I am exactly in the same boat. I am a full-time international student in the US and wanted to enter into Canada before my CoPR expired. Here is what happened:
- I entered Canada from the US in the first week of April 2020 in my own car (registered and titled on my name in NY). I had absolutely no idea about this import/export thing.
- I was told by CBSA that this car has to be imported into Canada since you are a new PR. I asked CBSA if there is any documentation required from the US, he said I only need title & registration. (Keep in mind I DID NOT export the car from the US yet).
- CBSA staff gave me no option and imported the car duty-free and gave me form 1 and RIV instructions and gave me back the title and registration.
- I paid the RIV fee, got the inspection cleared, and got the certificate in the mail.
- I have not yet gone to Service Ontario to register my car. I still have my NY state license with me.
I have heard and read so many conflicting information as to what happens next and what if the car is driven back to the US (with no export). There are a couple of things I wish to share and ask other people to clarify.
- If I drive to the US today (without registering the car in Ontario), will CBP stop me at the border? Will CBP know that this car has been imported into Canada? Will they impound or impose a fine or penalty for not exporting the car? Will my NY state title (not yet stamped as exported) be valid in the US?
- If I try to get the car registered in Ontario (without having the export stamp by CBP on my title), will service Ontario raise an objection about a missing EXPORT stamp on the title? If the registration is successful and they stamp the title as "Registered in Ontario" (or similar) will be I be able to drive back to the US and initiate the export process so that I can have the export stamped on the title?
- I have to drive to the US and Canada every now and then so I need to have a proper solution to this situation and not having to worry about this every time I cross the US border.
People in the same boat as me, please share if you made any progress with this. And experienced members can comment/answer the other questions. It will surely benefit a lot of people since this is happening quite often with new PRs.
Many questions and this is just my opinion.
1. The CBP do not know anything about import. Your Title is valid. Even more, when I asked Canadian Mercedes dealer to do a recall, he told me, no way, import or not import - the vehicle is still US vehicle and only Mercedes USA can do that work. Also there is process (free) to re-import the car back to US and restore the Title ( taken by Canadians).
2. In my case the ServiceCanada looked at the stamp and they took the Title ( they took the Title) and gave me an Ontario "green" registration card with notice on it that I cannot sell the car in Canada until after 12 months.
3. During the border crossing both Customs are interested only in one question - who you are, US person or Canadian person. When I drive Canadian plated car I tell US Customs that I am US citizen living in Canada and going to work to US, on the way back I am telling Canadians that I visited US / worked there and coming back home. When I drive our second car, still US plated/insured (I postpone export/import until after the virus) I tell US Customs I was in my "vacation" home in Canada and going back to work and/or to my home in US ( I am dual citizen), on the way back I am telling Canadians that I go to my "vacation" home for some time.
But in general if you live in Canada you need to drive ( easier) Canadian plated.car
