PR importing car owned by spouse to Canada

[tlauster]

We have a car I'd like to import to Canada duty-free as a first time PR. However, the car title is under my husband's name only, so his name would be on the AES filing. The problem is, he's a Canadian citizen (living in US for past 15 years) but since the car is worth more than $10,000 he'd have to pay the import duties. Since we're married, does it matter that we list the vehicle under my name on the BSF-186 form but the title for the car is under his name? Will this cause problems when we drive across the border?

 

[Alex54321]

We have a car I'd like to import to Canada duty-free as a first time PR. However, the car title is under my husband's name only, so his name would be on the AES filing. The problem is, he's a Canadian citizen (living in US for past 15 years) but since the car is worth more than $10,000 he'd have to pay the import duties. Since we're married, does it matter that we list the vehicle under my name on the BSF-186 form but the title for the car is under his name? Will this cause problems when we drive across the border?

We are in similar situation as you are and my spouse is going to be PR next month. I've transferred titles of both my (our) cars to her name, so they will be on goods to follow list. As far as US insurance - they do not care who owns the car, but in order to avoid duties completely the title should be on the name of person who is landing. We will do export/import later and my spouse's name will be on all documents. Since I have the General Power Of Attorney her presence is not needed for export part of the process.

 

[tlauster]

We are in similar situation as you are and my spouse is going to be PR next month. I've transferred titles of both my (our) cars to her name, so they will be on goods to follow list. As far as US insurance - they do not care who owns the car, but in order to avoid duties completely the title should be on the name of person who is landing. We will do export/import later and my spouse's name will be on all documents. Since I have the General Power Of Attorney her presence is not needed for export part of the process.

Makes sense, thank you! Was hoping to avoid a trip to the DMV but sounds like we'll have to do it.

 

[Alex54321]

Makes sense, thank you! Was hoping to avoid a trip to the DMV but sounds like we'll have to do it.

Right, here in MI with first vehicle Title transfer were waiting like 3 hours, second time just 1.5h.

 

[links18]

We have a car I'd like to import to Canada duty-free as a first time PR. However, the car title is under my husband's name only, so his name would be on the AES filing. The problem is, he's a Canadian citizen (living in US for past 15 years) but since the car is worth more than $10,000 he'd have to pay the import duties. Since we're married, does it matter that we list the vehicle under my name on the BSF-186 form but the title for the car is under his name? Will this cause problems when we drive across the border?

Could you explain your conundrum a little more? If your husband hasn't lived in Canada for 15 years, he would be considered a returning former resident and could import the car himself as settler's effects and avoid tax, etc. There really doesn't appear to be a need to transfer title, etc. Where are you getting the $10,000 figure?

 

[tlauster]

Could you explain your conundrum a little more? If your husband hasn't lived in Canada for 15 years, he would be considered a returning former resident and could import the car himself as settler's effects and avoid tax, etc. There really doesn't appear to be a need to transfer title, etc. Where are you getting the $10,000 figure?

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html
"Any single personal or household item, including an automobile, that is worth more than CAN$10,000 on the date you import it, is subject to applicable duty and taxes on the amount over CAN$10,000."

 

[Alex54321]

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html
"Any single personal or household item, including an automobile, that is worth more than CAN$10,000 on the date you import it, is subject to applicable duty and taxes on the amount over CAN$10,000."

@links18 Important to read asterisk in Subsection: Value limitation (CAN$10,000) *only applies to former residents

 

[links18]

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html
"Any single personal or household item, including an automobile, that is worth more than CAN$10,000 on the date you import it, is subject to applicable duty and taxes on the amount over CAN$10,000."

@links18 Important to read asterisk in Subsection: Value limitation (CAN$10,000) *only applies to former residents

Ah, I see. This seems a little draconian for someone who hasn't lived in Canada for 15 years. I am not sure how it would work when a married couple is returning to Canada, one of whom is a former resident and the other is setting up a residence for the first time. Two separate forms?

 

[tlauster]

Ah, I see. This seems a little draconian for someone who hasn't lived in Canada for 15 years. I am not sure how it would work when a married couple is returning to Canada, one of whom is a former resident and the other is setting up a residence for the first time. Two separate forms?

Yes, it seems like common sense for us to just have one form since we're married anyway, but the form itself allows for only one name to be entered. Since my car is being shipped, we won't be present and I can't trust that the customs agent at the border will figure out the details and waive the tax appropriately.

 

[Alex54321]

Yes, it seems like common sense for us to just have one form since we're married anyway, but the form itself allows for only one name to be entered. Since my car is being shipped, we won't be present and I can't trust that the customs agent at the border will figure out the details and waive the tax appropriately.

Here is a bit different question not related to the car export/import or BSF-186 form for you as a first time PR. You will have a record of landing and that date is the date when you become a Canadian resident. From that date for example a person in Ontario ( for example) starts counting 3 months waiting period toward Ontario medical coverage... But how about your husband, Canadian citizen and returning resident? What proof will he get as far as the starting date he returns? Nobody stamps the passport at the border...

 

[links18]

Here is a bit different question not related to the car export/import or BSF-186 form for you as a first time PR. You will have a record of landing and that date is the date when you become a Canadian resident. From that date for example a person in Ontario ( for example) starts counting 3 months waiting period toward Ontario medical coverage... But how about your husband, Canadian citizen and returning resident? What proof will he get as far as the starting date he returns? Nobody stamps the passport at the border...

I don't know about Ontario, but other provinces give coverage right away to a resident returning from living in another country.

 

[Alex54321]

I don't know about Ontario, but other provinces give coverage right away to a resident returning from living in another country.

Not correct -
1. There is a three-month waiting period after your arrival in Ontario before OHIP will cover the costs of your healthcare in Canada.
2. "Your coverage may start three months after your arrival date in British Columbia. You should get private health care insurance while you wait."
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/how-to-enrol
3. New residents arriving in Quebec from outside Canada will have to wait for up to three months after date of registration to become eligible for coverage for the costs of their healthcare in Canada.

 

[tlauster]

Not correct -
1. There is a three-month waiting period after your arrival in Ontario before OHIP will cover the costs of your healthcare in Canada.
2. "Your coverage may start three months after your arrival date in British Columbia. You should get private health care insurance while you wait."
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/how-to-enrol
3. New residents arriving in Quebec from outside Canada will have to wait for up to three months after date of registration to become eligible for coverage for the costs of their healthcare in Canada.

While my husband was living and working in the US, he had to register as a non-resident with Canada so he wouldn't have to file income taxes. So he has to go to Service Canada and re-activate his Social Insurance, as well as get a new driver license, then use that to apply for OHIP. The date of entry I think is self-reported on the application form for OHIP but of course I'm sure they'll be able to look into the system and see when he got his SIN and DL re-issued.

 

[tlauster]

Here is a bit different question not related to the car export/import or BSF-186 form for you as a first time PR. You will have a record of landing and that date is the date when you become a Canadian resident. From that date for example a person in Ontario ( for example) starts counting 3 months waiting period toward Ontario medical coverage... But how about your husband, Canadian citizen and returning resident? What proof will he get as far as the starting date he returns? Nobody stamps the passport at the border...

Another thing I just remembered - they will ask to see your bank statements, utility bills, rental agreements, and other documents in your name in order to prove that you have been living in Ontario for 3 months.

 

[links18]

Not correct -
1. There is a three-month waiting period after your arrival in Ontario before OHIP will cover the costs of your healthcare in Canada.
2. "Your coverage may start three months after your arrival date in British Columbia. You should get private health care insurance while you wait."
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/how-to-enrol
3. New residents arriving in Quebec from outside Canada will have to wait for up to three months after date of registration to become eligible for coverage for the costs of their healthcare in Canada.

What are you quoting? Manitoba gives you coverage the day you come back or land. Not everyone goes to the big three provinces.