bringing our car across the boarder

[mattrox10]

My husband and I are living in the US, but moving to Ontario. What does it take to bring our car? Does it cost anything, do we need any documentation before we arrive at the boarder?

 

[parker24]

I'd like to know the same. The only difference is my husband is already here, wondering how to go about importing his car while in Canada/Ontario once he lands ???

 

[enna00]

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5048-eng.html

tells you how to import your car

 

[OhCanadiana]

My husband and I are living in the US, but moving to Ontario. What does it take to bring our car? Does it cost anything, do we need any documentation before we arrive at the boarder?

I wrote up 2 posts covering several of the details in the past couple days - take a look at http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/b4-and-b4a-forms-necessary-t102651.0.html;msg1419596#msg1419596 for the details. It's not hard, but there are several details to consider.

You'll need your original title to export the car; how to submit it depends on the CBP post you're exporting the car at. To import it, ensure you submit your B4/B4A when you land to declare the goods you are bringing in as a returning Canadian who has been outside of the country for over a year or a settler to save some duties (regardless of value for a settler; the amount up to 10k for a returning Canadian that has been out of the country for at least 1 year. If cars are jointly titled you can put them on either B4.)

To add a couple things to the export/import/registration process steps discussed in those posts: as long as you add it to your B4, you won't have to pay import duties. There is an RIV fee that covers the process and inspection you'll need to have that's around $100. For Ontario you'll need to have a separate emissions inspection, which you can have done at Canadian Tire at the same time (if you do both the import inspection and the Ontario safety and emissions inspections it will take about an hour and a half).

Also, for the RIV process you'll need to get a no recall letter - difficulty varies depending on manufacturer (e.g., Toyota has them readily available online). If you send that to the RIV a few days before heading up, it will speed up the process of getting the document you'll need from them to take the car to be inspected.

Also - careful with relying on the details in the link someone posted above from CBSA. That link covers importation for people already living in Canada which is different (and more expensive!)

Good luck

 

[parker24]

Thank you for explaining!

I'm wondering how to go about getting the title... My name is obviously not on it, but my husbands AND his Aunt's is. Both my husband and I are young (mid 20's) so we've never had to deal much with cars. We have to call the bank that leased it correct? Or do we need his Aunt to get that? Ohh I sense some FUN with all this haha.

Once again thank you for explaining!!

 

[OhCanadiana]

Thank you for explaining!

I'm wondering how to go about getting the title... My name is obviously not on it, but my husbands AND his Aunt's is. Both my husband and I are young (mid 20's) so we've never had to deal much with cars. We have to call the bank that leased it correct? Or do we need his Aunt to get that? Ohh I sense some FUN with all this haha.

Once again thank you for explaining!!

You're welcome. "Fun" factor will largely depend on whether car is paid off...

It depends on the state you live in and if it's an "and" title or an "or" co-ownership.

Call your state's DMV to ask what the requirements are to change the name on the title.

Have you paid off the car? If not, this is much more challenging ... you'll need permission from the leasing company to export it, import it, and to re-register it in Canada. Check your lease paperwork to see if it's allowed so you are knowledgeable before calling the leasing company.

 

[parker24]

You're welcome. "Fun" factor will largely depend on whether car is paid off...

It depends on the state you live in and if it's an "and" title or an "or" co-ownership.

Call your state's DMV to ask what the requirements are to change the name on the title.

Have you paid off the car? If not, this is much more challenging ... you'll need permission from the leasing company to export it, import it, and to re-register it in Canada. Check your lease paperwork to see if it's allowed so you are knowledgeable before calling the leasing company.

Oh boy. Nope, not paid off, won't be for a while either. Yikes. It's an "or" I believe. I'll have to have a chat with my husband's aunt and see if she can find out some information. Strange thing is, Hubby bought it in TN, but the bank is in Ohio. Sigh. I will be starting to research this before he gets anywhere near landing so at least we're prepared! Thank you again!

 

[Lemondrop78]

My husband and I are living in the US, but moving to Ontario. What does it take to bring our car? Does it cost anything, do we need any documentation before we arrive at the boarder?

LOL, I thought I wrote that for a second...I'm in the same situation.

 

[canadiangirl78]

I just did this. Importing was easy. There is a form at the border that is easy to fill out. But dumb me didn't know we had to export the car first. We were lucky that they waived the 72 hour hold as the car was on a truck and the driver could not wait which would have meant storing and driving the car from bc to on! So expensive!