tell them the car would be driven in Canada for such a long time? If not, then you may run into problems if you ever end up making a claim while in Canada.

Also did you declare your car on your "goods to follow" list when landing as a PR? If not, then when you import it now the car may be subject to full duties/taxes etc.

Info on how to import is here. https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles-importation-usa-index-445.htm
You may need to get modifications done to car to align to Canadian standards (i.e. like daytime running lights). There is tons of info posted on the US export/Canada import process if you do a search of this forum.

My US insurance knows about me living here, they have actually paid for a few things while I've been here.

I was not aware of any "goods to follow" form... where would have even been? I did the spousal permit version, through my common-law partner, and he did not inform me of any such form that I needed to fill out.

What would full duties/taxes imply? I'm not against taking my car back to the states, selling it, and then purchasing one in Canada if that would be a better option, as my car is over 10 years old.

 

[Veelia11]

My US insurance knows about me living here, they have actually paid for a few things while I've been here.

I was not aware of any "goods to follow" form... where would have even been? I did the spousal permit version, through my common-law partner, and he did not inform me of any such form that I needed to fill out.

What would full duties/taxes imply? I'm not against taking my car back to the states, selling it, and then purchasing one in Canada if that would be a better option, as my car is over 10 years old.

Also, if I wanted to go ahead an import, I'm reading the form but it isn't really clear where I need to take my car since I'm already living in Canada. Would I really need to drive out to the Canadian border just to import my car, or are there places to do that in major cities?

 

[Rob_TO]

My US insurance knows about me living here, they have actually paid for a few things while I've been here.

I was not aware of any "goods to follow" form... where would have even been? I did the spousal permit version, through my common-law partner, and he did not inform me of any such form that I needed to fill out.

What would full duties/taxes imply? I'm not against taking my car back to the states, selling it, and then purchasing one in Canada if that would be a better option, as my car is over 10 years old.

The declaration of goods and goods to follow is applicant's responsibility, to be done during the PR landing process with CBSA. I think there is something written about it in the COPR and letter you got when PR was approved. Also info here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/before-border.asp
You can ask CBSA if they'll make an exception since you weren't aware of rules when you did PR landing, although it's at their discretion if they'll allow it. Now 8 months after landing though, it may be too late.

You'll have to research what potential costs will be to import your car, there's a lot of info online about this.
https://www.crossbordershopping.ca/auto-import-guide/vehicle-duties-taxes-fees
http://www.ezbordercrossing.com/the-inspection-experience/import-a-vehicle/importing-vehicle-from-us-to-canada/

 

[Rob_TO]

Also, if I wanted to go ahead an import, I'm reading the form but it isn't really clear where I need to take my car since I'm already living in Canada. Would I really need to drive out to the Canadian border just to import my car, or are there places to do that in major cities?

You would need to do modifications to car first, and then physically drive it to the border to import it. Only CBSA can do the import process. I think you also need to inform them first before going to border.

 

[Veelia11]

The declaration of goods and goods to follow is applicant's responsibility, to be done during the PR landing process with CBSA. I think there is something written about it in the COPR and letter you got when PR was approved. Also info here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/before-border.asp
You can ask CBSA if they'll make an exception since you weren't aware of rules when you did PR landing, although it's at their discretion if they'll allow it. Now 8 months after landing though, it may be too late.

You'll have to research what potential costs will be to import your car, there's a lot of info online about this.
https://www.crossbordershopping.ca/auto-import-guide/vehicle-duties-taxes-fees
http://www.ezbordercrossing.com/the-inspection-experience/import-a-vehicle/importing-vehicle-from-us-to-canada/

The problem with this is that I never needed to cross the border. I was always in Canada, I went from work permit to permanent residency. So where would I have declared all of my stuff?

 

[Rob_TO]

The problem with this is that I never needed to cross the border. I was always in Canada, I went from work permit to permanent residency. So where would I have declared all of my stuff?

At the time you officially landed as a PR (landing interview).

 

[Veelia11]

At the time you officially landed as a PR (landing interview).

She did not give us any such forms. We were asked if we were still a couple, about our jobs, etc.

 

[Rob_TO]

She did not give us any such forms. We were asked if we were still a couple, about our jobs, etc.

It wasn't her job to provide the forms, you should have prepared them in advance. Many people have no goods to declare, so don't need any forms to submit.

 

[Veelia11]

It wasn't her job to provide the forms, you should have prepared them in advance. Many people have no goods to declare, so don't need any forms to submit.

If I flagpole and declare now, will I get in trouble for not knowing that I needed to declare during the interview? I really don't want to get in trouble. Is it best to just sell the car in the US to avoid legal trouble? Now you have me extremely worried.

 

[Rob_TO]

If I flagpole and declare now, will I get in trouble for not knowing that I needed to declare during the interview? I really don't want to get in trouble. Is it best to just sell the car in the US to avoid legal trouble? Now you have me extremely worried.

You have already landed as a PR, there is no more flagpole process possible.

This is nothing to do with a legal issue. Not declaring items like a car at your PR landing, simply means you need to pay full tax/duties when later importing it.