Exporting a Vehicle from the U.S. and Importing into Canada: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

[Alex54321]

Also, that's what I got in May from support.riv.ca
"
Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding the importation of a US specification vehicle.
If your vehicle is already in Canada, you will need to visit a CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) office in order to obtain a Vehicle Import Form (Form 1) and begin the import process. To find the office nearest to you the CBSA can be reached at 1-800-461-9999.
"

 

[RitzzG]

@Alex54321
I am staring at a strange situation and any suggestion in this matter might be helpful. I plan to make my first landing on July 4th through flight, and ship my motorcycle across the border. All the forums have tons of information regarding people driving their vehicle and completing the export/import process. But in my case, who would complete all the steps?
At the US side, probably, shipping company can take care of it, but I wonder after crossing the border, how will import process be managed in my absence? Does a custom broker has to handle import side of things on my behalf?

I am in very confused state of mind and trying to gather as much information at this stage to have step by step approach, and if possible think of any better alternative.

 

[Alex54321]

@Alex54321
I am staring at a strange situation and any suggestion in this matter might be helpful. I plan to make my first landing on July 4th through flight, and ship my motorcycle across the border. All the forums have tons of information regarding people driving their vehicle and completing the export/import process. But in my case, who would complete all the steps?
At the US side, probably, shipping company can take care of it, but I wonder after crossing the border, how will import process be managed in my absence? Does a custom broker has to handle import side of things on my behalf?

I am in very confused state of mind and trying to gather as much information at this stage to have step by step approach, and if possible think of any better alternative.

No idea about shipping company after crossing the border, "they" will have to explain this to you.

All I know that today US export office refused to let me export my spouse's vehicle, saying that I ( husband ) cannot export somebody else's (my spouse's) car ( the Title is on her name) and asked the Power of Attorney (which I did not have at hand). I proceeded to Canadian side and did formal import. Canadians did not care about US rules. So, the car is imported and I started RIV.ca process. I asked CBSA whether I can travel back to US on this "imported" car. They said that I have to carry with me on the way back to Canada that import Form 1.

Tomorrow I am planning drive again to US export office, with proper Power of Attorney document - I hope this time I'll be able to export the car. I feel that I need to do this to satisfy US rules, since in the future, after registration in Ontario, I will drive that car back and forth. Also, who knows, may be in the future I will need to re-import the car to US. i

 

[incomingAbg]

Need to clarify few things:

1) I have a honda civic 2016 model, when I land first day for my COPR process do I need to provide the current cost of my vehicle in goods to follow ?
2) Any idea on how much will the entire cost of exporting will take from US to Canada and if I need to specify that amount in goods to follow sheet ?

Thank you!

 

[Alex54321]

Need to clarify few things:

1) I have a honda civic 2016 model, when I land first day for my COPR process do I need to provide the current cost of my vehicle in goods to follow ?
In my form BSF186 there is section 2 named "Conveyances" where I put Model Year/Make/Model/VIN and Value in CAD - I put approximately value .
2) Any idea on how much will the entire cost of exporting will take from US to Canada and if I need to specify that amount in goods to follow sheet ?
If you put the car(s) on the BSF186 - you as a settler will not pay any duty. I paid $35US to get ITN number for US export, $350CAD to RIV.ca, whatever Canadian dealership charged for car modification ( daytime running light in my case) and province safety inspection - ~$80CAD.

Thank you!

 

[CharlesM]

Hi everyone,

Is there any way to export a vehicle if the move date is a weekend? We have trucks, movers and ferries lined up for a Saturday but just got deep enough into the vehicle process to notice the US export office is only open weekdays. For example, could I get the export stamp a couple of days before our actual move? It is a couple of hour drive for us but could be easier than moving everything.

I have an email out to the Blaine office but thought I'd ask here too.

Thanks!

 

[Alex54321]

Hi everyone,

Is there any way to export a vehicle if the move date is a weekend? We have trucks, movers and ferries lined up for a Saturday but just got deep enough into the vehicle process to notice the US export office is only open weekdays. For example, could I get the export stamp a couple of days before our actual move? It is a couple of hour drive for us but could be easier than moving everything.

I have an email out to the Blaine office but thought I'd ask here too.

Thanks!

If the US export office will allow you "to return" to US with stamped Title - you are fine. In my case nobody forced me to proceed directly to Canada after formal export. Call them and ask.

 

[CharlesM]

In my case nobody forced me to proceed directly to Canada after formal export.

Thanks for confirming this. They responded with generic instructions stating their process and nothing listed there said that there is a requirement that I proceed to the Canadian border. So I am just going to drive up to do the export on a weekday as close as possible to our weekend move.

 

[pavan55]

Hello,
I had recently paid of my existing car loan and received the original title. It clearly says that I am the owner but it still has my finance group name under 1st lien section and they had the signed & dated the 1st lien release section. Do you know if this will be enough for the export paperwork ?
Or do I have to get a brand new title from dmv without the previous lien holder name at all. Any inputs would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. !

 

[madhav_91]

Hi All, I recently finished my car export/import and registration process from US to Canada.
Should i return my Texas License plates to Texas DMV ? I found in an article that texas doesn't require one to return license plates.
If so can I cancel my insurance before or after ?

 

[zabrodov]

Should i return my Texas License plates to Texas DMV ? I found in an article that texas doesn't require one to return license plates.

You can return the plates or, if they don't require the plates, you can keep them as a memory

If so can I cancel my insurance before or after ?

You can could have cancelled your US insurance when you obtained a Canadian one. No need to pay for it

 

[Vamsi539]

Would you guys advise buying a vehicle in US pay for shipping and local taxes versus buying in Canada?

We will need a minivan when we move in couple months but cannot decide if I buy in the US before we leave or buy in Canada.
Thoughts.

 

[Jon_Calgary]

Hello, appreciate any help on the following. I am a US citizen, and a Canadian PR, living in Alberta.

Looking to import a vehicle this year to Alberta, US relative is gifting to me their vehicle as they can no longer use and my vehicle is in decline.

Can you self import a vehicle during with the current COVID border/travel restrictions?

I am fully aware of the mandatory 14 day quarantine for travellers returning to Canada.

 

[Alex54321]

Hello, appreciate any help on the following. I am a US citizen, and a Canadian PR, living in Alberta.

Looking to import a vehicle this year to Alberta, US relative is gifting to me their vehicle as they can no longer use and my vehicle is in decline.

Can you self import a vehicle during with the current COVID border/travel restrictions?

I am fully aware of the mandatory 14 day quarantine for travellers returning to Canada.

You can go to US as US citizen. You can come back to Canada as a Canadian PR ( with following 14 days quarantine). That's about you.

Now - the vehicle.
From the beginning the vehicle should be admissible to import.
As you know the first step is the formal export from US. For that the vehicle's clear Title has to be on your name.
You can follow US export procedure and drive "your" US plated, US insured (insured in US on your name, since you are the owner) vehicle with stamped by US export office Title to Canada.
Since that vehicle was not included in the Goods or Goods to Follow you will pay Canadian duties ( they will figure out "their" price and calculate duty).
After formal import you will follow RIV procedure to bring the vehicle to Canadian standards ( modifications depends on make) in order to pass RIV inspection ( you will have 45 days after import).
After that you will have to pass Safety Inspection and secure Canadian Auto Insurance.
After that you can go and register that vehicle in your Province and be happy.

You did not mention Make/Model/Year , but I am sure it's not a good idea, it's not worth it.

 

[ca_hopeful]

Very informative thread!

A few questions I would like to ask this group
1. The whole export import process at the border - How long didi it take? I have a baby traveling with us, so wanted to know if its a lengthy process at the border
2. Car Title - My car was purchased in Illinois and I am currently in California with california plates. So the Car title was issued by Illinois but registration is California. Is this a problem? Should the title and registration be from the same state?